(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 250 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Barton Germond was born in April, 1817, and in 1843 came with his family to Ashtabula county, Ohio, settling in Pierpont township, where he still carries on agricultural pursuits. He is a member of the Congregational Church. His wife was a Methodist. She died at Pierpont in 1848, aged thirty-two years. Mrs. Germond's parents, Jonathan and Sallie (Herrington) Davis, natives of New York, came to Ohio in 1842, settling at Pierpont. Grandfather Davis, a highly respected farmer, is still living, having reached his one-hundredth mile-post March 12, 1893. He enlisted as fifer in the war of 1812, but the war was over before he was called into service. He has been twice married. His first wife died about 1850, aged fifty-seven years. She had three sons and three daughters, two of whom are deceased; two reside in this State, one in Idaho, and the other in Oregon. His present wife was, before her marriage, Miss Sallie Turner. They have two children, residents of Pierpont. Barton and Harriet Germond had four children, namely: Oscar, a resident of this township; Nathan A., and George and Harley, who have charge of the home farm, both being unmarried. Nathan A. remained on his father's farm until the war came on. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and participated in the battles of Winchester, Fort Republic, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Buzzard's Roost; was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea; and was one of the victorious soldiers in the grand review at Washington. From Washington he went with his command to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was honorably discharged July 22, 1865. He was once captured by a rebel, but made good his escape, and three times he was wounded, first in the finger, at Fort Republic, in the head at the battle of Chancellorsville, and in the foot at Buzzard's Roost. After receiving the second wound he was disabled about five months, remaining, however, with his regiment but not being able to carry a gun. After being wounded in the foot, he came home on a thirty days' furlough, at the end of that time rejoining his command at Atlanta. While at home from the war in 1864, Mr. Germond was married, January 14, to Miss Carrie Colson. They have had two children, Minnie and Charles. Minnie became the wife of B. M. Talbot, of Alliance, Ohio, and her young life closed when she was twenty-one years Of age. For seven years she was a faithful member of the Congregational Church, and her whole life was characterized by the sweetest of Christian graces. Mrs. Germond is a member of the Congregational Church. Politically, Mr. Germond is a Republican. GEORGE H. MORSE, a member of the firm of Morse Brothers, stock farmers, manufacturers of hard-wood lumber and shingles, and dealers in agricultural implements and fertilizers, South Kirtland, Ohio, is one of the prominent and enterprising men of this vicinity. Following is a resume of his life: George H. Morse was born in Kirtland township, Lake county, Ohio, March 24, 1848, son of Harvey H. Morse, who was born in Pittsfield, Washington county, Massachusetts, in 1805; and grandson of John Morse, also a native of Massachusetts. At an early period in the history of this country two families by the name of Morse came here from England, OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 251 one being composed of three members and the other of four, and from these two families all the Morses in America are descended. John Morse, the grandfather of our subject, was a farmer by occupation and was a soldier in the French and Indian war, and also in the Revolution. During the latter war, however, he was sent home on account of old age. The gun he carried is now in the possession of George H. Morse. Harvey H. Morse was one of a family of four children, two sons and two daughters. His older brother, Colonel John F. Morse, located in Ohio in 1814, and became a prominent man in this State. He was Colonel of a company of militia. He and a Mr. Townsend were the first two men to be elected to the House of Representatives on the Free Soil ticket. They held the balance of power and decided the election of Salmon P. Chase. Harvey H. came to Ohio the year following his brother's arrival here, being at that time ten years of age, and in Kirtland he remained continuously with the exception of two or three years spent in Indiana. He was a carpenter by trade, and assisted in the erection of many of the buildings in this locality. He and his brother worked together in early life, contracting; etc., and frequently indulged in the sport of hunting. They were among the earliest settlers of this vicinity, and at that time the forest abounded in wild game of all kinds.. He was Captain of a company of militia, and in politics was successively a Whig, Free-Soiler and Republican. He was appointed administrator or executor of many estates. He held various township offices, and was a man of prominence in the community where he lived, his opinion often being sought and always valued. Both he and his wife were devoted members of the Congregational Church, of which for many years he was Treasurer. His wife's maiden name was Ann Holbrook. She was born in Derby, Connecticut, and died in Ohio in 1879. His death occurred here in 1886. They had four children, Belle G., John H., Fred H. and George H., all still living at the old homestead at Kirtland. John H. married Elizabeth Nichols, who died in 1879, leaving three children: Georgia B., Laura E. and Fannie E. Fred H. married Janie Daggett, and they have four children: Frank, Mary E., Benjamin F. and Genette. John H. and Fred H. both rendered efficient service for the Union cause during the Civil war. They enlisted at the same time, in 1862, in Company F, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went with their command to the front. John was discharged in July, 1863, on account of physical disability, and upon his recovery reentered the service. It was in March, 1864, that he re-enlisted, this time becoming a member of Company C, First Regiment of Light Artillery. He continued in the army until the war closed, being with Sherman and his forces in the South, and after the conflict was over participating in the grand review at Washington. The three brothers, J. H., F. H. and G. H., are in partnership in their various business operations. They have 265 acres of land which they utilize for general farming and stock purposes. They make a specialty of boarding and caring for horses during the winter, having horses sent to them from Cleveland for that purpose. Here they also have a mill and manufacture hardwood lumber and shingles. The past year they put into their yard about 300,000 feet of logs. They also handle fertilizers and agricultural implements. All three are enterprising business men, and are doing a rushing, rousing business. 252 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Aside from his business affairs, George H. has found time to devote to political matters, in which he has taken an active interest for a number of years. He affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as delegate to various conventions, both county and State, and has filled a number of local offices, such as Assessor, Trustee and Justice of the Peace. In the fall of 1890 he was elected County Commissioner, in which capacity he is still serving. During his term of office many substantial improvements have been made in the county, a county jail being now under process of construction, Mr. Morse is a member of the Knights of Pythias. PROFESSOR JAY P. TREAT, the efficient Superintendent of Schools in Ge- neva, a cultured scholar, able educator and worthy citizen, was born in Ashtabula county, October 10, 1851; a son of Jonathan C. and Lucinda N. (Alger) Treat, natives respectively of Ashtabula county, Ohio, and the province of Quebec. His grandfather, Roland A. Treat, well and favorably known as a prominent pioneer of Colebrook, Ashtabula county, was of Revolutionary stock and a descendant of Governor Treat, of Connecticut, of colonial fame. The mother of the subject of this sketch is a distant relative of ex Governor Alger, of Michigan, and belongs to the same family as N. P. Willis, the poet and author. Both parents are members of the Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm in his native county and was educated at Mount Union College, at Alliance, Ohio, from which institution he graduated in 1872. Thus ably qualified, he became Superintendent of Schools at Panama, New York, where he continued one year. He then resigned and accepted the principalship of Kingsville Academy, in charge of which he remained three years, when he was elected principal of the Geneva Normal School, in which capacity lre served until 1882. At the end of this time lre resigned to enter a new field—that of joint manager and editor of the Geneva Times. He was School Examiner during these ten years that he was thus occupied, and continued to be prominent in other lines of educational work. He also served as Mayor and member of the city council and was prominent in politics. In July, 1892, he sold his newspaper interest and was again elected Superintendent of Schools and Principal of the Normal School at Geneva, the same position that he formerly filled for six years. In these positions he is doing much, by his able and progressive measures, to advance the educational interests of the. community. In his educational duties he has the efficient co-operation of his wife, who is one of his assistants in the normal school —a lady of undoubted ability and thorough training in her profession, having been educated at Madison Seminary, Painesville high school, and Willoughby College, and possessing natural ability of a superior order. She was formerly Miss Ellen Stockham, of Perry, Ohio. She was born January 21, 1851, in Geauga county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Enoch and Belinda (Barnes) Stockham, also natives of the Buckeye State, where they are highly respected. Both Professor and Mrs. Treat are active members of the Baptist Church, which they have greatly aided in many ways. Fraternally, Professor Treat affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and at this writing is the representative of his district to the grand lodge of Ohio. He is OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 253 public-spirited, is instrumental in advancing the moral as well as the material welfare of his community, and is richly deserving of the prosperity and esteem which he so generally enjoys. NEHEMIAH HUBBARD, so long and prominently identified with the best interests of Ashtabula county, is justly entitled to extended notice in a history of this vicinity, which his energy and ability has been instrumental in developing. The subject of this sketch was born in Ashtabula township, Ohio, November 11, 1812, being a son of Matthew and Mary (Willard) Hubbard, prominent and widely esteemed pioneers of this community. The Hubbard family came to this country from England in early Colonial times, and took an active part in the history of those times: Grandfather Isaac Hubbard was born in Connecticut, but removed in an early day to Holland Patent, New York. He subsequently followed his sons to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he afterward died, great in age and in the regard of his fellow-men. His eight children were: Matthew, Isaac, William, Daniel, Henry and three daughters. Matthew, the oldest and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Middletown, Connecticut, April ,29, 1783. He accompanied his parents to Holland Patent, where he was married to Mary Willard, a native of Wethersfield, Connecticut, and a member of a prominent and highly respected family. They became the parents of twelve children: Mary, who married H. J. Rees; Anna C.; Sarah; Harriet, wife of Richard Roberts; Nehemiah; Eliza, wife of Ira Smith; Isaac; Cornelia F., wife of William Strader; Fidelia; Catherine, relict of Dr. John C. Hubbard; Caroline, wife of Captain Dodge; and Sarah (2d). All are deceased save Mary, Caroline, Catherine, Nehemiah and Sarah. In 1803, being of an adventurous and enterprising disposition, Matthew Hubbard joined the westward tide of emigration to Ohio, and in Ashtabula county took up wild land, which he industriously set about improving and preparing for a home for his wife and family, who followed him in 1807. Shortly after his arrival here he was followed by three of his brothers. Henry first came and began business in Harbor, this county, after which William L. followed, also settling in Harbor, and Daniel came later. Matthew Hubbard took a prominent part in the development of the early interests of this county. He was one of three to secure the right and construct the Ashtabula and Warren turnpike road, which became a popular highway and greatly contributed to the welfare of the county. He was for many years land agent for the West, ern Reserve, and was the first Postmaster of Ashtabula, Nehemiah, the subject of this sketch, acting as second Postmaster, which positions they retained until 1849. Matthew Hubbard afterward spent five years in Iowa, at that time on the extreme frontier, but later returned to Ashtabula county, where he died July 9, 1869, aged eighty-six years. His wife died September 6, 1865. He and his worthy wife were the parents of twelve children, of whom the subject of this sketch and three daughters now survive. Nehemiah Hubbard, whose name heads this biography, the efficient Township Clerk and a worthy citizen, was reared in Ashtabula, where he has passed his entire life. He gained a common school education, which was supplemented by self-application and extensive experience. He early learned civil en- 256 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY gineering, gaining much knowledge of this useful art in his father's land office, where he spent many of his youthful days. He commenced this business in 1823, and from that time until 1888 was actively engaged in that pursuit, having made more land surveys in Ashtabula than any other man. He was the civil engineer of the Ashtabula harbor, which fact alone is a sufficient guarantee of his ability, if any were needed. He also has a wide mercantile experience, having been an accountant and been in the dry-goods business for some time. He served as Postmaster for fifteen years, and for about twenty years previous was assistant in the office during his father's incumbency. He continued to follow civil engineering, together with his other duties, until 1888, when he discontinued that business. In 1872 he was elected Township Clerk of Ashtabula township, which position he filled efficiently a year, when he was defeated by a single vote, but was elected the following year to the same office, which he has continuously retained for twenty years, being the present incumbent. This is a strong endorsement of his ability and integrity, inasmuch as he is Democratic in politics and the county largely Republican. He is, however, conservative in politics, supporting those men and measures best calculated to subserve the highest interests of the community and country at large. He is fully conversant with current events of the day, and well informed on topics of public interest. He is a member of the Reformed Episcopal Church. In 1858 Mr. Hu bbard was married to Miss Amelia A., daughter of William Hopkins, a lady of many excellent qualities, and they have had three children, two now surviving: Walter C., and Mary Amelia, now the wife of Richard Beer, the oldest, Matthew, having unfortunately been drowned. Mr. Hubbard is a natural musician and has a genius for mechanics. He organized the first military band in this part of the country, and was leader of it for many years. With this band he became quite a conspicuous figure in the memorable campaign of 1840. The band was wont to go all about the Western Reserve, giving concerts, etc., and often went into Pennsylvania. He could make musical instruments, as well as play them. Among those he made was a pipe organ, and it was a good one, having a full, rich tone. His residence is at the old homestead, and is a model for convenience, its handy and ingenious contrivances—like the home of Thomas Jefferson---being constructed by his own hands. In the summer season he spends much of his time in his garden and about his grounds. He is one of the old-style gentlemen, and his tall form and genial face has been a pleasing sight to the people of this community for nearly three-quarters of a century. Such long and continuous fidelity to public trust, and uniform uprightness in all the walks of life, stamp Mr. Hubbard as well worthy of the confidence and esteem which he so generally enjoys. P. H. CHENEY.—On account of his own intrinsic worth and his contributions to he growth and welfare of Ashtabula county, Ohio, as well as by reason of the prominence of his father, who was one of the moving spirits in this county seventy-five years ago, the subject of this sketch is deserving of special mention in a history of his vicinity. OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 255 Thomas Cheney, his father, an extended notice of whom appears in a sketch concerning Mrs. Captain George Field, of Ashtabula, Ohio, was a tanner and shoe manufacturer by trade, which occupations he followed in youth and for some time after coming to this county. He was one of the four original Abolitionists of Ashtabula county, and was famous as an "underground conductor," assisting many slaves to cross the Canadian border to freedom. His last days were passed on his farm, where he was killed by a falling tree in 1850, in his sixtieth year, universally regretted. His father, Stowell Cheney, grandfather of the subject of this notice, was a native of Connecticut, as indeed was Thomas Cheney. The family is of Welsh descent and is mentioned in an old history of Connecticut, which contains a picture of the upper part of the house in which Thomas was born. The subject of this biography was born in Ashtabula county, April 13, 1836, where he was reared and educated. Being of an active and enterprising disposition, he early secured employment as a porter on a steamer plying the Great Lakes, and rose by successive promotions to a clerkship. He passed thirteen years on the water, when he relinquished that business to accept a position on a sleeping car, running between Chicago and Cincinnati, in which occupation he continued until 1863. He then assumed the management of the lighthouse at the harbor, which he kept in trim for seventeen years, being at the same time engaged in the lumber business with other parties. On closing out all his other business, Mr. Cheney embarked in his present occupation, that of ship chandlery and vessel brokerage, which has of late been principally managed by his sons, while be has been investigating the resources of Southern countries, with a view to finding an opening for a profitable business, and at the same time gaining a knowledge of the manners and customs of a strange people. Mr. Cheney is accompanied on these journeys by his wife, a lady of much artistic skill. She is a ready sketcher with a pen, and makes pen pictures of all points of interest which they visit. Their first trip was made in 1890, to Florida, where they spent four months in the enjoyment of that delightful winter climate. They visited the West Indies the next winter and have but recently returned from a tour of Southern California and Central America, having visited Guatemala, San Salvador and Costa Rica, to which last place he will return the coming fall (1893) and engage in the coffee-growing business. December 23, 1858, Mr. Cheney was married, at Ashtabula, to Miss Catherine H. Benham, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Dr. Cole, a prominent minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She comes of an old and highly respected family, her great grandfather, Thomas Benham, having been born in England. He emigrated to America in and Revolutionary days, and married a Miss Bunnell, and they were the parents of three sons: Thomas, Adney and Samuel. The oldest son, Thomas, married Amanda Chittenden and they had six children: Alonzo, Asahel, Lucius and Lewis, twins; Clarissa, who married Lemuel Barber; and John. Asahel Benham, the second in order of birth, was born in Connecticut, March 19, 1813. He was a wood workman in early life, but in later years was engaged in farming. He was married in 1839 to Esther Ann Fox, daughter of Giles Fox, and they had three children, of whom Catherine, wife of the subject of this sketch, was the oldest. In 1815 the Benham family came from Connecticut to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where they have since taken an active 256 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY part in the development of the country. Amanda, wife of Thomas Benham, was born December 17, 1777, and was married in October, 1808. She died February 2, 1874, at the age of ninety-seven years, and fifty-nine years after her advent to Ashtabula county. She united with the church at the age of fourteen, and was ever afterward an earnest and active Christian, exerting an untold influence for good during her long and varied career. Mr. and Mrs. Cheney have four children: Denn S., born April 13, 1867; and Thomas A., born June 4, 1869, proprietors of the ship chandlery and grocery establishment, on Bridge street, in Harbor; Clara, born September 26, 1870; and Robert, born January 12, 1876. Mr. Cheney is a member of the Masonic Order, Rising