306 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO
CHAPTER X.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
QUINBY FAMILY.
Ephraim Quinby, practically the first settler and founder of Warren, was born in New Jersey, May 11, 1766. He married Ammi Blackmore, at Brownsville, in 1795, and settled in Washington county, Pennsylvania; thence removed to Trumbull county in 1799, at which time the family consisted of three childen, Nancy, Samuel, and Abrilla. Seven children were born in Warren —Elizabeth, William, Mary G., James, Warren B., Ephraim, Jr., Charles A., and George. Mr. Quinby during his lifetime was a man of considerable prominence in the community and acquired considerable wealth by the fortunate location of his land. He served several years as associate judge of the common pleas court and took an active part in organizing the county. His life was devoted chiefly to dealing in real estate and farming. His death occurred June 4, 1850. Mrs. Anima Quinby died March 16, 1833. Four of the family are yet living—Nancy, wife of Joseph H. Larwell, Wooster, Ohio; Mary G. Spellman, Wooster, Ohio; Warren B., Warren, Ohio, and George, Wooster, Ohio. Warren B. Quinby has always made his home in Warren. He married in 1840 Rebecca Hixon, daughter of Timothy Hixon, who settled here in 1812 on a farm, and died in 1868. They have had two children, both dead—Ephraim and Amma Elizabeth. Samuel Quinby, oldest son of Ephraim Quinby, was born in Pennsylvania, November 27, 1794. His name is first found in business annals in 1814, as a member of the firm of James White & Co., publishers of
The Trump of Fame. He was again connected with the paper from 1817 to 1819.
Having received the appointment of receiver of moneys derived from the sale of United States public lands, Mr. Quinby removed to Wooster, Ohio, in 1819. The land office for the district of Northwestern Ohio was then located at that place. The office was abolished during Van Buren's administration and in 1840 Mr. Quinby returned to Warren. While at Wooster he had been a candidate on the Whig ticket for Representative in Congress, but the district being Democratic he was defeated. On returning to Warren he was chosen secretary and treasurer of the Ohio and Pennsylvania canal, which office he held several years. Outside of official business Mr. Quinby was otherwise actively employed. He dealt largely in real estate, and directed farming operations. He was one of the original stockholders in the Western Reserve bank, as was also his father, and was elected to the directorship in 1817. Considerable outside
PICTURE OF SAMUEL QUINBY
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 307
business, such as the settlement of estates in probate, was transacted by him. Mr. Quinby was an active politician. He served two terms in the Ohio Senate, first in 1844-45, and again in 1862-63. He married at Steubenville, December 30, 1819, Lucy Potter. Two daughters by this marriage are living, Elizabeth (Stiles) and Abigail (Haymaker), both in Warren. For his second wife he married Mrs. Emma B. Brown, October 22, 1847. George H. Quinby is the only son living. Samuel Quinby died in Warren February 4, 1874. Mrs. Quinby remains a resident of Warren.
Elizabeth Quinby, the daughter of Ephraim Quinby, Sr., was married to Dr. Heaton, of Warren. She died in Warren. William Quinby was recorder of Trumbull county a number of years and afterwards engaged in mercantile business in Warren, where he died. James was also in trade in Warren, then removed to New Lisbon, where he died. Ephraim, Jr., settled at Wooster, Ohio, being at the time of his death the wealthiest man 1n the place. Charles A. died in Warren.
HENRY LANE AND FAMILY.
Henry Lane's settlement in Warren was noted at.the proper place, but no idea was there given of the man. He was industrious and thoroughgoing. The first mill in Warren was built by him, and the first apple trees planted by him. In company with most of the other first settlers, he was present at the Indian tragedy at Salt Springs, but was in no way responsible for that unfortunate affair. Mr. Lane represented Trumbull county in the Legislature four terms-1816 -18-19 and 1826. He was a man of extraordinary strength, which alone, 1n a new country, is a certificate to respectability. It was claimed that he could whip anybody in the county, and when a bully advertised himself for a fight he always excepted Henry Lane. He was considered an excellent man for the Legislature because of his strength. But he had other claims to public confidence, being a good man and citizen. His son Asa returned to Pennsylvania in 1820, and died there. Henry Lane had two daughters —Catharine, who married John Tait, a Lords- town settler, and Annie, who married Samuel Phillips, of Austintown. John, Asa, and Benjamin were the three sons. Benjamin Lane was born in Washington county, in 1785, and came with his parents to Warren in r799. The farm on which they settled is now owned by Henry J. Lane. This farm consisted of one hundred and thirty acres. He was married in 1841 to Hannah Cook, a native of England. They raised a family of three children, viz : Henri J., born February 11, 1843, married in 1866 Anna Murdock, and has a family 0f two children—Harry E. and Grace M. ; Benjamin F., born May 3, 1850, married in 1879 Mary Ackley, of Bloomfield, and has one child—Lina, resides in Lordstown ; Mary S., born April 24, 1853, is married to Samuel Greiner, and resides in Lordstown. Benjamin Lane engaged largely in buying and selling live stock, and driving them over the mountains to Philadelphia. Mrs. Lane died in 1853, Mr. Lane in 1866.
