(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 150 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY month enlisted in Company E, Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as Sergeant. He veteranized December 21, 1863, at Wauhatchie, Tennessee; was mustered out of the service at Louisville, Kentucky, July 13, 1865. Among the engagements in which he took part were those of Winchester, Port Republic, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Lookout Mountain. He was with Sherman on that famous march from " Atlanta to the sea," thence up through the Carolinas to Richmond and on to Washington, taking part in the grand review. The war over, Mr. Buss went to Saginaw, Michigan, as lumber inspector, and remained there until 1876. He has since been a resident of Conneaut, engaged in work at the carpenters' trade. Mr. Buss was married March 28, 1867, to Miss Emma Farnham, a native of Conneaut and a daughter of Elisha and Mary (Ring) Farnham. Elisha Farnham was born in Connecticut June 8, 1806, the sixth in the family of ten children of Thomas Farnham. Thomas Farnham and his father were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. At, the age of twenty-five Elisha Farnham came West to Ohio and settled in Ashtabula county on lands that he occupied up to the time of his death. He owned and operated a gristmill and sawmill, located four miles from Conneaut. He was married in Conneaut. He died October 4, 1875, aged sixty-nine years, his wife having passed away in 1849, aged thirty-two. Mrs. Buss was two years old when her mother died, and was the youngest of the family, which was composed of six children, the others being as follows: Don Alphonzo, who served in the Second Ohio Battery two years, came from the army and died soon afterward of hasty consumption; Flora, wife of T. S. Young, of South Ridge, this county; Patrick Henry, a Wisconsin farmer; Mary, wife of Steven Havelin, of South Ridge; Lydia E., widow of Cornell Fuller, is a resident of Conneaut. Mr. and Mrs. Buss have five children, viz.: Henry, Jennie, Don Alfred, Lee Ring and Anna Emily. Henry married Minnie Tinker and lives in Conneaut. The other children are members of the home circle. Mr. Buss belongs to the G. A. R., and his wife is a charter member of the W. R. C. at Conneaut, of which organization she was the first vice-president. ALEXANDER HAY, the popular landlord of the Nickel Plate Eating House, Conneaut, Ohio, is a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, born in 1846. His parents were Alexander and Mary Hay, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania. The senior 111r. Hay was a man of excellent business qualifications, all his active life being spent as proprietor of a hotel at Coshocton. He died in 1846. His wife survived him until August, 1892, when she passed away at the age of seventy-Four years. She was one of the pioneers of Coshocton county, having gone there with her parents when she was a little girl. From her girlhood she was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and her whole life was characterized by the sweetest of Christian graces. She had thirteen children, the subject of our sketch being one of the six who are still living. When the Civil war broke out Mr. Hay was only in his 'teens, and, young as he was, he enlisted, in August, 1861, in Company E, Fifteenth United States regulars. After the battle of Shiloh, in which he participated, he OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 151 was detailed in recruiting service, and was at Newport, Kentucky, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Newport, Rhode Island. From Newport he went South, reaching Lookout Mountain two days after the battle; thence to Mobile, and from there to Selma, Alabama. He was discharged at Selma in 1867, after a service of five years and four months. He served as drummer four years. He stood the service well, and has never made any application for a pension. The war over, Mr. Hay turned his attention to work at his trade, that of machinist, and for eleven years worked for the Pan Handle Railroad Company at Dennison, Ohio. He learned this trade after the war. In 1878 he went from Dennison to Coshocton, where he worked at his trade until 1887. Since that year he has been a resident of Conneaut. After being in the employ of the Nickel Plate as machinist here one year he turned his attention to the hotel business, having been proprietor of the Nickel Plate Hotel ever since. Mr. Hay was married February 8, 1872, to Miss Lucy F. Furgeson, daughter of Edwin Furgeson, of Uhrichsville, Ohio. She is a lady of many estimable qualities and is a member of the Congregational Church. They have three children, all in school: Eddie, Mary E. and Frank F. Mr. Hay is an ardent Republican, and is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank, the G. A. R., A. 0. U. W. and Home Circle. Of Mrs. Hay's father we record that he was born in Culpeper, Virginia, and was for many years engaged in work at his trade, that of tailor, at Cadiz and Uhrichsville. He served all through the Mexican war, participating in its leading battles, and in the Civil war was a lieutenant in the Second' Ohio Battery, serving three years. He died at the home of his only child, Mrs. Hay, his wife having passed away two years before at Uhrichsville. Mr. Furgeson was a stanchRepublican and a prominent Mason, having taken the Knights Templar degree. ZALMON R. FITCH, a representative business man and public-spirited citizen of Jefferson, Ohio, was born in Warren, this State, December 28, 1850. His parents, Charles and Mary (Ray) Fitch, are both natives of Ohio, and now reside in Kinsman, this State. The subject of this sketch is one of five children. The first nine years of his life were passed in his native city, after which he removed with his parents to Kinsman. Here he received a good common-school education, and about the age of sixteen entered a furniture factory for the purpose of learning that business, remaining seven years. He then secured employment in an undertaking establishment in Kinsman, Which business he also learned. Thus well equipped for the battle of life, he removed, in 1881, to Jefferson, and here embarked in the furniture and undertaking business, which by careful management and industry on the part of Mr. Fitch has increased continuously, until about 1891 he added to this already large enterprise the manufacture of lounges for the wholesale trade. This undertaking promises to increase with the growth of the city, until it will rival the largest factories in the State, the quality of the goods here made being already of the best, which high grade will be retained as long as Mr. Fitch has the management. 152 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY In 1871 Mr. Fitch was married to Emma Cortleyou, a lady of domestic tastes, who has been a helpmate in every sense of the word. Fraternally Mr. Fitch is an active member of the Knights of Pythias, to which he has belonged for a number of years, In politics he is a Republican. Enterprising and progressive, he has aided largely in advancing the welfare of the city of which he is an esteemed resident. DR. W. L. GILCHRIST —Among the well known medical practitioners of --) Ashtabula, Ohio, the subject of this sketch and his worthy wife hold foremost rank in skillful and conscientious work, and justly enjoy a large and remunerative patronage. William Gilchrist, his father, was born of Scottish parentage in Dunsford, county Down, Ireland, in 1814, and when ten years of age accompanied his widowed mother and a large family of brothers and sisters to Brunswick, Medina county, Ohio. Here he was reared and received such educational advantages as his mother could afford and such as were provided by the schools in that early. day. When old enough he found employment as a day laborer, at which work he continued until he attained his majority, when he engaged in the butchering and general stock business, in which he remained until. nearly forty-five years of age. He then joined the westward tide of emigration, removing to Waterloo, Black Hawk county, Iowa, and there engaged in the grain and mercantile business, in which he continued until the fall of 1872. At this time he returned to Ohio and settled in Cleveland, where he conducted a small store until two or three years before his death, in July, 1883. His was a striking example of what native intelligence can accomplish, being an excellent financier and making money rapidly in his younger and more vigorous days. His wife, nee Lucinda Lewis, was a native of New York State, whence she accompanied her parents to Brunswick, Ohio. She was one of eight children: Hiram, Leonard, William, Harvey, George, Rosanne and Nancy. Mr. and Mrs. William Gilchrist had sven children: Lorenzo, now a resident of Cleveland; James, a Kansas farmer; Jeannette, wife of Mr. George Mixer, of San Francisco, California; W. L., the subject of this sketch; Lucinda, wife of Mr. H. E. Howarter, of Cleveland; George, a resident of Ashtabula; and Nancy, wife of Samuel Allen, of Cleveland. Dr. Gilchrist, whose name heads this notice, was born in Columbia, Lorain county Ohio, December 11, 1845, where his earlier years were passed. He attended the district school and assisted his father in the latter's merchandising establishment until he was about fifteen years of age. At that time, General Kirby, of the Confederate army, was threatening to capture Cincinnati, and young Gilchrist joined a squirrel rifle company, which, with other troops, prepared to defend that city. In the course of two weeks, the subject of this sketch was discharged, after which he enlisted regularly, but was released on the application of his father on account of his youth. When his father removed to Waterloo, Iowa, the subject of this notice accompanied him, and remained there supplementing his common-school education by a course at Waterloo high school until he attained the age of twenty-four, at which time he commenced the study of medicine in Chicago. A year later he returned to Waterloo, where he read and practiced medicine with OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 153 Dr. Barber of that city. He next removed to Chetopa, Kansas, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession a year, at the end of which time he returned to Ohio, whither his parents had preceded him. In consequence of a sunstroke received while in the West, Dr. Gilchrist was obliged to give up medical study and practic for a time, and was appointed a member of the Cleveland police force, where he served five years. Having regained his health, he once more resumed his chosen vocation, giving one year to the study of homoeopathy, after which he entered the medical department of the Western Reserve University, graduating in 1886, immediately following which he settled in Ashtabula, and engaged in active practice, meeting with deserved success. September 13, 1876, Dr. Gilchrist was married, in Kingsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio, to Miss Rosetta Luce, a highly educated lady, daughter of Jeremiah Luce, a pioneer of the county and one of the seven men who voted the Giddings abolition ticket, in Kingsville. He was born in Barre, Massachusetts, October 24, 1799, and in 1816 came with his father, Reuben Luce, and family to Kingsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he was for many years prominently connected with the farming interests of that. county, or until his death, April 21,1888. His wife, nee Tamer Barton, was born in Plainfield, Massachusetts, October 12, 1808, and was a woman of more than ordinary beauty and intelligence. She died at the age of eighty, December 22, 1888. They had four children : Cornelius, who died March 14, 1893; Betsy, wife of Mr. Adolph Williams; Sarah, wife of Mr. Albert Luce; and Mrs. Gilchrist. The latter had liberal educational opportunities. After completing the usual studies of the common schools, she entered Kingsville Academy, in 1864, at the age of thirteen; finished her academic course in 1867, and attended Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music in 1868 and 1869, giving especial attention to music and the languages. She prepared herself for teaching, in which occupation she was engaged in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in Iowa, Illinois, and in Cleveland. After marriage she began the study of medicine, with her husband, later entering the Homeopathic Hospital College, in Cleveland, at which she graduated with honors in 1890. She is now actively engaged in practice with her husband, with whom she has secured an extensive patronage, being everywhere justly esteemed as a woman of more than ordinary ability and judgment. She is a physician, poet and author. Her only volunie yet published is "Apples of Sodom, or a Story of Mormon Life." She has written several serial stories and other articles for magazines and papers, all of which are distinguished for elegance of diction and power of thought. She is an active member of the National and State Press Associations. Dr. and Mrs. Gilchrist have three children: Edward Luce,. aged fourteen; Jessamine Louise, aged eleven ; and Catherine Gertrude, aged seven. So ably encouraged and sustained, it is not surprising that Dr. Gilchrist should have attained the highest success in life, which consists not alone in financial prosperity, but in those multiform acquisitions which go to satisfy the needs of a human soul. ADRIAN H. LINDSLEY, one of the representative citizens of Cherry Valley Township, Ashtabula county, where he was born October 12, 1835, is a son of Horatio Lindsley. The latter came to 154 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY this county when a lad of but twelve years with his mother and stepfather, John Fenn. Horatio was a son of Abraham and Molly (Bidwell) Lindsley, natives- of Litchfield, Connecticut, and of English ancestry. 'They lived for a time in Paris, Oneida county, New York, where the father died in 1818. Soon afterward the remainder of the family came to Ohio, via the lakes, and were the second family in Cherry Valley township. Here Horatio grew to manhood. He married Eliza Creesy, a daughter of Josiah and Triphenia Creesy. Horatio Lindsley is now living in Jefferson, Ashtabula county. His wife departed this life in Jefferson, Ohio, in 1888. They hal five children: Helen, Adrian H., Ransom G., a resident of Pennsylvania; Dryden C., of Cleveland, Ohio; and Flora, wife of Charles Lawyer, of Jefferson, Ohio. Adrian H. Lindsley, the subject of this sketch, reared on the old home farm in Cherry Valley township. He was engaged principally in farming and handling agricultural implements midi 1870, when he located on his present farm of 185 acres of well improved land. His farm is one of the finest in Ashtabula county, contains a beautiful Gothic residence, barns, and everything necessary for a well-regulated place. He is engaged in general farming, dairying and stock-raising. October 7, 1858, Mr. Lindsley was united in marriage to Fannie A. Krum, a daughter of Hon. Henry Krum, who was born at Kinderhook, Columbia county, New York, July 5, 1802. He was a son of Peter and Sarah Krum. Henry Krum came to this county, in 1826. He married Matilda Ransom, a daughter of Samuel Ranson. They had five children: Abel, Charlotte, Fanny, John Peter and Hortense. The mother died in 1882, and the father December 22, 1885, at the age of eighty-three years. The latter was a farmer by occupation, a Republican in his political views, and religiously, a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Linda- ley have had four children, two now living: Arthur and Agnes. The deceased are: Henry, who died at the age of fourteen years, and Victor, at the age of twenty months. Mr. Lindsley affiliates with the Republican party, has served as Trustee, Assessor, as a member of the School Board, etc. ROYAL EDSON, dealer in stock and real estate, Jefferson, Ohio, is one of the successful business men of this place. Mr. Edson was born April 14, 1842, son of Otis and Lucinda Edson. His father was born in 1806, in Massachusetts, where he was reared and married. He grew up on a farm and was engaged in farming for several years, afterward turning his attention to speculating in real estate, in which he continued during the latter part of his life. He came with his family to Ohio in 1838 or 1839, and settled in Cuyahoga county, where he resided until 1863 or 1864, and where he owned a large landed estate. From there he moved to Ashtabula county and located on a farm near Jefferson, where he spent nearly all the rest of his life, his death occurring February 28, 1869. .Politically, he was an old-line Whig and afterward a Republican; and in his religious faith was a Universalist. The mother of our subject was born in Massachusetts and was seventeen years old at the time of her marriage. She became the mother of ten children, eight of whom are .living, five near Jefferson. The Edson family is well OF NORTHEASTERLY OHIO - 155 represented in the farming interests of Jefferson township. The mother, now hi her seventy-eighth year, makes her home with one of her suns. She is a devoted member of the Universalist Church. Royal Edson was reared on his father's farm and received a district-school and academic education. In 1862 he enlisted in the Enited States service; was mustered in at Cleveland, October 28, went out as a private in Company R, Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Whitheck, was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and immediately went South. He participated in numerous engagements, among which were those of Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain. He was on the raid through Knoxville and the charge made from Knoxville across the line into Georgia. After that he was placed upon detached duty, serving as clerk at post-headquarters, and was located at Jeffersonville, Indiana. Ile was honorably discharged June, 1865, at Jeffersonville, Indiana. During his career as a soldier he was twice captured, but each time made good his escape soon afterward. The war over, he returned home. Mr. Edson was married May 15, 1867, to Miss Clarrisa V. Hickok who was born in Jefferson township. Ashtabula county, Ohio, January 11, 1842. Her father, Jurista Hickok, a native of Massachusetts, came to Ohio in 1812, at the age of twenty-one, and settled in Ashtabula county, where he engaged in farming and where, a few years later, he married Miss Susanna Whelply. They had eight children. Mrs. Edson is one of six children by a subsequent marriage, five of whom reached maturity. Her father died in 1868, and her mother in 1872. The latter's maiden name was Acenith Belknap. Mr. and Mrs. Edson have had three children, viz.: Henry N., Linda C., and one that died in infancy. Mrs. Edson is a member of the Baptist Church. The subject of our sketch began life on his own responsibility at the age of fourteen, buying stock for Cleveland butchers. From a mere boy he has always been considered a good judge of stock. He bought his first piece of land in 1865,—a tract of sixty-seven acres in Jefferson township. This was his start in real-estate business. Since that time he has dealt extensively in realty, and also in stock and wool. In 1890 he shipped from the West 2,000 sheep, which he sold to farmers at reasonable rates. He also buys sheep and wool and ships to Eastern markets. Mr. Edson now owns a large amount of real estate at various places. He has property in Detroit, Michigan, about a dozen houses and lots in Ashtabula, and owns two or three farms. He held the office of Deputy Sheriff four years, was a member of the School Board eight years, and is now Township Trustee. He is a member of Giddings Post, G. A. R., in which he has filled the office of Company Inspector for the past three years, and is also identified with the I. O. O. F. FRANCIS COLEMAN, a prominent farmer and citizen of Wayne township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, a member of an old and influential family of the county, was born in this township in July, 1827, His father, Nathaniel Coleman, was one of the earliest settlers of the county, and a man highly respected for his ability and integrity of character, His mother, Mrs. Nathaniel Coleman (Kezia Jones), taught the first school in 156 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Wayne township. The subject of this sketch was reared in Ashtabula county, and received most of his education at the Grand River Institute, Austinburg, Ohio. He now owns and lives on one of the best farms in the county, and erected in 1889 a good house, with modern improve M ents January 8, 1852, Mr. Coleman was married to Miss Mary R. Miles, who was born in Weymouth, England, the daughter of James and Margaret (Royal) Miles. Her father died in 1847, leaving a widow and five children. Margaret Beale died in England; John, in Gustavus, Trumbull county, Ohio; James still resides in England; William G. B., one of the earliest settlers of Topeka, Kansas, was accidentally killed in 1856, and was there buried with military honors. The mother died in Kingsville, Ohio, a short time after the death of this, her youngest son, who was unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. F. Coleman have three children: Alphonso M., an enterprising merchant of Glendive, Montana, who married Miss Mary Keiser, of that place; Clifton R., who is a partner on his father's farm; and Carrie Margaret, who is the wife of James A. Hill, a publisher of New York city, and who has one daughter, Mildred. JAMES REED.