Sun Lodge, No. 22. Politically, Mr. Cheney is a Republican, with which party he has cast his vote since its organization. He is an honorable and energetic business man and a progressive, public- spirited citizen, genial and kind-hearted, and enjoys the esteem of all who know him. AUGUSTUS HARRINGTON, one of the self-made men of Lake county, Ohio, and for sixty-three years a resident of Mentor, is a native of New York, born at Cincinnatus, December 29, 1809. His father, Nichademus Harrington, emigrated from New York to Ohio, and died near Columbus. His mother, Saloma (Sheldon) Harrington, a native of North Adams, Massachusetts, lived to the age of seventy- five years. Mr. Harrington's grand-parents were over ninety years of age when they died, the grandfather being ninety-six. Early in life the subject of our sketch was thrown upon his own resources. He is one of the two left of a family of five sons and one daughter; his sister is now living. When a boy he lived for some time with a lawyer by the name of Putnam, a grandson of old General Putnam, and did chores to pay for his board while he attended school. Subsequently he became a clerk in a store at North Adams, where he was reared. In 1829 he came to Ohio and located at Mentor, having a brother here at that time. Here he was employed as a carpenter, and, being of a mechanical turn of mind, he easily acquired a knowledge of the trade, and, without having to serve an apprenticeship, he was in time able to start out for himself. Many of the attractive old residences in Mentor are specimens of his handiwork. As prosperity began to crown his efforts he loaned money from time to time, and by honest toil and careful economy he has acquired a considerable for-tune. He has about 200 acres of land in one body, besides 130 acres in other small tracts. His investments, however, are chiefly in notes and mortgages. Mr. Harrington has been twice married. In 1844 he married Hannah S. Slocum, who died in April, 1852, leaving three children: Edwin A., Emery S. and Josephine. October 21, 1854, he married Margaret Tear, a native of the Isle of Man and a daughter of William and Judith (Gown) Tear. She came with her parents to the United States in 1826, and was reared in Leroy township, Lake county, Ohio. Here her father died at the age of eighty-two, and her mother at seventy-five. Mr. Harrington and his present wife have had two children: John T. and James A., the latter being now deceased. While Mr. Harrington's political views are in harmony with Republican principles, he does not take an active part in political matters. During the war he was Assessor of OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 257 Mentor township. He was Captain of a company of militia in the days when drilling was in vogue. Mrs. Harrington is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Harrington united with that church while in North Adams, but since coming West has not been a church member. EDWARD E. GOULD is one of the prominent business men of Painesville, Ohio, and a member of the firm of Gould & Clark, hardware dealers. He is a native of Geauga county, Ohio, born September 28, 1841, and is a descendant of an old New England family. His father, Harris Gould, was born in Genesee county, New York, as was also his father in turn. Harris Gould was a farmer by occupation, and when a boy came to Geauga county, locating here at a very early day. In 1887 he removed to Painesville, where he lived a retired life until his death in 1889, at which time he had attained the age of eighty-two years. He owned over one thousand acres of land in Geauga county at one time and was abundantly prosperous. Having commenced his career entirely without means, his success was the more remarkable. He was an extensive land dealer, buying, selling and trading farms, and in this way acquired his wealth. His wife, whose maiden name was Attaresta Wright, was born in Geauga county and came from a pioneer family of that region, to which her parents removed from Vermont. Mrs. Gould is still living, though she has passed four-score years. In a family of six children, all surviving, E. E. Gould is the fourth in order of birth. He was brought up on a farm and received a common-school education. With his parents he removed to Painesville, where he attended the high school. When the war broke out he joined a company of young men who were enlisted as Company G, Second Ohio Cavalry, under Colonel Doubleday. He enlisted early in 1861, and was sent out on the frontier in Kansas and the Indian Territory, where the red men were causing trouble. In 1862 he joined the Army of the Cumberland, being assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps. In 1864, with his company, he was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and was present at Appomattox when Lee surrendered. He was at the battles of Winchester and Cedar Creek and saw General Sheridan as he came from Winchester after his famous ride. Mr. Gould participated in the nine-days Battle of the Wilderness, Petersburg and South Side Railroad. During this time he had two horses shot from under him, but never received any personal injury. Although at times he was within the rebel lines, hiding in the mountains, etc., he was never taken prisoner or in the hospital for a day. Going to Washington, he took part in the grand review, after which he was sent to Southwestern Missouri, where he was stationed until October, 1865, then being mustered out at Benton Barracks, near St. Louis. Returning to Painesville, Mr. Gould embarked in the hardware business, having associated with him Mr. Henry Holcomb. This partnership existed for one-quarter of a century, Mr. Holcomb then being succeeded by R. H. Clark, who is now the junior member of the firm. This hardware concern is an extensive one and commands a large share of the trade of this vicinity. Well assorted lines of general hardware, tools, farming implements, etc., are carried in stock. 258 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY In 1873 our subject married Sarah L. Chesney, daughter of B. D. Chesney, an early and honored resident of Painesville, who previously lived in Warren, Ohio. For many years he was Auditor of Lake county, and made an efficient officer. He died in 1870, leaving behind him the record of a life well spent. Mr. and Mrs. Gould are the parents of two children: Annie L. and Chesney H. For sixteen years Mr. Gould was a member of the City Council with only one intermission, a period of two years, when he refused to be a candidate. He has always taken a great interest in local political affairs and is influential in the same. He is active in the support of the Republican party, and for two years discharged the duties of Treasurer of Lake county to the full satisfaction of all. DR. CLINTON D. BAKER, Conneaut, Ohio, j was o in Warren county, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1859, son of Lewis and Sarah A. (Webb) Baker. Lewis Baker was born and reared in Buffalo, New York, the date of his birth being 1812. His father, William Baker, owned the land on which a large part of Buffalo now stands. Lewis Baker moved to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, when a young man, and was married at the age of twenty-three, his bride being " sweet sixteen." His whole life was spent in agricultural pursuits. A true Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, honorable and upright in his dealings with his fellow men, industrious, public-spirited and generous, his life was one worthy of emulation. In his home genial hospitality was dispensed to all, and especially did the Methodist minister find a warm reception there. October 24, 1883, at the age of seventy-one years, he passed from earth to his reward. His widow, born May 10, 1819, is still living. They reared a large family to occupy useful and honorable positions in life, and of them we make the following record: James, who served five years as Drum Major of Company E, One Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, married Miss Laura Alden, and is now a resident of Spring Creek, Warren county, Pennsylvania; Josiah W., First Lieutenant of Company E, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, was detailed as Captain of Company G, and was acting as such in the battle of the Wilderness when he was shot and instantly killed, aged twenty-six and unmarried; William, an extensive lumber dealer of Spring Creek, Pennsylvania, married Abi Grant, daughter of Dr. Benjamin Grant; Adelia, wife of William Bates, resides on a farm in Crawford county, Pennsylvania; Agnes and her husband, Dr. John Gray, are both deceased; Mary E. is the wife of L. E. Pearce, a banker and prominent citizen of Morris, Minnesota; Ellen M., wife of J. H. Symons, of Elyria, Ohio; Frances, wife of William Baker, is deceased; Sarah, who died at the age of nine years; Clinton D.; Irvin W., who married Minnie Foreman, is in the lumber business with his brother in Spring Creek. Dr. Clinton. D. Baker received a common and high-school education and then served an apprenticeship in pharmacy, under G. W. Clarkson, M. D. After this he became a member of the firm of Weist & Baker in a drug store, and before they had conducted business a year were burned out. This was in 1873. The following seven years he was employed as traveling salesman. Then, in company with OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 259 Dr. W. O. Gilson, he bought a drug store at Spring Creek, and while in this business began the study of medicine. He passed the State examination in pharmacy. Then he took a three years' course at the Western Reserve Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio, graduating with the class of 189.2, and after his graduation established himself in the practice of his profession at Conneaut, where he is meeting with excellent success. Dr. Baker was married June 11, 1885, to Miss Laura B. Calvin, daughter of Atchison and Essie Calvin, of Brookville, Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, her people being of Scotch descent. She is a fine pianist, has a beautiful voice, and is a graduate in music. They have one child, Harold Lewis. Mrs. Baker is a member of the Presbyterian Church. The Doctor is a stanch Republican. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow and is also a member of the Equitable Aid Union. DAVID HOTCHKISS, a successful farmer and dairyman of Jefferson township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, and respected citizen, was born in Steuben county, New York, December 30, 1833. He is of New England stock, his father, Demas Hotchkiss, having been born in Connecticut in 1798. Demas was educated in the State of his birth, his advantages being somewhat meager. It is said that he was able to attend school only three months in his lifetime. This, however, was more than offset by a quick intellect and great force of character. He was naturally a mathematician and elocutionist, in both of which branches he perfected himself by close application and perseverance, and was deservedly regarded as a man of ability and superior accomplishments. His character was above reproach and he enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. He was married to Orphia Bryant in the State of New York, where he resided on a farm until 1847, when he removed to Jefferson township, Ashtabula county, where he passed the remainder of his life. He first purchased sixty-four acres of land to which he afterward added thirty-four more, all of which he cleared and of which he made one of the best farms in the county. He was active in all matters tending to advance the interests of his vicinity as well as those of the country at large. He was in politics originally a Whig, afterward a Free Soiler and later a Republican, finally espousing the cause of the Prohibitionists, in which he took a deep interest. He was Township Assessor for some time, discharging his duties with ability and honor. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being a Class-Leader and Steward and especially active in Sunday-school work. Both his and his wife's names appear on the memorial window of the Jefferson Methodist Episcopal Church, as among those most active in establishing that institution on a firm basis. These were not the greatest of their benefits bestowed upon society, but rather the flower of a constant Christianity, conspicuous in daily life and immeasurable in its influence. The mother of the subject of this' sketch was born in Mount Holly, Vermont, in 1805, and her father, John Bryant, was a Baptist minister, a man of education and ability. Orphia accompanied her sister to New York State in an early day, where she attained her growth and enjoyed moderate school advantages, which she improved. This was then the frontier and she passed most of her life in a wilderness. She was married at the age of twenty and spent the latter part of her days in Ohio, enjoying with her husband 260 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY the universal esteem of their community. She had eight children, four of whom survive. The father of the family died on the Ohio homestead on December 26, 1882, at a good old age, while his worthy wife survived him until July 26, 1883, dying in the midst of her friends, regretted by all who knew her. Few pioneers contributed as much to the general welfare of their vicinity as did these worthy people, and they justly deserve the affectionate remembrance of all future generations. The subject of this sketch, David Hotchkiss, who is the proprietor of one of the best farms in the county, situated a mile and a half east of Jefferson, was fourteen years of age when his parents removed to Ohio, where he has lived ever since. He was reared on a farm and enjoyed the educational advantages provided by the pioneer schools, where he applied himself diligently to study. In the spring of 1856 he commenced to teach school, his first charge being in a distant and sparsely settled township. He continued this occupation intermittently for twenty years, being some of the time employed in district and high schools. In the meantime, at the age of twenty-one, he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner and later that of a stone and brick mason and plasterer, at which he worked during the summer, teaching school in the winter. In the spring of 1857, he went to Minnesota, where he taught in the district and high schools, employing assistants. He afterward returned to Ohio and purchased his present farm, which he has cultivated and improved with a fine residence and good barns, besides other valuable accessories, the whole making a comfortable and desirable home for himself and family. June 19, 1861, Mr. Hotchkiss was married to Miss Rebecca Whaley, a lady of rare per sonal and mental charms, who was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in 1843. Her father, Joseph Whaley, was also a native of the " tight little isle, " and removed with his family to America in an early day, coming to Ohio and purchasing a farm in Saybrook township, which was his home for a number of years. He finally went to Iowa, where he died in 1869, greatly regretted. Mrs. Hotchkiss was four years of age when she came to Ohio, where she was married at the age of eighteen. She had seven children, four sons and three daughters: Eva, born in 1862, wife of John Purdy of Manchester, Virginia; Allen L., born in December, 1864, a plaster contractor, residing in Iowa; Mary L., born in December, 1868, wife of E. E. Graham, a prosperous farmer of Dorset township, Ashtabula county, Ohio; Norman L., born in December, 1870, unmarried and residing in Iowa, is a prominent clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Vinton R., born in 1875, living in Youngstown; Ruby L,, born in 1879; and Floyd B., born in March, 1889. Mr. Hotchkiss is a near relative of William Cullen Bryant. Mrs. Hotchkiss was converted young, uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Church, since which time she has been most 'active in good works. She belongs to the W. C. T. U. and Home Missionary Society, and leads a busy and useful life. In politics, Mr. Hotchkiss has been a Prohibitionist for years, and has done good work in that cause. He has acceptably filled the office of Trustee and other positions of trust, is now the nominee for County Commissioner and has been for several other county offices but prefers attending to home duties. He is a prominent member of the Township and County Grange, to the advancement of which he has materially contributed. He is a devout member of and active worker in the OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 261 Methodist Episcopal Church and Sunday- school, exerting a strong influence for good in his community. Such men are the foundation of Ohio's greatness and prosperity, adding by their industry to her wealth and by their right living to her honorable position among the sister States. HON. WILLIAM COOPER HOWELLS was born May 15, 1807, in the — Welsh village of Hay, county of Brecon, Great Britain. In the following year his father, Joseph Howells, emigrated to the United States, landing at Boston, whence he went to a manufacturing center near Hudson, New York, and in 1810 removed to Manhattanville, now a part of the city of New York. He remained there until 1812, when he again moved, this time to Waterford, Loudoun county, Virginia, and soon again to Jefferson county, Ohio. These changes were the result of an effort to settle in manufacturing localities, as Mr. Howells was eminently fitted to take an active interest in them. The capital be had brought with him from England was soon exhausted, but fortunately he had at his command a knowledge then exceptionally valuable in our new land. Not only was he conversant with the art of making woolen cloth and able to superintend its manufacture, but he could also draw plans of the required machinery and take charge of establishing new factories. As these machines could not at that time be imported from England, his skill was often called into requisition. The record of the trials and hardships of pioneer life is well known to all, and it is needless to say that Mr. Howells and his rapidly growing family did not escape their full share. To the delicately nurtured wife and mother it was especially hard; but, like so many fine natures tested in the crucible of those hard days, the faithful wife, true mother and dauntless woman came through the fire unscathed, and at the end of her fourscore years serenely folded her hands and passed away. During the early years of his life, William Cooper Howells was learning the lessons of industry and economy, those proficient teachers in the school of life, which, when heeded, will take one farther in the path of knowledge and progress than would a classical education under other circumstances. His parents were both people of refined tastes, and hence he did not feel greatly the loss of regular schools, since in his home an atmosphere of cultivation always prevailed. It was the pride of his mother that she had taught him to read before he was quite four years old. The home training inspired him with a love of books, and especially poetry, which led him into useful studies and established a taste that was in itself the best of schoolmasters. Young Howells was approaching his majority when his family, which up to this time lived in Jefferson and Harrison counties, removed to Wheeling, West Virginia. Here he availed himself of the first opportunity to learn the art of printing, then the important avenue to a literary life. At this place he was tempted to start a printing office without sufficient support, and from it he issued for one year a monthly paper called The Gleaner. This was followed by the Eclectic Observer, a weekly sheet, independent and free from any party in politics or religion. It was very radical withal, and did not succeed, and was abandoned at the end of six months. The printing of a book that was never paid for closed this first enterprise. 