John Lane was born in Pennsylvania in 1793. He married in Mansfield, Ohio, Mari Caldwell, and in 1821 removed from Mansfield, where he resided, to Trumbull county, and settled in Weathersfield and engaged in farming. He finally removed to Warren, where he spent the balance of his life. He died in 1854 in his sixty-second year. His widow is still living, in her eighty-eighth year.
E. C. Lane, the oldest of the surviving children, was born in 1829, in Weathersfield. He is an engineer by occupation, and is now employed in the Packard planing mill in Warren.
JAMES L. VAN GORDER.
Few men, if any, have ever lived in Warren of greater energy of character or more effective activity of life than James L. VanGorder. Some idea of the man is gained from a mere statement of the predominant fact of his life—the fact that notwithstanding heavy and embarrassing losses and with no other capital to start with than a strong, healthy body, indomitable perseverance and industry, united with a sound judgment, he accumulated an estate amounting to $125,000.
James L. VanGorder was the son of Abram and Elizabeth VanGorder, and was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, April t, 1785. He came to Warren at the age of about twenty years, and having a ready hand for almost any
308 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
kind of work, had no difficulty in finding employment. But he was not the kind of metal that hirelings are made of. After a short time of service under Henry Lane in his mill and clearing, he began boldly and with perseverance an independent career.
In 1809 Mr. VanGorder married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Spear, who was born at Washington, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1789. Her parents having died she became a resident in the family of her grandparents, and came to Trumbull county with her uncle, John Prior, in the year 1805. As was very common at that time the trip was made on horseback. One hundred miles' journey would seem like a great task for a. girl of sixteen, but it was lightened by exercise in that method of travel. Mr. Prior settled a mile and a half s southwest of Warren.
About two years after his marriage Mr. Van Gorder removed to Suffield, Portage county, and engaged in milling on an extensive scale. He ran a train of flour wagons to Cleveland harbor, and soon built up a business surpassing any of the kind on the Reserve, at that time. In 1821 Mr. VanGorder returned with his family to Warren, having become interested in the mills of this place. The upper dam and mill had been built by Henry Lane, and the lower mill by George Lovelace, the latter being just below the Market-street bridge. (The present lower darn was built by Mr. VanGorder in 1838-39. He built at the same time four of the locks in the canal adjoining, and made a mile of excavation.) The control of both of these mills, in addition to two saw-mills, did not occupy his whole attention for any great length of time. He purchased in 1828 the old Cotgreave house, more familiarly known as Castle William, and by getting the stage office and stage patronage he soon made it the leading hotel in the place. "Old Pavilion" was a familiar name among travelers, arid especially among coachmen. Seven stages passed through Warren daily, giving the " regulation tavern" a good patronage outside of irregu lar custom. On the ground floor was a stage office, a bar-room, and a store; the second floor was used for bed-chambers, and the third for a dancing hall. This was the same building in which John S. Edwards speaks in his letters of having attended balls. The house had undergone repairs, however.
Mr. VanGorder was an extensive contractor on the Ohio and Pennsylvania canal, employing at one time as many as one hundred hands, fifty of whom were boarded at the " Pavilion." The completeness and thoroughness of his operations are shown by the fact that he had his own wagon- maker shop, his own blacksmith shop, his own tavern to board his men, and his own mills to grind the flour for their bread; and further than this, raised some of the wheat which was ground into flour. Mrs. VanGorder superintended all the cooking and baking, which was no light task, for dinners for the laborers had to be sent to their place of work. Anyone who has had any experience, even in a small way, of preparing food to be eaten in that way will readily appreciate the task of thus making dinners for fifty masons and shovelers.
One of the upper mills burned in October, 1845, but was rebuilt as quickly as was possible. In the great conflagration in June, 1846, the old Pavilion tavern was reduced to ashes. Before a year had elapsed, a block containing six stores stood in its place. This block was in turn consumed in 1854, but before the living flames had exhausted their food, a contract had been signed for rebuilding the entire block. The second block was again partially destroyed in 1860. During the five years preceding the five of 1854, and including that conflagration, Mr. VanGorder's losses by fire, and his losses as surety, for which he had obligated himself to a large amount, aggregated over $34,000, yet he never permitted himself to be embarrassed, depending upon industry to regain what he lost through misfortune.