—No more conspicuous I or highly honored character ever formed a factor in the history of Ashtabula' county than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. As editor and proprietor of the Ashtabula Telegraph for thirty-three years he wielded a wide-spread and beneficial influence over the minds of his community. He was born in the city of New York in 1812, the year of memorable events in the history of this country. His parents were from Canada, although his -mother was of English birth. He passed his childhood in his native city, and while he was a lad his parents removed to Norwalk, Connecticut, where he obtained a fair English education in the district schools. In compliance with the wishes of his parents he early apprenticed himself to the shoemakers' trade, but, as that business did not prove suitable to his taste, he abandoned it at the age of sixteen, by which time his parents had become residents of the adjoining town of Wilton. His manner of relinquishing the trade was strongly demonstrative of his disgust with it. Armed with an ax he surprised his shop- mates, in the presence of his parents, by an unexpected attack upon both the work-bench and the tools, all of . which he consigned to the flames. Answering an advertisement, he next began to learn the printers' trade in the office of The Recorder at Danbury, Connecticut, a paper which was afterward merged into the Danbury News, so famous • for its wit and humor. He completed his apprenticeship at Norwalk, same State, in the offices of the Fairfield County Republican and Norwalk, Gazette, and then was employed in the office of the New York Daily Advertiser as a journeyman; but in the latter situation he could not reconcile himself to the unnatural regimen of reversing day and night: Next he had day work on the New York Evangelist, and while there he was offered a position as manager of the New Orleans Observer, a Presbyterian paper; but after spending two seasons (1836–'37) there his failing health induced him to return North. Purchasing the Norwalk Gazette, before spoken of, he continued with that paper until 1853, and in that relation he was materially OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 157 assisted by Dr. T. B. Butler, a practicing physician of that placee. Next he was employed a short time by the Hudson (Ohio) Planing & Lumber Company, and then he went to Cleveland and resumed his old trade of printing. In April, 1856, he became the proprietor of the Ashtabula Telegraph, which he continued to edit and phblish until his death, in April,1889: He was ever a stanch and reliable Republican: Not until death chilled his faculties and palsied his hand did he drop his trenchant pen, which he had wielded with love for the advancement of mankind, and he is justly entitled to the greatest esteem of his fellow citizens and the emulation of future generations. For his wife he married Elizabeth C. Jessup, and they had four children: Emma L., Francis G., William G. and James, Jr. JOHN HARMON, of Ashtabula, Ohio, is one of the retired wheel-horses of this city, who has contributed by his energy and means to the promotion and sustaining of the best interests of the place where his life began, his birth having occurred here March 1, 1826. From his hardy New England ancestors he inherits that industry and determination which have won for him a comfortable competence and the highest regard of his fellow-men. Jahial Harmon, his paternal grandfather, passed his life in Mas-. sachusetts, and belonged to an old and prominent family of that State. He married Dorcas Sheldon and they had five children: Amos, Reuben, .Hiram, Aaron and Ada, all of whom removed to Ohio, where they reared families. Aaron, who was the father of the subject of this sketch, came to the Buckeye State in 1815, settling in Ashtabula county, of which he was a pioneer. He had but limited means aside from health, willing hands, natural intelligence and a courageous heart, elements highly necessary in a pioneer, which comprise a fortune in' themselves. He set to work industriously to improve his wild land, cultivating it so carefully and assiduously that it became a very valuable estate, which was divided among his surviving children at his death. He was one of the best informed farmers in the country, knowing more about that occupation than ninety per cent. of those in that business, as his eminent success substantially proves. His wife, Abigail Tyler, was one of four children, the others being Isaac, Atnanda and Chloe, whose father, Isaac Tyler, was also an old and respected settler from Connecticut. This worthy couple were the parents of seven children: Hardin D., a resident of Jefferson, Ohio; Judson, de, ceased; Edmond-, deceased; Ezekiel, residing in New York; John, whoSe name heads this sketch; Sheldon, who died in 1892; and Gilbert, of Ashtabula. In 1851 the family were called upon to mourn the loss of the devoted father, who died at the age of seventy-one years, on the homestead which his energy had reclaimed from a wilderness, being greatly lamented by all who knew him. The subject of this brief biography was reared on his father's large farm in Ashtabula county, where he received the best possible instruction in agriculture and kindred matters, while his knowledge of books was attained in a private school taught by George Hall. When twenty-one years of age he began farming for himself, to which enterprise he soon added stock-raising, which latter business attained in a few years very considerable proportions. His operations extended to the westward, where he bought 158 - BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORY much stock, which he brought to this point, where it was fattened and afterward resold or reshipped, as the market warranted. He was for a few years proprietor of a market in Ashtabula, and the older residents well remember the choice roasts which came from his store. No day or week found him idle when his health permitted him to be up and doing, and it was not until 1886 that the demands of his health forced him to retire from the commercial arena. He is essentially a man who has worn out, not rusted out, and his record of untiring industry and progress makes a large balance on the credit side of his journal of life. He is financially well situated, being the owner of the old Harmon homestead of 200 acres, one of the fine places of the county. He also owns valuable city property, including a beautiful home in East Village. He is a stockholder and director in the Farmers' National Bank of Ashtabula. In 1859 he was elected Justice of the Peace, which position he held for three years. In 1880 he acted as Town Assessor of real estate, being probably the best informed man in the county on realty valuations. Previous to this he had been Assessor of personal property for seven years. March 3, 1847, Mr. Harmon was married, in Austinburg, by the Rev. A. Williams, to Nancy Belknap, a well-known and highly esteemed lady of that city. Her father, Asa a Belknap, a prosperous farmer of this county, was born in 1790, and served as a Captain in the war of 1812, removing from the East to Ohio in 1829. He married Miss Betsy Little, by whom he had seven children: Almon J., who married Laura Baker; Martha, who was married to E. H. Willsey; Clarissa B., wife of John Sargent; Nancy P,, born March 31, 1827; Asa N., married to Charlotte Gates; Jane, who was married to Cor, nouns Baker; Abbie Amelia was twice married, first to Hamilton Bunce and afterward to Cornelius Baker; and Marcia, now Mrs. H. W. Hacket. Mr. and Mrs. Harmon have had two children: Eugene H., born September 9, 1848; and Lizzie A., born November 6, 1860, died August 13, 1865. In politics Mr. Harmon is a Democrat. In religious faith the family are Episcopalians, and afford material aid to the church and all local charities. In the enjoyment of ample means and universal confidence and esteem, Mr. Harmon may truly be said to have acquired the highest and best success in life, and has the best wishes of all for his future prosperity and happiness. JAMES REED, the present popular Post-master of Ashtabula, Ohio, of which city he has been for many years a prominent and worthy resident, is particularly deserving of mention in a history of his county, of which he is a representative man. Mr. Reed was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, September 30, 1851, a son of James Reed, recently deceased, of whom a sketch is elsewhere given. The subject of this sketch was but four years of age when his parents removed from their Connecticut home to Ashtabula. After receiving a good common-school education here, he attended Wilton (Connecticut) Academy two years. On returning to Ashtabula he entered the office of his father, who was publishing the Telegraph, and attended to the job department of the printing office. On arriving at age he became his father's partner, and so continued until the latter's death, in April, 1889. He then continued alone until July, 1891, when OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 159 he sold his interest to Scott & Remick, who shortly afterward consolidated the paper with the Daily Beacon, and who now publish the Daily Beacon and Weekly Telegraph. An active Republican in politics, Mr. Reed has been honored by the people with some of the most important offices in their power to bestow. He was elected City Clerk of Ashtabula, in which capacity he served with efficiency for six years, 1876-1882. January 27, 1890, he was appointed Postmaster of the city, his term to continue until January 27,1894. Since his incumbency he has greatly improved its system of service and extended its revenue to such an extent that the inauguration of free mail delivery was justified in December, 1892. In politics Mr. Reed is a Republican, and as an official he has given satisfaction not only to the Government but also to the people of his community. Fraternally, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum. He was married in 1876 to Miss Harriet Wells, daughter of S. B. Wells, an old and worthy citizen of Ashtabula, and they have four children: Emma L., James, Jr., Donald W. and Katherine E. GOVERNOR DAVID TOD, whose , honored and cherished name forms the caption of this biographical sketch, was one of the most illustrious of his time. In every generation there arise those who tower above their fellows in intelligence, wisdom, sagacity; men who are endowed with that genius and talent that fit them for leaders, counselors, statesmen; men who draw around them that deference which mankind naturally yield to their superiors; those that are distinguished for their wisdom, integrity, purity and nobility, rather than for noise and bombast. Of such men was Hon. David Tod. He inherited purity, nobility, and the talent of excellent parentage. His father was Hon. George Tod, who is yet held in affectionate remembrance as a pioneer lawyer and early settler of the Western Reserve, as an able jurist and excellent citizen. In the early history of the bench and bar in Northeastern Ohio, but few if any jurists occupied a more conspicuous place than did Judge George Tod. For many years, with marked ability and universal satisfaction to the bar and public, Judge Tod presided over the court of common pleas. Profound respect is paid him as a judge, and as an evidence of this respect an excellent bust of him has long been retained in the office of the judge of common pleas court at Youngstown. He was born at Suffield, Connecticut, on the 11th day of December, 1773. His parents were David and Rachel (Kent) Tod, of old New England stock. Judge Tod was a graduate of Yale College, graduating in 1795; afterward he studied law at New Haven, Connecticut. He was admitted to the bar in Connecticut, but soon afterward it became his plan to seek his fortune in the West. In 1797 he wedded Sally, a daughter of Ralph and Mary Isaacs, and after having visited Ohio in 1800, he returned to his native State, and in the following year returned to Youngstown, Ohio, with his wife and two children, Governor St. Clair, in the same year, appointed him Secretary for the Territory of Ohio, which became a State in the following year. The first election held at Youngstown after Ohio became a State, was in April, 1802. At that election George Tod was elected clerk for Youngstown township. To this office he was twice elected, first in 1803, 160 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY and again in 1804. The next public capacity in which he served was that of State Senator, being elected from Trumbull county, for the Legislative session of 1804—'05. Again in 1810—'11 he represented this county in the State Senate. In the year 1806 he was elected a Judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, and served in that capacity until 1810. With the coming on of the war of 1812 Judge Tod was commissioned a Major, afterward Colonel, of the Nineteenth Regiment of Ohio Militia. He participated in the war with honors, gaining distinction at Fort Meigs and at Sackett's Harbor. In the year 1815 Colonel Tod was elected the Presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. This office he held till 1829. A few years later he served one term as Prosecuting Attorney of Trumbull county. This was his last public office, and afterward he lived somewhat retired from the active practice of his profession. Much of his time in his latter days was spent in looking after the interests of his large farm, known by the name of Brier Hill, so named because of the abundance of wild blackberries that grew upon it. Judge Tod was not a money-maker. His farming was not practical, but theoretical and profitless. He had but little business tact. His strong hold was at the law, and out of his salary as a public officer came his support of himself and family. He became involved in debt in his latter days, and it is to the credit of his son, David, that his Brier Hill farm was kept from passing into other hands. His son lifted a debt that stood over the farm, and became its owner, but it remained the home of his father and mother, passing into his possession at the death of Judge Tod, which occurred in 1841. His wife survived him some six years. She died at the old homestead in 1847. It is said that she was a noble woman; that she was gentle, amiable, lovable; and her noble precepts constituted a rich inheritance for her distinguished son, to whose career we now turn with pride and admiration. David Tod was born at Youngstown, Ohio, on the 21st day of February, 1805. To him the privileges of a college education was riot extended. He gained only a fair academical education. Predilection led him to the study of law, and in 1827 he was admitted to the bar. At once he took up the practice of his profession at Warren, Ohio. At that time he was but twenty-two years of age, but not. withstanding his youthfulness he soon gained a respectable and remunerative clientage. His success in gaining a clientage was due to his dignified bearing, his sincerity, his frankness and integrity. He was far from being impetuous; on the contrary he was always calm, clear-headed and deliberative. He looked to the practical side of every question. His A success at the bar was, in the main, due to his unsurpassed ability in the examination of witnesses and to his power in gaining and holding the confidence of the jury, which he did by a manifest frankness, fairness and earnestness, together with his clear statements of argument. He was of force in argument, of quick wit, of a genial, happy spirit and temperament. The period of his active practice of his profession covered about fifteen years. Upon the death of his father, in 1841, he took possession of Brier Hill farm, which has since become celebrated for its rich deposit of mineral coal, which Mr. Tod developed by placing it upon the market. Later its rich deposit of coal invited industries to its proximity, and it thus became the starting point of great and profitable industries which have rendered the Mahoning one of the most wealthy of Ohio valleys, and OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 161 placed Youngstown in a proud position among leading manufacturing cities. Much credit for all this is due to the energy and enterprise of Mr. Tod. .As a-business man he was farseeing, an accurate calculator, and of great confidence, always sanguine of success. His friends shared his confidence; they trusted him and sought his advice. He was instrumental in originating the company that built the Cleveland & Mahoning Railroad, and he served as President of the company until his death. In his business efforts he was not only successful in amassing a large estate, but he also contributed materially to the growth and development of his county and city, in which he always took great pride and interest. Having reviewed his career as a lawyer and then as a business man, we now pass with much interest to his political life. When not twenty-one years of age he fell in with the Democratic, then the popular political party, its leader being Andrew Jackson, whose brilliant military career had rendered him a hero and a popular leader. Young Tod was prompted by his admiration for a great leader, and actuated by his inherent love of politics, and became an ardent, energetic partisan of the Democratic faith in the campaign of 1824. Four years later he was pronounced in his faith in the principles of the Democratic party, and thereafter he remained earnest, zealous, steadfast and faithful to the party until the secession movement of 1861. He opposed the election of General Harrison to the presidency in 1840, and made powerful speeches throughout the State. It is said that his father was very much grieved over the political course his son took against General Harrison, whom he so greatly admired and with whom he had served in the war of 1812; but the son believed he was right, and when convinced that he was right it was his disposition throughout his life to never yield, but to resolutely contend for what he conceived to be the right principle. The first political office to which David Tod was elected was that of State Senator, to which office he was elected in 1838. He grew in popular favor, and, in 1844, he was unanimously chosen by his party as its candidate for Governor. He was defeated for this office by Honorable Mordecai Bartley, the Whig candidate, whose majority was about 1,000, while a month later Clay, the Whig candidate for the presidency, carried the State by 6,000. In 1847, Mr. Tod was appointed by Presi dent Polk, Minister to Brazil, which position he held for five years, during which time h e resided in Brazil. As minister to Brazil, he negotiated several very important commercial and other treaties, some of which involved Government claims of over thirty years' standing. Upon his departure from, Brazil, the Emperor, in a farewell address, spoke of him in terms of highest praise, both as an official and individual. Returning home he remained active in business. In politics he lost no interest. He never appeared in politics with any prominence for a period of nearly ten years. He was first Vice-President of the National Democratic Convention that met at Charleston in April, 1860; and in that convention he played a bold part. The convention was about to end in great confusion, the chairman had left the chair, and all was wild discord. Mr. Tod, grasping the situation, rushed to the abandoned chair and called the convention to order, but it is remembered that the convention adorned to meet in Baltimore. In the Baltimore convention that nominated Stephen 162 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY A. Douglas, Mr. Tod appeared as a stanch supporter of Douglas, whom he gave his warm and unqualified support in the heated campaign that followed. He was recognized as one of that class of Northern Democrats who opposed the South in their determination to shape the policy of the Democratic party, and to secession Mr. Tod was resolutely opposed. He was of that class of Northern Democrats who, no doubt, preferred the election of Lincoln, rather than that of Breckenridge, the leader of the Southern Democrats. Secession was inaugurated in 1860, and at once Mr. Tod appeared in strong defense of the Union. He urged every measure possible to restore peace, and, when he saw that a civil conflict only could settle the stupendous question at this critical point, he discerned but one course that a loyal man could take. Scarcely had the firing on Fort Sumter ceased when Mr. Tod began to warn his neighbors of the nation's peril and to stir them to patriotic action. At his instance and largely at his expense the first troops to volunteer from Youngstown were organized into a part of the Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Upon the departure of these troops for the seat of war he gave to each soldier an army overcoat. These coats were known as " Tod coats," and some of _them were brought hack home by the soldiers on the close of war. Throughout the State Mr. Tod was known as a war Democrat, and as being in favor of a vigorous prosecution of the war. There were certain Democrats who, with the Republicans throughout the State, sought to elect a governor who would carry out just such a policy, and in order to harmonize the two parties and to bring in line all good and loyal citizens who loved their country more than party, it