262 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY But all the world knows that it is very difficult to wash printers' ink from one's hands if it once gets there, and fortunately for the history of the press in Ohio, Mr. Howells never removed the dingy traces, nor did he try to do it. He was one of the newspaper men who loved their profession and elevated it, and wherever his career is known it is easy to point to an honorable, consistent and quietly able course. In Wheeling, on the 10th of July, 1831, he married Mary Dean, a native of New Lisbon, Ohio, a woman of exceptionally fine mind, who brought into his life the most enduring and beautiful traits, faithfully and cheerfully sharing his varied fortunes until October 10, 1868, when her earthly life ended, though not its influence and lessons, for with her husband, children and friends they will ever remain. After leaving Wheeling Mr. Howells was employed on various papers in St. Clairsville, Mount Pleasant and Chillicothe until 1840, when, upon the nomination of General Harrison, he bought the Hamilton Intelligencer, the Whig paper of Butler county, Ohio, and entered upon the campaign with great spirit, with difficulties to encounter, which only those who know what were the narrow prejudices of that time and that part of Ohio will realize. From his early youth he was strongly anti-slavery in his attitude, so much so that at times he found it difficult to harmonize with his party; and in 1848, when General Taylor was nominated by the Whigs, he refused to support him, and joined his interests with the Free Soil organization then formed. This step obliged him to sell the Intelligencer, when he bought the Dayton Transcript, a paper not strongly Whig. But ever ahead of his party in radical spirit, this change proved for him a most disastrous one financially; and the failure which followed swept away the labor of years. But, halting not to rest from the political battle in which he had enlisted all his energies, he was soon upon his feet again. His next move was to Columbus, where he remained for a time upon the Ohio State Journal, reporting and preparing legislative matters. While living in Columbus he made the acquaintance of Hon. Laban S. Sherman, then in the Senate, who recommended him to join Mr. Fassett, on the Ashtabula Sentinel. Acting upon this advice, after a visit to Mr. Fassett, at Ashtabula, he became his partner, and assumed charge of the Sentinel May 15, 1852, the day he was forty-five years of age. This partnership continued until the following January, when Mr. Howells and James L. Oliver bought the Sentinel and moved it to Jefferson, where Mr. Joseph A. Howells soon entered Mr. Oliver's place, as his father's partner in the ownership of the paper, which continued to be under the editorial management of Mr. Howells, Sr., until about 1878. From 1840 Mr. Howells' life has been political, and from 1855 until 1867 he almost constantly occupied a legislative office, first as Journal Clerk and afterward as Official Reporter. In 1863 he received the Republican nomination for the Senate from this the twenty-fourth district. This nomination was endorsed by a majority of 11,000 votes, the largest ever given in the State for a district office,—" a figure which showed the strength of the party at that time," Mr. Howells modestly says, when the fact is alluded to. It did show the strength in the ranks, but it showed also the esteem in which he was held by the party he had always labored so faithfully to sustain. The honor of his life which Mr. Howells best loves to recall is that it was his privilege OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 263 while a Senator, as the life-long slavery-abolitionist, to introduce the joint resolution by which his State ratified the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery in the United States. June 2, 1874, he was appointed United States Consul to the old Canadian city of Quebec by President Grant. This office he filled with honor to himself and satisfaction to all concerned, for four years. Upon his promotion to the consulship at Toronto, he was the recipient of many marks of flattering respect from the citizens of Quebec, among which was an address signed by several hundred citizens, expressing their esteem for him and regret at his departure. In 1883, after five years in Toronto of the faithful discharge of the more onerous duties of this larger consulate, he resigned his office, severing for the second time most agreeable relations with the Canadian people, and sought upon a Virginia farm near Richmond the rest and recreation which he began to crave. Here he enjoyed a few years of pleasant leisure until the insidious malaria of that fair land invaded his home, and with regret which was mutual he parted from friends and neighbors, and returned to his old home at Jefferson. But though the return to the North for a time stayed the hand of disease, it was too late to save a life most dear and precious to him. His eldest daughter, who, since her mother's death, had been his affectionate companion as well as dutiful daughter, died a few weeks after reaching Ohio. This daughter, Victoria M., was a bright and winning woman whose fine mind might have achieved much in an intellectual field had it not been ruled by a loving and loyal heart which wrought more unselfishly in a life-long devotion, filial and fraternal. Of his two remaining daughters, Aurelia H., together with his young son, Henry I., now form with him the small home circle in Jefferson. Annie T., during the residence of the family in Quebec, was married to M. Achille Frechette, French translator for the Dominion House of Commons, and lives in Ottawa, Canada. Of the five sons the oldest, Joseph A., is now publisher and proprietor of the Sentinel and lives in Jefferson, William Dean is the well-known author, living now in New York. Samuel Dean, also an editor, is at present holding a position in the Government printing office at Washington, District of Columbia; and John Butler died in 1864, in his eighteenth year, while attending school in Cleveland. Mr. Howells has just passed his eighty- sixth birthday. With unimpaired faculties, he rests in the affection of his family and friends, and though he takes no active part in politics, he still maintains an interest in all the important questions of the day, and in all that concerns the welfare of the land where he has lived so long, and of the country he has loved so well. GEORGE WILSON, a prominent and successful farmer on the lake shore in Willoughby township, Lake county, Ohio, was thrown upon his own resources at the early age of eleven years, and by patient and honest toil has worked his way up to his present prosperity. Mr. Wilson was born in Yorkshire, England, April 26, 1828, son of William and Mary Wilson, both natives of Yorkshire. His father, a farmer by occupation, died in 1875. His mother died in 1885. George is the oldest of their five children and is the only one who came to America. He attended school from the time he was six until he was eleven 264 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY years old. At the age of eleven he began working out, doing farm work, and at first receiving five pounds per year. He continued thus employed for nearly eleven years, his wages being increased from time to time, and the last two years receiving twenty pounds per year. From his meagre earnings he saved a little each year, and in 1850 started for America, sailing from Liverpool April 11, and landing in New York, May 16. He came direct from New York to Cleveland, and thence to Willoughby, Lake county. Here he hired out to a farmer and worked by the month nearly two years. In the spring of 1852 he began farming for himself, having purchased forty-four acres of land in the northwest part of Willoughby township. This land was partly cleared at the time of purchase. For forty-one years he has made his home here, and during this period he has cleared and developed considerable land, adding to his original purchase from time to time as his means allowed. He is now the owner of 272 acres of land, twenty acres of which are in vineyard. He has about 500 peach trees and a variety of plums, pears and other fruits. The buildings on his place are all substantial and in excellent condition. September 23, 1885, he had a fine barn and contents burned, entailing a loss of fully $5,000. Mr. Wilson was married in 1854 to Lydia Jones, a native of Willoughby township, this county, and a daughter of Ransome and Ann Jones, who came from New York to this State. She died in 1862, leaving five children, namely: William, deceased; Vine; Esbon; Frank, deceased; and one that died in infancy. In 1868 Mr. Wilson was again married, this time to Emily J. Barnes, a native of this township. Her parents, Parish and Ann Barnes, were natives respectively of New York and Wales. They were married in this county and passed their lives and died here, the father dying in 1878, at the age of sixty-one years, and the mother in 1878, at the age of fifty-eight. Five of their eight children are still living. Mr. Wilson and his present wife have five children,—Seth, Mary, Frank, Bertha and Raymond. He and his wife are members of the Disciple Church. Since the time of securing the data for this sketch Mr. Wilson has disposed of his fine farmstead, selling the same, on July 10, 1893, to the Shaker society, for a consideration of $34,225. JAMES H. TRYON, who resides on Waite Hill, in Kirtland township, Lake county, Ohio, is a pioneer grape-grower in this vicinity, being one of the first to plant a vineyard for commercial purposes in the county. He is well informed on all horticultural subjects and has gained a wide practical knowledge from many years of experience. He deals extensively in all kinds of nursery stock and makes a specialty of grapes. For over a quarter of a century he has dealt with one of the standard grape nurseries, and is widely and favorably known. James H. Tryon was born in the township of Vernon, Oneida county, New York, February 18, 1822, the son of Jesse Tryon, also a native of Oneida county, and grandson of Thomas Tryon, who was born in Middletown, Connecticut. Thomas Tryon emigrated to Oneida county, New York, in an early day, where he was engaged in farming for some years and where he died at the age of eighty-five. He was a Revolutionary soldier and was taken prisoner by the British OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 265 when they had possession of New York city, and with his comrades was confined in the old Sugar House for a time and then was transferred to the prison ship that lay in the harbor, where he remained until released by exchange of prisoners. Jesse Tryon was one of a family of twelve children. By occupation he was a farmer. He emigrated to Ohio in 1853, and located in Kirtland township, Lake county, where he died in 1872, at age of seventy-nine years, his death resulting from injuries received from being accidentally thrown out of a wagon. He was a member of the Congregational Church. During the war of 1812 he was in the service of his country a short time before its close. The mother of James H. Tryon was before her marriage Miss Maria Graham, who was a native of New York. Her death occurred in 1876. They had two sons, James H. being the older. The other, Hon. Hosmer G. Tryon, came to Ohio in 1846, and improved a farm on Waite Hill, Lake county, where he spent the rest of his life. He was elected to the State Legislature and had just completed serving his third term as a member of that honorable body when his death occurred. James H. Tryon spent his boyhood days on the farm and received a district-school and academic education. At the age of eighteen he went to Wampsville, Madison county, New York, where he was employed as clerk in a store for three years. Subsequently he clerked at Oneida and from there went to Rochester, same State, where he made his home for several years while he was engaged as traveling salesman. He came to Lake county, Ohio, in 1855, and settled on Waite Hill in Kirtland township, where he soon afterward turned his attention to fruit culture. In 1858 he set out a vineyard, it being one of the first vineyards, if not the first, of any size in the county. In 1862 he commenced shipping his- crop of grapes, and has continued to ship every year since. A few years after he planted the vineyard he also set out a peach and pear orchard. For thirty years he has handled all kinds of fruit trees, buying and selling on orders. He has made a specialty of grapes, not only in raising the fruit but also in selling the vines. Mr. Tryon was married in 1848 to Louisa Hills, a native of Madison county, New York, and they have had eight children, three of whom died in infancy. Those living are as follows: Louise, wife of H. O. Wells, Kirtland, Ohio; James H., Jr., married and living in West Bay City, Michigan; Phoebe I., wife of Frank Hull, Omaha, Nebraska; Edmond H., a merchant of Willoughby; and George W., of New York city. When he reached his majority Mr. Tryon first voted with the Liberty party. He was afterward a Free-Soiler, and is now a Republican. He, however, gives little attention to political matters. Mrs. Tryon is a member of the Congregational Church. CUSHMAN W. PELTON, of the firm of C. W. Pelton & Bro., Conneaut, proprietors of one of the largest general merchandise stores in Ashtabula county, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, January 7, 1847, son of Winthrop F. and Sophronia C. (Beers) Felton, both natives of this State. From the history of Trumbull county we learn that he is a descendant of John Pelton, who came from county Essex, England, to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1634. Josiah Pelton of Granby, Connecticut, traded a mill 266 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY property for what is now the north half of the township of Gustavus, Trumbull county, and came out here on horseback in the summer of 1800 to locate his land in the unbroken wilderness. Upon his return the same season he announced that he would give 100 acres of land to the woman who would first make her home on his tract. His son Jesse quickly accepted the offer in behalf of Ruhanna DeWolf, also of Granby, being assured that she was willing to undertake with him the hardships of pioneer life. They made the long and fatiguing journey in the spring of 1801, and on the 4th of June they " raised " their log house—the first in the township. Another brother soon followed Jesse, and in the spring of 1802 Josiah Pelton came out with the rest of the family, eight children in all, the seventh of whom—:- Julius was the grandfather of C. W. Pelton. Winthrop Folsome Pelton, the father of our subject, was born at Gustavus, this State, June 30, 1818, and his wife, also a native of Ohio, was born in 1823. They were married by Rev. E. B. Chamberlain, September 3, 1836, and for near half a century their lives were blended in happy union. After a long life, full of activity and replete with good works, he was called to his reward above, his death occurring March 1, 1893. His widow and five sons survive: Mr. Pelton was a member of the Presbyterian Church and an active worker in the same for many years. At the time when our country was in danger of dissolution, he proved his devotion to the flag by uniting his fortunes with those of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry as veterinary surgeon, in December, 1861, and serving during the war. The greater part of his active life was spent in Wayne, this county. He came to Conneaut in 1884, and filled for some years a responsible position in the store of his son, C. W. Pelton, failing health compelling his retirement. Here, by his affability as well as his inclination to sociability in society and church, he won the high esteem of all. Mrs. Pelton is also a member of the Presbyterian Church. Following is a brief record in regard to their six children: C. W., whose name stands at the head of this article, is the oldest of the family; Chapin B., the second, is married and resides at Plattville, Wisconsin; Judd is married and settled at Auburn, New York; Arvine W. married Miss Eva L. Rowe of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and is a resident of Conneaut, a member of the firm of C. W. Pelton & Brother; Ellsworth, in the store with his brothers, married Sadie Reed, daughter of Robert M. Reed, and has three children: Robert; and John W., who was married in 1888 to Miss Linna Phillips, had two children,—Sophronia and Delphine. John Pelton died of black diphtheria February 8, 1893, and his little daughter Delphine, aged a year and a half, died the following day of the same disease. C. W. Pelton was a mere lad when the war broke out, but in February, 1864, young as he was, he enlisted in the army, becoming a member of Company D, Second Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, in the First Brigade of the Third Division of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac, General Custer being the division commander. Young Pelton was taken prisoner at Ream's Station, Virginia, June 29, 1864, and was confined in Libby prison five months, his health being greatly impaired at the end of that time. His treatment while at Libby was brutal in the extreme. No picture of prison life there was ever overdrawn. After his parole Mr. Pelton was taken to Annapolis,.where after regaining sufficient health he was detailed as clerk at headquarters, in which capacity he served until he was mustered out in August, 1865. It OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 267 was four or five years after the war before he regained his health; indeed, he has never been perfectly well since, but has never applied for a pension. In the spring of 1866, Mr. Pelton went to Oberlin, Ohio, and took a commercial course at the Calkins & Griffin Commercial Institute. As a business man, C. W. Pelton, the head of the firm mentioned at the beginning of this article, is well and favorably known throughout northeastern Ohio. He has been in the dry-goods trade ever since he was a small boy, beginning as clerk and afterward serving as traveling salesman. For eleven years before establishing his present business he was connected with the old firm of Alcott, Horton & Co. at Cleveland, Ohio. In August, 1882, he came to Conneaut and embarked in trade on his own account, beginning on a small scale, and from time to time increasing his facilities. His annual business has increased from $20,000 in 1882 to $103,000 in the past year, and he is now doing the largest business in the county. The firm occupy commodious quarters in the Stanley block. They have sixty feet frontage on Main street, 100 feet deep, with an L 40 x 44 feet, fronting on Washington street. Few stores of any class present a brighter and more impressive appearance, and it would be a difficult undertaking to plan an interior more in harmony with metropolitan designs. They carry a general stock of merchandise, divided into five departments, with a responsible head in each department. Mr. Pelton is, indeed, one of the most public-spirited and enterprising men of this place. He is a stockholder and director in the Conneaut Mutual Loan Association, and the Conneaut Electric Lighting Company. Of his private life we record that Mr. Felton has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Carolina Gifford, daughter of David S. Gifford of Conneaut, and they had two children, Barbara B. and Julius. Some time after the death of his first wife he married Miss Rhoda Baughton, daughter of Seymour A. Baughton, also of Conneaut. Their children are Albert and Charlotte. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a Trustee. He has served as Sabbath-school Superintendent for three years. He is a prominent Mason, being Past Eminent Commander of the Commandery. Such, in brief, is a sketch of the life of one of Conneaut's most successful business men and highly esteemed citizens. CLAYTON H. REEVES, of Orwell, Ohio, popular in the mercantile world as a traveling salesman and representative of the Broadhead Worsted -Mills Company, of Jamestown, New York, throughout Iowa and other western territory since 1887, was born in the city where he now resides, January 17, 1867. He is of English ancestry and comes of an old and prominent Ohio family. George F. Reeves, his great grandfather, was a life resident of Edington, Somersetshire, England, where William, the originator of the family in America, was born. William remained in his native country until he reached manhood, when, in 1830, he emigrated to America, settling first in Pompeii, now called Cardiff, New York, and later, in 1$35, removing to Orwell, Ohio, where his death occurred January 6, 1872, to the regret of many friends. He was the father of nine children, eight sons and one daughter, of whom Calvin, father of the subject of this sketch, was the 268 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY eldest. He was born in Gaines, New York, March 26, 1834, and thus was only about a year old when his parents settled in Orwell, Ohio. Calvin was reared and educated in Orwell and taught school for some time. He served efficiently in the late war, retiring with the commission of Captain. He was afterward in the mercantile business in. Orwell for some time, when, in 1881, he became traveling salesman for the Broadhead 'Worsted Mills, of Jamestown, New York, which' position he has ever since retained, meeting with eminent success, the result of his energetic and capable exertions. He was married, April 2, 1863, to Miss Caroline Baker, born in Orwell, April 20, 1840, and educated at Orwell Academy and the Painesville Seminary. They had four children: Fannie M., now Mrs. Runner, of Canal Dover, Ohio; Clayton H., whose name heads this sketch; Julia M. and John B., at home. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his native city, receiving liberal advantages and enjoying the cultured influence of a refined home. When twenty years of age he entered the employ as traveling salesman, of the Broadhead Worsted Mills Company, with whom he has since remained, his field of operations now covering the State of Iowa and other western territory. He is an efficient and upright business man, a courteous, genial gentleman, and esteemed alike by his employers and patrons. May 22, 1889, Mr. Reeves was married to Miss Cora B. Hunt, an accomplished lady, born January 15, 1871, only daughter of Wilburn and Mary Ellen (Welsh) Hunt. Her parents died in 1874, when she was about three years old, both expiring within three months of each other. They left one son, 'Charles C., born in 1868 by a former marriage of Mr. Hunt; and Cora B., wife of the subject of this sketch. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Reeves, Samuel H. and Mary Sophronia Welsh, of Bloomfield, Ohio,- immediately adopted her as their own, providing for her with more than parental affection. From them she learned all she knows of her parents, learning to love and reverence their memories. She was carefully reared and liberally educated, her kindly disposition, intelligent conversation and the neatness and order prevalent in her home, are all convincing evidences of her early training. Her grandfather, Samuel Welsh, is one of the oldest settlers of Ohio, He was born in Oran-. berland county, New Jersey, April 6, 1811, and when but five years of age, came, in 1816, with his parents to Warren, Ohio, the family traveling the entire way overland by team. Owing to the lack of schools on the frontier, he received no education except such as was taught him at home by his father, who was a well educated man and a Baptist minister. In early life, Samuel learned the tailor's trade, which he followed through life, or as long as health and age would permit. He was twice married, first to Matilda Flower, of Bloomfield, and they had five children, three of whom survive: Matilda J., wife of Rev. Charles Foote: Edward H., a prosperous grocer of Cumberland, Maryland; and Marian L., wife of Harry S. Pickands, of Chicago, Illinois, senior member of the Pickands-Brown Iron Ore Company, with office in the Rookery building, and also head of the Pickands—Mather Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, and interested in other enterprises. His first wife died in 1846, leaving a number of children to his care. In 1848 he was again married, his second wife being Sopronia King, and they had six children, of whom three survive: Samuel H., a prominent hardware merchant of Milford, Nebraska; George K., OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 269 also a successful hardware dealer, residing in New Castle, Pennsylvania; and John J., a railway fireman, living in Mahoning, Pennsylvania; the first born died in infancy; J. Albert passed away in early manhood; and the only daughter, Mrs. Hunt, died in the flush of womanhood. His second wife died May 7,1878, greatly regretted by her family and many friends. Mr. Welsh now resides with the subject of this sketch, where all that thoughtful care can do to brighten his life is cheerfully done. He is commendably interested in public affairs, having cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay, and is now (1893) a firm supporter of Republican principles. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves haveone child, an interesting little daughter, by the name of Marian, born August 20, 1890. She is a vivacious, intelligent little creature, whose discernment exceeds that of others of her years. In politics, Mr. Reeves advocates the principles of the Republican party. He belongs to several fraternal societies, being a member of Symbol Lodge, No. 452, F. & A. M., of New Lyme; also Chapter Master of Rock Creek Lodge of the same order; also affiliating with the Knights of Pythias, of Orwell, and the I. O. O. F. of the same place. He is progressive and public-spirited, a man of the highest integrity and moral character, and is a credit to his community. ALVA R. BECKWITH.—As some rugged monarch of the forest lifts its head above its fellows, thus in a newer civilization stands an early pioneer, who has witnessed the necromancy of time transform wood and plain into the harvest field and populous city. In this connection may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, whose experience covers much of the richest era of the world's great history. A. R. Beckwith, an old and esteemed resident of Jefferson, Ohio, was born in Ashtabula county, July 14, 1825, and is a son of Elijah and Sallie (Patridge) Beckwith, both natives of Connecticut. The parents of the mother were early settlers of Trumbull county, Ohio; and Perry Green Beckwith, father of Elijah, who was also a native of Connecticut, came to Ohio in 1811. He and his family made the journey overland from his native State in wagons drawn by oxen, being six weeks on the way. They settled in New Lyme, in the southern part of Ashtabula county, where the father acquired large landed interests: When his children attained their majority he divided his property among them, giving them each fifty acres and they all settled in Ashtabula county. The father lived a long and useful life, dying at an advanced age, lamented by all who knew him. Elijah, father of the _subject of this sketch, was fourteen years of age when his father removed to Ohio. On becoming of age he also settled in Ashtabula county, where his life was passed in farming. Here his devoted wife died, at the age of sixty-four years, and he survived to the advanced age of ninety-one, dying great in years and in the respect of his fellow-men. Elijah Beckwith and wife had eight children, five sons and three daughters, all of whom attained Maturity. All of the sons settled in Ashtabula county, and some of the younger ones are now residents of Cleveland. Mr. Beckwith of this notice, was reared on the home farm and secured a fair education for his day. At about the age of twenty-two years, he entered the mercantile busi- 270 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY ness in New Lyme, in his native county, where he continued for ten or twelve years. He then removed to Jefferson, where he has since resided, and where he followed the same business for about twenty-eight years. He was appointed Postmaster by President Cleveland, in which capacity he served until 1889, since which time he has retired from active business pursuits. He owns a large amount of land in Jefferson, Cleveland and elsewhere, and most of his time during the past few years has been devoted to these real-estate interests. He recently erected in Jefferson a large three-story brick block, which proves an acquisition and ornament to the city. He was recognized as one of the most active and enterprising merchants of Jefferson and as an able financier. For many years he was a leader in the commercial circles of the city and contributed largely to its development. Mr. Beckwith was married in 1849 to Joanna Dodge, a native of New Lyme, Ashtabula county, where she was reared. They have two daughters and one son: Altha, Flora and Alva R., Jr. In politics Mr. Beckwith affiliates with the Democrat party, the principles of which he has supported for many years. A younger generation may will envy Mr. Beckwith his extended and varied experience, which has kept pace with the development of Ohio from a position of obscurity to the foremost rank in the proud galaxy of sister States, until she stands to-day as one of the leaders in the van of our national advancement, having attained prominence by which she may well challenge Virginia's right to the title of the " Mother of Presidents." JACOB COON, a well-to-do farmer and stook-raiser, as well as a mover of houses and other heavy bodies, resides in Jefferson township, Ashtabula county, Ohio. He was born in Delaware county, New York, March 10, 1821. His parents, Jacob and Louisa (Northaway) Coon, were natives of New York State, where they grew up, were married and spent their lives. The father of Mr. Coon was a farmer, who died in 1826, when the subject of this sketch was but five years of age. The fatherless boy was then given by his mother to Hiram Dart, a farmer, who was to give our subject a home. The boy, however, did not remain long with that gentleman, but passed most of his time with his paternal grandfather. In 1833 his mother was married again, her second husband being Jesse Markham, and he then found a temporary home with her. At the age of sixteen he accompanied his grandfather to Orwell township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, where the latter settled on a farm. Here the subject of this sketch was variously employed in cutting wood, shearing sheep, butchering and other kinds of work until he grew to manhood. He was married at the age of twenty-two, after which he engaged in farming and dairying on shares or for a percentage of the products, being thus employed fur three years. At the end of this time he had by industry and economy accumulated sufficient means to commence business for himself. He accordingly settled on a farm in Morgan township, where he successfully conducted for two years a dairy with twenty-two cows, making a high grade of cheese and good butter. He then, in 1851, bought eighty acres of his present farm, situated three and a half' miles northeast of Jefferson, for which he paid $120. This was at that time in the wilderness, covered with OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 271 woods, with not a vestige of improvement of any kind, and, save for a sawmill on the mill creek near by, was completely isolated from other human habitations--no road leading to the premises nearer than that to the mill. On this land Mr. Coon made a clearing and built a log house, into which he and his family moved, and they there began the life of pioneers. He immediately secured employment in the sawmill, and at the same time commenced clearing his land, and in this manner finally had his original tract free from incumbrance. To this he subsequently added 107 acres more, which he also cleared. He has industriously cultivated and improved this until he now owns a thriving farm, a good orchard, with a comfortable residence and a convenient barn, with other outbuildings and accessories necessary for the successful operation of his place. He also moves houses and other heavy bodies, besides working sometimes at the stone-mason's trade, which he learned when young. His industry and perseverance have been rewarded by success, and he now has an ample competency for his old age. He has seen many changes take place in Ashtabula county, has seen the dense forest and primitive log cabin disappear and well tilled farms and attractive homes take their place. In all of this improvement he has been an important factor and is justly recognized as an old landmark of his county. In May, 1843, Mr. Coon was married to Miss Juliet Gardner, a lady of domestic tastes and accomplishments, born in New York State, June 28, 1823. Her parents, John and Edith (Sissen) Gardner, were natives of -Vermont and New York State, respectively, the former born in 1781, of Quaker descent, and the latter of English extraction. They were married in Otsego county, New York, when the latter was twenty years of age. Induced by the enlarged opportunities afforded by the West, in 1832 they removed to Colebrook, Ashtabula county, Ohio, where the father, who was a farmer, settled on land which he cultivated and improved, and on which he passed the remainder of his days. They had ten children, six sons and four daughters, only two of whom survive: Mrs. Coon and Lorenzo Dow Gardner. Both parents were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father was an old-line Whig in politics and a man of patriotic mold. He died in 1861, universally regretted. His worthy wife survived him until 1869, expiring at the age of eighty years, leaving many friends to mourn her loss. When she was nine years of age Mrs. Coon accompanied her parents to Colebrook township, where she was reared, enjoying the educational facilities afforded by the frontier schools. She was married at the age of twenty and had six children, five of whom survive: Abbie A., horn August 14, 1854, deceased, was the wife of John Ford; Arthur L., born September 23, 1845, married Isabel Loomis and resides in Jefferson; Allen M., born January 25, 1848, married Miss Mary Aikins, and is now a prosperous farmer in Kansas; Alfred A., born March 6, 1850, married Miss Orphia March, and resides in Jefferson; Allison D., born March 19, 1860, married Miss Ella Sutton, is a farmer and lives on a farm adjoining the old homestead; Alice E., born August 21, 1864, is the wife of Edward Wilson. a stone-mason and contractor and one of the young "hustlers" of the county, resides with the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Coon has been an efficient aid in the early struggles of her husband, and is now a sharer in his triumphs. No one is better versed in the duties of the household 272 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY than she, and she has been an important factor in the economy of her home. She assisted in the dairy work, spun the thread, wove the household linen, made the garments of the family, and reared the children. This is an array of accomplishments which would strike a modern housewife with astonishment, and she deserves all the credit which can be bestowed upon her. She is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and prominent in all good works. Mr: Coon has been conspicuously identified in the shaping of the early policies of the county and in the development of its industries, and is worthy of the highest regard of all right- minded men. BURT BRETT, one of the oldest and most capable members of the bar of Ashtabula county, was born in Geneva township, Ohio, May 10, 1823, a son of Joshua D. and Harriet M. (Fitch) Brett. His father was a native of Delaware county, New York, and was a blacksmith by occupation; he came to Ohio about the year 1820, and settled near North Center, where he carried on his trade in connection with farming. Harriet M. Fitch's parents were among the earliest pioneers of Geneva township, her father owning 1,300 acres of land; he was a man of wide influence and was prominent in the history of early times. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Judge of one of the courts in the State of New York, and was also State Senator. Burt Brett enjoyed only those educational advantages which were afforded in the pioneer schools, but, making the most of his opportunities he fitted himself for a teacher, and also gained a practical knowledge of surveying. He went to Wisconsin in the spring of 1850 and landed in Waupaca county, where he made a land claim. In 1863 he was Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, and was the County Judge. Devoting his leisure time to the study of law he was admitted to the bar in 1864 and engaged in practice. He was, in 1866, elected District Attorney of Fortage county, Wisconsin, where he had been a citizen since early manhood. He returned to his native town in 1870, continuing the practice of law; he served one term as County Surveyor, and filled the office of Justice of the Peace several terms. Politically he is a stanch supporter of Republican principles. Mr. Brett was married in May, 1848, to Martha Fitch, a daughter of Samuel B. and Dolly (Smith) Fitch, of Lorain county, Ohio, distant relatives of the Brett family.. Three children have been born to this union, two of whom survive: Arthur W. is a graduate of the Normal School of Geneva and also of Oberlin College; he is now engaged in teaching at Princeton, Illinois; Charles H. is engaged in the milling business in Wabash, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Brett are active and consistent members of the Congregational Church, and are highly respected members of the coin mn pity. CAPTAIN ROBERT R. GRAVES, retired from active service on the Great Lakes, is a native of the State of Ohio, born at Madison, Lake county, January 29, 1838. His parents, Eli and Nancy A. (Crane) Graves, were natives of Massachusetts; the father emigrated to Fredonia, New York, and thence came to Ohio, when he was exten- OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 273 sively engaged in agricultural pursuits; his grandfather was at the " Boston Tea Party, " and assisted in unloading the cargo. Nancy A. Crane was the daughter of the Rev. Mr. Crane, a Presbyterian clergyman of note, who was a native of Connecticut. Captain Graves lived on the farm until sixteen years of age, when he went on the lakes as a common sailor. He was promoted from one position to another until he reached that of captain, which he filled for thirty years. He was on the lakes in all thirty-nine years and had a wide and varied experience; he has had an interest in many a worthy craft, and has accumulated a competence for his declining years. Captain Graves was united in marriage, in 1860, to Marietta A. Wright, of Harpersfield, a daughter of Jonathan and Lucretia (Woolsey) Wright, most worthy and respected pioneers of Ashtabula county. The father of Jonathan Wright came to Ashtabula county in 1804, and located at Harpersfield. Captain and Mrs. Graves have one daughter, Altha L., born in September, 1863. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has reached the degree of Knight Templar. JAMES L. MORGAN has for many years been a conspicuous figure in business circles in Ashtabula county, and is entitled to more than passing mention in this history. He is a native of the State of New York, born at Hartwick, Otsego county, February 24, 1824. His parents, James and Anna (Lyon) Morgan, are also natives of the Empire State, but emigrated to Ohio about the year 1828. They settled at Bloomfield, Ashtabula county, selecting a tract in the wilderness one mile from any other settler, and courageously faced all the dangers and privations of life on the frontier. Their meat for many years was bear, venison, wild turkey and fish. The father met with a painful accident by the fall of a tree, a broken limb being the result; from this he was a cripple all his life. His wife, a woman of extraordinary ability, with the aid of two older sons, continued the cultivation of the land, and also spun, wove, and made all the clothing for her family, besides supplying much cloth to her neighbors. Mr. Morgan cast the first Democratic vote in Bloomfield township after its organization. He and his wife were zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He had exchanged a fine improved farm in New York for 325 acres on the frontier, but before his death the entire tract was under cultivation and had many excellent improvements. James L. Morgan was reared amid the wild surroundings of a pioneer home, but at the age of sixteen years had acquired a good education for those times. He was apprenticed to a carriage builder, but afterward decided to continue his studies and gain a thorough education. He began a course under private instructors and later on entered an academy in Otsego county, New York. Returning home in 1846, he engaged in teaching school for several terms, but finally turned his attention to mercantile interests. He also became the owner of a sawmill at Orwell, assuming possession of the same in order to secure himself on quite large pecuniary loans which he had made to the original proprietor. He operated the mill for a time and then disposed of it and came to Geneva, where he embarked in trade with his brother Ezra. He carried on a mercantile business with different partners until about 1868, when he directed his energies to the establishing of a 274 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY banking business. As the result of his efforts the Savings Exchange Bank was established in 1869, and has ever since been recognized as a sound and successful financial institution. By the various enterprises in which he has been engaged he has accumulated a handsome estate. Politically he has been an ardent Democrat, and is a stanch supporter of the temperance reform movement; he has been a member of the Board of Education for twelve years, all of this time serving as its President. Mr. Morgan was married May 16, 1850, to Olive Gould, of Geneva, Ohio: Five children have been born to them, three of whom survive: Edwin, Fannie and Kate, the last named being the wife of Walter Stephens. They are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Morgan is an official. He has always been deeply interested in the welfare and growth of the town, and no worthy enterprise has failed to receive his support and encouragement. Mr. Morgan is a member of the Masonic order and the I. O. O. F., also a member of the Geneva Encampment, No. 94, I. O. O. F. He was the prime agitator among those who finally effected the removal, to Geneva, of the post office formerly located at the old town one mile north, and who also brought about the holding of the elections in the new town. Mr. Morgan was also largely instrumental in securing the location of the Normal School at Geneva. CAPTAIN JOSIAH H. KING, U. S. A. (retired), was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, March 21, 1850. He passed his early youth in his native place, attending the high school and academy; at the age of sixteen years he entered the Military Academy at West Point, New York, where he was a student for two years. At the end of this time he engaged in business with his father at Erie, where he remained until 1876. Entering the United States Army in 1876 as Second Lieutenant, he became a member of the Eighth Cavalry. In 1881 he entered the United States Military College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he was graduated in 1883. For twelve years he was stationed on the Rio Grande river in Texas; there his regiment was engaged in suppressing the revolutionary attempts of the Mexicans and the Indian raids on the border. In 1888 his regiment made the longest continuous march recorded in history, from the Rio Grande to the Yellowstone, in Montana, a distance of 2,200 miles. He made the march with his regiment at this time, being four months on the way. During the fifteen years he was in the service he had only three months' leave of absence. In 1883 he was promoted to the position of First Lieutenant. Partial deafness, brought on by an attack of yellow fever, was the cause of his retirement, April 20, 1891. He was promoted to the rank of Captain, and granted the pay of that officer. In 1876 Captain King was married to Gertrude, only daughter of Captain A. E. Sheppard, formerly of Geneva. To them were born three children: Mary, Albion S. and Alfred. Captain Sheppard has a record as a brave, conscientiousl and capable officer. Alfred King, deceased, late Mayor of Erie, Pennsylvania, was the father of Captain King. He was one of the most energetic and enterprising business men of Erie county, Pennsylvania. He