He was characteristically successful in the management of hired labor. His own strength being inexhaustible he was always able to lead. He seldom said "go," but "come " was a familia1 command. Week after week for as long as six weeks in succession, he has Stood in water covering his knees, repairing some of the mill appendages. Never did he require of a hireling what he was unwilling to do himself. In addition to other operations, he carried on merchandising for about forty years. Mr. VanGorder was a member of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. VanGorder's connection with that society antedates that of her husband. She still retains he1 membership. During his older years he was a
PICTURE OF JAMES L. VAN GORDER AND ELIZABETH S. VAN GORDER
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 309
partial cripple, having met with an accident at his saw-mill. He was not incapacitated, however, for any kind of work. He was actively employed until the sickness which resulted in his death, September 14, 1858.
Mrs. VanGorder, now past her ninety-fourth year, is the oldest resident of Warren; with two exceptions she is the oldest person living in the city. Her long preservation through a toilsome life is indeed remarkable. She is clear in mind and cheerful in disposition. She has borne a family of thirteen children, and nurtured from childhood two grandchildren. Eleven of her children lived to mature age. The following is a copy of a page from the family record: Albert, born in Warren July 18, 181o; Emeline, torn in Suffield November 5, 1811; Olive, born in Suffield April 26, 1813; Cyrus J., born in Suffield April 1, 1815; Martha J. (Newell), born in Suffield January 7, 1817; Ann Mary (Marvin), born in Suffield August 30, 1819; Phebe, born in Warren June 1821; Betsy (Scott), born in Warren April 22, 1823; James R., born in Warren March 30, 1825; George, born in Warren May 8, 1827; Isaac F., born in Warren February 18, 1829 ; Charles, born in Warren March 8, 1831; Charles, (second) April is, 1836. Albert, Cyrus J., Martha J. (Newell), Ann Mary (Marvin), James R., George, and Isaac F., are still living.
RICHARD IDDINGS
was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, August i8, 1786. He came to Warren in September, 1805, but returned to Reading in 1808, where, in January, 1809, he married Miss Justina Lewis. In February he started for the Reserve with his wife, and reached Warren April 20th. He was in the War of 1812, and was afterwards chosen major in the militia. He, was elected to the Legislature in 183o-31. His death took place March 26, 1872.
At his golden wedding, in 1859, Mr. Iddings gave the following description of his trip to the
Reserve with his wife :
I first came to Warren in September, 1805, and remained here until the fall of 1808, when I returned to Berks county, my native place. I married Miss Justina Lewis, at Reading, Pennsylvania, on the evening of the 15th of January, 1809, at 8 o'clock—just fifty years ago. On the 8th of February we started for Ohio in a two-horse sleigh, with our household furniture, for which there was plenty of room. When we reached the top of the Allegheny mountains the snow was four feet deep; but we learned there was no snow at the foot of the mountain, nor westward to Ohio. Therefore, we went to the house of an uncle to my wife, who resided in Fayette county, some twelve miles from Brownsville. Leaving her, the sleigh, and one horse, I proceeded to this place on horseback. Here I hired a canoe, and engaging Mr. Henry Harsh to assist me, I went down the Mahoning and Beaver rivers to Beavertown, and up the Ohio and Mongahela to Brownsville. Taking my wife and a few household fixings on board, we floated down to Pittsburg, when I purchased a barrel of flour, and went on to Warren. The weather was quite cold, and the settlers few and scattering. Some nights we lodged in houses near the river, and some limes on its bank, without shelter. Sometimes we had plenty to eat, and sometimes we went without food for a whole day. We were two days getting over the falls of Beaver river. Mr. Harsh and myself were most of the time in the water (frequently up to our waists), pulling up the empty canoe, while my wife sat on the shore watching the goods which we had landed. At the mill-dams on the Mahoning the same process was repeated. We reached Warren on the 20th day of April, having been twenty-one days coming from Brownsville.
LEICESTER KING
was born May 1, 1789, at Suffield, Connecticut. He married, October 12, 1814, Julia Ann Huntington, daughter of Hon. Hezekiah Huntington, of Hartford, Connecticut, and died at North Bloomfield, Trumbull county, Ohio, September 19, 1856, at the residence of his son-in-law, Charles Brown.