was thought best to bring forward a war Democrat for governor. The Republicans suggested Mr. Tod for a candidate. The suggestion was received with great favor and enthusiasm throughout the State. He received a unanimous nomination and was elected by a majority of over 55,000. He was elected to succeed Governor William Dennison, upon whom was placed the duty of inaugurating war measures and setting them in operation in 1861. To Governor Dennison is credit due for placing Ohio in the front rank of loyal States that patriotically responded to President Lincoln's call for troops in 1861. But, it must be remembered, that a more difficult and important work fell upon Governor Tod. In 1861 the trials and hardships of the soldiers were not so well foreseen and the situation in the beginning was not so discouraging to volunteers, who at first went to the seat of war with buoyant cheer. Later a time came when enlistments were procured with more difficulty, on account of the reaction of several signal defeats of the Union forces, which made it difficult to recruit the depleted ranks of regiments in the field, especially after the State had contributed its bravest and most loyal and ardent citizens. Then there was another obstacle to overcome, namely, seditious political influences. It is easy to see the difficult and important work that lay before Governor Tod upon going into office. It was a time that tried men's souls. The State was in danger of invasion, and at all times a wakeful eye must rest upon the situation. Frequent emergencies presented themselves, requiring prompt and vigorous action. Governor Tod, being a man of a calm and clear head, a cool temperament, of wisdom and sagacity, and having had a training that well qualified him to properly judge men, was OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 163 well fitted for the responsible position to which he was called. His administration as governor places his name among the most illustrious of executive rulers of State, and among the most distinguished in military affairs. He was always equal to the emergency; he was prompt, am and courteous, though independent at all times. Brave and courageous, he never feared to do his duty. He loved the brave boys on the battle-field, and was always watchful over their welfare. He was true to the soldiers of his State, and sought to maintain their honor, as well as to secure food and clothing for them while in the field of action. It was he who proposed permitting the soldiers, while in the field, to vote, holding that there was no reason why a man should be disfranchised because he was brave enough to fight the battles of his country. He punished, justly and severely, those of the anti-war party for their seditious utterances, and was known to countenance the arrest of Vallandingham in 1863. This and the vigorous war measures he was forced to inaugurate and carry out no doubt entailed to him many enemies, especially among the Democrats of the State. Notwithstanding this it was thought best to renominate him in 1863 for a second term. The State Republican Central Committee waited upon him, asking him to make the race. He refused, saying that another term as governor would land him in his grave, because of the many and arduous duties to be placed upon him, His attention was called to the fact that thousands were sacrificing daily their lives upon the battle-field for the country, whereupon he said: Then, looking at it in that light, I am also willing to sacrifice my life," and thus gave his consent to enter the race for a renomination. The delegates from eighty counties to the nominating convention had been instructed to vote for his nomination. A few days before the convention Honorable John Brough made a strong war speech at Marietta, and those who opposed the renomination of Governor Tod came into the convention with a storm, presenting the name of Brough for nomination, and to the great surprise of all secured the nomination of Brough, to whom Governor Tod gave his cordial and enthusiastic support. In January, 1864, Governor Tod retired from office, and in fact from public life. However he was tendered the portfolio of Secretary of the Treasury, by President Lincoln being called into the cabinet to fill the vacancy occasioned by the President appointing Secretary of the Treasury Chase to the position of Chief Justice. Governor Tod declined the appointment on account of his failing health. The duties placed upon him as Governor had broken his physical constitution and his health was failing fast. He retired to his Brier Hill farm and there death came rather suddenly to him, on November 13, 1868. The news of his death was received with great sorrow throughout the State, and at his home his neighbors mourned as one common household. Governor Tod was married at Warren, Ohio, July 24, 1832, to Miss Maria Smith, of that place. Her parents were early settlers of Trumbull county. She survives him. She bore her husband seven children; three daughters and four sons, namely: Charlotte, who was wedded by General A. V. Couch of the United States Army. She died in Mississippi in the spring of 1868; John Tod, now a prominent citizen of Cleveland, Ohio; Henry Tod, President of the Second National Bank of Youngstown; George Tod, Vice-President of the Mohoning National Bank of 164 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Youngstown; William Tod, a prominent manufacturer of Youngstown; Grace, the wife of Hon. George F. Arrel, attorney at law at Youngstown; Sally, the youngest daughter and child, is unmarried and lives with her mother in Youngstown. EZRA H. METCALF.--Few men in Ashtabula county, Ohio, have contributed as much to her material and moral advancement as the subject of this sketch, who has greatly aided, by his energy and ability, in pushing her car of progress along the road leading to the point of high eminence now attained. He inherits his sturdy qualities from hardy New England ancestors, who have been in this county since early Colonial times. His grandfather, Ezra Metcalf, was born in New Hampshire about the middle of the eighteenth century, and spent his life in the Granite State. John Metcalf, his son, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in that commonwealth in the latter part of the same century, and was reared and educated there. When he had attained the age of manhood, he went to Canandaigua, New York, where he secured the contract for carrying mail from that point to Niagara, the same State, his route being afterward extended as the road was opened up to Buffalo, to which latter city he was the first man to carry a mail bag. From that city he pushed his way westward on foot, with a mail bag on his back, blazing a path through the untraveled wilderness, his course afterward becoming a beaten track, over which many hundreds passed to the promised land of the West. Later on, he settled in Ashtabula, Ohio, where he established a small mercantile, business in East Village, resigning to the Government his commission as mail-carrier. The desire for his old occupation, however, grew upon him, until he shortly afterward secured another mail contract from the Government, this time for the route west of Ashtabula to Cleveland, his familiar face being again seen in Uncle Sam's service as far toward the setting sun as Fort Meigs, Defiance and other distant points. He visited Washington on horseback as many as fourteen times to renew his contract with the Government, when, becoming by this time aged, and being a cripple from youth, he surrendered his commission, after a service in the mail department of the Government for more than thirty years. His remaining years" were spent in retirement, and he died in Ashtabula, August 20, 1853, aged seventy years. He thus passed from the midst of his family and many admiring friends, to whom his many sterling qualities of mind and heart had greatly endeared him. His wife, mother of the subject of this sketch, was a daughter of Peleg Sweet, Sr., a prominent character of Ashtabula county, of which he was a pioneer. He was a native of Connecticut and a shoemaker by trade, an occupation he followed in earlier life, but which he abandoned after coming to this county. He traded his old home in New England for 800 acres in Ashtabula county, to which he removed, and on which he made his home until death, cultivating and improving his land until it became a valuable piece of property. He donated several pieces of land to Ashtabula, a cemetery plat, a tract for a park in East Village and an eighty-foot street,--which are lasting monuments to his liberality, as well as his devotion to the interests of his adopted city. He is deserving of the regard of all patriots, having sealed his devotion to his OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 165 country by an efficient service in the war of 1812. His wife, Mary Wilkinson, was the daughter of an Englishman, and was one of thirteen children, of whom eleven attained maturity, those besides herself being: Clarissa, Lauren, Isaac, Lewis, Asa and Aria (twins), Fretus, Peleg, Susan and Orphia, the others dying in infancy. John Metcalf and wife had six children: Birdsey S., who was married three times, first to Samantha Cheney, next to Eliza Hall, and lastly to Emily Hall; he died in 1890; E. R., the subject of this sketch; John Q.; Clarissa, who married Robert Johnson; Lauren D.; Mary M., who married Dennis Dean, who died in New York city while on a visit; her remains were .brought to Ashtabula for interment. E. R. Metcalf, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, March 17, 1818, and was reared on his father's large farm, attending the schools in his vicinity. At the age of sixteen years he secured employment as a cabin boy on a boat plying the lakes, in which capacity he worked three months, when he was advanced to a position before the mast. He worked in different positions after that, serving for five years on a sail boat and four years on a steamer, severing his connection with the lake trade while holding the position as second mate of a steamboat. On relinquishing that position, he invested his small earnings in a farm, his first purchase being a tract of twenty-three acres. By industry, careful economy and excellent management, he gradually increased his means, adding to his land from time to time until he now owns 400 acres, all well cultivated and improved. The-place is contiguous to the city, and is one of the good farms of the county. He also owns a home in. Ashtabula, in which he has passed the last few years of his life, enjoying, in ease and comfort, the accumulations of former years of toil and economy, blest in the affection of a worthy family and the universal esteem of his fellow men. When twenty-five years of age, Mr. Metcalf was married in Ashtabula, by Elder Low to Miss Virginia Sweet, a lady of social culture and domestic accomplishments, daughter of Peleg and Hannah (Stevens) Sweet. She was one of eleven children: Sidney, who married Adaline Easton; Virginia W., born January 25, 1822; Albert, who married Landis Sweet; Harmon married Rebecca Woodbury; Pembroke married Betsy Castle, nee Cheney; Rushbroke married Lucana Sweet; Jesse M.; Letitia married William D. La Zade; Emelia married Truman Shaw ; Emma died young; and Wilson married Alice Forbes. Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Metcalf have four children: Marion, who married James Forsyth; Friend married Lewella Hayward; Chauncey J. married Abbie Foot; Dennis D. married Martha Askew. In politics Mr. Metcalf is a Republican, having cast his first vote for William H. Harrison and his last for his grandson, Benjamin. Mr. Metcalf is essentially domestic in his tastes, finding his greatest happiness in his home surroundings. Like his honored father before him, he is deeply imbued with the love for his native city and country, whose progress seems a part of himself. ALVIN C. WHITE, Mayor of Jefferson, Ohio, a worthy citizen and leading lawyer, was born August 9, 1850, in Parkman township, Geauga county, Ohio, where he was mainly reared, although during his childhood his parents resided for fully nine years in Pennsylvania. His par- 166 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY ents were Eben Clark and Emily (Pinney) White; the paternal grandmother having been a Miss Clark before marriage, the son was given her maiden name. The paternal grandfather, also Eben White, was a native of Connecticut and a lineal descendant of William White, who came from England in the Mayflower. He first settled in the Plymouth colony, whence the family afterward removed with others to Connecticut, where they took up their abode. There Grandfather Eben White was born and reared, and thence he moved with his family to Ohio in 1817, settling in Farmington, Trumbull county, where he lived four years, when he removed to Parkman, Geauga county, where he started an iron foundry, which he successfully operated for several years. He then removed the foundry to Kirtland, where the establishment was destroyed by fire. He thereupon returned to Parkman. He had two sons and five daughters, of whom Warren, the oldest son, died, unmarried, in 1837; and Eben Clark White, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Connecticut November 2, 1816. Eben Clark grew to manhood in Geauga county, Ohio, where he has passed the greater portion of his life, and where he still resides, being engaged in the wagon-making trade. He married Miss Emily Pinney, also descended from an old and respected family. The subject of this sketch and two daughters, Sophronia, now deceased, and Cynthia, now the widow of Ethan A. Alderman, were the issue of this marriage. Miss Pinney was a daughter of Captain Levi Pinney, a brave soldier of the war of 1812. The American ancestor of this family was Captain Aaron Pinney, a native of bonny Scotland, who came to the United States prior to 1755, settling in Windsor, Connecticut. They established the first Scotch Episcopal Church in that State. Aaron Pinney's. son, Abram, was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary war. His son, Levi, removed from Connecticut to Ohio about 1812 and settled in Trumbull county, where he continued to reside until 1827, when he removed to Lake county, the same State, where he died in 1853. He had several sons and daughters. Mr. White, of this sketch, attended the district schools during his earlier years, after which he went to the Parkman high school for two years. In August, 1869, he entered the freshman class in Hiram College, at which institution he graduated June 19, 1873. He was engaged in teaching for three years, and then in October, 1876, he entered the law department of the Michigan University, where he remained through the term. He then came to Jefferson, Ohio, where he was for a time in the law office of Hon. Stephen North-way, subsequently returning to the Michigan University, from which he graduated in March, 1878. He was admitted to the bar in Geauga county in the following month, and in May opened a law office in Jefferson, where he has ever since resided and successfully practiced his profession. Soon after establishing himself in that city he entered into a partnership with E. J. Pinney, under the name of Pinney & White, which association was pleasantly and profitably continued until Mr. Pinney's removal to Cleveland in 1890, since which time Mr. White has practiced alone. Politically Mr. White has been a life-long Republican, but during the last few years has not fully accepted the tariff policy of his party. Of open, candid disposition, honest in purpose and faithful to trusts, he enjoys the confidence of his community, which is exemplified in his recent election to the Mayoralty of his city. He had frequently OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 167 declined office before this, but on this occasion a principle was involved with which he was in thorough touch, which accounted for his acceptance of the proffered honor. Jefferson has been a local-option town and free from saloons since 1886, but in the spring of 1892 a strong fight was made between the whisky ring and temperance men for supremacy. Mr. White was solicited to become the temperance nominee for Mayor, and as such was elected after a heated contest. Mr. White was married October 8, 1876, to Amelia C., daughter of Seth and Mary (Russell) Burton, a lady of domestic tastes and social accomplishments. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Past Chancellor of that order. Mr. White is a man of intellectual ability and moral worth, being a worthy descendant of an honorable family, and taking a commendable interest in the welfare of his city, State and country. JOHN ANSON CALDWELL, one of the prominent business men and worthy citizens of Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1838. . The Caldwells trace their ancestry to Tyrone and Donegal counties, Ireland, and are of Scotch-Irish extraction. They were Protestants; were people of wealth, belonging to the landed nobility, and had a coat of arms. John A. Caldwell's parents, Robert and Maria (Lowry) Caldwell, were both natives of Pennsylvania. Robert Caldwell was born December 14, 1798, and died in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1842. He was a farmer by occupation, was keenly alive to the best interests of the farm, and was well known as an honest, industrious and worthy citizen. From boyhood he was a devout member of the United Presbyterian Church. He had decided views on political matters, and was an ardent Whig. His wife, Maria, was born July 17, 1801, and died November 15, 1838. She, too, was a worthy member of the United Presbyterian Church, and was a woman of many estimable qualities, loved by all who knew her. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell were married February 1, 1821, and had a family of children as follows: Nancy, wife of Lewis Speer, was born January 16, 1822, and died in 1858; Mary, born March 3, 1824, became the wife of Richard Bran, his death occurring February 11, 1892, and hers February 19, 1892; Elizabeth L., born March 22, 1827, married William Catlin, her death occurring in 1891, and his in January, 1893; Emeline, wife of Elisha Stone, resides in Batavia, Illinois; Almira, wife of R. S. Whitney, is a resident of Westfield, Wisconsin; and John and Anson, the youngest of the family. By a second marriage Robert Caldwell had one child, Alfred Augustus, born May 7, 1841 This son, Alfred Augustus, enlisted in the Union army in 1861. He was taken prisoner on the battle-field and was sent to the Andersonville prison pen, where, after months of suffering from exposure and starvation, death came to his relief. He sleeps his last sleep in the National Cemetery at Andersonville. The subject of our sketch was deprived of a mother's loving care in infancy, and, his father having died a few years later, he remembers little of him. He lived at the old farm home until he was fifteen years of age. Then he worked two years at the tinner's trade, and after that went to school two years. In 1859, at the age of twenty, being of a restless disposition and having a desire for travel, 168 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY he set out for California, via the Isthmus route, taking passage on the celebrated Star of the West. It will be remembered that this same vessel, while on the way to Fort Sumter with provisions and ammunition for General Robert Anderson in 1861, was fired upon by the rebels. Mr. Caldwell spent two years in California in mining operations, and several years more in mining and prospecting through the territories of Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Montana. He returned east as far as Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1866, and the following year made a visit to the home of his childhood. In 1868 he went to Omaha, Nebraska, and for several years worked at his trade there. January 6, 1872, he removed to Conneaut, Ohio, and engaged in the grocery business, under the firm name of Bosworth & Caldwell. Two years later the firm became Poole & Caldwell, and since 1882, having bought out his partner's interest at that time, he has continued the business under the name of J. A. Caldwell. He carries a full line of groceries, provisions, crockery, queens-ware, notions, etc., and has a large trade, numbering among his customers the best people of the city and surrounding country. Mr. Caldwell was married in Council Bluffs, Iowa, April 29, 1869, to a daughter of Calvin and Harriet Poole. It was his father-in-law with whom he was engaged in business, under the name of Poole & Caldwell. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell have two children, viz.: Jessie A., wife of C. B. Stoke, of Conneaut; and Harriet Almira, a pupil in the Conneaut public school. Mrs. Caldwell is a member of the Episcopal Church. In social as well as business circles Mr. Caldwell ranks with the leading citizens of Conneaut. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Cache Corn mandery, in all of which bodies he holds the office of Treasurer. He is also Treasurer of the, Knights of Honor, National Union and the Elks of Conneaut. He is a charter member of the Knight of Pythias Lodge, at Conneaut; was the first Past Grand Chancellor of said lodge, and has also served five years as District Deputy of the same—Maple Lodge, No. 217. He is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. Aside from his activity in secret organizations, he has always shown a public spirit worthy of commendation and has been deeply interested in the public enterprises of the city. He holds decided views on political matters of county, State and Nation, and affiliates with the Democratic party. REV. SIMON B. HERSHEY.