died March 19, 1891, and was buried under municipal honors. His grandfather, Robert King, was Captain in the Revolutionary war, and as deputy of the Government succeeded in securing a treaty with OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 275 the Indians in 1796; for this service he was granted a tract of 400 acres of land by the Legislature of Pennsylvania. He selected the land in the vicinity of the present village of Watford, Pennsylvania, and thus became the first actual settler in Erie county. His third son, Thomas, the grandfather of Captain J. H, King, was a well known character in that county, and was a man of remarkable energy and perseverance; he was a soldier in the war of 1812, and served with distinction. Captain King is a member of the Masonic order, Knights of Pythias and the Sons of the Revolution. In politics he is a Republican. ALEXANDER J. HARPER, who has for many years been prominently identified with the interests of Harpersfield township, is a native of Perry township, Lake county, Ohio, born September 28, 1829. His parents were John A. and Cynthia (Harmon) Harper; the father was born March 30, 1774, at Harpersfield, New York, a son of Alexander Harper, who was born at Middleton, Connecticut, in 1744; the latter served as a Colonel in the war of the Revolution. He was united in marriage January 30, 1771, to Elizabeth Bartholomew, who was born February 13, 1749, at Bethlehem, Huntington county, New Jersey. John A. Harper was the eldest son of a family of eight children; he came with his parents to Ohio in 1798, making the journey from Buffalo to Madison township in a sail boat; they settled on a section of land ceded Mr. Harper by the Government for losses sustained by him during the Revolutionary war. He chose the extreme northwest section of the township of Harpersfield. John A. was given as his portion what is now known as the Stephen Warner farm. He was first married to Miss Minor, and they reared a family of nine children, named as follows: Rice, Juliann, Aaron, Lucia, Orrin, Adeline, Caroline, Alexander and Lorain. His second marriage was to Cynthia Harmon, April 5, 1824, and they had one child, Alexander J. John A. Harper was one of the builders of the Madison dock on Lake Erie and was a heavy loser by the contract. He died when Alexander J. was a lad of eleven years; the youth and his mother went, after this sad event, to Rochester, New York, where they resided for five years. Thence they went to Sandusky, Ohio, where he was in school for a period of two years. His first business venture was in the grocery trade just before the cholera scourge which swept this country. He was afterward in the County Clerk's office for a term of six years; then he was employed as clerk in the Recorder's office. At the death of this official, about one year after entering the office, he was appointed to serve the unexpired term. In 1857 he came to Harpers- field and took up agricultural pursuits; he settled on the farm of Colonel Robert Harper, which is now his home. Mr. Harper was married April 6, 1853, to Miss Jane Harper, a daughter of Colonel Robert and Polly (Hendry) Harper. Colonel Harper was for several years a member of the State Legislature from Ashtabula county, making the journey to Columbus on horseback. He was one of the first lawyers in this part of the State, and was a man of good ability and a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander J. Harper are the parents of four children: Robert John was born April 15, 1854, and married Miss Augusta Girard, January 1, 1877; they have five children: 276 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Willie, born March 15, 1878, died in infancy; Henry Alexander was born March 12, 1879; Mary Adda, January 7, 1882; Julia Ann, July 30, 1884, and Susannah, February 3, 1886; the second child of our subject, Stella Cynthia, was born August 5, 1856; Rice was born May 12, 1860; he married Theresa Mary Fredericks, of Duluth, Minnesota, August 19, 1890, and has one child, William A., born October 21, 1891; Anna Harper, the youngest child, was born September 12, 1863. Mr. Harper has carried on farming with great energy and has been a liberal supporter of those movements tending to advance the interests of the general public. A man of integrity and honor, he has the confidence and respect of the community. DR. DURAN S. COSSITT, a popular young physician of Conneaut, Ohio, is just starting out in a career of usefulness and is already winning his way to the front ranks of his chosen profession. As one of the representative young men of the town, it is fitting that some personal mention of him be made in this work. Dr. Duran S. Cossitt was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1866, son of Dr. Henry De La Cossitt and Elizabeth (McClimans) Cossitt, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Pennsylvania. Dr. Henry De La Cossitt was a practicing physician of Greenville, Pennsylvania, for over fifty years, having settled there when he was twenty-six. He had two brothers, Epaphroditus and James, who were also eminent physicians, the latter having practiced at Newcastle, Pennsylvania. Our subject's father practiced medicine not only throughout Mercer county but also in the adjoining counties, and wherever he was known he was highly respected, both as a skillful physician and as an upright Christian man. He was a member of the Greenville Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a Democrat in politics, and when the war came on he was in favor of its vigorous prosecution. During those dark days he assisted in the organizing and drilling of recruits. He died March 1, 1877, aged seventy-six years. His widow, born March 1, 1831, is still living, an honored resident of Greenville. She is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Following are the names of their six children: Dr. Henry De La Cossitt, a graduate of the Western Reserve Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio, class of 1893; Sarah Elizabeth, wife of Dr. J. A. Doyle, who is located at Homestead, Pennsylvania, and who graduated at the medical college in the same class with Drs. Henry De La and Fred S. Cossitt, his only child being Joseph; William E., who resides at the home place with his mother and has charge of the estate; Dr. Duran S., the fourth born; Dr. Fred S., a graduate of the Western Reserve; and Carrie J., attending the pubiic school. Drs. Henry De La and Fred S. are practicing at Greenville, Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch received his literary education at Thiel College, at which institution he graduated in 1887. Sarah Elizabeth, William E. and Dr. Fred S. Cossitt, are graduates of the same school, Dr. Henry De La having passed to the junior year. Our subject began the study of medicine in 1889, spent one year in the University of Pennsylvania and two years in Cleveland at the Western Reserve. In April, 1892, he established himself in the practice of his profession in Conneaut, where he has since remained, meeting with good success. OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 277 He is Examiner for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. Recently he has been appointed, for the period of one year, as one of the Board of Examiners of the teachers of the public schools, which board is composed of three members. He was married June 29, 1892, to Miss Maud G. Hamblin, daughter of Samuel Hamblin, a member of the firm of Hamblin & Sons, of Greenville, Pennsylvania. Both the doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Cossitt is one of a family of four children, of whom we make the following record: John H. Hamblin, a machinist, and a resident of Conneaut, Ohio, married Miss Emma Reichard of New Hamburg, Pennsylvania, and has two children; Mary C., a member of the home circle; Mrs. Cossitt; and Ralph, who is attending the public school. T. G. HART, ESQ., whose fine residence is located in the picturesque little village of Mentor, is one of the prominent men of Lake county, Ohio, being extensively interested in real estate. He was born here April 9, 1842, the son of an early pioneer. Stephen H. Hart, his father, a native of Winsted, Connecticut, was born August 17, 1809, and emigrated to Ohio with his father when a boy. He became a large land owner and prominent farmer; held various local offices and enjoyed the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact; died here October 21, 1885. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucretia Ring, was a native of Massachusetts, her people having come to Ohio at an early day and settled in Leroy township. She died May 25, 1879. In their family of six children the subject of our sketch was the third born. T. G. Hart was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the district schools, and after he reached his majority he was engaged in farming for several years. In 1870 he began the study of law, was soon afterward admitted to the bar, and has been practicing law more or less ever since. He has had much to do in the settlement of estates, having been administrator a number of times. He served one term as Justice of the Peace about the time he began the study of law, and in 1872 was elected County Treasurer, in which office he also served one term. He was elected Trustee of Mentor township in 1879, has been repeatedly re-elected to that position, and is filling it at the present time. He affiliates with the Republican party and takes an active part in county and State conventions. He has been a Deputy Supervisor of Elections for Lake county ever since the Australian election law was passed. Mr. Hart has been twice married—first, in 1863, to Eliza Morrison, a native of Ohio, her parents having come here from Vermont at an early day. She died in 1888, leaving four children, Charles, Fred, Richard and Ralph. In 1890 Mr. Hart married Sarah Simpson, his present companion, who is a native of Erie county, this State. Her parents were Eastern people. EZRA BROWN, an old settler and prominent farmer of Rock Creek township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, was born in Norfolk township, Litchfield county, Connecticut, December 26, 1809. His parents, Aaron and Cynthia (Murray) Brown, were both natives of the same county as himself, 278 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY where they were married. The mother of the subject of this sketch was a daughter of Jasper Murray, a soldier of Revolutionary fame. Aaron Brown was a farmer and owned his place in Connecticut, but at the time of the general emigration westward he traded his property for 300 acres in Ashtabula county, Ohio, 100 of which proved to be in Morgan township. He and his family came overland with an ox team and one horse in the spring of 1814, when he discovered that his farm was a primeval forest, which had never been touched by man. Before he could live on it, he made a clearing and built a cabin, in which he and his family began a pioneer life. He lived here for many years, but later sold his farm near Rock Creek and bought 115 acres east of the farm owned by the subject of this sketch, making this his home for several years. He then engaged in the mercantile business in Eagleville, when he was induced by his son, Joel, to ingest in 1,100 acres of farming land in Hardin county, Kentucky, where he lost his entire possessions. He then returned to Ohio and engaged in the shoemaking business, and died in Rock Creek in his eighty- sixth year, his death being greatly regretted by all who knew him. He was an honest, upright man, energetic' and ambitious, well and favorably known in his locality. In politics, he was originally a Whig and later a Republican, but always an advocate of justice and reform. He was a useful member of the Presbyterian Church and prompt in aiding all worthy objects. The mother of the subject of this sketch was married at the age of sixteen and had twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, five of whom survive: Cynthia, wife of Austin Lincoln, of Kalamazoo, Michigan; Marinda, wife of Allen Bennum, of St. Peters, Minnesota; Mariett, wife of Bert Lockerby; Joel, residing in Mt. Healthy, Ohio; and the subject of this sketch. The mother was a woman of great force of character, good education, and varied domestic accomplishments. She was skilled in the art of spinning and could weave carpets, blankets and linen fabrics. In addition to these various duties, which were a part of her daily routine, she taught her children the rudiments of their education, at the same time inculcating those upright principles of character, which have ever marked their actions through life. She was an active member of the same church as was her husband, and, like him, lent her influence and aid to the promotion of all good works. She died in her fiftieth year, leaving her family and numerous friends to mourn her loss. The subject of this sketch was one of four children who accompanied his parents to Ohio, and he grew to manhood in Morgan and Austinburgh townships. He was reared to farming pursuits, which he followed until twenty years of age, and with his brother helped his father to clear two farms. He then learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, at which he worked for many years in connection with farming, and many houses and barns throughout Ashtabula county stand as monuments of his handiwork and as models of architecture in the line. While working fur his father and learning his trade, he had in the meantime bought a farm of seventy- five acres on the Jefferson road. He moved onto this farm about the year 1850, and gradually devoted his entire attention to agriculture. This place was his home for fifty-three years, when, in 1888, he bought his present farm of ninety-six acres, on which he has since resided. His industry, careful management and perseverance have been rewarded by success until he is now numbered among the substantial farmers of his county. He OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 279 traveled considerably throughout the West and Northwest, but has never seen any place he liked better than his home. He has been in Kansas a number of times and traveled extensively in Minnesota, Ohio, and other States, and is well informed on the, general advantages of these several places. He is now eighty-four years of age and has led a good and useful life, profitable to himself and helpful to others. In 1831, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Mary A. Chappel, an estimable lady, born in Austinburgh township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, February 18, 1815, and daughter of Perry G. Chappel, an old settler and prosperous farmer. She was married at the age of sixteen years and bore to her husband two children, Edward J. and Mary M. Edward was born September 26, 1834, grew up on the farm, received a good common-school education and assisted his father on the home place. At the age of eighteen years he married Laura Herren, and two children were born to them : Lila L. and Clara C. The former is now the wife of John Abbey, lives in Oregon and has three children; Clara married Dr. A. Tichenor, resides in Colorado and has two children; Edward J. Brown yielded up his young life in his country's cause, being one among the many brave men slain in the battle of Gettysburg. He died July 23, 1863, at the age of twenty-eight years. Mary M., the daughter of our subject, was born January 14, 1840, and at the age of eighteen years was united in marriage to James M. VanGilder, a prominent farmer of Jefferson township, Ashtabula county. To them three children were born,—Adella M., Mertie M. and Fred M. Adella was born July 31, 1859, and died October 28, 1892; Mertie was born November 25, 1869; and was married to James A. Porter, July 4, 1888, being now a resident of Morgan township, Astabula county; Fred was born July 25, 1870, lives at the home, being a 'very promising young man. Mrs. VanGilder died October 4, 1890, at the age of fifty years. April 23, 1885, the family was deprived by death of the care and companionship of the wife and mother, who expired in her sixty: . ninth year. She had been for fifty-three years a faithful helpmate to the subject of this sketch, and as a mother she was characterized by the deepest devotion. As a neighbor she was kind and attentive, as a friend true and sympathetic, her words and deeds of helpfulness having reached many lives and influenced them for the better. Politically, Mr. Brown is a Republican. He is a member of the township grange, in which he takes a lively interest. He is a Mason and a member of Tucson Lodge, No. 342, A. F. & A. M. As a citizen, he is public-spirited and enterprising and a man of moral worth of character, and justly enjoys the esteem of all who know him. DANIEL S. ROBERTSON, cashier of the First National Bank, Geneva, was born at Montville, Geauga county, Ohio, May 29, 1845. his parents, Daniel M. and Louisa (Garrett) Robertson, were natives of New York and Ohio respectively. The father was identified with the Democratic party, and served as Postmaster several terms; he was also engaged in keeping hotel for about fifteen years at Montville and Middlefield. The maternal grandfather of Daniel S. Robertson was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, serving as Captain in Washington's army; the paternal grandfather was in the same war, being employed as artificer. 280 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Mr. Robertson is the older of two children, the younger being Mrs. F. C. Fassett, of Ashtabula. He attended the common schools of his native town, and at the age of sixteen years enlisted in the service of his country as a member of Company K, Sixth Ohio Cavalry (Sheridan's Cavalry Corps.) The date of his entering the army was October 24, 1861, and he participated in the second engagement at Bull Run, at Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Spottsylvania, and many others of less note. He was mustered out July 8, 1865, as Sergeant. He is an active member of the G. A. R., Post No. 28 of Geneva, and is deserving of those honors due the men who so bravely fought for the " stars and stripes." When the war was ended Mr. Robertson entered the Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, New York, where he completed the full course; he was employed as book-keeper until 1887, when he became cashier of the First National Bank at Geneva. He has served this institution with great fidelity, his duties being performed with that promptitude which marks the true soldier. He was married February 23, 1870, to Miss Elvira M. Hulbert, of Painesville, Ohio. They have one child, Guy A., now in the Central National Bank, of Cleveland, Ohio. In politics Mr. Robertson is an ardent Democrat; he is an efficient member of the school board, and belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of Pythias, the Foresters and the Knights of the Maccabees. ROBERT O. ROTE, a well-known citizen of Geneva, Ohio, is a native of Rensselaer county, New York, born October 12, 1832. His parents, Mathias and Charlotte E. (Winn) Rote, were of German and French-Irish extraction respectively; the paternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and the maternal great-grandfather was a member of the New York State Legislature for many years. Robert O. received his early education with a view to becoming a student at the Military Academy, West Point, New York; he changed his mind, however, and took up the study of the law with the Hon. R. E. Anderson, at Hudson, Columbia county, New York. He was engaged in the practice of his profession for a number of years at Albany, New York, but in 1858 emigrated to Ohio; in 1868 he located at Geneva, and for several years was connected with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company in various capacities. He has large investments in the Standard Publishing Company, Ashtabula, Ohio, which publishes the leading Democratic paper in Northeastern Ohio. Mr. Rote is one of the leading politicians of his party, and is often referred to on questions of local policy. He has served as elector from his district, has been a delegate to many conventions, in 1868 was sent to the National Convention. He has been Mayor of Geneva, a member of the Council, and has filled many other local offices. He was united in marriage to Orra A. Blakeslee, a daughter of Bela B. and Sarah (Burnett) Blakeslee. Mr. Blakeslee was an extensive farmer and a well-known capitalist of Ashtabula. Mrs. Rote entered into eternal rest March 31, 1886, being forty-six years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Rote had born to them seven children: James is head clerk in a hardware store in Greenville, Pennsylvania; Sarah C. died June 12, 1886; Robert is a Civil- Engineer with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and is also devoting OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 281 some time to the study of law; Bela M. is preparing to enter the legal profession ; Laura L. is the only daughter living. Genora A. and David M. died in infancy. Mr. Rote is a member of the Masonic order; he was the first Regent of the Royal Arcanum, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is a conspicuous figure in both business and social circles, and is highly respected by a wide circle of acquaintances. MILES DORMAN, dealer in real estate, Conneaut, Ohio, was born in — Erie county, Pennsylvania, July 1, 1837, son of Edwin and Sarah (Brown) Dorman, natives respectively of Canada and Vermont. Edwin Dorman came from Canada to the United States with his parents when quite young, and for some thirty years was engaged