Mr. King removed from Westfield, Massachusetts, where he was engaged in the mercantile business for a few years, to Warren, Ohio, in 1817, where he continued the same business until 1833. At that time, becoming interested in the project of building the Pennsylvania and Ohio canal, he abandoned mercantile life, and devoted the most of his time to forwarding that enterprise; and it was mainly through his energy and labor that it was finally constructed—he being for a long time the president of the company. He filled the position of associate judge of the court of common pleas, and represented the Trumbull district for two successive sessions (1835-39) in the State Senate. He was a decided Abolitionist, although elected as a Whig, and at each session introduced and advocated a bill to repeal the infamous " Black laws," which then disgraced our statute books. After the spirited Presidential contest of 1840 he identified himself with the few who organized the
310 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
Liberty party, and was the first candidate for Governor nominated by that party in 1842; and he was renominated in 1844. As the champion of that forlorn hope he thoroughly canvassed the State, discussing its platform of principles in every county and in almost every school district. He was president of the first United States Liberty party convention, held in Buffalo in 1844, which put in nomination James G. Birney as candidate for President, and Thomas Morris for Vice President of the United States. In 1847 Mr. King was the nominee for Vice President, with John P. Hale for President; both, however, declined the nomination in favor of Martin Van Buren and Charles Francis Adams, as candidates for the Free-soil party—the Liberty party thereafter being merged into this new party of antislavery principles. After the death of Mrs. King, January 24, 1849, Mr. King withdrew from politics, although he continued, until the day of his death, a warm advocate of the principles for which he had declined all political preferment and personal position from the old Whig party.
The earnest zeal with which he sowed the seed through the State of Ohio required but a few years to bring forth an abundant harvest of right sentiments, and had its due share in the successful contest for human rights, which resulted in placing Abraham Lincoln in the executive chair in 1861.
SIMON PERKINS*
was born at Norwich, Connecticut, on the 17th of September, 1771. His father was a captain in the army of the Revolution, and died in camp. He emigrated to Oswego, New York, in 1795, where he spent three years in extensive land operations. A portion of the Western Reserve in Ohio having been sold by the State of Connecticut, the new proprietors invited Mr. Perkins to explore the domain and report a plan for the sale and settlement of the lands. He went to Ohio for that purpose in the spring of 1798. He spent the summer there in the performance of the duties of his agency, and returned to Connecticut in the autumn. This excursion and these duties were repeated by him for several successive summers. He married in 1804, and settled on the Reserve at Warren. So extensive
* From Lossing's Field Book of the War of 1812.
were the land agencies intrusted to him that in 1815 the State land tax paid by him into the public treasury was one-seventh of the entire revenue of the State.
For twenty-eight years he. received and merited the confidence of the department and the people. At the request of the Government, in 1807 he established expresses through the Indian country to Detroit. His efforts led to the treaty of Brownsville, in the autumn of 1808, when the Indians ceded lands for a road from the Reserve to the Maumee or Miami of the lakes. In May of that year he was commissioned a brigadier-general of militia, in the division commanded by Major-general Wadsworth. On hearing of the disaster to Hull's army at Detroit, he issued orders to his colonels to prepare their regiments for active duty. To him was assigned the duty of protecting a large portion of the northwestern frontier.
"To the care of Brigadier-general Simon Perkins I commit you," said Wadsworth, on parting with the troops of the Reserve, "who will be your commander and your friend. In his integrity, skill, and courage we all have the utmost confidence." He was exceedingly active. His scouts were out far and near continually.
His public accounts were kept with the great est clearness and accuracy for more than forty years. "No two officers in the public service at that time," testifies the Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, "were more energetic or economical than Generals Harrison and Perkins."
When, in 1813, General Harrison was sufficiently reinforced to dispense with Perkins' command, he left the service (February 28, 1813) bearing the highest encomiums of the commander-in-chief of the army of the Northwest.
President Madison, at the suggestion of Harrison and others, sent him the commission of colonel in the regular army, but duty to his family and the demands of a greatly increasing business caused him to decline it. General Perkins was intrusted with the arrangement and execution, at the head of a commission, of the extensive canal system of Ohio. From 1826 until 1838 he was an active member of the "Board of Canal Fund Commissioners." They were under no bonds and received no pecuniary reward. In the course of about seven years they
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 311
issued and sold State bonds for the public improvements, to the amount of $4,500,000.
Among the remarkable men who settled the Western Reserve General Simon Perkins ever held one of the most conspicuous places, and his influence in social and moral life is felt in that region to this day. He died at Warren, Ohio, on the 19th of November, 1844. His widow long survived him. She died at the same place, April, 1862.
HENRY BISHOP PERKINS,
president of the First National bank of Warren, Was the youngest son of General Simon Perkins, and was born March 19, 1824. He pursued the course of instruction provided by local schools until his twenty-first year, when the death of his father threw upon him the management of a large property. Being naturally public-spirited, and having a heavy personal interest, he naturally became identified with public affairs. But he carried this interest beyond the measure of personal advantage. When the graded school system had been organized, he accepted a position on the school board, and labored faithfully in that capacity for several years. He joined his brothers in endowing a professorship in Western Reserve college, and otherwise exerted himself to promote the cause of education. He inherited a large landed estate to which personal attention has always been given. Agricultural pursuits being particularly suited to his tastes, he served twice as president of the county agricultural society, and two times on the State board of agriculture. When the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical college was established, he was appointed one of its trustees.