—Of the many bright stars that form the cluster of Ohio's advanced theological thinkers, whose rays illuminate life's pathway for the happiness and betterment of humanity, there is none more conspicuous than the Rev. Simon B. Hershey, the subject of this memoir, whose benign light has a moral, elevating and religious influence upon all who come within his circle. There is no calling so sacred as that of a minister of the Gospel; none comes so near the domestic fireside or the heart of man, and there is no calling the members of which have so potent an influence in shaping the conditions of society or the destinies of a nation. Hence church societies should exercise the greatest care in securing the pastors that are to preside over their congregations. That the people of the First Congregational Church have exercised this care in the selection of their pastor is evidenced by his efficiency and his long time of service with them. NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 169 Mr. Hershey was born in Wayne county, Ohio, September 21, 1847. His parents, Benjamin and Susannah (Wellhouse) Hershey, were early settlers in the State, the former carrying on the business of farming. Both of these good people were widely and favorably known for their moral and religious qualities. The elder .Hershey was a native of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania. He died in Wayne county, Ohio, at the age of fifty-four years. His wife, Susannah, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, where she died at the age of sixty-nine years. The former was of Swiss extraction. The latter's father, Mr. Wellhouse, was a native of Holland, and came to the United States when a boy. He was a man of prominence in his section of the country, and was successful in his business operations. He was connected with the hanks at Wooster and at Akron, and was generally known as Judge Wellhouse. By his wife Susannah he became the father of seven children: Abraham, George W., Simon B., William O., Mary (wife of W. Henneberger), Edward A., and Ella (who was married to David Leonard). Rev. S. B. Hershey was reared at home, where he received his preliminary education. At an early age he was sent to the Otterbein University, Ohio, which institution he left in his sophomore year, and for a year subsequently taught school. At the expiration of that time he entered Oberlin College, at which institution he graduated in 1870 with the degree of Master of Arts. Leaving college, he taught school for a year in Ohio, and then entered Oberlin Theological Seminary for a two-year's theological course. This student of divinity was not yet satisfied with his theological researches, and later he is found at Yale delving deeper into biblical lore. He graduated in May, 1874, with the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. Leaving college, he served his first pastorate in the Second Congregational Church of Danbury, Connecticut, where he remained until the spring of 1881, when he visited Europe, returning in the fall. Soon after his return from abroad he received from the Congregational Church of Ashtabula a call which he accepted, taking charge as pastor January 1, 1882. So eminently qualified was he to preside over this congregation, so able and satisfactory his ministry, that he has been retained ever since, to the full gratification of all. So able and zealous have been his labors that the church has grown stronger year by year, until now it is one of the strongest and most prosperous religious societies in the State. Mr. Hershey was united in marriage, August 18, 1874, to Thirza E., the accomplished daughter of Dr. Homer and Mrs. Anne (Pierce) Johnson, of Oberlin, Ohio. Mrs. Hershey was a graduate of Oberlin College, and a classmate of her husband. Dr. Johnson was the leading physician of Oberlin, where he practiced for upward of half a century. He was a man of high standing as a physician and as a citizen. He departed this life about three years ago. His widow still resides at Oberlin. Mr. Hershey paid his own expenses from his sophomore period through the different educational institutions by teaching. He was ordained at Danbury, Connecticut, in 1874. A few thoughts touching some special features of Mr. Hershey's ministry and personal traits of character will close this biography. He is a man a little above the medium stature, well formed and of pleasing personality. His features, which are genial, open and reassuring, are indicative of a, broad 170 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY intellectuality, while at the same time they impress the beholder with the. fact that he is by nature a man of warm impulses, charitable, benevolent, and in full sympathy with humanity. As a minister he stands for liberal and progressive theology; he is not a stickler for creeds, but preaches Christ and his great love for mortal man, reaching out for the hearts of his hearers, laboring to impress upon them the great and priceless value of a Christian life. He is a close student, a deep thinker, and a logical reasoner. He is happily endowed with a clear, rich voice, superior oratorical powers and personal magnetism. Thus possessed, it is but natural that his influence for good, for Christianity, is potential; that be has the love and confidence of his congregation, both the old and the young, and that he is a bright ornament in that noble profession to which he has devoted his life. LEVI RITTER, of Dorset township, Ashtabula county, was born December 7, 1829, a son of Christian Ritter, a native of Pennsylvania. The latter's father, Jacob Ritter, was of German parentage, and one of the first settlers of Canfield, Mahoning county, Ohio, Christian Ritter was married in Mahoning county, to Mary Dustman, a native of that county, and of German descent. They afterward spent four years in Wood county, Ohio, returned to Mahoning county; later went to Champion, .Trumbull county, Ohio, and in 1857 removed to Lenox township, Ashtabula county. Mr. Ritter, a farmer by occupation, died at the age of eighty-four years, and his wife departed this life at the age of eighty-three years. They had nine children, viz.: Rebecca, Jacob, Adaline, Levi, Barbara, Elias, Sarah, Christopher, Washington, and one deceased in infancy. Levi Ritter, the subject of this notice, was early inured to farm labor. He has followed carpentering most of his life, and also owns a well improved farm of forty-eight acres. He has a good one-and-a-half story residence, 16 x 24 feet, with an " L " of the same dimensions, and a barn 30 x 40 feet. Mr. Ritter was married at the age of twenty-three years, to Eveline C. Kibler, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Brandon) Kibler, natives of Virginia, members of old and prominent families in that State. The father died at the age of sixty years, and the mother at the age of seventy-two years. They had eleven children, namely: Sarah, Julia, Martha, Polly, William, Eveline, George, Zachariah, Eliza, James and Nancy. Mr. and Mrs. Ritter have four children: George, at home; William, married, resides in Windham, Portage county, Ohio; Emma, wife of Comfort Struck, of Canfield, Mahoning county; and Floyd, at home. J. M. DOW, editor of the Andover Citizen, of Andover, Ohio, was born in Chicago, in 1859, a son of John and Aurelia (Marshall) Dow. The father, one of the publishers of the Northwestern Home Journal, died when our subject was one year old. The mother was from the same stock as the late Chief Justice Marshall. J. M. Dow, our subject, moved to Franklin, Venango county, Pennsylvania, and when seven years of age removed to Orwell, Ohio, receiving his education in the Orwell Normal Institute. He began the printing business at about the age of eighteen years, hi OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 171 the office of the Orwell Welcome. His present paper was established in 1883, by E. M. Dewey, and was purchased by Mr. Dow in 1886. It has a circulation of about 800 copies, at a yearly subscription price of $1. Mr. Dow was married in 1886, to Frederika E. Bond, a native of Rock Creek, Ohio, and a daughter of Frederick N. and Mary K. (Barr) Bond. The father died in 1877, in Rock Creek, where he had been engaged in the harness trade for a number of years. The mother is a sister of Hon. Matthew Barr, of Erie, Pennsylvania, and now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Dow. Mrs. Dow is of English and Scotch-Irish descent. She has a fine musical talent, and a number of musical scores of her composition have been published. EDGAR L. HILLS.—Ohio is peculiarly fortunate in her public officers, who are universally men of worth and ability. Conspicuous among these is the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch. Edgar L. Hills, the efficient and popular Recorder of Ashtabula, county, worthy citizen and successful business man, was born in Albion, Erie county, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1852, and is a son of Humphrey A. Hills, a widely known and highly respected resident of that State. Humphrey Hills was born in Goshen, Connecticut, August 10, 1811, and was married at Cranesville, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1834, to Antha, daughter of Georde and Eunice (Green) Reed, by whom he had nine children: Charles W., Marcus A., Alice P., Henry H., Mary A., W. Scott, Lucy E., Humphrey A. and Edgar L. Of these all are living except Alice. His second marriage occurred at Albion, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1853, when he wedded Louise Adelia, daughter of Hiram and Susan (Powers) Williams, by whom he had four children: Willis P., James L., Victor F. and Jessie May. Four of the sons responded to their country's call and took arms in the great civil conflict. The four were Charles, Marcus, Henry and Scott. Charles was Captain of the Seventh Iowa Infantry, and afterward in command of Company B, One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Infantry; Marcus was First Lieutenant of the Third Iowa Infantry; Henry served in the First Colorado Regiment; Scott served in the Navy, on the United States man-of-war "New Ironsides." In early years Mr. Hills secured various official preferments in Erie county, Pennsylvania, having served as Constable, Justice of the Peace, School Director, and in 1847 County Commissioner. In 1850 he was Surveyor in charge of the work of establishing the county line between Erie and Crawford counties. Later on he was the incumbent as United States Marshal for his district, and in 1852 and 1853 was a member of the House of Representatives in the State Legislature. He died March 14, 1887, at Springfield, Pennsylvania. Edgar L. Hills, concerning whose life this sketch has mainly to do, was reared in his native county, receiving a common-school education. He then took a position in a dry- goods establishment at Springfield, Pennsylvania, and after a time took a course in the Spencerian Business College at Cleveland, Ohio. Upon the completion of his studies in this institution he entered a dry-goods establishment at Cleveland, as salesman, retaining the position for about three years. He then returned to the Keystone State, where he clerked for four years longer. He was then married, and shortly afterward re- 172 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY moved to Conneaut, Ohio, where he entered the mercantile field upon his own responsibility, continuing in business until his election, in 1886, to his present office as Recorder of Ashtabula county. In December, 1886, he removed to Jefferson, the county seat, where he has since resided. He has twice been elected as his own successor,— at the expiration of his term, in 1889, and again in 1892, his election for the third term being the first instance of the kind in many years, and serving to show the high regard in which he is held, both as an officer and a man. Mr. Hills was united in marriage June 28, 1877, to Miss S. Louise Doty, an estimable lady of Springfield, Pennsylvania, who was born in Eagleville, Ashtabula county, Ohio, June 28, 1855, and they have two daughters, Maude L., who was born at Conneaut, Ohio, February 19, 1879, and Margaret, who was born at Jefferson, Ohio, December 24, 1887. Politically, Mr. Hills sympathizes with the Republican party, and socially, is a member of Columbian Lodge, No. 491, Knights of Pythias, at Jefferson, and the Royal Arcanum, at Conneaut, while, as a citizen and business man, he enjoys pre-eminence in his community. PERRY GREENE BECKWITH - blazed a way for future generations to follow, none is more worthy of mention than the subject of this sketch, who materially assisted in starting her car of progress on the road which has led to her present prosperity. Perry Greene "Beckwith, deceased, a sturdy Ohio pioneer, was a native of Connecticut, and in 1811 joined the westward tide of emigration, moving his family by ox team from Lyme, his native State, to the southern part of Ashtabula county, Ohio, being six weeks on the way. To the small settlement which was started in his vicinity he gave the name of New Lyme, in remembrance of his Eastern home, which name it still retains. At the time of his settling here, Indians were plentiful, and many of these would visit the family and ask for food and clothing. He had six sons and two daughters: Elijah, Perry G., Alvin, Ezra, Edward and Samuel; the daughters being Esther and Joanna. This worthy man passed a truly patriarchal life among his children and friends, and died at an advanced age, sincerely lamented by all who knew him. Ezra M. Beckwith was six years of age when his parents came to Ohio, where he has since resided, his present home being in Colebrook, Ashtabula county. He was reared on a farm and received the educational advantages afforded by the country in his day. He married Lucinda Phillips, whose father, Halsey Phillips, was the second settler in what is now Colebrook township, Ashtabula county, and they had four children: Halsey P. and three daughters. Halsey P. Beckwith, for many years a prominent citizen of Jefferson, Ohio, was born in New Lyme, on the old homestead of his paternal grandfather, September 28, 1837. He was reared on a farm and received a common-school education in the pioneer schools of the day. On arriving at maturity he began to farm, which occupation he followed until he was appointed Deputy Treasurer of Ashtabula county in 1879. He served in that capacity for three years, when, in 1882, he was elected County Treasurer, serving one term of two years, at time expiration of which time he was re-elected for another term. When his second term of office expired, he OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 173 was retained by his successors as Deputy Treasurer, covering in all a service of eleven years and six months, in all of which time he proved himself to be an able and faithful officer, never being absent from his post of duty but thirty days during this entire time. He has since lived retired from active business, looking after his landed interests in this county and town. In politics Mr. Beckwith has affiliated with the Republicans since the organization of that party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, the Independent 'Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. As a citizen and man he is deserving of the high esteem of his fellow-men, which he so universally enjoys. HON. ISAAC N. HATHAWAY.— Were this volume being compiled for the present generation only it would be unnecessary to give place in it- to the record of the life Of the worthy citizen whose name is presented above, for he is so well and favorably known, not only to the people of northeastern Ohio, but of the State, that little can he said of him but what is already known. As general history is written for the future, so to a large degree is biography, and to place in a substantial book form the memoirs of one of Geauga county's Most noble and distinguished citizens is the object of this sketch. Books are permanent chronicles which transmit to future ages the memory of those whose lives are recorded within their sacred pages; and when the subjects treated of are as worthy as the one whose name heads this memoir they become an inspiration for good to the present and future generations. Isaac Newton Hathaway, of Chardon, Ohio, was born June 8, 1827, and is the oldest attorney in practice in Geauga county, of which he is a native. The first of his ancestors of whom anything definite is known was William Hathaway, who was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, of Welsh descent. He was a seafaring man and was chiefly engaged in whaling, and would often make voyages of three years' duration. He was an enterprising, thrifty man, and was held in high respect. Heavy depredations were committed upon his marine interests by privateers during the war of 1812, and in recompense he received in liquidation from the State of Connecticut 6,000 acres of land on the Western Reserve in Ohio. He died at Fall. River, at an advanced age. His son, James Hathaway (father of the subject of this biography), accompanied by a cousin, came to Ohio in 1816, making the journey on foot. He'was born at Fall River, Massa, chusetts, January 1, 1799. He settled on a grant of 400 acres of land made to him by his father in what is now Geauga county. Upon this he subsequently made extensive improvements. Having established himself in his new home, he returned to Massachusetts for the companion of his heart's choice, Miss Miranda Ashley, of Springfield, born in 1806, to whom he was united in marriage. With his bride he returned to the West, this time making the journey with a primitive team. While East he had been appointed agent for the Connecticut Land Company for some of the lands in Geauga county. He immediately upon his first arrival set about the great work of his life,—that of developing a new country and recovering it from a wilderness. He became identified with the early pioneer interests of the section of the country in which he located, taking a leading 174 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY part in agriculture, manufacture, commerce and all business enterprises of the county, thereby contributing largely to its development and progress. Money was scarce there, and through his enterprises and his commercial transactions he was enabled to bring money in and distribute it among the people. His operations were as varied as they were extensive, and for many years he was the life of the community. In 1844 all his manufacturing interests were destroyed by fire, entailing not only a great financial loss to him, but a great set-hack to the country. At an early day he was appointed by the State, Fund Commissioner of Geauga county for the distribution of her portion of the surplus revenue distributed to the several States from the sales of public lands and revenue. For many years he was Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner. In 1848, he was elected Sheriff and re-elected for the second term, on the Free Soil ticket. After the expiration of his term as Sheriff he was extensively engaged in the prosecution of pension and bounty land claims. Later he became interested in Western enterprises and removed to northern Illinois in 1860, where he died in 1868, his widow following him in 1887. In person, Mr. Hathaway was large and well built. He early interested himself in the cause of the Christian Church and contributed largely to its support and growth. In disposition he was warm-hearted, genial and social, be was generous, charitable and benevolent, ever ready to help the poor or his friends. To his family he was much devoted, being an affectionate husband and father. Isaac N. Hathaway, the subject of this biography, secured his education in the common schools and at the Western Reserve Academy at Kirtland, and a part of the time while there was a student in the old Mormon Temple. During the time his father was Sheriff, he acted as deputy, gaining thereby valuable experience for future work. While thus en- gaged he began the study of law under the direction of Phelps & Riddle, then a promi- nent law firm of Chardon. He made rapid progress in his studies and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1854. He immediately began his practice, forming a partnership With W. 0. Forrest. He rose rapidly in the profession and soon became one of the lead- ing lawyers in northeastern Ohio. Later the firm became Durfey, Forrest & Hathaway, and then Thresher, Durfey & Hathaway. This association later gave place to the firm of Canfield & Hathaway. When Mr. Canfield was elected to the bench, Mr. Hathaway took in as a partner Mr. C. W. Osborne, a young man whom he had taken into his office and whom he had trained for the legal profession. This last partnership was a prosperous one and the firm did a large business, but Mr. Osborne saw a more inviting and a larger field for his abilities at Painesville to which place he went, since which time Mr. Raffia- way has conducted his business alone. Mr. Hathaway has been in continuous practice and in the same town for nearly forty years, the longest time covered by any attorney in Geauga county. During this long period he has had the confidence of his brother attorneys, of the court and the people, and has held the reputation as an honest, earnest and faithful lawyer. His ambition was to be a good lawyer and this desideratum has been eminently realized. While devoted to his profession he has occasionally been drawn into the political arena. Though always interested in politics and taking an active and prominent part in the councils of his party and in the campaigns, he has never sought OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 175 political preferment. Mr. Hathaway has; adjacent to Chardon, three fine farms, the cultivation of which not only affords him much pleasure, but offers him diversion from his professional duties. In 1872 Mr. Hathaway was elected to the State Senate from the counties of Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula, and while a member of that body served on the judiciary and other committees of less importance. He declined a renomination, as the position took too much time from his profession. Prior to this he was Prosecuting Attorney, holding the position from 1858 to 1862. In 1880 he was solicited again to be a candidate for the Legislature; he accepted the candidacy and was elected to the lower house to represent the counties of Lake and Geauga. He was again placed on the judicial committee, and served also on other committees. He was re-elected and during the second term was chosen speaker pro tem., a position which he filled with ability, dignity and impartiality. At home Mr. Hathaway has served as Mayor and has held various other positions in the municipality. In 1848 he was a delegate to the Philadelphia convention which nominated Zachary Taylor for President; and also to the Chicago convention of 1868, which nominated General Grant, and to the Chicago convention of 1888, when Benjamin Harrison was nominated.  