in farming in Pennsylvania. About 1874 He came to Conneaut. Here he dealt in agricultural machinery the rest of his life. He died in July, 1888, at about the age of seventy-nine years. He was a man of excellent business ability and was well known and highly respected. His wife Sarah died about 1853, aged forty-five. Her father, Steven Brown, was a wealthy farmer in Pennsylvania, and, moving to Ohio, settled on a farm about two miles from Conneaut—the property now owned by Frank Blood. Mrs. Dorman was member of the Christian Church. The nine children composing the family of Edwin and Sarah Dorman are as follows: Austin, who went to California in 1850, was for many years a wealthy rancher; Salina, wife of George Moe, resides in Ashtabula county; Dorence, the third born, is a resident of California, where he was for some years engaged in mining; Miles was the fourth born ; Isaac, a member of the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, was the tallest man in his company, and was flag-bearer; he was killed at the battle of Gettysburg; Lucy, wife of Myron Hall, resides in California; Sarah, wife of F. A. Majors, is also a resident of California; Thomas B. married Emma Putney and lives in this county; and. Sidney died at the age of two years. Mr. Dorman was married the second time about 1858, being then united to Mrs. Sarah McKee, who is now living at Conneaut in her eighty-seventh year. She has been one of the kindest of foster-mothers, devoted to her step-children, by whom she is held in most tender and loving regard. Miles Dorman was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. In 1861 he engaged in the livery business in Titusville, Pennsylvania, continuing the enterprise four years. Then for a short time he was in the mercantile business in the same place, turning from that to hotel life. He was proprietor of a hotel at Petroleum Center, where he did a successful business. From the hotel he went onto a farm which he bought on the lake shore, and where he lived two years, selling out at a good advantage at the end of that time. He came to Conneaut in the spring of 1871, and for two years kept the Central House. This hotel he traded for the Commercial, which he conducted nineteen years, and which he still owns. In the mean time he engaged in the livery business, running a bus line in connection with it. For twenty-four years, all told, he was engaged in the livery business. Since 1891, Mr. Dorman has devoted his attention to real-estate transactions, in which he has met with good success. Indeed, his whole business career has been characterized 282 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY . by prosperity. He served as Councilman of Conneaut eight successive years, from 1878 to 1886. Mr. Dorman was married in the spring of 1861 to Miss Elizabeth Armstrong, ,daughter of Thomas Armstrong, of Conneaut. Their children are Elmer A. and Edwin T. Elmer A. is successor to his father in the livery business. He married Nellie Brandle, and has one child, Edwin Miles. Edwin T. is engaged in the clothing business at Conneaut, being in partnership with S. J. Smith, and doing business under the firm name of E. T. Dorman & Co. His wife, Lois, is the only daughter of S. J. Smith. Mr. Dorman afffiliates with the Republican party and takes a lively interest in political matters. He is a man of more than ordinary business ability, is enterprising and public-spirited, and is a favorite with his many acquaintances. G, H. CONNELL, assistant shipping clerk in the employ of the Nickel Plate Railroad, Coneaut, Ohio, is a native of ' Crawford county, Pennsylvania, born November 24, 1845, son of Jonah and Eliza (Zielie) Connell. Jonah Connell was born in Schoharie county, New York, oldest in the family of seven children—five sons and two daughters —born to Isaac and Eva (Fink) Connell, both natives of Scholarie county. Isaac Connell moved West, and died in Illinois. Following are the names of their children: Jonah, Cornelia, Peter, John, Christopher, Margaret, and Martha, the last two being the only ones now living. Margaret is the widow of Aaron Colly, and Martha is the wife of Omri Goodwell. Jonah Connell was married April 3, 1845, to Miss Eliza Zielie, daughter of David and Sallie (Stokes) Zielie, her father a native of New York and her mother of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Zielie had four children, viz.: Catherine, who married Charles Fink, both being deceased; Margaret, widow of Daniel McLaughlin, has one child, Matilda; Mrs. Connell; and Peter who married Susan Brown, both being deceased, and leaving two children—Caroline, wife of John McGee, and Sarah, wife of Martin Rawley. Mrs. Connell is nearing her seventy-eighth mile post, the date of her birth being October 14, 1815. Her worthy companion passed away October 11, 1687, aged seventy-four years, two months and six days. He was a consistent Christian from his boyhood days, and filled most acceptably in his Church all the offices accorded to laymen. His ninny estimable traits of character and his pure Christian life endeared him to a large circle of friends. For more than sixty years Mrs. Connell has been a member of the church. In their family of five children, G. H., whose name heads this sketch, is the oldest; Jane, born August 9, 1848, died April 15, 1853; Sallie, born February 17, 1850, died April 18, 1853; James, born March 7, 1852, died April 20, 1853; and Mary, born July 15, 1854, died May 27, 1858. G. H. Connell was educated in Erie, Pennsylvania, finishing his studies with a commercial course. After leaving school he was engaged in fanning until 1883. In the mean time, in 1865, his father's family had moved to Conneaut. In 1883 he began working for the Nickel Plate Railroad Company, first, in the shops, and subsequently as foreman in the yard, continuing in the latter capacity nine years. He was promoted to his present position October 20, 1892, and has since been rendering efficient service here. OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 283 Mr. Connell was married April 23, 1869, to Miss Amelia Cathcart. Their only child, James, is engaged in agricultural pursuits, having charge of his father's farm. Mr. Connell is a member of Maple Lodge, No. 217, K. of P.; the Uniform Rank, K. of P.; and the State Police, of which he is a Special Officer. For six years he was School Director in Conneaut township, and one term was Clerk of the Board. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of Mrs. Connell's family we make record as follows: Hugh Cathcart, her father, was born September 10, 1803, was a pattern-maker by trade; died February 14, 1869.. Her mother; Caroline (Giddings) Cathcart, was born April 30, 1820, and died February 1, 1855. Both were old-school Presbyterians for many years, They had six children, namely: Earl, who died at the age of six months; Emma, wife of Eugene Maxfield, born August 3, 1842, died December 29, 1878; Holmes, born January 3, 1845, died July 26, 1845; Amelia; born December 12, 1849; Hubert, born July 24, 1852, died October 10, 1852; and Addison, born January 8, 1855, died May 4, 1855. By a former marriage to Olive Youngs, Mr. Cathcart had three children- Solomon H., of Elyria, Ohio; Elizabeth, born September 13, 1835, died in April, 1849; and Augusta, wife of M. Z. Andrews, Centralia, Kansas. PHILO A. BEARDSLEY, a successful farmer of Ashtabula county, was born at Canfield, Mahoning county, Ohio, May 20, 1841, being the son of Philo and Lois (Gunn) Beardsley, who, in 1816, came from Litchfield comity, Connecticut, to Mahoning county. They resided in the latter county until their death, the mother dying in 1847, at the age of fifty years, and the father in 1870, at the age of seventy-five years. Philo Beardsley, Sr., was a farmer by occupation, a Republican in his political views, and religiously a member of the Congregational Church. Philo A., the subject of this sketch, became early inured to the toilsome duties of pastoral life, and received his education in the schools at Canfield. In October, 1861, he enlisted for service in the late war, as a private in Company F, Forty-first Ohio Infantry, remaining until the final cessation of hostilities. He was a participant in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Cross Roads, Stone River, Bald Knob, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Pickett's Mill, the siege of Corinth, the engagements around Atlanta and the battle of Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Beardsley was wounded at Pickett's Mill, in which engagement his company went into action with sixteen men, of whom six were killed and five wounded. November 27, 1865, at Camp Chase, Ohio, he was discharged from service with the regiment, being mustered out as Lieutenant of his company. He had gained the several promotions in recognition of meritorious conduct in the field. In 1872 he located on his present farm of 273 acres, in Andover township, Ashtabula county, where he devoted his attention to general farming and to the raising of fine- grade stock. His imported Shropshire sheep are very fine types of that famous breed. Mr. Beardsley was married in Oneida county, New York, at the age of twenty-six years, to Carrie Siegler, a native of Lewis county, that State, and a daughter of John and Caroline Siegler. To this union has been born three children: Addie Gunn, Kate Lena 284 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY and Harry Morton. Mr. Beardsley affiliates with the Republican party, and has held the office of Township Trustee. In his social relations he is a member of the G. A. R., Hiram Kile Post, No. 80. THOMAS ADAMS, of Ashtabula, Ohio, the oldest conductor, in point of service, on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad, Franklin division, and a most affable and popular gentleman, was born in Lamoille county, Vermont, forty miles from Burlington, June 28, 1833. His ancestors came to America in its earliest history, before it had achieved independence of the mother country. His great-great-grandfather on his mother's side, Thomas Smith, was one of the first settlers in New Hampshire, having come from Londonderry in the north of Ireland. James Adams, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Hillsborough county, New Hampshire, in 1792. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade and a most popular and worthy man. He married Susanna Smith, one of thirteen children of Thomas and Esther (Poland) Smith, both natives of New Hampshire, where the former was born in 1776 and died in 1856, having passed his entire life on the farm where his birth occurred, and which had been the home of the family for many generations. The mother of the subject of this sketch died in 1843, after which the father returned to his native county in the Granite State, where he died in 1852, aged sixty years. They were the parents of six children: Lydia, who married I. B. Swan; Lucy, unmarried, residing in Providence, Rhode Island; James, who married Lucy Morgan, and died at middle age, leaving two sons, both of whom are now deceased; Mary, wife of Allen Earl, of Painesville, Ohio; Ann, who died unmarried; and Thomas, the subject of this sketch. The latter passed the first ten years of hi, life in his native county, when, upon the death of his mother, he accompanied his father to the latter's native county of Hillsborough, New Hampshire. Here he remained until he was twenty years of age, receiving his education in the common schools and 'enjoying the higher instruction of a cultured home and the watchful care of an honored and honorable father. The year following the latter's death, young Thomas Adams turned his steps toward the setting sun, seeking, as so many had done before him, a home in the great State of Ohio. He first secured employment in a foundry at Painesville, where he worked one season. He then entered the service of the Cleveland & Erie Railroad Company (now the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, as brakeman, in which capacity he worked five years, running from Cleveland, Ohio, to Erie, Pennsylvania. At the end of this time, his faithful and efficient services were regarded by his promotion to the position of conductor, in which he has labored ever since. During the first ten years of his service, his headquarters were at Cleveland, Ohio, then Jamestown, Pennsylvania, two years, then Franklin, Pennsylvania, five years, and he then removed with his family to Ashtabula, where he has since resided, gaining by his uniform uprightness of character and courtesy the universal good will of his fellow-men. In September, 1861, Mr. Adams was married, in Erie, Pennsylvania, to Miss Mary Walbridge, a lady of many estimable qualities. She was one of five children of W. and Rachel (Bugbee) Walbridge. The former, born in Massachusetts in 1800, was a moulder OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 285 by trade, but later became a hotel-keeper and farmer, his death occurring in Pennsylvania in 1878. By his first marriage, Mr. Adams had two children: Millie S., born in 1863, now living; and Frank, born in 1867, who died the following year. In 1878 this little family were bereaved of the care of the devoted wife and mother, whose death carried mourning to many hearts outside of the home circle, which knew and appreciated her worth of character. In Ashtabula, in November, 1881, Mr. Adams was married to Miss Emily ,Johnson, a lady of domestic tastes and social accomplishments. Her parents, Arthur and Margaret Johnson, had the following children : Robert; Hamilton; Phoebe, who married Savage; Carlos; Charles; Emily; Frances, wife of E. R. Phinney; Anson; Nellie, deceased; and Mrs. Adams. Mr. Adams has no children by his second marriage. In politics Mr. Adams is thoroughly in touch with the Republican party. In religion, the family lean toward the faith of the Baptist Church. In the enjoyment of a comfortable income, surrounded by an interesting family and many warm friends, Mr. Adams may be said to have gained the highest success in life, which is not ganged by pecuniary accumulations alone, but by all those amenities which go to satisfy the human soul. CHARLES STETSON SIMONDS.—As the native forests of Ohio are fast disappearing before the ravages of man, so the pioneers of this country are fast passing under the scythe of relentless Time until there are now but few landmarks of the olden days. In the relation of some giant monarch of the forest stood Charles Stetson Simonds, one of the most prominent and worthy pioneers of the Western Reserve. He was born May 1,1815, in Westminster, Vermont, the second (living) son of Moses Simonds and his wife, Priscilla Cook Stetson. The family removed to Ohio in 1821, making their final stopping place in Saybrook township, Ashtabula county. Here in 1828, the father died, leaving his widow with six minor children. They were poor in worldly goods but rich in the effects of the influence of a good mother. Inspired by her to lives of industry and morality, as well as to the best use of such slender advantages of education as could then be obtained, they acquired a respectable position among their fellow citizens; and when, full of years, she passed to her reward, "her children's children rose up to call her blessed." At the age of seventeen, Charles entered upon the duties of a district school teacher; and in 1836, having earned $60 in the village school of Geneva, he set out with this sum in hand to seek his fortune in the great and unknown West. Reaching St. Louis, his adventurous spirit was somewhat checked by an insight into the .barbarous life of the southwestern frontier, and he turned aside from his original purpose of going to New Mexico, choosing Illinois, instead, as the field of his efforts. After a varied experience of over two years, teaching school, farming or splitting rails as opportunity offered, he was prostrated by a severe attack of chills and fever, from the subsequent effects of which he was a sufferer all the rest of his life. But he had had access to a good private library, and, having found there Blackstone's and Kent's commentaries, he became interested in the study Of law and adopted that as his profession. He returned to Ashtabula county in 1839, and in the following spring entered the office of Wade & Ranney, in Jefferson, as a student. 286 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY In 1842 he was admitted to the bar, and shortly afterward opened an office in Jefferson. In 1844 he was married to Louisa Warner, a daughter of Jonathan Warner, of Jefferson. He acquired a respectable business, and was elected successively to the offices of Justice of the Peace and Prosecuting Attorney. In 1847 Mr. Wade was elected Judge of the Third Judicial District, and the firm of Wade & Ranney was succeeded by that of Ranney, Simonds & Cadwell, the several members being Rufus P. Ranney, C. S. Simonds and Darius Cadwell. In 1851, Mr. Ranney was elected Judge of the Supreme Court, and the firm of Simonds & Cadwell was formed. This partnership continued for twenty years, until the removal of Mr. Cadwell to Cleveland in 1871. In the following year he entered into partnership with Edward C. Wade, but failing health compelled him to retire from active business in 1879. His death occurred June 2e, 1891. Of his life and influence in this community it may be briefly said that he was a Republican in politics, and active in all patriotic and educational enterprises, though never seeking for himself either the honors or emoluments of office. His intellectual tastes and love of the beautiful in nature and in poetry were marked characteristics to those who knew him best, while his wisdom in counsel and sound judgment in business affairs are also well attested. But above all he was a man of sterling integrity, who hated a lie, and discharged every trust reposed in him with conscientious fidelity. His children were: Charles H., whose biography follows this; Albert G., now a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he is an inspector of wheat for an elevator company; Maria L., wife of Hon. E. C. Wade, a prominent attorney of Jefferson; Adaline W., at home with her mother; and Amelia P., wife of B. F. Beardsley, a prosperous citizen of St. Paul, Minnesota. Charles H. Simonds, a prominent and respected citizen of Jefferson, Ohio, was born November 19, 1844, in this city, which has ever since been his home. He received a fair education in the common schools and afterward learned the tinners' trade. In 1870, he engaged in the tin and stove business on his own account and with his own capital, in Jefferson, continuing successfully in their business for three years. He then became deputy in the office of the Clerk of Common Pleas and Probate Judge's office, in which position he served until the fall of 1878. He was then elected Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, and re-elected in 1881, and again in 1884, thus holding the office three terms, or nine years, which signifies both promptness and efficiency. Such universal indorsement of his public services is but a just reward of merit which, it is gratifying to know, is appreciated. Since his retirement he has devoted his attention to his private interests. In politics Mr. Simonds is a Republican, and in fraternal relation he is a member of Tuscan Lodge, No. 342, F. & A. M.; of Jefferson Chapter, No. 141, 11. A. M.; of Cache Commandery, No. 27, K. T., at Conneaut; also of the Consistory, A. & A. S. Rite, with the thirty-second degree, and he is president of the Citizens' Library Association, in which he takes a great interest. In person he is above the medium height, well proportioned and of gentlemanly deportment. He is liberal and charitable, genial and companionable, and he is highly esteemed by the community in which he has so long dwelt, being a worthy scion of his distinguished father. OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 287 DR. WALZO A. WHITE, resident dentist of Orwell, Ohio, although recently settled in that city has already built up an extensive practice and acquired a reputation for skill and thoroughness in his profession that an older practitioner than himself might well envy. He comes of good old American stock, both parents having belonged to ancient and honored families long resident of America. His father, James White, was a native of Ohio, while his mother was before her marriaga Miss Rosanna Phillips, born December 20, 1823. She married when about eighteen years of age and shortly afterward removed with her husband to Middlefield, Ohio, which continued to be her home until about 1878. The father of the subject of this sketch responded to his country's call at the time of the recent war, enlisting in the Sixty-first Ohio Regiment of Infantry, and dying in a Southern hospital in 1865, from an attack of small-pox. Thus deprived of her natural supporter and protector and with eight children depending upon her, this worthy mother proved herself an able and affectionate parent. She so reared them that not one brought the blush of shame to her cheek, but proved a source of pride and comfort in her old age. About 1878, she removed to Claridon, where she lived one year, when she returned to Middlefield, and four years later went to Hampden,where she died, May 14, 1893, leaving many friends to mourn her loss. She never remarried, finding her greatest happiness hi the care of her children. She was a consistent, worthy Christian, a kind, sympathetic neighbor and an unselfish, self-sacrificing mother, and enjoyed the affectionate regard of all who knew her. Her funeral took place in Middlefield, which had been her home for so many years, and