Mr. Perkins was a stockholder in the Cleveland & Mahoning railroad, and subsequently became a director. He was elected one of the directors of the Western Reserve bank in 1852, and on the organization of the First National bank was chosen president. He has served in that capacity since that time. This is the oldest bank in Northern Ohio.
Mr. Perkins inherited the Whig principles of his family, and on the organization of the Republican party he became a leading member and worker. He received the appointment in 1861 of agent for the sale of the first national loan. In 1878 he was appointed by the Governor on a commission of three persons to serve with a similar commission from Pennsylvania, to reestablish the boundary line between Ohio and Pennsylvania.
In 1879 Mr. Perkins was chosen to represent his Senatorial district in the General Assembly of Ohio, and was re-elected in 1881. He is recognized as a leading member of that body, and his advice is respected on all matters of business and public policy. His bearing in the Senate is that of a business man rather than of the politician. He is there in the service of his district and the State. In this respect he is unlike a majority of his colleagues. It is a notorious and unfortunate fact that our State Legislature is largely composed of office seekers.
Mr. Perkins is a member of the Presbyterian church, to which he has contributed liberally.
Socially his standing is as high as in business circles. He is a good type of his family, dignified and honest, clear-headed and energetic.
Mr. Perkins married, in 1855, Miss Eliza G. Baldwin, daughter of N. C. Baldwin, of Cleveland. They have a family of four children. The Perkins residence is the finest in Warren, and the grounds, which embrace a number of acres, are artistically improved. It is the old family seat of Simon Perkins.
FREDERICK KINSMAN
was born in Kinsman township, Trumbull county, March 4, 1807. His education until his eighteenth year was confined to the common schools of his native township, with the exception of one summer at Geauga academy. In February, 1825, in company with his oldest brother, he rode on horseback to Connecticut, where he then sold his horse and entered Plainfield academy. After spending a year at the
312 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
academy he entered the military school at Camp Partridge, at Middletown, Connecticut. A diversion of school-days' monotony which is remembered with interest, was a visit to New York on the semi-centennial of American independence (July 4, 1826). Three hundred cadets, all in bright uniform and fully armed, were conveyed to the city in a boat and participated in the parade. He remembers to have seen on that day Aaron Burr, erect, clear-eyed, and with flowing white hair, watching the ceremonies but scarce receiving any recognition. The fallen politician may be gazed upon but is never courted.
Mathematics and engineering occupied the greater part of Mr. Kinsman's time while in the military academy. Late in the year 1826 his class was detailed to make a topographical exploration of the country. While thus engaged he was prostrated by typhus fever as the result of a day of over-exertion. He had traveled one morning to a high point on the Meriden mountains to establish a flag-station—a distance of about ten miles. He reached a point from which could be seen Hartford, New Haven, Middletown, and other cities, where he set up a flag and returned to Middletown that night, completing a laborious trip of more than twenty miles through brambles, woods, and over rocks. The fever which set in on the following day confined him for some time, eventually terminating his academic career.
Mr. Kinsman, on returning to Ohio, engaged in his brother's store as clerk until the year 183o. He was then employed two years in the land office of General Perkins, at Warren, at the end of which time he married Olive D. Perkins. In 1832 he became a partner in the land business with Mr. Perkins, and eventually assumed entire charge of the office. Mr. Perkins' agency was the largest in the State, the taxes one year being one-fifteenth part of all the land taxes in the State of Ohio.
Mr. Perkins was agent for the Erie company and for Daniel L. Coit. The Erie company's business was settled up in General Perkins's lifetime, but the Coit agency business was not finally closed out until 1872, by Mr. Kinsman. This was the last of Western Reserve land agencies. Mr. Kinsman was elected to the office of associate judge in 1845—an office of little profit.
He took an active interest in public affairs, and enterprises calculated to enhance the value of property. As one of the original directors of the Cleveland & Mahoning railroad he exerted all his energy, and was one of the six to assume personal liability, that the road might be completed and placed upon a remunerative basis. The Mahoning valley owes more to Jacob Perkins, Frederick Kinsman, Charles Smith, David Tod, Dudley Baldwin, and Reuben Hitchcock, than any other six men in the Reserve. Mr. Kinsman was a director of the Western Reserve bank until its conversion into a National hank, and has continued in the same office since that time. He served several years as a member of the city al council, and not only favored measures looking toward the improvement of streets, etc., but gave much time and personal attention to the work.
Mr. Kinsman has not been a politician in the ordinary meaning of that term, but has always been active in furthering the interests of his party, and has never shrunk from the obligations of citizenship. He was a delegate to the National Republican convention in 1864, and Presidential elector in 1868. During the war he aided the Union cause in a substantial way. He has long been looked upon as a leader in matters of public improvement. He is an attendant and liberal supporter of the Episcopal church. Mr. Kinsman has been a careful agriculturist and judicious stock man. He was long prominently identified with the county agricultural society, and for two years its president.