Early in life he became connected with the Masonic order, and has been actively and prominently identified with that body ever since. He is a member of the Scottish Rites, having taken the thirty-second degree, and also of the Mystic Shrine. He was one of the first members of the latter order in Ohio. For many years he has been an active member of the I. 0. 0. F. He was one of the organizers in Ohio'of the Order of the Eastern Star; was the first Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of the order, and aided largely in its development. Mr. Hathaway was united in marriage, January 9, 1854, to Sarah J., the accomplished daughter of Moses Hayden, one of the pioneers of Geauga county. Two children were born of this union: Charles J., deceased, and Katie, who was married to Charles McD. Kile, one child being born to them, Edith, now a bright and most lovable young girl of fifteen summers. Mrs. Hathaway departed this life July 29, 1882, to the great bereavement of her family and deeply mourned by a large circle of friends. She was a woman of great purity of character, and was distinguished for her sweetness of disposition, her large benevolence, and her charity to the poor. Mr. Hathaway has never remarried. Before closing the biography of one of Chardon's most distinguished citizens, a few words voicing the sentiment of the people may not be out of place. Mr. Hathaway is a man above the medium size, well formed, of courteous manners and pleasing address; he is social and genial by nature, of generous impulses and steadfast in friendship; he is most charitable in his intercourse with his fellow-men, and his hand is always open to the poor. He is essentially a home man, and through life his first thought was for his family, to whom he has ever been devoted. As a lawyer he has wonthe reputation of being a close student, very careful in the preparation of his causes and very successful in their trial. He always commands the respect of the court, the confidence of the jury and the good-will of the bar. He is above the petty tricks of the pettifogger, but goes to trial with his cases in fall faith that the law and the evidence are all-sufficient for the 176 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY demands of justice. Upon his long career as a professional man and a citizen there is no blemish. He has lived to see the place of his nativity grow to a beautiful city, in the van of civilization and culture, and as his shadow falls toward the East he can take a retrospective view of the past and contemplate with pride the growth and development of the community to which he has been a potential factor. He can also rest in the enjoyment of that consciousness, blessed with the thought that he has dealt fairly and squarely with his constituency and with the people, and that he has not been entirely selfish; that while he has wrought for himself, he has also wrought for the good of the people. He has been true to his convictions of right, true in the discharge of every duty which has devolved upon him, true to the community in which he has dwelt, and true to the State. HENRY H. POOLE, one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of Ashtabula county, Ohio, and at this writing Trustee of Conneaut township, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1843, son of Calvin and Harriet (Trowbridge) Poole. His honored father, a resident of Ashtabula county for a number of years, now living retired at Conneaut, is one of the venerable citizens of the place. The facts as gleaned in regard to his life are as follows: Calvin Poole was born in Canandaigua, New York, April 22, 1811, son of Calvin and Hannah (Perkins) Poole, both natives of the Empire State. The senior Calvin Poole was a carpenter by trade and a school-teacher by profession. The first school west of the Genesee river was taught by him. However, he never came farther West than New York. He was more than ninety years of age at the time he died. His wife died in 1813. They had three children, of whom Calvin was the youngest, and is the only one now living. The oldest was Archibald, and the second born was Abigail M., who was the wife of Emanuel C. Renshaw. Calvin was reared on the farm, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. In 1872 he located in Conneaut, and has remained here ever since. For a time he was a partner in the grocery business with his son-in-law, J. A. Caldwell. Calvin Poole was married in 1833 to Miss Harriet Trowbridge, daughter of Daniel and Dollie (Shears) Trowbridge, a native of Ithaca, New York. Mrs. Poole's grandfather, Zachariah Shears, was a native of Massachusetts, and at one time was a member of the Assembly. He was a wealthy land-holder and stock-dealer and reared a large family. Mr. and Mrs. Poole have had seven children, namely: Dollie M., wife of C. H. Beechling, of Erie, Pennsylvania, has two children by him, Harriet G. and Calvina M., and by her former husband, Pressly Caldwell, had one child, Jennie Bell; Daniel P., who died at the age of twenty-one years; Delia D., wife of J. A. Caldwell ; Emma E., wife of B. Bingham, died at about the age of thirty-five, leaving four children, Harriet R., Frank H., Fred D. and John P.; John C., a member of the One Hundredth and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company C, was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness and died from the effect of wounds, aged about twenty- one; Henry Harrison, whose name heads this article; and Harriet Sophia, wife of Dennis McCarty, died at the age of thirty-three. OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 177 During his residence iu Erie county, Pennsylvania, Calvin Poole was appointed keeper of the infirmary of that county, which position he filled ten years, and while there both he and his wife were highly complimented for their efficient service. In political matters Mr. Poole takes an active interest, being a thorough Republican. H. H. Poole was early in life engaged in farming. In 1868 he turned his attention to the oil business in Pennsylvania, continuing such connection two years. After that he was employed as fireman on the Lake Shore Railroad, running between Erie and Cleveland, and since 1870 he has been identified with the farming interests of Ashtabula county. He has served as School Director for more than a dozen years, and for nearly as long was Supervisor of Highways. He was elected Township Trustee in 1887, and has held the office continuously up to the present time, his election to this office being without parallel here, as he had no opposition whatever. He was Captain of the State police for four years, then, after an interim of two years, was again elected, and is now the incumbent of that office. He is an ardent Republican. In Masonic circles he holds prominent rank, having taken the degrees in the blue lodge, chapter, council and cornmandery, and holding official position in each. Mr. Poole was married February 2, 1871, to Miss Mary U. Brown, daughter of Samuel C. and Eva Brown, of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Her father died in 1863, aged about fifty-five, and her mother is still living, now about eighty-two years old. Following is a record of Mr. and Mrs. Brown's family: John T., who married Sarah A. Fickenger, resides on a farm in Erie county, Pennsylvania; Sarah, widow of John McKee, Girard township, same county; Samuel. C., who married Clara Stohlroan, lives at Mill Creek, Erie county, Pennsylvania; William M., who married Rosanna Love, is also a resident of Mill Creek; Mrs. Poole; George W., who married Henrietta Fehr, is a resident of Mill Creek ; Charles F. E., who married Mary Fickenger, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Poole have had five children: John C. P., Bessie C., Harry S., Charley and Willie G. Bessie C. died March 10, 1892, at the age of sixteen years, and Charlie died in infancy. Such, in brief, is a sketch of one of the prominent and highly respected families of Ashtabula county. TIMOTHY R. HAWLEY came to Ohio in the spring of 1801, as surveyor for the Torringford Land Company, / and surveyed the township of Morgan, also cut and cleared a road from Austinburg to Gustavus that year and returned to Connecticut late in the fall. In 1802, Mr. Hawley, with his family, left Farmington, Hartford county, Connecticut, on the 12th day of April; came on by way of Albany to Buffalo, New York, where he had to wait ten days for Dr. 0. K. Hawley, D. M. Curtis and Erastus Allen to come down from Ohio with a small open boat after them. He then left Buffalo, in the boat, with his wife and three children, and all of their goods; Dr. O. K. Hawley, his wife and one child and their goods; Chauncey Hawley in company. They coasted along the shore during the day and landed to pitch their tents at night. In about a week they arrived safely at Ashtabula creek, about nine o'clock at night on the first day of June, 1802. He sent their teams on through the woods to Ashtabula, thence he came to Austinburg, 178 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY and about the first of July he moved with his family into Morgan, then an unbroken wilderness, where they were well accommodated with a good log cabin, built by Deacon Nathaniel Gillett, for their rudimentary habitation. It was well covered with elm bark and the floors laid with the same. His was the first family that moved into Morgan. Mr. Hawley planted two or three acres with potatoes, corn and pumpkins, and his family had to live through the next winter mostly on what he raised. The pumpkins and potatoes were boiled and eaten with milk; the corn was, some of it, ground at Mr. Humphrey's mill in Austinburg; some of it was pounded in a large wooden mortar, made by digging and burning a hollow place in a stump, and some of the cereal was boiled whole. In January, Mr. Hawley and Deacon Gillett went with a one-horse dray to Smithfield, now called Williamsfield, and purchased a barrel of pork at $25 per barrel and drew it home on the dray. He and his family were subjected to the usual hardships of the early settlers. He cleared up quite a farm in Morgan township. The Chippewa Indians were numerous and used to supply the inhabitants with bear meat, venison, elk, wild turkeys, etc. The next summer Captain Wright moved his family into Morgan; and in the fall Deacon Gillett and Mr. Hosea Wilcox moved in with their families, and the second and third winters the inhabitants lived in about the same style as that of the first. Timothy R. Hawley continued surveying for the first ten years, most of the time for the Torringford Company. Ashtabula county was founded June 7, 1807, from Trumbull and Geauga counties, and organized January 22, 1811. In 1811, Timothy R. Hawley was appointed County Clerk (the judges of the court appointed the clerks at that time), and he then removed to Jefferson and held the office until 1828. Mr. Freithy put up a frame on the spot where the late Dr. Hawley's house now stands. Timothy R. Hawley bought the frame, enclosed but did not finish it, and kept a hotel there. In 1822 he built the present front of Dr. Hawley's late residence and lived there until his death, July 24, 1828, at the age of fifty-eight. He had a family of ten children, of whom only five arrived at the age of maturity. These were three sons: Thales Hawley, who died in 1831; Dr. Almore Hawley, and John Kent Hawley, who moved with his family to Brownholm, Ohio, where he resided many years and until his death; and two daughters, —Mrs. Sophia Stone, of Geneva, Ohio, and Mrs. Celia Dunn, of Quincy, Illinois, both deceased. Almore Hawley, M. D., was born August 11, 1801, at Avon, near Hartford, Connecticut, and died November 3, 1876, at Keokuk, Iowa, while visiting relatives. He studied medicine under Dr. O. K. Hawley, his uncle, and graduated from the medical department of Yale College, in 1828, and became the first settled physician in Jefferson, Ohio, where he practiced during the remainder of his life. In 1802, before he was a year old, his parents removed from Connecticut to Morgan township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, settling about a mile from the present village of Rock Creek, and in 1811, his father having been appointed County Clerk, he removed to Jefferson, where he resided until his death. He was married to Miss Susan A. Dunn, of OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 179 New Haven, Connecticut, who died in 1839; and afterward, in 1841, he married Miss Suphronia March, who survived him one year. Dr. Hawley was a leading member of the Episcopal Church; he led an active, busy life, always public-spirited and interested in the welfare and growth of the village. Five children survived him: Adiliza H., who married A. D. Olds, now deceased; Adelbert K. Hawley; Cornelia S., now Mrs. Milo A. Loomis; Theodore E. Hawley, of Jefferson, Ohio; and Laura S., the wife of C. E. Udell, of St. Louis, Missouri. JUDGE THEODORE E. HAWLEY, a shining light of the legal fraternity of Jefferson, Ohio, was born in this city, October 4, 1848, and with the exception of a few years at college has passed his entire life in his birthplace, which is hallowed by all the memories of childhood and mature age. His father, Almore Hawley, M. D. (of whom mention is made elsewhere in these pages), is well and favorably known in this vicinity, where he has been a practicing physician for many years. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Jefferson, where he attended the common and high schools, afterward going for two years to the Grand River Institute, in Austinburg, this State. In 1870 he began therstudy of law iu the office of Messrs. Wade & Betts, prominent attorneys of Jefferson, and May 8, 1872, he was admitted to the bar. He at once commenced the practice of law and by industry and perseverance, coupled with a good knowledge of law, he soon attained prominence in his profession. In 1881 he became Deputy Probate Judge of Ashtabula county, and three years later, in 1884, he was elected Justice of the Peace for Jefferson township, which office he has held ever since, discharging his duties with ability and impartiality. He was a member of the Board of Councilmen of Jefferson in 1890, and lent his best efforts to aid the city's ad vancement. He has also been a member of the Board of Education of his native city, in which capacity he has sought to further the interests of the schools. He is pre-eminently the friend of the husbandman, having held some official position in the Agricultural Society for fifteen years or more. He has also held other positions of honor and trust, being ever active in advancing the interests of his community. He has for nine years been Cemetery Trustee, in which capacity he has done much toward beautifying the final . resting place of many of Jefferson's distinguished citizens. In 1876, Judge Hawley was married to Miss Ida M. Bushnel, an accomplished lady, youngest daughter of J. C. A. Bushnel, cashier of the First National Bank of Jefferson. Three children have been born to them, one son and two daughters: Earl C., Ruth A. and Anna E. In politics, the Judge has always been a representative Republican and an active worker for his party. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Liberal-minded and progressive, he has always taken a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of Jefferson and is to be noted as a representative citizen in the highest sense of the term. EDWIN R. WILLIAMS.—Few men in Ashtabula county, Ohio, more fully enjoy the confidence and esteem of their fellow citizens than the subject of this 180 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY sketch, whose birth and long residence here afford them ample opportunity to judge of his worth. Of hardy New England ancestry, he is well calculated to emulate the example of that progressive race. His father, Jacob Williams, was born in Connecticut about 1773. He was a farmer and millwright by occupation, excelling in wood-chopping and stone-cutting, some of his millstones, which were cut by him seventy-five years ago, being still in existence in Ashtabula. He was a teamster in the battle of Plattsburg in the war of 1812, his mother keeping at that time an inn at Lowville, New York. He had a brother, John, who was a twin of his. In 1814, being incited by the opportunities afforded in the West for a man of energy and perseverance, he joined the tide of emigration and came to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where by hard work and careful management he secured a competence for himself and family and died greatly lamented by all who knew him. His wife, nee Lydia Wright, came of a prominent family which settled in America in an early day. They were originally from Essex county, England, the first representative of the family in this country being Samuel, who formed one of Governor Winthrop's colonists, settling in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1630. In 1656, he removed to North Hampton, that State, where many succeeding generations were born. Solomon Wright, grandson of this early ancestor, was born in the latter city in 1706, where he was married in 1727 to Hannah Loomis, and reared a number of children. One of these was Solomon, whose birth occurred in 1747. He was twice married, first to a Miss Dewey, who had two children, Preserved and Lydia. His second wife was Ruth (Williams) McCall, widow of James McCall, and they had seven children: Solomon, Diocletian, Ralph, Sherman, Betsy, George and Maria. Of all these children, Preserved was the only one who did not come to Ohio and settle near Conneaut. Many members of this historic family have gained national prominence as statesmen, lawyers, doctors, and in various other callings. Among them may be mentioned Governor Silas Wright, the best of the early Governors of New York State, who was a cousin of the mother of the subject of this sketch; also, Dr. Wright, of Rochester, the same State, a famous physician, who was a near relative. Jacob Williams was the father of eleven children: Marshall, born 1798; Diocletian, born in 1800,- died in 1889; Ralph, born in 1802, died in 1868; he was a mechanic and millwright; one died in infancy; Lydia, born in 1806, married Alfred Crittendon; Douglas, born in 1808, died in Oregon in 1891; Elvira was born in 1811, was first married to Mr. Clark and afterward to a Mr. Phillips, and died in 1887, aged seventy- seven years; Harvey, born in 1813, died in 1847; Louisa, born in 1815, died in 1871; Mary Ann, born in 1818, married J. W. Haskell; and Edwin R., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Williams, of this biography, was born February 7, 1821, in Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he was reared, receiving his preliminary education in that vicinity, but afterward attending a private institution in Buffalo, New York, for four years. He then entered the employ of a merchandising establishment in Conneaut as clerk, in which capacity he served two years. He then, on April 13, 1842, embarked in, business at Conneaut, with his brother-in-law, Mr. Haskell. In 1846, at Steamburg, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, he erected a steam mill for sawing OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 181 lumber, and it is a noteworthy fact that this was the first mill of the sort ever built in this country. The firm removed in 1846 to Conneautville, Pennsylvania, and finally, in 1856, began business in Ashtabula. This they discontinued at the time of the construction of the Pittsburg, Youngstown and Ashtabula railroad, to take a contract for the building of a large portion of that road, on the completion of which they again engaged in mercantile business, from which Mr. Williams withdrew in 1874, and has since remained retired from active pursuits. At the time of " the late unpleasantness," Mr. Williams was offered a Colonelcy of a regiment in the Federal army, but was prevented from accepting by the ill health of his wife. In the beginning of 1861, he was appointed by the Federal authorities to a responsible position in Ashtabula county, which he filled with efficiency and honor. He was married on August 6, 1848, to Miss Olive F. Haskell, a highly estimable lady, born June 12, 1823, daughter of Aretas Haskell, a native of New Hampshire. Her mother, Annie Folsom, came of the same family as did the father of Mrs. Grover Cleveland. The 'wedding tour ofl Mr. Williams and wife was made to Buffalo, where they visited the convention of the Free Soil party which nominated Martin Van Buren for the Presidency. They had three children: Esther, who died aged three weeks; Glendora Adaline, born December 22, 1850; Fred Aretas, born February 11, 1853, was educated at Hillsdale College, Michigan, where he graduated in 1875. He then clerked two years, after which he entered the insurance business in partnership with Mr. Green, which relation continued until the latter's death, since which time he has been associated with Mr. Jaques. November 9, 1887, Mr. Fred A. Williams was married to Miss Elizabeth Giddings, a lady of domestic tastes and social accomplishments, daughter of J. A. Giddings and granddaughter of Joshua Giddings, an old and prominent settler of this county. They have no children. Politically, Mr. E. R. Williams is a Republican, and, fraternally, affiliates with the Masons, of which order he has been a worthy member for forty years. As a business man and citizen he is widely and favorably known for his uprightness, enterprise and public spirit.A ALFRED LOUIS ARNER, M. D. Doctor Arlier was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, May 23, 1848, son of George and Nancy J. (Atkinson) Arner, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and New England origin, respectively. They had left their home in the Keystone State a few years prior to the birth of the subject of this sketch, and, moving westward, settled in Trumbull county, Ohio. Here the father was engaged in farming for a number of years, but later removed to Ashtabula county, where he now resides. This worthy couple have three children, two sons and one daughter, all of whom occupy positions of honor in the world. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, where he early acquired those hardy qualities which have gained for him success in his various occupations. He was educated in the district schools of his vicinity and at Kingsville Academy, after which he followed a select course ofl study in the ancient and modern languages at Wallace German College, in Berea, Ohio. On the completion of his studies, he accepted, in 1873, the superintendency of the Jefferson schools, in which 182 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY capacity he continued to labor faithfully for ten years, until 1883. His ambition, however, found itself restricted by the bounds of that occupation, and he thus began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Tuttle, of Jefferson, while still engaged in teaching. After this Mr. Amer took a course at Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York, at which he was graduated in 1888. He then pursued a special course in the 'treatment of the eye and ear, under the celebrated Dr. Mittendorf. In 1888 he settled in Jefferson, where he has since been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession, winning golden opinions for his great skill in the healing art. In 1877 the Doctor was married to Miss Orissa A., daughter of Harvey and Rachel Udall, a native of Portage county and a graduate of Hiram College, who was for a number of years a successful teacher in the Cleveland schools, after which she taught in Jefferson, in which city she met Dr. Arner, who was at that time engaged in teaching. They have two interesting children, a son_ and daughter, Lucy and Louis. Mrs. Arner is a useful member of the Congregational Church, to which she renders much valuable aid. Fraternally, Dr. Amer affiliates with the Royal Arch Masons. As a physician and man he is thorough, conscientious and able, and holds a deservedly high position in the regard of his community. JOHN JUDD, a highly respected citizen now living retired at Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, in 1807, son of Eli and Sallie (Hendrix) Judd, both natives of. that State. Eli Judd was a manufacturer of bar iron. He died at the age of forty-eight years, and his. wife at seventy-four. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the long life of the latter was one that shone with a luster undimmed by age or surrounding circumstances. There were three children in their family, namely: Elijah, who died in Delaware county, New York; John, the subject of this sketch; and Azubah, wife of Carey Stone, a resident of Seneca county, New York, died in 1891, at the age of eighty years. John Judd received a common-school education only, and at the age of eighteen years began teaching in Connecticut. For several years he taught there and in Dutchess county, New York, teaching and farming occupying his time until 1837, when he came to Conneaut, and after coming here he taught for a time. Then he turned his attention to the lumber business, owning and operating a steam mill for ten or fifteen years. He afterward ran a flour and feed mill, next had a grocery, then was engaged in the real-estate business, and since about 1872 has been retired. he was a Town Trustee for several years. Mr. Judd was married August 25, 1829, to Aurilla Stone, daughter of David and Abbie (Fenton) Stone, of Litchfield county, Connecticut. Mrs. Stone was related to Governor Fenton, of New York, and was a widow at the time her daughter Aurilla was married. For sixty-four years Mr. and Mrs. Judd have lived happily together, and for the past twenty years Mrs. Judd has been an invalid. This worthy couple literally planted the vine and fig tree, beneath the friendly shade of which they now rest, enjoying the sweets that come to those who have lived useful lives. Mrs. Judd has been a member OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 183 of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. By their many estimable qualities both have endeared themselves to a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Following are the names of their children: Charlotte, wife of R. J. Wells, died in 1863, at the age of thirty-two years, leaving one child, Bertha; Byron, a grocer of Conneaut, has been twice married and. has one child, George B., by his first wife; Emeline, widow of Austin Harmon, has two children, William and Fred R; next came three children who died young, Ivah Jane, John and one unnamed; Ivah J., wife of Elvington Phillips, has three children,--Harry, Laura and Bessie; Mary, wife of Charles Reet:, East. Conneaut, has two children,---Florence and John ; Lelia, wife of Charles. Goldsmith, died in 1878, at the age of thirty-three years, leaving three children,--Minnie, Lila and Leverett B.; Willie died at the age of two years.. Such, in brief, is a sketch of the life and lineage of one of Conneaut's venerable citizens. IRWIN PEASE, engineer on the Nickel Plate railroad, and a worthy citizen of Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Chautauqua county, New York; March 17, 1859, son of Russell and Harriet M. (Cruiser) Pease. Russell Pease, his father, was born in Bennington, Vermont, and was for many years a resident of Dunkirk, New York, where he was well known and highly respected. He owned a farm and superintended its cultivation, at the same time being in the employ of the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad. His people were Presbyterians, in which faith he lived and died. He was a Jackson Democrat and a politician, and at various times held minor offices in the town in which he lived. He died February 18, 1870, at the age of forty-one years. Harriet M. (Cruiser) Pease is a daughter of Samuel and Hannah Cruiser, and one of a family of four sons and two daughters, all of whom are living except one, Edward, who was killed in his first battle in the late war. Her father was accidentally killed on the railroad. The mother, now about ninety years of age, is being tenderly cared for at Dunkirk, New York, by her daughter, Mrs. Pease. Irwin Pease is an only child. He completed a high-school education at Dunkirk, and in 1877 started out in life as fireman on the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad. After firing on that road three years he was employed in the same capacity one year on the Dunkirk, Allegheny Valley & Pittsburg Railroad, then, in 1881, being promoted to engineer. He began service with the Nickel Plate and came to Conneaut in 1883. He was fireman on this road a short time before getting a position as engineer, but nearly ever since he entered the employ of this company he has served as engineer on a freight train. His efficient service has gained him a steady position and brought him into favor with his employers. By economy and judicious investment he has acquired a competency, and is not only regarded as one of the highly esteemed citizens of Conneaut, but also as one who is well-to-do. He was married May 2, 1880, to Miss Mattie J. Featherston, daughter of John and Mary E. Featherston. She was born in Milton, Canada, where her father was engaged in the harness business for many years. He died when she was quite young at Baltimore, Maryland. Soon after the war the Featherston family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and subsequently located in Vermillion, Erie 184 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY county, this State. The mother died in 1885, aged forty-eight years. Of the four children composing this family we make record as follows: Melvin, the oldest, resides in Conneaut; he married Mary Nuhn of Lorain county, Ohio, and their only child is Freddie; Anna, the second born, wife of Willis Newberry, died at the age of twenty-nine years,. leaving three children —Mabel, Bessie and Johnie; Mrs. Pease was next in order of birth ; Charles, the youngest, died at the age of four years. Mr. and Mrs. Pease have two children, Bertram Irwin and Howard Russell. Both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church, of which he is a Vestryman. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. In political matters he affiliates with the Republican party. WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS, America's leading writer of fiction, was horn at Martin's Ferry, Ohio, opposite Wheeling, West Virginia, March 1, 1837, of Welsh parentage on his father's side. The Howellses were Quakers, and people of substance in Wales. The father became a Swedenborgian, in which belief the novelist was reared. His ancestors were all, so far as he knows them, in past generations, people of literary taste and cultivation. When the boy was three years old his father removed to Ilamilton, Ohio, and bought the Hamilton Intelligeneer, a weekly journal, in the office of which the embryo author learned to set type at a very early age. His father remained in Hamilton until after the inauguration of President Taylor, in 1849, when, having had conscientious scruples about supporting a slave-holding president, he sold the Intelligencer and the family re moved to Dayton, Ohio, the elder Howells purchasing the Dayton Transcript, a semiweekly paper, which he changed into a daily, the enterprise proving a disastrous failure. The elder Mr. Howells found it necessary to husband all his resources, and these resources were forcibly augmented by his sons, every one of whom, as rapidly as might be, was taught to be a producer rather than a consumer, by taking up the " art preservative." During the two years of struggle for existence, which the daily paper had, it often fell to the subject of this sketch to set type till eleven o'clock at night and then to get up at four o'clock the next morning to carry a newspaper route. From Dayton the family removed to Greene county. In 1851 the now eminent author secured a situation as compositor On the Ohio State Journal, at a salary of four dollars a week, his father being clerk of the House at the same time. This was the first money Mr. W. D. Howells ever earned and received as his own. But it was all turned into the family exchequer and helped to keep the wolf from the door of his father's home. Here he formed the acquaintance of John J. Piatt, who was a compositor on the Journal at that time, and conjointly with whom he published his first volume of verse. In 1852 the family removed to Ashtabula, Ohio, the elder Mr. Howells purchasing the Ashtabula Sentinel, and the whole family of boys working on the mechanical department of the paper. The Sentinel was afterward removed to Jefferson, Ohio, where its publication was continued under the same management as at Ashtabula. Almost from the time he could read it was a pastime of Mr. Howells' to write verses, put them in type, print them on slips for the amusement of himself and some of his companions. This OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 185 was the first round on the ladder of authorship which has since become so prominent a way-mark in the arena of American literature. At the age of nineteen Mr. Howells received the appointment of Columbus correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, and at twenty-two he was given the position of news editor of the Columbus (Ohio) State Journal, and while there he wrote a life of Abraham Lincoln, for a Columbus publishing house, and this piece of literary work was doubtless the stepping-stone to his promotion, a few years later, to a Consulship at Venice, where was gathered the material for some of his most interesting and popular books, written in after years. His first appearance in a strictly literary character was also made while residing at Columbus. Mr. A. T. Fullerton of that place sent the first contribution from the West to the Atlantic Monthly. It was a poem entitled " By the Dead," and attracted considerable attention. ̊ Mr. Howells, who had in a measure kept up his habit of writing and printing verses„ began to cherish the idea of trying his hand on the crank handle of the organ of the muses before the footlights and audience of a critical world. In this he was, as he has been ever since in his literary efforts, eminently successful. Five of his poems were published in the Atlantic Monthly in one year: " The Poet's Friends," " The Pilot's Story," '' Pleas-tire Pain," "Lost Beliefs," and " Andenken." His life of Lincoln netted him $199, and with this money he made a trip to Canada, and to Boston, where he first made the personal acquaintance of Mr. James Russell Lowell, then the editor of the Atlantic Monthly, and by him was introduced to James T. Fields and Oliver Wendell Holmes. From Boston he returned to Columbus, where he remained until he received his appointment as Consul to Venice, where he took up his residence and remained from 1861 to 1865. On his return from abroad he did some writing for the New York Tribune and the New York Times, and was a salaried contributor to The Nation until 1866, when Mr. Fields tendered him the position of assistant editor of the Atlantic Monthly. This he accepted and held until 1872, when he was made the responsible editor, and remained as such until 1881, when he resigned. A list of Mr. Howells' writings may be catalogued as follows: Venetian Life, Italian Journeys, Suburban Sketches, Their Wedding Journey, A Chance Acquaintance, A Foregone Conclusion, Out of the Question, A Counterfeit Presentment, The Lady of the Aroostook, The Undiscovered Country, A Fearful Responsibility and Other Tales, Dr. Breen's Practice, A Modern Instance, A Woman's Reason, Three Villages, The Rise of Silas Lapham, Indian Summer, Life of President Hayes, Life of President Lincoln, The Parlor Car, The Sleeping Car, The Register, The Elevator, The World of Chance, The Quality of Mercy, An Imperative Duty, The Shadow of a Dream, A Hazard of New Fortunes, Annie Kilburn, April Hopes, Modern Italian Poets, Criticism and Fiction, A Boy's Town, The Mousetrap and other Farces, Christmas Every Day and Other Stories, A Little Swiss Sojourn, A Letter of In troduction, The Albany Depot and The G arroters. Mr. Howells writes methodically, systematically and conscientiously. He devotes the morning hours to writing, and generally completes at one sitting what would fill an ordinary page of a small paper. He erases, re-writes and re arranges his manuscript with great care 186 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY and much elaboration, and his proof-sheets are a terror to printers. Of late years he prefers, when circumstances will admit, to re-write his work in full. He gives his afternoons and evenings to reading, conversation, driving, walking or any of the ordinary duties of every-day life, and is always chatty, sensible, unassuming and delightful in conversation. He says that he has never written a book yet simply for the sake of writing something for somebody to read, but always with the purpose of giving his readers something to think about, that should be useful and profitable to them and to the world as well. He has no hobbies of politics or religion, and no mastering affiliations other than those which his profession as a writer bring him in the world of business and his pleasant domestic relations hold for him. JUSTUS C. A. BUSHNELL —Jefferson, Ohio, is fortunate in her citizens, all of whom are the salt of the earth of very strong savor. That particular one who now claims attention is no exception to the rule, but is rather a conspicuous illustration of the foregoing statement. Gideon Bushnell, father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Massachusetts and descended from New England ancestors, who came from Wales in the seventeenth century, settling in Saybrook, Connecticut. He was married in Vermont to Eunice Burdick, also a native of New England, and they removed, in 1817, to Ohio, at that time on the western frontier of Civilization. They settled in Kingsville township, Ashtabula county, where the father followed farming for many years, but in later life became a mill-right. Here the father died about 1854, aged sixty-five years, the devoted wife and mother surviving him until L874, dying at at the age of eighty-four years. J. C. A. Bushnell, the subject of this sketch, was born in Kingsville, Ohio, April 30, 1819, and was reared on the home farm. He received a fair education, finishing with two years at the Kingsville Academy, and at the age of eighteen became a clerk in the county auditor's office, where he was employed during the summer for five or six years. In 1848 he was elected Auditor of Ashtabula county, to which position he was re-elected in 1850 and 1852, holding that office for three terms of two years each. He was out of office two years, when, in 1856, he was again elected Auditor, which office he continued to fill for the ensuing ten years, until the spring of 1867. At the expiration of that time he became a clerk in the First National Bank, and afterward cashier, which position he still retains, to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. In 1842 Mr. Bushnell was married to Miss Laura A. Gage, daughter of John R. and Ruth (Woodbury) Gage, an estimable lady and a native of the Buckeye State. They had four children, two sons and two daughters: Frances M., now Mrs. A. C. Loomis; Ida M., now the wife of Theo. E. Hawley; Albert G. and Clarence E. In November, 1891, Mr. Bushnell was called upon to mourn the loss of his faithful wife, the companion of his sorrows and joys for so many years, who died at the age of seventy years. In politics, Mr. Bushnell has followed the varying changes of fortune, always casting the weight of his inflence in the scale of justice and the best interests of humanity. His first presidential vote was cast in 1840 for OF NORTHEASTERN. OHIO - 187 the eminent soldier and statesman, General William H. Harrison. After this he voted with the Free Soil party, and since 1852 has been a stanch and unchanging Republican. Thus all too briefly are given the most prominent events of an eminently useful and honorable life, a minute account of which would make a volume of most interesting reminiscences. FREDERICK HARRINGTON - Among the many -worthy citizens of Ashtabula county, Ohio, none is more deserving of mention in this history than the subject of this sketch, who enjoys the unlimited confidence and esteem of all who know him. Mr. Harrington was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, December 20, 1832, a son of William and Helena (Bascom) Harrington, natives of Vermont and Massachusetts, respectively. His father, Dr. John Harrington, was the son of a prominent physician of the Green Mountain State, where William received the advantages afforded by the common schools of that early date. When a young man, he joined the westward tide of emigration, then setting in and which has never since ceased, moved to Ohio, at that time the frontier of civilization, where he settled in Trumbull county about 1817. He there took up 160 acres of land which he industriously cleared and cultivated, making-for himself a modest home in