the services were held in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which she had been an earnest and efficient worker. Rev. E. 0. Mead, of Burton, officiated, preaching a sermon full of consolation for those surviving and replete with praise for the noble soul just departed to its reward. Her eight children were: Elizabeth, wife of A. W. Hamilton, of Middlefield; Lucy, whose first husband, B. R. Patchin, died in the army, her present husband being P. N. Fales, of Huntsburg, Ohio; Cordelia married B. F. Bowers, whose death occurred shortly before her own. She expired in 1884, leaving one son, Earnest, who is now a well educated and promising young man of New York city, being a stenographer and typewriter operator. Albert E. is the fourth of the family in order of birth, and resides in Middlefield, Ohio; Alice is the wife of A. G. Atwood, also of Middlefield; Rose married C. L. Whitney, of Warren, Ohio; Emma is the wife of Dr. E. P. Jaques, a prominent dentist of Painesville, Ohio; and Walzo A., the youngest, is the subject of this sketch. Dr. White, whose name heads this biog: raphy, was born in Middlefield, Ohio, Feb, ruary 17, 1861, and was reared on a farm, with only the ordinary advantages for securing an education, such as are afforded by the country schools. What these lacked in variety, however, they made up in thorough-. ness, and he became well grounded in the essentials of an English education. Until he was twenty years of age, he followed the occupation of a nurseyman, acquiring in out-door exercise and persistent labor that rugged health and those habits of industry and perseverance, which are now such distinguishing characteristics of his nature Shortly after he attained that age, he learned telegraphy and entered the employ of the 288 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Pittsburg & Western Railway as ticket agent and telegraph operator, being first stationed at Niles, Ohio, and afterward -in Middlefield, the same State. In 1889, Mr, White resigned his position as railway agent on account of his ill health, and some time later commenced the study of dentistry with his brother-in-law, Dr. Jaques, of Burton, Ohio. After pursuing his studies there two years, Mr. White went to Erie, Pennsylvania, where he became a pupil of Dr. F. H. Lawrence, celebrated for his skill in crown and bridge work and also in porcelain work in dentistry. Dr. White acquired the skill of his instructor in these and other branches of his profession, and is particularly proud of his knowledge and efficiency in that difficult work. On finishing his course in Erie, the Doctor returned to Burton and entered into partnership with his former tutor, Dr. Jaques, with whom he remained until October, 1892. He then removed to Orwell, his present home, where he has gained, by careful and painstaking work, the confidence of a large patronage, and is now in the enjoyment of that success which is the reward of persistent and conscientious effort. The Doctor was first married, December 11, 1880, to Miss Lillie Hughes, an estimable lady, daughter of Israel Hughes, a wealthy farmer of Huntsburg, Ohio, and they had one child, Mabel C., born June 17, 1884. This happy union was terminated by the death, January 26, 1889, of the devoted wife and mother, whb expired suddenly and unexpectedly while on a visit with her child at the home of her parents. She was stricken with unconsciousness, and before the Doctor could reach her side she had lost the power to recognize him. She was a woman of the highest Christian character, and died in the hope of a future world. Their daughter still resides with Mrs. White's parents. Thus bereaved of his wife's society and consolation, the Doctor sought diversion in study and change of scene, the few succeeding years of his life being passed in Burton, Ohio, and Erie, Pennsylvania. December 31, 1891, Dr. White was married to Miss Millie Leggett, a lady of domestic tastes, daughter of James Leggett, a prominent citizen of Montville, Ohio, and they have an interesting baby girl, Myrtle B., born Febuary 7, 1893. Mrs. White is one of twelve children and has a twin brother, Milton, the date of their birth being November 22, 1866. Politically, the Doctor is a Republican. He is an active member of the Congregational Church, while his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal denomination. The Doctor is kindly and obliging, well adapted by skill and social traits to gain prominence as a professional man and citizen, and enjoys the respect of all who know him. DR. LUMAN P. STURTEVANT, who stands in the front ranks of the medica profession in Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1846, son of Timothy and Rachel (Fisher) Sturtevant. His father was born in New York, July 19, 1813, and at the age of five years went to Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1874. The past nineteen years he has been a resident of Conneaut, Ohio, and now makes his home with the subject of this sketch. A carpenter by trade, he was for many years engaged in contracting and building, his life being one of activity and usefulness. The Doctor's mother was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, October 8, 1811, and died November 24, 1887. Her father, OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 289 Elezar Fisher, was in the war of 1812, and her grandfather Fisher was a Revolutionary soldier. She was a member of the Christian Church, as also is her husband, and for the past thirty years he has been a Deacon in the church. Mr. and Mrs. Sturtevant had six children, namely: E. F., a resident of Conneaut; Homer, who died at the age Of twenty months; Anna M., wife of W. P. Laucks, of Kearney county, Kansas; L. P., the subject of this article; Mary J., wife of W. H. Limb, of Springfield, Ohio; and William H., a resident of Sharpsville, Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Dr. Sturtevant was educated in the common schools and academy and received his medical education in Cleveland, being a graduate of the Homeopathic Hospital College with the class of 1874. While in college he had two years' experience in hospital work, and in June, 1874, immediately after his graduation, he began the practice of his profession in Conneaut, where he has since remained, meeting with good success. He now has a large and lucrative practice. He is a member of the Homeopathic Medical Society of Ohio, the American Institute of Homeopathy, and the Homeopathic Society of Erie county, Pennsylvania. December 24, 1872, Dr. Sturtevant married Miss Callie E. Fruit, daughter of William and Sarah Fruit, of Sharpsville, Pennsylvania. Her father, in company with William Scott and James Pierce, developed the first coal mine in Mercer county, Pennsylvania. He died in 1879, aged sixty-seven years. His tour children are as follows: Sarah, wife of James Trimble, Philadelphia; Mary, wife of F. Livermore, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, is deceased; Mrs. Sturtevant; William W., who died at the age of thirty-seven years. Both the Doctor and his wife are members of the Christian Church. For many years he has been a member of the offfcial board and has also served as Sabbath-school Superintendent a number of years. He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the blue lodge, chapter, council and commandery, having filled the offices of Worshipful Master in the blue lodge and High Priest in the chapter. He is also a member of the Knights of Honor and the Royal Templars of Temperance, and has been presiding officer in these. organizations for some years. Politically, he is a Republican. Dr. Sturtevant is in the prime of an active manhood. He is public-spirited and generous; believes in keeping pace with the times, and especially does he keep posted in all Matter pertaining to his profession. Dr. Miriam and Dr. Ward are the only physicians now living in Conneaut who were here when he located in the city. Both professionally and otherwise, he has the respect and esteem of all who know him. EZRA B. TYLER, a widely and favorably known farmer of Saybrook township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, was born February 23, 1835, in his present home, where he has ever since resided. The original head of the Tyler family in Ashtabula county was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Ebenezer Tyler, who was born in New England of Puritan ancestry, and inherited all the sterling traits of honesty and industry typical of that worthy race. He emigrated from New Hampshire to New York State in an early day, when, about 1816, he followed the western tide of emigration to Ohio, where he passed the remaining years of his life in farming. He was a quiet, un- 290 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY assuming man, seeking neither fame nor fortune, but anxious only to maintain a good name as a heritage for his children. It is very probable that he was a patriotic soldier in the Revolutionary war, and contributed his share toward gaining the birthright of freedom for future generations. Of his children who accompanied himself and wife to Ashtabula county, Amasa is the one who now claims attention, as having been the father of the subject of this sketch, and who was born in New Hampshire in 1798. He was mainly engaged in farming, in which he was reasonably successful, being esteemed as an upright and able business man and citizen. He enjoyed the universal good will of his fellow-men, as is evidenced by his constituents conferring on him a number id offices of public trust and responsibility in his township, the duties of which office were efficiently and promptly dispatched by him in his customary able manner. He married Electa Badger, also a member of an old and influential family of Ashtabula county. She was a native of Connecticut; was reared in Pennsylvania and was a pioneer of Ohio. Her brothers and sisters were: Lyman, Anson, Alonzo, Harriet, Julia and Almond. Mr. and Mrs. Amasa Tyler had five children: Orin, deceased; Paulina, deceased, was the wife of Liberty Gary; Amos, deceased; Ezra; and Almond, now in the furniture business in Ashtabula. The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm and attended the district school. He afterward learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years during his younger life. This he discontinued in 1865 and has since given his exclusive attention to farming, in which his customary industry and intelligent management have insured him well-merited success. December 30, 1863, he was married to Emeline Howard, who was four years his junior. She was a lady of superior intellect and refinement of character, daughter of Arthur Howard, who was for many years an influential farmer of Plymouth township. They had three children: Sarah and Fannie, who died in infancy; and Minnie. In 1875, the family were called upon to mourn the loss of the devoted wife and mother, who died as she had lived, a consistent Christian character. MOSES W. BEEDE, manufacturer of succor rods, and a dealer in hard woods, Lenox township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, has long been identified with the manufacturing interests of northeastern Ohio, and is well known throughout this part of the State. Thus it is appropriate that more than a passing notice of him should be made on the pages of this work. Of his life the following facts have been gleaned: Moses W. Beede was born in Bristol, Grafton county, New Hampshire, August 28, 1839, son of Caleb and Mary (Worthing) Beede. His father was born in Vermont, July 25, 1805, and was a descendant of an old German family. Great-grandfather Beede, by trade a weaver of silk stockings, came to America in the king's ships at a very early day, paying part of his passage by the mending of a chest of damaged stockings. He settled near Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he bought a tract of land that is still in the family, and is one of the best farms in the State. Caleb Beede was left an orphan at an early age, and was bound out under the blue laws. Being treated with cruelty by the man to whom he was bound, he ran away OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 291 and was secreted and aided by friends. When he reached his majority he and a number of other young men clubbed together to educate themselves, and after he had completed his education he entered the ministry, in which for a number of years he was an efficient worker. He was compelled, however, to abandon the work of the ministry on account of the failure of his voice. He then learned the trade of ship carpenter, and afterward that of carpenter and joiner, and did an extensive business in contracting and building. During eight years he erected sixteen large churches besides various other buildings. Later he purchased a large farm and mill. In this enterprise he had a partner, who proved himself a rascal by running away with all available funds and leaving Mr. Beede in debt. Mr. Beede, however, paid off the debt. After that, in 1850, he emigrated to Ohio with his family and settled on a rented farm in Morgan township. The following spring he bought a mill, which was lost by fire in 1852. He then moved to Lenox and built a mill, turning his attention to manufacturing interests here, and continuing the same until the outbreak of the Civil war. He and one of his sons enlisted in the Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. While in the service he met with an accident which resulted in blood-poisoning, and later in paralysis, which finally terminated his life in 1877, in the seventy-second year of his age. He was a self-made man, a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a man whose life was worthy of emulation. The mother of our subject was born in New Hampton, New Hampshire, May 6, 1809, and in that State, at the age of twenty, she was married to Mr. Beede. In time she became the mother of nine children, seven of whom are still living. She united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in her early life and remained in loving communion with it until the time of her death, June 2, 1889, at the age of eighty years. It was in 1852 Moses W. Beede came to Lenox, Ohio, he being at that time a lad of thirteen years. Here he grew up on his father's farm and in the mill, receiving his education in a log schoolhouse. When the war came on he enlisted in the three months' service, as a member of the Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and took part in the -West Virginia campaign under General George B. McClellan. After his discharge he enlisted in the Seventh Kansas Volunteer Infantry, under John Brown, Jr., son of the distinguished John Brown. He accompanied his regiment to Chicago, where, after an examination, he was rejected on account of his physical condition. Upon being rejected from the service, and having only $2 in cash, he looked about him for something to do, and soon found employment near the city, engaging to run a steam engine for a farmer at a salary of $18 per month. Here he remained until spring, when he went home and took charge of his father's mill. The mill was encumbered at this time, and to his credit be it said that he not only paid off the debt, but that he also educated his sisters. He manufactured nearly all the boat oars used by the Union army on the Mississippi river during the war. June 1, 1863, he married Miss Eliza Henderson, daughter of Grove Henderson. She was born in Austinburgh township, this county, July 31, 1835, and previous to her marriage was engaged in teachings She had two children: George O., born February 28, 1865, and now a promising young business man in the Northwest, where Mr. Beede has 292 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY extensive iron interests; and Bernice G., born June 14, 1868, wife of Leonard Worcester, residing in Leadville, Colorado. Mrs. Beede was a faithful member of the Congregational Church all her life. She passed to her reward in 1874. In 1876 Mr. Beede married Mrs. Frances L. (Curtis) Watson, widow of Harlow Watson and daughter of Amos Curtis. Her father was born in 1817, and was one of the pioneers of Illinois, having located in Camden, Schuyler county, in the fall of 1837. Mrs. Beede was born February 27, 1843, and was reared in Augusta, Illinois. When in her seventeenth year she was married to Mr. Watson, by whom she had one child, Nettie L., now the wife of B. A. French, of Lenox, Ohio. Mr. Watson died of a fever, in Alabama, in 1862, while in the service of his country. By his present wife Mr. Beede has two children: M. Frances, a student in the Jefferson Educational Institute; and Lulu E., also attending school. Mr. Beede continued to run the mill until 1877, when, while he was sojourning in Colorado for the benefit of his health, the whole plant was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $4,000. Since then he has been variously occupied, and for the past twelve years has been engaged in the manufacture of succor rods, used in oil wells, in which enterprise he has met with eminent success, having gained an enviable reputation as an honorable and upright business man. For eighteen years Mr. Beede was Township Trustee. He also served six years as School Director. When he was twenty-one he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and subsequently became a Congregationalist. In both church and Sabbath-school work he takes an active part, having served ten years as Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. With various other organizations Mr. Beede is also identified. He is President of the Soldiers' Relief Committee of Ashtabula County; is a member of the Giddings Post, G. A. R., and has been a Mason since 1864. He owns one of the finest mineralogical collections in Ashtabula county, having specimens from many States in the Union and also from the old world. In this collection he takes great pride. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. He had two great-grandfathers who were soldiers in the war of the Revolution. STEPHEN J. MASSINGHAM, who is prominently identified with the real- estate and insurance interests of Geneva, was born at Saybrook, Ashtabula county, Ohio, November 10, 1840, a son of James and Ruth (Wilkinson) Massingham. The parents were natives of England, the father coming from Benham, Yorkshire, and the mother from Appleby, Westmoreland; their families were very successful farmers. Stephen J. passed his childhood and youth much as does the average country boy; and when the call came for a defense of the nation's flag, the valor and enthusiasm of his earnest nature was stirred, and he was among the first to enroll his name among those who were responding to the call for help; but, before he could be mustered in, being under age, his parents having discovered his enlistment, took prompt measures to prevent his going to the front. After this episode, he entered upon the duties of clerk in a store, and was thus employed until 1867, when he went into business for himself at Trumbull Center. In 1875 he had the misfortune to have his stock in trade and general possessions burned, and this ended OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 293 his mercantile career. He next turned his attention to journalism, and became agent and traveling correspondent for the Cleveland (01110) Herald, and was afterward connected with the Cleveland Leader in the same capacity for a number of years. Severing his connection with this paper, he opened an insurance and real-estate office in Geneva, Ohio, where he conducted a prosperous business, and has been an active promoter of the general and best interests of the town. Mr. Massingham was married April 23, 1864, to Anna B. Rich, daughter of H. G. Rich, a well-known merchant of Trumbull, Ohio. They have one daughter, Rose E., born January 26, 1868. In politics, Mr. Massingham gives his support to the Republican party, and is at this time Deputy State Supervisor under the new election law. He is a member of the Masonic order, and is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias, Agathon Lodge, No. 253. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which he is a Vestryman. Mr. Massingham is a man of progressive ideas, with abilities and qualifications for any position in the business or political world. All his business dealings arid social relationships are characterized by strict integrity, and a just consideration of the rights of his fellow men. DARWIN G. PALMER, M. D., is one of the leading men of the medical profession in northeastern Ohio. He is a native of Fitchville, Huron county, Ohio, born May 10, 1842. He was reared and educated at his birthplace, and also attended the normal school at Milan, Ohio. At the age of nineteen he entered the service of his country, enlisting in August, 1861, in Company D, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry. he was in the Army of the Cumberland and participated in the battles at Perryville, Lancaster, Kentucky, Stone River and Chickamauga, and took part in the campaign of Chattanooga. He was in many active engagements of less note, but during the latter part of his service was hospital steward, having charge of a dispensary on Lookout Mountain. He was mustered out in July, 1865. Having acquired a taste for the study of medicine he continued in this pursuit, establishing himself in the drug trade at Geneva; later on he entered the Cleveland Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1878. He at once began practicing at Geneva, and at the end of five years went abroad for the purpose of study and observation. He also took a special course at Guy's Hospital, London, and upon his return again took up his practice at Geneva. Dr. Palmer is a son of David and Jane W. (Gregory) Palmer, natives of Connecticut, tracing their ancestry to the colonists of 1630 who emigrated from Scotland. The father was a manufacturer of boots and shoes for many years, and died in 1852, on his way to California, and was buried in Wyoming Territory. In the paternal line were many characters of Revolutionary note. The widow of Dr. Palmer is living with her son, Dr. Palmer. Politically, the Doctor is identified with the Republican party, and has filled the office of Coroner for several terms. He is a member of the Bowers Post, No. 28, G. A. R., and has served as Senior Commander of the Department of Ohio, G. A. R., and as Medical Director and historian of the department.. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., to the Knights of Pythias and to the Masonic order. 294 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Be was married July 20, 1871, to Miss Lillian Smith, of Erie, Pennsylvania. She is an active member of the Woman's Relief Corps, and Most Excellent Chief of the Pythian Sisters of Kalista Temple. JUDGE GRANDISON NEWELL TUTTLE is a well-known attorney of Painesville, Lake county, Ohio. He is a native of the county, having been born in Concord township March 20, 1837. He comes of one of the pioneer families of Northeastern Ohio and of New England stock. His paternal ancestors emigrated from England to the New World in 1635, and settled first in Massachusetts and afterward in Connecticut, where many of their descendants still reside. The family, from an early time, has been connected with some of the most distinguished people of New England. The wife of the celebrated New England divine, Jonathan Edwards, was of this family, and the mother of Elihu Burritt was of the same family. Governor English of Connecticut and many other men of note, including college professors and other distinguished citizens, have claimed kinship with the family, while, of course, the more numerous portions of the family have occupied only the more humble stations in life and among their fellow-men. John Tuttle, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Connecticut, and was a wheelwright and carpenter by trade. In 1759 he removed with his family to Sunderland, Massachusetts, where he died some years afterward, at about the age of sixty years. He was a soldier in the French and Indian war. His son, Joseph Tuttle, was born at Lebanon, Connecticut, August 31, 1756. This Joseph was grandfather of the Judge. His boyhood and early manhood were passed in Massachusetts, and here he married and soon after emigrated to the State of New York. His first wife was Lovisa Mack, a daughter of Captain Mack, of Sunderland, Massachusetts. She died some fourteen years after her marriage, leaving no children. Her sister was the mother of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, and after her son became distinguished as the leader of the new faith, she removed with him to Kirtland, Ohio, and, learning that a son of her deceased sister's husband was living in the vicinity, tried to interest the Judge's father, who then lived at Concord, Ohio, in their family; but he had so poor an opinion of the Mormon faith that he took no interest in making an acquaintance with a family who had at one time been connected in marriage with his father. After the death of his first wife, which occurred about 1793 or 1794, Mr. Tuttle married for his second wife Hannah Messenger, a daughter of Isaac and Anna Messenger, formerly of Simsbury, Connecticut. In 1807 he emigrated with his family to the Western Reserve, locating at Palmyra, Portage county, where he arrived August 12, and where his brother, John Tuttle, had lived for more than two years. The journey was made with two yoke of oxen, a span of horses and a wagon, and occupied forty-eight days. The country through which they passed was mostly one great wilderness, and settlers were few. Indians were met with in considerable numbers at several places along the route; they were, however, at that time entirely peaceable. West of Buffalo the roads were scarcely worthy of the name, and the party traveled much of the way along the beach of the lake. The Judge's father, then a boy of eleven OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 295 years, made the journey with his family and retained to the end of his life a vivid recollection of the journey and its incidents. They passed through Painesville, where they stopped over night at what was then called ,,The Little Red Tavern," which was situated on what is now State street, a few rods south of the Episcopal Church. The village then contained only two frame houses. Soon after his arrival at Palmyra, Mr. Tuttle purchased sixty acres of land, about half of which had been improved, on the road leading from Palmyra to Deerfield. Privations incident to a new settlement had to be endured. Provisions of nearly all kinds were scarce, and salt, which had to be brought over the mountains on pack-saddle, was worth from $3,50 to $4 per bushel. Mr. Tuttle was not contented in his Western home, and in 1809 sold his farm and went back to New York, where he died May 13, 1816. His second wife, Hannah, had died four years before, and the family, of which Joseph, the father of the Judge, was the oldest, being thus deprived of both parents, had little to depend upon but the kindness of neighbors. The father of the subject of this sketch, Joseph Tuttle, was born in Bridgewater, Oneida county, New York, May 10, 1796. Early in life, as we have already seen, he was thrown upon his own resources. His opportunities for an education were very limited, a few months covering all the time that he ever spent at school. After the death of his parents he made his home for several years with his maternal grandparents, the Messengers. They also were of the Revolutionary stock of New England, the grandfather and six of his brothers having taken part in the war of the Revolution, and three of the number being present at the battle of Bunker Hill. Although far ad- vanced in life, in 1817 they removed with their grandson, Joseph Tuttle, to Lake county, Ohio, the journey being made in sleighs. In March, 1818, Mr. Tuttle bought 120 acres of new land in what is now Concord township, Lake county. Here he rolled up a small log cabin, in which he lived until 1820 with his grandparents, when he was able to build a more pretentious log-house. On January 2, 1823, he was wedded to Mary Adams, widow of Martin Adams, Jr., and daughter of Moses and Mary Kibbee, of Barkhamstead, Connecticut. In 1833 he erected a frame house, which he occupied until his death, which occurred April 20, 1884. He was a man of strong physical constitution, vigorous and active mind, keen observation and retentive memory. These did much to make up for his want of school opportunities. He was an easy and pleasing conversationalist, and was widely acquainted in the vicinity, where he had many stanch friends; yet he was a man of decidedly outspoken opinions, determined in supporting whatever he believed to be right, and earnestly and firmly opposing whatever he thought to be wrong. He was one of the earliest anti-slavery men in this part of the State, and many times fed and aided fugitive slaves on their journeys to Canada, by the way of the once famous underground railroad. In his early manhood he had been a Henry Clay Whig, and later was a radical antislavery Republican. He held various local offices, and was a man highly respected by his acquaintances generally. In his old age he was fond of relating the incidents of his pioneer life. Judge Tuttle is the youngest of his four sons, all of whom are still living in Lake county. A sister, Mrs. Harriet A. Kibbee, 296 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY and youngest of the family, died in Painesville, March 19, 1887. All of the family have proved worthy and respectable citizens, and have the general esteem and good will of the community in which they reside. Judge Tuttle was reared on his father's farm and received such education as the common school of his district could afford. He attended school during the winter months, laboring upon the farm with his father and brothers during the remainder of each year, until he had passed his eighteenth birthday. In the fall of 1855 he went to school a term at the Orwell Academy, then conducted by Professor Jacob Tuckerman. The ensuing winter he taught the district school in the "Governor Huntington district." For the next three years he spent his time in attending academic and select schools and in teaching. In April, 1861, he entered the State and Union Law College at Cleveland, Ohio, of which Judge Chester B. Hayden was president, and Professors King, Elwell and others were teachers. In June, 1862, he graduated and was soon after admitted to the bar of the State and United States Courts at Cleveland. The next year he taught school again. In the fall of 1863 he opened an office and began the practice of law at Willoughby, in his native county, where he resided until the fall of 1869, when he was elected Probate Judge of the county, and removed to Painesville. This office he filled with so much satisfaction to the people that he was twice reelected without opposition, being the first in the county to hold the office for more than two terms. His home has always been in this county, where he is still in the practice of his profession. In politics Judge Tuttle was a Republican until 1876, when he supported Peter Cooper, the candidate of the Greenback party for President. He continued to act with this party and with the Union Labor party until 1888, since which time he has cast his lot with the Prohibitionists. He has always taken great interest in political matters; has been very independent in his opinions and in making choice of his party connections; has never studied the question of numbers, or the prospect of political success, being guided simply by what he believed to be politically right. Even while he was connected with the Republican party he always asserted the right of independent action whenever he thought any of the candidates of the party unsuitable or unworthy of the confidence of the people. During the candidacy of General Garfield for congress in 1874, in his district, the Judge was one of his most earnest opponents. His opposition, however, was purely political, and arose from his convictions that General Garfield's official acts had not been in harmony with the best interests of the people in general. In 1878 the Judge was himself a candidate for Congress on the Greenback ticket, and received a vote considerably larger than that of his party. During this campaign he made a large number of speeches upon political issues, speaking not only in his own district but in other parts of the State, and was regarded by the members of his party as presenting their views in the most able and efficient manner of any man in his part of the State. In 1884 Judge Tuttle was named as a candidate for Judge of the Supreme Court of the State by the Union Labor party, and received a full vote of that party throughout the State. In 1891 he was a candidate for Judge of the Common Pleas Court on the ticket of the Prohibition party, which nomination was indorsed by the Democratic and Populist parties of the district. In 1892 OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 297 he received the nomination of the Prohibition party of his district for Congress, and received considerable more than the full vote of his party for that office. He has always been a strong advocate of temperance, and of the rights of the laboring and industrial classes. He regards temperance reform as intimately connected with labor and finance reform, and believes that the saloon must be deprived of political control before monopolies and trusts can be Overthrown. He, therefore, regards the temperance question as the most important and the leading question in politics to-day before the American people, and has no faith in any system of temperance legislation or temperance reform that does not look for the final prohibition and abolition of the saloon and saloon traffic. Judge Tuttle was married December 24, 1861, to Miss Lizzie A. Wilder, of Willoughby, Ohio. She was the daughter of Joel D. and Clarinda A. Wilder, and was born in Vernon, New York, and is a descendant of an old New England family. Mr. Tuttle and wife are the parents of four children: Carlos G., who died March 1, 1875, aged seven years; Martin A., born March 12, 1869, who is a graduate of Adelbert College and is now (1893) a law student in his father's office; Mary C., who was born February 7, 1875; and Walter S., who was born March 15, 1877. GEORGE GRIFFIN is a leading and successful agriculturist of Orwell township, where his well-cultivated farm of ninety-three acres is situated. This property, which he purchased in 1879, lies on section 3. With the exception of ten acres, the land is arable and yields abundant crops in return for the care and attention bestowed upon it. The owner is engaged in general farming and stock-raising and keeps good grades of stock. He is practically a self-made man, as whatever fortune he has acquired is his through his own industry and well-directed efforts. Although he was born in England, he is a patriotic son of America, although an adopted one, and declares that America is good enough for him. Mr. Griffin was born in Devonshire, England, May 30, 1849, and is a son of Robert and Ann Griffin. The former died in 1880, but the latter is yet living. They were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, namely: Mary Ann, Eliza J., William, George, Charles and James. Of this number two are now living in this country, our subject and his brother, William, who also resides in Orwell township. In the year 1869, Mr. Griffin emigrated to America and landed in Boston. Later he removed to New York, from which city he came directly here, his brother having preceded him by some three years. Several years prior to this, his uncle, James Chilcote, had settled in this vicinity. As Mr. Griffin was entirely without means upon his arrival in Ohio, he went to work by the month for Harvey Hill of New Lyme. At the end of eight months he entered the employ of a Mr. Gee, for whom he worked for three years. Until 1880, he continued working by the month, carefully putting aside a large share of his earnings, and with this money he purchased his present farm, which he has since cultivated. On Christmas day, 1879, George Griffin and Miss Jennie L. Gillmore were united in matrimony. The lady is the daughter of Nathan and Esther Gillmore, old residents of Orwell. The former, who was a success- 298 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY ful farmer, is now deceased, but his wife is still living on the old homestead. Mrs. Griffin has one brother and three sisters, namely: George; Belle; Ruth, wile of Ambrose Fenner, whose home is in the Empire State; and Anna, wife of Joseph Dixon. Mrs. Griffin has a good public-school education and was given a certificate to teach. She is the mother of two daughters: Anna, born August 2, 1881, shows a decided musical talent; Ruth, whose birth occurred December 22, 1884, is a bright and engaging little girl. The mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Griffin holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Orwell Lodge. In politics, he supports the nominees and the platform of the Republican party. He and his family are widely and favorably known in this vicinity, and are justly numbered among the leading citizens. MRS. CAPTAIN GEORGE FIELD. One of the most prominent families of northeastern Ohio, of which Ashtabula county is a component part, is that by the name of Cheney, of which the oldest and most central figure is Thomas Cheney, father of the subject of this sketch. So far as date is now accessible, a record of his life is as follows: Thomas Cheney was born in Windsor, Connecticut, September 12, 1797, and his parents were John and Mary (Stowel) Cheney. He grew to manhood in his native State and obtained a liberal education, which, combined with an excellent intellect, made him a conspicuous figure among men. He had the faculty of presenting his opinions in a logical and interesting manner, and while he laid no claims to oratory and rarely spoke in public from announcement, he experienced no difficulty in entertaining his hearers when he had a bout with a political enemy. . He was a familiar object on the streets of Ashtabula, during the exciting times before the war, when he might be seen expounding antislavery doctrines to miscellaneous assemblies. He was one of the four original abolitionists of Ashtabula county, and assisted many a slave to cross the Canadian border to liberty and happiness. He possessed no military history, other than serving as Fife Major of a militia regiment during the old training days before the war, although, had he lived, there is no doubt but he would have supplemented his arguments for freedom by telling blows in her fair cause. He was in early life, politically, an anti-Mason, later a Free Soiler, and, finally, an uncompromising Republican. He was by occupation a shoe merchant and manufactured his own goods, in which industry he employed quite a force of men. His last years were passed on his farm, where - he was killed by a falling tree in 1852, expiring in his fifty-sixth year, greatly lamented by all who knew him. His wife, nee Lois Bush, to whom he was married in 1820, two or three years after his advent to Ohio, was born in 1800 and survived her worthy husband until 1885, dying at the age of eighty-five. She was a daughter of Charles Bush, originally a merchant near Bainbridge, New York, who, early in the nineteenth century c tme to Painesville, Ohio, and purchased a farm near that city, preparatory to removing his family to this State, but who died in some village on his return trip, all his valuable papers disappearing with him. His widow afterward married Mr. McAdams, and in 1818, they moved to Ashtabula, Ohio, accompanied by his family. They came from Buf- OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 299 falo to this point on a small freight and passenger vessel of but a few tons' capacity, which conveyance forms a striking contrast to the present magnificent steamers which ply the lake. The family settled on South Ridge, where they resided for many years, when late in life the old people went to Springfield, Pennsylvania, where they both died. The children of Thomas Cheney and wife were: Samantha, born June 17, 1823, who married Birdsey Metcalf, and died ten months later, leaving one child; Ruth, born April 1, 1825; Mary, born December 25, 1832, wife of Albert Field, of Ashtabula; and P. H., born April 13, 1836. Ruth, the second daughter and the oldest surviving member of the family, was reared and educated in Ashtabula county, attending an academy in this vicinity. March 26, 1845, she was married to Captain George Field, widely and favorably known on the lakes and throughout the adjoining country as an able and experienced seafaring man. Rev. Waldo, a Presbyterian minister and a professor in Austinburg College, officiated at their marriage. Captain Field was born in Mentor, Ohio, April 15, 1819, and was employed on the lakes from early youth to middle age. He then engaged in buying arid selling stock, in which business he continued about ten years, after which he returned to his first occupation, carrying business on the lakes, this time as a boat owner and later as an owner of tugs, operating from Saginaw, Detroit, Toledo and Ashtabula. The Captain died March 10, 1889, after a long and useful life, leaving his family well provided with the comforts of this world, benifices secured by his persistent industry and able management. His father, Aaron Field, was born in Rhode Island, of New England ancestry, and was a farmer by occupation. Captain and Mrs. Field had three children: Arthur, born November 5, 1845; Frank, born September 30, 1849, and Charles T., born December 29, 1855. The last named married Miss Kate M. Sperry, a lady well known in social circles in Ashtabula, of which city her father is a prominent resident. They have four children: George, Bessie, Willie and Ruth. Mrs. Captain Field is an earnest and useful member of the Presbyterian Church, and holds a high social position. She is intellectual, possesses unusual executive ability, is deeply interested in the material, educational and moral progress of her community, to which she has contributed, and is deserving of the esteem which she so fully enjoys. REV. JOHN JAMISON PEARCE, a member of the Central Pennsylvania Methodist Episcopal Conference, and a resident of Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Luzerne, Pennsylvania, February 28, 1826, son of Rev. Marmaduke and Hannah (Stuart) Pearce, the latter being a descendant of Prince John Alden, who came over in the Mayflower. His paternal ancestor, Edward Pearce, served in the battle of the Boyne. Rev. Marmaduke Pearce was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, August 18, 1776, and was a self-educated man. He was intimately associated with Dr. George Peck (brother of Bishop Jesse T. Peck,) who, in his history of Methodism in the Wyoming valley, says: " Rev. Marmaduke Pearce was the strongest man in the Genesee Conference, although he seldom ever spoke." He was for years a Presiding Elder, and for many years was stationed in Baltimore and other prominent places. He was again and again elected a delegate to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After a