Mrs. Olive Perkins Kinsman died in 1838. Mr. Kinsman married for his second wife Miss Cornelia G. Pease, daughter of Judge Calvin Pease. She died in 1873. The children of his first wife died young. Four sons by his second wife are living—Frederick, Jr., in Cleveland; John, Thomas, and Charles P., in Warren. Mr. Kinsman is well preserved for a man of his years. He is tall, erect, and dignified. His manner is firm but clever. He possesses that keen appreciation of pure humor which charac terizes a clear mind.
PICTURE OF JOHN B. HARMON AND MRS. JOHN B. HARMON
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 313
COMFORT MYGATT.
In 1807 there settled in Canfield a family, several members of which afterwards became prominent in Warren business affairs. The head of this family was Comfort Mygatt. Accompanying the party from Connecticut were three sons- in-law with their wives and families—Lewis Hoyt, Eli S. Bouton, and Elisha Whittlesey; eight daughters—Elizabeth, afterwards married to Zalmon Fitch of Warren; Lucy, afterwards wife of Asahel Adams, of Warren (the oldest lady living in the city); and Maria, who died unmarried; Amanda, who married William McFarlane, of Warren; Eleanor, who married Allison Kent, of Canfield; Hannah, who married W. S. C. Otis, of Cleveland; Juliana, and Almira; three sons— George, Comfort, and Eli, and two step-sons, Jairus and Henry Stiles.
JOHN B. HARMON AND FAMILY.
Northern Ohio is justly noted for the intelligence, energy, integrity, and thrift of her people. Her pioneers came from the best New England families. They came with the grand purpose of founding a new State in which the rights of man and the consequent happiness of the people should be amply secured. They had the knowledge and the means requisite to a greater degree than almost any other portion of the West. They foresaw the hardships they would have to endure, but had the will to face them with unswerving courage. The toils, privations, and fatigues of pioneer life fall upon none more heavily than the physician who enjoys the general support, and ministers faithfully to the wants of such a settlement. The pioneer doctors of northern Ohiq were admirably fitted for their work. Strong, enduring in body, sagacious and fertile of mind, resolute and daring, they went everywhere among the settlers, lights amid darkness, beacons of hope in hours of peril, and almoners of help in time of need. Of no one of them is this more rigidly true, than of the subject of this sketch. Six feet tall, with a round, full chest, a bundle of muscle and nerve of the finest quality, a high, square forehead jutting over deep, bluish-gray eyes, whose smile could hold the love of woman at their pleasure, or whose frown could cow a fiend, he commanded the life-long respect and friendship of the early pioneers of the Western Reserve. This imposed upon. him an amount of work and responsibility which very few men could ever have met so well.,
His early life fitted him for the part he was to play in after life. In helping his father carry on a large farming business in Vermont, he early began a life of exposure, often going through the winter storms on foot, with his dog and gun; from the home or Valley farm to ate several miles off up the mountains. His father, Reuben Harmon, Jr., was an extensive landholder, and had been a member of the Vermont legislature or assembly for a number of terms, an I had the privilege of coining copper coins upon his own responsibility, which was in those day s no light distinction. In 1796 he purchased of Samuel H. Parsons, five hundred acres of land embracing the "salt springs," in Weathersfield township, and went there in the summer or fall of 1797, and began the manufacture of salt, which he continued through the winter, and returned home in the spring.
It is not known to the writer whether he left any one to continue the salt manufacture during the summer or not, hut each fall and winter he returned and continued the business, and erected a cabin to become the future home of his family. In the early spring of 1800 he returned to Vermont and prepared for the final removal to the new field, which seemed to promise so much to one of His vigor and activity. An old settler of Warren, John Ewalt, said of him, "He was the smartest man I ever knew, and Doctor John B. is exactly like him. Looks like him, walks like him, talks like him, is exactly like him in all respects." He illustrated his idea of smartness by adding that "he was a general business man to draw deeds, contracts, and Settle disputes. He could converse with a room full of people, fifteen or twenty, all at once, hear them tell their story, and write at the same time, and when done no word had to be erased or another to be put in. He could do as many things at a time as he needed to, and do each exactly right." While the feat is not so very difficult to one accustomed to such work, it doubtless indicates an unusual expertness and accuracy.
Having all things ready, the family started in June for the fat West. Besides his wife, four
314 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
daughters and four sons, the youngest, Reuben third, being a babe three months old, he brought a family with him by the name of Barnes, who afterwards settled in Fowler. While wending their slow way thither, fresh disturbances with the Indians occurred, and they halted some time at Beaver, so that they did not arrive at the salt springs till August.