the wilderness. He was married March 6, 1821, his wife having emigrated to that county with her parents when she was a child. This worthy couple spent their lives on the home farm, contributing by their honest efforts to the advancement of their county. They were members of the Congregational Church, the father serving as Deacon for many years. They had four sons and one daughter: Charles A., now cashier of the Second National Bank of Warren, Ohio; Corydon, the second son, is a capitalist of Painesville, Ohio; William Ashley, the next son, is a farmer on the parental homestead in Truro= bull county; and the fourth son is the subject of this sketch; while the only daughter, Ermina, is the wife of Joseph B. Ashley, a prominent citizen of Oberlin, Ohio. Mr. Harrington, of this notice, remained on the home farm until he was sixteen years of age, receiving the educational advantages afforded by the schools of his vicinity in his day. At the age of sixteen he went to New York city, where he assumed a position as accountant, remaining in that city for twelve years. From there he went to Albany and afterward to Buffalo, the same State, being in all absent from his native State fifteen years, to which place he returned in 1863. He at first settled on a farm near Colebrook and there followed agricultural pursuits for four years. Thence he removed to Rock Creek, where for twenty-two years he was successfully engaged in the mercantile business, his former long experience amply fitting him for such an undertaking. He was president of the bank at Rock Creek for a number of years, his financial and executive ability aiding largely in the advancement of that institution. He was also one of the incorporators of the Pittsburg, Ashtabula and Youngstown Railroad Company, in which he acted for fourteen years as director, and in which capacity he did able service. In 1889, he received the nomination from the Republican party and was elected Treasurer of Ashtabula county, to which position he was re-elected in 1891, which is a most flattering 188 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY endorsement of his integrity and financial ability. Mr. Harrington was married in 1857 to Miss Hannah, daughter of James and Orpha (Parker) Truesdale, an estimable lady of Canfield, Ohio. They have five children living: Emma is the wife of Alison Loomis, of Jefferson; James A. is a ticket agent for the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad Company at Shreve, Ohio; Charles W. is United States railway mail clerk; Ellen is at home; and John is a student in Oberlin College. Death deprived Mr. Harrington of his devoted wife in July, 1880, her loss causing not only deep sorrow to her family but also cast a gloom over the entire community, where she was esteemed for her many Christian virtues. Thus surrounded by his children, in the enjoyment of the comfort resulting from years of honest industry, and secure in the regard of his fellowmen, he may justly be said to have gained true success. F. M. SMILEY, a member of the firm , of Smiley & Brackin, dealers in clothing at Andover, was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in 1853, being a son of Dr. Ira R. Smiley. The latter, a physician by profession, located in 1867, at Andover, Ohio, where he remained until his death. His widow now resides at Frederick, South Dakota: F. M. Smiley, our subject, received his education at Conneautville, Pennsylvania, and Andover, Ohio. At the age of eighteen years he accepted the position of salesman for E. W. Morley, where he remained until the fall of 1881, and then became a partner with Mr. Morley in the business at Kinsman, Ohio. In November, 1884, Mr. Smiley bought Mr. Morley's interest in the business at Kinsman and personally continued the same until March, 1889, when he admitted Mr. E. R. Brackin into partnership. In July, 1891, the firm of Smiley & Brackin purchased the business of Mr. Morley at Andover. Their salesrooms are 44 x 60 feet, and they carry a $15,000 stock of goods. Their business is one of the most extensive of its kind in the southern part of the county.. The firm also have a large clothing store at Kinsman, with a store room 34 x 60 feet, and they there carry a complete line of clothing, boots, shoes and ladies' cloaks. Mr. Smiley has had about twenty-two years' experience in the clothing business, and his honorable dealings and pleasant and genial manner have gained and retained for him a host of friends in both Andover and Kinsman. He does the buying for both stores, is an excellent judge of goods, and sells at a close margin. Mr. Smiley was married in Chardon, Geauga county, Ohio, May 20, 1878, to Susie E. Thompson, who was born, reared and educated in that county, a daughter of Isaac Thompson. Our subject and wife have three children, viz.: Gena M., aged fourteen years; George Howard, twelve years; and Halle, six years. GILMORE O. MAHAFEEY, M. D.— Esculapius has a no more deserving or able disciple than the subject of this sketch, who, though comparatively young, has gained first rank among the professional men of his community. Dr. Mahaffey was born in Mount Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, February 21, 1857, is a son of William and Margaret (Rodgers) OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 189 Mahaffey, of Scotch-Irish ancestry and natives of this country, who were the parents of seven children. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native city and attended the common and high schools of that place. At the age of twenty years he commenced to teach district schools, which vocation he continued for seven or eight years. This was his sole source of income, but the ambitious instructor outgrew the bounds of his profession, and about 1881 began the study of medicine. He took one course at the Columbus Medical College and afterward entered the Medical Department of the Wooster University, at which latter institution he graduated in 1885. He subsequently practiced a year in his native county of Knox, after which he removed to Jefferson, where he has since resided and where he has, by careful attention to his professional duties, secured a good and paying patronage. The Doctor was married in 1890, to Miss Jennie Wood, a lady of social accomplishments. Fraternally, Dr. Mahaffey is a member of the Knights of Pythias. In his various relations of domestic, civil and professional life, his actions have been characterized by the same intelligence and cordiality which have deservedly gained for him a high position in the regard of his community. HENRY HUBBARD.—As a mighty monarch of a forest, which has long been a notable landmark, at last succumbs to time's ruthless hand, so may be regarded the recent taking away of the subject of this sketch, whose interests had been identified with those of Ashtabula, Ohio, for more than seventy long years, diversified 14 by light and shade, by storm and sunshine. He was born in Trenton, Oneida county, New York, July 19, 1803, and was a son of Isaac and Ruth (Coleman) Hubbard. His early education was obtained in the district schools of short summer and winter terms, and this instruction he supplemented by three terms in an academy at Steuben Valley, near his home. In November, 1825, he left his Eastern home and slowly traced his steps westward to Ohio, then on the frontier, and, making his way to Ashtabula, he became Assistant Postmaster, his brother, Matthew Hubbard, being then Postmaster at that place. Two months later, in December of that year, he and his brother made a survey and estimated the cost of constructing a harbor at the mouth of Ashtabula river, and with the data thus secured they forwarded to Congress a petition praying for an appropriation by the general Government of the amount necessary to make the necessary improvements. May 20, 1826, a grant was made by Congress of $12,000, and the ensu, ing fall the work of building the piers was commenced. In the spring of 1830 Mr, Hubbard engaged in the forwarding and commission business at the harbor, which, in consequence of the recent improvements, had become the entrepot for the produce of the farmer and the merchandise of tradesmen from a large area of country. In 1832 Middlesex post office was established at the harbor, and Mr. Hubbard became Postmaster, in which position he continued until 1835. He then resigned and was appointed Deputy Collector of Customs, and in 1844 was made Disbursing Agent for the Government moneys appropriated that year for the repairs and improvements of the harbor, which disbursements were made to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. In 1853 Mr. Hubbard was 190 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY instrumental in the formation of the Ashtabula and New Lisbon Railroad Company, in which he became a director. In 1857 he assumed the office of vice-president of this corporation, and in 1859 became its president. Owing to an impending financial crisis in 1856, Mr. Hubbard and Mr. Henry Fassett, secretary of the company, effected a compromise with contractors to save the stockholders from personal liability for the debts of the corporation. The company subsequently sold the road, and other changes have since taken place, until it is now known as the important line of the Pittsburg, Youngstown & Ashtabula Railroad. Mr. Hubbard continued to be a prime factor in the management of this road until his death, his labors in its interest being manifold and impossible to be justly touched upon in the short space of this article. He was a person of great financial and executive ability, indomitable enterprise and untiring energy and perseverance, with a deep and abiding interest in the public weal of Ashtabula and vicinity, by the inhabitants of which he will ever be held in affectionate remembrance, as well for his great material benefactions as for his high integrity, benevolence and purity of character. In June, 1836, Mr. Hubbard married Julia Ann, a sister of Joseph D. Hulbert, for many years his partner in business. In 1859 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his devoted companion, who was a lady of many estimable qualities of mind and heart. March 26, 1862, Mr. Hubbard was married to 'Miss Harriet C. Stanhope, daughter of John R. and Harriet (Cornell) Stanhope, the former a prominent pioneer and esteemed citizen of Ashtabula county. There were no children by either marriage. In religious faith Mr. Hubbard was a devout Episcopalian, contributing liberally to all church and charitable affairs, as well as to the general welfare of all worthy objects tending to benefit the community. Few will reach his exalted standard, as few possess the powers of mind and heart, with which he was endowed to an eminent degree. CHARLES SUMNER PUTNAM was born May 27, 1859, in a little red cottage on the farm of his grandfather, in Stockton, Chautauqua county, New York. His parents were Welcome and Maria L. (Flagg) Putnam. The father was born and raised and also died on this farm--dying in October, 1872, at the age of fifty-two years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of its pillars in the little community where he lived. He was an enterprising, intelligent, public-spirited citizen, of good education and well read, possessed of the strictest integrity. He was a stanch Republican from the date of the organization of that party. His unbounded admiration for that champion of human liberty, Charles Sum - ner, was. the cause of his naming his son after the great statesman. His wife survived him until March, 1892, dying at the age of seventy years. She was a woman of great energy, kindness and cheerfulness, and a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church nearly all her life. Two children were born to them—the subject of this sketch, and May Y., born 1861, and now the wife of -W. B. Horton, an insurance agent of Jamestown, New York. The mother, however, was a widow of James Putnam, a cousin of the father, at the time of their marriage. By her first mar- OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 191 riage she had one son, Edgar P. Putnam, of Jamestown, New York, who is now (1893) forty-nine years of age. He enlisted in the war in 1861, at the age of seventeen years, and served until its close. He entered as a private in the Ninth New York cavalry, and was mustered out with the rank of Major, later on receiving from Congress one of its special medals of honor, awarded for distinguished services and acts of bravery on fields of battle. During the war he was wounded twice and had two horses shot from under him. He was in the Army of the Potomac, serving during the latter portion of the war for a time on General Sheridan's staff. After the close of the war he went to Minnesota, where he obtained employment on the Government surveys. His energy and faculty of command were soon the means of placing him at the head of a surveying party, and for several years he was engaged in the arduous work of surveying townships and sections in northern Minnesota counties, at all times far away in an unbroken wilderness. While engaged in this work he became an expert in selecting and locating valuable tracts of pine lands, which were purchased from the Government by capitalists at the nominal sum of $1.25 per acre. Into these lands he put every dollar of his savings, and in 1874, owing to greatly imp sired health from overwork, he sold his lands at a handsome figure and returned with his family to Jamestown, New York, to reside. After a time, with returning health, he engaged in the drug business. He was appointed Postmaster of the city of Jamestown by President Arthur, and succeeded in getting the free delivery service established there, but was removed from office soon after President Cleveland's election. Two years later (1888), he was elected County Clerk of Chautauqua county. He refused a re-nomination after serving most acceptably his three-years' term of office, and returned to his home in Jamestown, and soon after became identified with the management of the Chautauqua County National Bank. For a number of years he has been active in politics, holding the position of chairman of the county executive committee of the Republican party during several campaigns, and is regarded as one of the leading Republicans of western New York. He is a man of excellent business qualifications and has accumulated an independent fortune in his various avocations. Two years after his father's death the subject of this sketch removed with his mother and sister from the home of his boyhood to Jamestown, where for two years he attended the union high school. In 1876 he came to Conneaut, Ohio, where his grandparents then resided, and entered the office of the Conneaut Reporter as an apprentice. March 8, 1878, at the age of eighteen, he was married to Laura E., daughter of E. A. and Eliza A, Stone. Two children have been born to them —Eppie May, born June 3, 1879, and Walter, born February 14, 1886. Mrs. Putnam was born June 23, 1858. She is a member of the Christian Church of Conneaut. In the fall of 1878, he, in company with his brother-in-law, L. V. Stone, engaged in their first business venture by establishing the Conneaut Express. After publishing this paper a year in Conneaut, Mr. Stone sold his interest in the same to G. P. Foster, of Geneva, Ohio, arid the plant was moved to that village, where the publication of the Express was continued, our subject continuing as its editor and manager another year, 'when, after a long and very serious illness, he sold his interest in the newspaper. With returning health he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, 192 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY where he remained a year engaged in working at his trade on daily newspapers and in job offices. Again returning to Conneaut, he purchased a half interest in the Reporter, in 1882, and in company with J. P. Rieg, continued in its publication until 1889, when he sold his interest in the business to Mr, Rieg. During 1888, he held, by appointment from the Governor of Ohio, the office of Lake Erie Warden. His duties in enforcing the laws of the State relative to fishing in Lake Erie, called forth various and exciting experiences in dealing with the many rough and law-breaking fishermen. Resigning his office after one year's experience in that capacity, he at once engaged in successfully carrying out a large newspaper advertising contract which he had secured from one of the leading advertisers of the country. In 1890, at the outset of the work then begun on the eleventh census, he was appointed a Special Agent in the field work pertaining to farms, homes and mortgages. At the conclusion of his work in the field he was called to Washington by the Superintendent of census, and appointed a clerk in the Census bureau. He continued in that employ two years, resigning his position in June, 1892, to return to his home in Conneaut once more and engage in his present business, embracing furniture, carpets, curtains, and undertaking in its scope. In June, 1893, he associated with himself Mr. C. H. Simonds, of Jefferson, Ohio, under the firm name of Putnam & Simonds. As may be imagined from the foregoing sketch, our subject is an active, aggressive Republican in politics, and has done much work for the party during the past fifteen years, both in the capacity of a newspaper writer and as an active participant in local and State politics. The Putnams of this county are principally the descendants of John Putnam, who, with three sons, emigrated from England to the colony of Massachusetts in the seventeenth century. The race of Putnams, while not so numerous as many others, is one characteristically strong and noted for the traits of honor, honesty, patriotism, integrity, and tenacity of purpose with which its individuals are imbued, as exemplified by the lives and actions of those bearing this name. It is an occurrence most rare indeed to see or hear the name of Putnam coupled with criminal transactions, and it is an undoubted fact that whenever such case is discovered, a taint in the individual will he found to have been inherited from some other source through marriage relations. The subject of this sketch is a descendant along the same branch, though not directly, which produced General Israel Putnam, of Revolutionary fame, and he is more directly a descendant from General Rufus Putnam, a Revolutionary soldier of distinction, and the founder of Marietta, Ohio. Captain Andrew Putnam, a near relative of General Rufus, moved from Massachusetts, and finally settled in Chautauqua county, New York, in 1817, while it was practically yet a wilderness of forest. His entire family of thirteen children (one girl and twelve boys) accompanied him. Newell, the oldest son, and the grandfather of our subject, soon took up a farm of 100 acres near that of his father's, and in time had cleared some sixty acres of it. He lived upon this farm over forty years. Becoming too old for farm labor, he disposed of it to his son, Welcome, and removed to Conneaut, Ohio, where he resided some twenty years at the Center, close beside the home of his daughter, Mrs. Rev. 0. T. Wyman. But after the death of his wife, in 1887, he re. OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 193 turned to Chautauqua county and took up his home with Mrs. Wyman (Rev. Wyman having moved there two or three years previous). He remained with them until his death, in 1890, at the advanced age of ninety-five years. Newell Putnam was for a short time a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a participant in the battle of Lundy's Lane. In politics he was a Whig and then a Republican. He was a man of sterling character, strong physique, strict honesty and propriety, a teetotaler, and a conscientious Christain of the Baptist faith. He was most highly respected by all who knew him well. ' EDWARD C. GROSS, general yard master of the Nickel Plate Railroad, 1 Conneaut, Ohio, is the right man in the right place. His strict integrity and business qualifications have secured him promotion to his present position. The following facts have been gleaned in regard to his life and ancestry. Edward C. Gross was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, February 25, 1862, son of William and Carolina (Wherle) Gross, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Erie county, Pennsylvania, in which county they were married. William Gross came with his parents from Germany to America when he was a boy, and settled in the city of Erie, where he and his wife still reside. For twenty-eight years he was in the restaurant business, but is now retired. During the late war he served a short time in the Union army. Both he and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church. Mrs. Gross, while a native of Pennsylvania, is a descendant of German ancestors, her parents, Michael and Carolina Wherle, having come from Germany to the United States in the early part of this century. They settled on a farm twelve miles south of Erie, which was at that time a mere village, and there they passed the rest of their lives and there died. They reared a family of three sons and three daughters, all of whom are living and in Pennsylvania, namely: John, Frank, Michael, Lizzie, wife of Colonel Kurtis; Carolina, and Mary, wife of Norten Newell. William and Caroline Gross had five children, as follows: William, engaged in the lumber business in Brooklyn, New York, married Lilly Hughes, daughter