Young Harmon had begun the study of medicine in 1796, with Dr. Josiah Blackmer, and was prepared to practice so far as the wants of the family and the few scattered settlers should require. In the spring of 1806 Reuben Harmon, Jr., returned to Vermont to finish settling his business there. He took- with him his son to pursue study further with Dr. Blackmer, who had married his elder siste1 Ruth, and was a skillful physician in Dorset, Vermont. Upon his return west Reuben Harmon found the agent whom he had left in charge of the salt works had disappeared with $2,000, part of which he had collected from sales of salt, and part had been sent on -before his return. Thus stripped of his means' he was called to all the harder work for the support of his family. In the midst of it he was taken with fever, and died October 29, 1806, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. His loss was a sad blow to his family, and caused much inconvenience to the settlement. For nearly ten years he had made them their salt, and been a leading man among them. He had been for many years a member of the Congregational church of Rupert, Vermont, and in 1803 united by letter with the First Presbyterian church of Warren, and was noted for his decided piety, kindness to all, and rigid integrity. From a condition of independence and prospective affluence, the family were left in comparative poverty. His widow proved equal to the occasion. Ruth Rising was a daughter of Aaron and Anna Rising, of Suffield, Connecticut; was married to Mr. Harmon in September, 1774. She was a resolute, capable woman, above average height, of a broad, muscular build, sociable, cheerful, and of indomitable patience and perseverance.
During the war of the Revolution Reuben Harmon, Jr., was in the revolutionary army, and his wife either resided with his father at Sunder land, Massachusetts, or was there on a visit when it was burned by the British and Indians. Mrs. Harmon caught an unbroken colt in the
field and mounted it, bare-back, with a babe three weeks old in her arms, and fled while the smoke of her husband's early home rolled 'up behind her. One of such pluck was well fitted to be the first white woman in Weathersfield township. Fearless amid semi-hostile Indians, and strong in every hour of trial. The babe she had carried in her arms during the long journey west was scalded to death in 1802. May 10th of that year their youngest child, Eliza, who afterwards married Reuben Allen, and died in Illinois March 2, 1856, was born. She was a lively girl, full of song and mirth, a favorite in social gatherings, and an unfailing fountain of cheer wherever she went.
One day Mrs. Harmon was left alone in the cabin and three intoxicated Indians intruded with threatening demands for more whiskey, which she sturdily refused, and had a hard day's work to keep them from violence. At dark young Harmon returned from a day's hunting. Awhile after supper the Indians became again more violent, especially one of them, "Big Bill" as he was called, who envied the young white's skill with the rifle, was determined on whiskey or a fight. Young Harmon instantly threw him, and bumped his head soundly on the hearth, and bade him lie there until morning. When he left he brought his gun to his shoulder, and pointing to Harmon gave a -whoop of vengeance. After that Big Bill and the young doctor when out hunting kept one eye for deer and one eye for the "the first shot." A sudden attack of lung fever soon afte1 ended the strife. Passing the camp toward night, Dr. Harmon heard loud lamentations. Going in he found his enemy in the last agonies of pain, and was glad that he was relieved from shooting him or being shot himself.
Such incidents disclose some of the special perils of the new settlers.
Mrs. Harmon met all her trials with rare fortitude and sagacity. She spent the last few years of her life in Warren, at the homes of Dr. Harmon and her son, Heman R. Harmon, at whose house—a brick on the corner of Main street and Franklin alley, which he had erected with the aid of his father-in-law, George Parsons, about 1829 or 1830—she died, April to, 1836, in her seventy-eighth year, of congestion of the lungs. She kept bright, cheerful, and active, with a large share of the enjoyments of a ripe
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 315
old age. She was a member of the Methodist church in Warren for many years, and died in the full hopes of such a faith. Thus much of the parents of Dr. Harmon. His grandfather, Reuben Harmon, was the sixty-fourth descendant of John Harman (so spelled in the records), who immigrated from England prior to 1644, when he settled in Springfield, Massachusetts, and died January 7, 166o. Reuben was his great- grandson, born at Sunderland, Massachusetts, or perhaps at Springfield, February 18, 1714, and married Eunice Parsons, of Suffield, Connecticut, August 25, 1739. He died at Rutland, Vermont, September 6, 1794. His widow died there November 18, 1803, aged eighty-six years. He sold his real estate in Suffield in 1759. In 1776 he became a large land owner in Rupert. In 1779 he bought one hundred and seventy acres in Rutland, and soon after moved there, and was selectman and justtce of the peace in 1780. June 30, 1780, he conveyed to his son Oliver, in Rutland, ninety acres of land, and to his son Reuben, Jr., of Rupert, ninety acres. Some forty-five deeds passed to and from Reuben and Reuben, Jr., in the course of a few years. Dr. John B. appears to have had a leaning to land also, for in 1803 he bought of his father two hundred and fifty acres of the Salt Spring tract for $2,500 in currency, which was resold in 18o6. He became the owner afterwards of some two hundred and eighty acres ih Warren township, and carried on farming quite extensively. He devoted special care to raising thoroughbred horses, but kept also choice cattle and Merino sheep, and invested in mules also to a large extent. He made himself the first horse-rake used in this section, from a fence rail, eleven feet long, in which a few long teeth were put, and two stakes for handles. Hitching a large stallion called "Buck Oscar" (a racer who had never had harness on before) to this, he raked up in the afternoon nine acres of heavy grass. The weight of the rake and rapid gait of the horse made this a very hard feat. The stoutest of his hired men could not repeat it. When this rake was broken a few years later Hugh Riddle, who was in Warren temporarily, made him a light one, but it was not until several years later he could persuade his brother farmers to give up the hand rake.