of a wealthy contractor of that city; Edward C.; Emil, a boiler-maker of Erie, Pennsylvania, married Kate Liebel; Nettie, wife of Robert Dunkin, of Erie; and Flora, the youngest, at home. Edward C. Gross started out in life as a traveling salesman, and for two years was in the employ of a wholesale boot and shoe house of Erie. Then he spent three years working at the trade of boiler-maker in Brooklyn, after which he began railroading. He was brakeman on the Pittsburg & Lake Erie Railroad four years. In 1885 he accepted a position as conductor on the Nickel Plate and came to Conneaut, where he has since resided. He was changed from conductor to night yard master in 1889 and was promoted to his present position in June, 1891. The position of general yard master is one of great importance. He has under his charge between thirty or forty men, besides all crews entering Conneaut, hiring and discharging the men being a part of his duty. Mr. Gross was married October 15, 1878, to Miss Maggie Sherman, daughter of Mott Sherman of Albion, Erie county, Pennsylvania. Her parents are still living. Their family is composed of three daughters, of whom Mrs. Gross is the oldest, Nellie and Rose being the 194 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY others. Miss Nellie is a fine pianist and is now in the Musical Conservatory of Lllegheny College. Mr. and Mrs. Gross have four children: Willie Morrison, Lulu Belle, Eddie and Lillie. Both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a Democrat. JEROME N. FREDERICKS, blacksmith, Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Jefferson county, New York, June 29, 1823. He is a son of John and Eunice (Nutting) Fredericks. The father, a native of Holland, came to America in 1806, and settled in Groton, Massachusetts, and in that State married Miss Nutting, a native of Massachusetts and a descendant of Scotch ancestry. He was a mason by trade, and while in the East was employed in stucco work. He moved to Conneaut in 1837, and passed the rest of his life in this county. He died at Kingsville, December 30, 1855, aged ninety years. Few men were better known in this part of the State than he, as he did plastering and mason work all over northeastern Ohio. . His wife died about 1859, aged sixty-six years. Both were members of the Congregational Church for many years. They had a family of nine children, namely: Emory, who resides in Canada; Betsey, wife of Luther Spencer, both deceased; Harriet, wife of Seth McNutt, is deceased; William, of New York State; Jerome N.; Mrs. Elial Risdon, Conneaut; Barsheba, widow of Captain Lent, resides with her sister, Mrs. Risdon; Levi, of Conneaut; and Elbridge, of Humboldt county, California. Mr. Fredericks started out in life as a clerk in a store in Bnffalo. and remained there two years. He came to Conneaut in June, 1839, and at once began to learn the blacksmith trade. He was the first boy in this town to serve a regular apprenticeship at any trade. After completing his term of service he traveled through this country and Canada, spending two years in Hamilton, Canada West, and eighteen months in St. Catherines, and after. an absence of five years returned to Conneaut. He has been a resident here since 1847. Some time in the '50s Mr. Fredericks opened his shop on Sandusky street. His house, the first one built on the street, is still standing. At that time all this part of the town was in timber. About two years before the war he received an injury which rendered him unfit for service, and upon examination for entrance into the army was rejected. He served as Councilman of Conneaut one term, at the end of which term he refused to serve longer. Mr. Fredericks married Miss Milura, daughter of Sylvester and Sophronia (Mason) Cowles, of Medina county, Ohio. Both her parents are deceased, her father dying about 1878, aged seventy-three years, and her mother in 1875, aged seventy-five. They were life-long rnetnbers of the Congregational Church. Mrs. Fredericks is the oldest of their six children, the others being as follows: Shepard, who was drowned at the age of two years; Newel M., engaged in farming in Medina county, Ohio; Shepard B., a Michigan farmer; Emily J., wife of Lewis Rensburg of Illinois; and Ellen H., who died at the age of five years. Mr. and Mrs. Fredericks have had two children, namely: Edmund J., a partner in business with his fa-ther, and a young man of fine physique and good habits; and Minnie, who died in 1882, aged nineteen. Mrs. Fredericks is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Fredericks' life has been characterized OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 193 by industry and the strictest integrity. His honest toil has been rewarded with success. To-day he is in comfortable circumstances and owns valuable property in Conneaut. He has long been a Democrat, taking, however, little interest in politics now. He is a member of the blue lodge, chapter, council and commandery of Conneaut, of the Alcoran Temple and of the Scottish Rite, having taken the thirty-second degree, at Cleveland. In all these organizations he has held official positions. He is one of the members of Cache Commandery. HENRY C. McKELVEY, engineer on the Nickel Plate Railroad, Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, fourteen miles from Johnstown, September 17, 1858, son of Ephraim W. and Sarah C. (Croft) McKelvey. Ephraim W. McKelvey was born in Ireland, being of Scotch-Irish descent. He was a general contractor; took the contract for and built a part of the Pennsylvania Railroad. A man of marked business ability, he succeeded in whatever he undertook. For many years he was engaged in the general merchandise business and at the same time was in the employ of the Adams Express Company. His death was the result of an accident. While riding on the express wagon a box fell off, causing him to fall at the same time. He sustained injuries to his head, from the effects of which he died about three hours afterward. This was August 9, 1865, he being fifty-two years of age. He was a Presbyterian, of which church his widow is also a member. She is now sixty-three years of age and resides at Pittsburg. Her parents were John and Barbara (Herr) Croft. John Croft was an English soldier in the war of 1812, and after the war returned to England and remained there several years. Coming back to America, he settled near Herr's Island. He was a merchant, and while transporting goods with teams was hurt by an accident from which he died some time later. Herr's Island, between Allegheny and Pittsburgh, in the Allegheny river, is a part of the Herr estate, which amounted (before the division previous to the war) to 2,000 acres. This island has lost one-third its area by the action of the water. Here the Herr family were engaged in raising fruit and vegetables. John Croft and his wife had four sons and two daughters, only two of whom, Mrs. McKelvey and her brother David, both of Pittsburgh, are now living. Mrs. Croft died in 1874, aged seventy-eight years. Ephraim W. McKelvey and his wife had six children, namely: William, who married Kate Gettemy, is a resident of Wilkinsburg, and has been running a locomotive on the Pennsylvania Railroad for nearly thirty-five years; Lewis died July 30, 1871, aged twenty years; Martha, wife of James B. Anderson, of Wilkinsburg, has three children,— Florence, Lewis and Mary; Henry C., the subject of this sketch; Francis M., who married Ida McCormic, is an attorney of Pittsburg; Edward Wallace, Pittsburg, married Hattie Lindsey, and has three children, Mark, Blair and Marguerita. Henry C. McKelvey started out to carve his fortune at the age of fourteen years, and for one year was employed in the sheet-iron department of the boiler works. Then for over a year he was messenger boy for the Western Union Telegraph Company. After that he served a two-years apprenticeship to the trade of making ladies' straw and felt hats. The close confinement incidental to 196 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY that business did not agree with his health, so in 1876 he entered upon a railroad career, beginning as fireman on the Pennsylvania Railroad. He served as fireman from September, 1876, until March, 1878, on the Pennsylvania Road; was fireman on the Pan Handle from December, 1878, until May, 1880, when he was promoted to a position as engineer; engineer on the Baltimore & Ohio four months; engineer on the Pittsburg & Lake Erie one year; engineer on the Pittsburg & Western and the Pittsburg, C. & T. Railroad from 1883 until March, 1886. From March 7, 1886, until January, 1887, he was employed as assistant engineer in the Cartwright, McCurdy & Co. rolling mills, Youngstown, Ohio. Since February 9, 1887, he has been engineer on the Nickel Plate. He has never had an accident that cost the company anything as the result of his fault, nor an accident in which any person lost limb or life. His changes were all for increase of wages or improvement of condition. Mr. McKelvey was married August 25, 1888, to Miss Ida Dill, daughter of Charles L. and .Mary J. (Blake) Dill, of Youngstown, Ohio. Her mother is now a resident of Conneaut. Mr. and Mrs. McKelvey have three children: Francis Marion, Raymond Dill and Olive Irene. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and in politics is a Republican.. Like many of the Brotherhood, he has a comfortable and happy home. E, T C. ALDRICH, who is engaged in the insurance business at Mentor, Ohio, resides at his attractive country home, "Eastside," which adjoins the General Garfield homestead, " Lawn Field," on the east. Mr. Aldrich comes of an old New England family, and of his life and ancestry we make record as follows: E. T. C. Aldrich was born in Franklin, Tompkins county, New York, November 18, 1827, son of William S. Aldrich, who was born in Providence, Rhode Island, October 3, 1803, and grandson of Tilson Aldrich, a native of Cumberland, Rhode Island, and a son of a Revolutionary soldier who fought at Bunker Hill. Tilson Aldrich went to Tompkins county, New York, in 1816, where he was engaged in work at his trade, that of tanner and currier and cotton manufacturer. In the spring of 1835 he moved with his son William S. to Ellery, Chautauqua county, that State, where he followed farming the rest of his life. He died in February, 1858. He was a Quaker. William S. Aldrich, a farmer by occupation, moved from Chautauqua county, New York, to Mentor, Ohio, in the spring of 1866, and here he Spent the remaining years of his life and died October 30, 1876. While a resident of Dryden, New York, he was captain of a battery for several years, receiving his commission in 1828. He also served as Township Supervisor for a number of years, and was well known and highly respected. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria C. Cantine, was born in Tompkins county, New York, September 27, 1804, and died February 5, 1892. Her father was born in New York and her mother was a native of France. William S. Aldrich and his wife had a family of one son and two daughters, the subject of our sketch being the oldest. E. T. C. Aldrich was born and reared on his father's farm, and in early manhood was engaged in teaching for seven years--teach- OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 197 ing one school five years. He remained on the home place with his father, assisting in the management of the farming operations until his father's death. He still owns the homestead, which comprises 147 acres, and which, as already stated, joins the Garfield place on the east. He has a general supervision over the operations of the farm, and at the same time conducts an insurance business in Mentor, representing two companies, the Phoenix and the Dwelling House of Boston. Mr. Aldrich was married May 29, 1851, to Emily Fisher, who was born in Chautauqua county, New York, July 19, 1829. Her parents, Josiah and Caroline (Clark) Fisher, both natives of Vermont, emigrated to New York prior to their marriage. Her father was a carpenter. He was married a second time, and in 1853 went to Wisconsin, where he spent the closing years of his life and where he died. Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich's children are as follows: Frank W., born February 8, 1853, was married in 1881 to Lena G. Taft; William F., born September 29, 1857, is now a resident of North Dakota, engaged in the insurance business; and Mary C., who was married August 29, 1890, to E. D. Barber, who is engaged in the insurance business at Wahpeton, North Dakota. Each has received a good education, and Mrs. Barber was a teacher in Mentor for five- years previous to her marriage. Politically, Mr. Aldrich is a Republican. Be has served as Trustee, member of the Town Council and Mayor of Mentor, and for seventeen years was a member of the school board. He was a member of the Republican Congressional Convention of the old nineteenth district for eight years, and during that time became well acquainted with General Garfield. That was before Garfield moved to Mentor, four years previous to his election as president, and after his removal here Mr. Aldrich became intimately associated with the General, enjoying his confidence and friendship. During the memorable campaign of 1880 Mr. Aldrich assisted in entertaining the thousands who came to see General Garfield, singly and in delegation, and had the pleasure of introducing many distinguished men to him. Mrs. Aldrich is a Methodist. BENJAMIN H. WOODMAN, senior member of the well-known lumber firm of Woodman & Son, Painesville, Ohio, a progressive business man and estimable citizen, was born in New London, New Hampshire, November 16, 1827. His parents, Captain Benjamin E. and Mary (Train) Woodman, were both natives of New Hampshire and descended from old and respected families of New England. The father followed various pursuits throughout his life, gaining by his" uniform industry and uprightness the highest regard of his fellow men. He received his military title from having been commander of a company of militia in his native State. The mother was a typical New England woman, possessing all the thrift for which people of that vicinity are noted. This worthy couple, in company with their children, removed from New Hampshire to Painesville, Ohio, in 1830. They settled on new and unimproved land in the woods near the city, cultivated the land and improved it with good buildings, making of it a comfortable home and valuable piece of property. Here the parents resided in peace and plenty until their death, the father dying in 1854, at the age of sixty-three years, and 198 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY the devoted mother in 1873. Three of their four children are now living, all of whom fill honorable positions in business and society. The subject of this sketch was the youngest child and was but three years of age when his parents cast their fortunes in Ohio. He was reared on the borne farm near Painesville and attended the district schools in those days held in log houses. He remained at home assisting in farm work until 1845, when he secured a position before the mast on a schooner plying the lakes, and for about five years followed this calling, experiencing all the perils and hardships of lake navigation. He visited in this mariner all the principal ports between Buffalo and Chicago, and has many reminiscences of these early days when Chicago had not yet dreamed of her present greatness. At the end of this time, Mr. Woodman returned to Painesville, where he accepted a position in a machine shop, and acquired, in the six years he stayed there, an excellent knowledge of practical engineering and mechanics. He then, in 1858, again returned to his first love, the lake, this time as assistant engineer on a steamer, and before the year had elapsed was promoted to the position of head engineer, in which capacity he served about seven years. At the end of this time, in 1866, he and a brother-in-law purchased a stock of lumber and established a yard in Painesville. They successfully continued the enterprise until 1884, when Mr. Woodman's only son became a member of the firm, the other gentleman retiring, from which time the firm has been known as B. H. Woodman & Son. They have a well- stocked yard near the Lake Shore Railroad tracks and enjoy a large and lucrative trade, their prosperity being entirely due to the energetic and upright manner in which their business is conducted. Mr. Woodman, of this notice, has been twice married, His first wife was Miss Mary Taft, an estimable lady, a native of Painesville and daughter of Amasa and Hannah Taft, early pioneers of this city. By this marriage there was one son, who is now associated With the father in business in Painesville. After the death of the worthy wife and devoted mother, Mr. Woodman was married, in 1880, to Mrs. Jennie M. Jewell, a highly respected lady and a native of New York. In politics, Mr. Woodman is a Republican, and has served his fellow citizens as a member of the City Council, bringing to that position all the business energy and integrity for which he is famous. He has been an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for forty years. Few men are more thoroughly conversant with the early development of the country generally than the subject of this sketch, who has caught wild turkeys within the corporate limits of Painesville, and who has taken a prominent part in insuring the substantial growth of the city. DWIGHT L. CROSBY.—The subject of this sketch descended from a long line of hardy New England ancestors, inherits their best qualities of mind and heart. His grandfather, Elijah Crosby, was one of those pathfinders who blazed a way into the Western wilds of Ohio, and started those arts of peace which have culminated in her present prosperity. He was the first of his family to arrive in Ashtabula county, the date of his coming being August 2, 1806, and was one of the earliest pioneer settlers of that county, taking up his abode on a claim of wild land in Rome township. He was born in Connecticut of early New England ances- OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 199 tors who came from England to Massachusetts in 1635, their descendants being now very numerous and scattered all over the Union. Elijah Crosby married Phoebe Church, also a native of Connecticut, and they had seven sons and five daughters. (For mention of each of the children, see Williams' History of Ashtabula County, Ohio, published in 1878.) Levi Crosby, a son of Elijah and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in East Haddam, Middlesex county, Connecticut, April 2, 1803. He was married in 1832 to Miss Sarah Leonard, a native of Warren, Herkimer county, New York, and they had four children:: Giles H., Dwight L., Maria J. and Jane E., all of whom are living in 1893. Levi Crosby was for many years successfully engaged in the mercantile and produce business, and at the same time cultivated a large farm in Rome township, Ashtabula county, where he died in 1883, to the great sorrow of a large circle of friends. His son, the subject of this sketch, was born on the home farm in Rome township, November 21, 1836. He remained on the farm until eighteen years of age, and received his education in the public schools of his vicinity and at the Grand River Institute, in Austinburg, Ohio. At the age of eighteen, he went to Rock Creek as a clerk in a mercantile business, owned by his father and a partner, where he . remained about sixteen years. He was elected County Treasurer in October, 1873, serving in that capacity one term of two years, when, in 1875, he was reelected for another term of the same length of time. On the expiration of his second term of office, he became Assistant Cashier of the First National Bank of Jefferson, which position he still retains, to his own credit and the satisfaction of all concerned. In 1864, Mr. Crosby was married to Miss Augusta M. Bond, a native of Morgan township, Ohio, and daughter of Frederick M. Bond, a well known and worthy citizen. They have had two children: a son, deceased; and a daughter, Caspie F. Fraternally, Mr. Crosby is a Knight Templar Mason, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. In politics, he is a Republican. In domestic, business and public life, Mr. Crosby has ever been the same honorable, energetic and capable gentleman, and richly deserves the prosperity which he enjoys. EDWIN E. JONES, a prominent miller and one of the most enterprising, progressive business men of Jefferson, Ohio, was born in Warren, Pennsylvania, June 14,1841. His parents, Annias and Ruth (Pal trier) Jones, were both natives of Charlotte, Vermont, in which place the mother was born in 1801, and where they were reared and married. Their ancestors were early settlers of New England States, with the affairs of which they were actively identified. The mother of the subject of this sketch witnessed the memorable battle of Lake Champlain, on which so much depended in the struggling history of the American colonies. About 1834, the parents removed from the Green Mountain State to Pennsylvania, when, in 1845, they removed to Ohio, settling near Conneaut, in Ashtabula county, where the father was engaged in farming for many years. He afterward went West to prosecute business, and was there taken sick and died. The mother died in Ashtabula county, lamented by a large circle of friends. They were the parents of five children, of whom three, all sons, now survive.