At an early day he established his brother, Heman R. Harmon, in trade under the firm name of Harmon Brothers. The store was on the west side of Main street, south of one formerly occupied by Ephraim Quinby. In connection with Walter King they built the three story brick in 1827-28, known as the King and Harmon block, which was, in April, 1882, torn down. Harmon Brothers occupied the north half, keeping drugs in the south end and dry-goods in the north end. It had a handsome cherry circular counter, and was regarded as a grand affair in its d ay. King occupied the south end of his half with a jewelry store. Henry Stiles had the north pare of King's half (a separate room) for a saddlery store. There the late Edward E. Hoyt, James Hoyt, and 0. H. Patch, learned the saddler's trade.
Harmon Brothers lost largely by outside business, dealing in cattle, clocks, etc., and by endorsing for others. In 1832 they failed. The debts were eventually paid, by Dr. Harmon mostly, but the loss stript him of his farms, and imposed on him the necessity of prolonged toil in his profession. He never did business in the store himself, but his surplus earnings were absorbed by it. In fact, his whole life was helpful to others far more than to himself.
Upon the death of his father, he naturally assumed the guidance of the family. While at Dorset he wrote his brothers Hiram and Heman "to be careful of their leisure hours, to shun all bad habits, study evenings, so as to fit themselves for future usefulness and honorable positions in life, and to cherish always a reverent regard for the great Author of the Universe." Afterwards he sent Heman to school at Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, with the view of his studying medicine, but exposure led to necrosis of the femur, a large part of which the doctor removed. He was left slightly lame, and gave up the study of medicine to become a merchant, farmer, and general business man, in which he was remarkably active, industrious, and useful, but a fatality adverse to financial success hovered over him.
Of the children of Reuben Harmon, the following additional particulars may be of some interest :
Anna Harmon was born February 20, 1782, in Rupert ; died March, 1841, in Bristol. She was for many years employed as a school teacher in different townships of the county, and is still remembered by some of the older descendants
316 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
of the pioneers as the woman who could teach them arithmetic.
Clary Harmon was born April 12, 1785; married William Leavitt, son of John Leavitt, Esq., of Warren, from whom she was divorced because of intemperance. Afterwards she married Dr. John Brown, and moved to Lancaster, New York, where she died January 22, 1844. She was a very pleasant, agreeable, exemplary woman.
Betsey Harmon was born November 12, 1788, and died November 7, 1853; married Samuel Gilson, by whom she had a son, Reuben H. Gilson, and two daughters—Mary, who married Henry McGlathery, of Bristol, and Julia, who married Hugh Lackey, of Youngstown, who live now in Hartsgrove, Ashtabula county. After the death of Mr. Gilson, she married Albert Opdycke, and lived in Hubbard till 1836, when they moved to Pulaski, Williams county, Ohio. where they prospered greatly—one of the happiest families to be met with anywhere. Dr. Harmon prized them both very highly, and made them two visits with his wife and other relatives, which were full of pleasure to all. Dr. Harmon was an overflowing fountain of life and fun on such occasions. His last visit was in 1854. By a break in the canal they were detained a day at Toledo. At the hotel a professional checker player had cleaned out the company at a dollar a game. Dr. Harmon wore a long dressing gown and broad brimmed hat, and gravely invited the gamester to play for amusement, which was contemptu ously refused. The gamester kept inquiring, " Well, old man, have you got your courage up to risking a dollar yet ?" "I have neve1 played for money, and am too old now tc break my rule," was the answer. The corn. pany were anxious to take their chance or the "Old Man," but the temptation was resisted till late in the afternoon the gamester grew toe impudent to be tolerated. He was relieved of five successive dollars. The broad-brim was tipped up a little, and a quizzing eye, asked if he wished to spare more. As he rose up, the hooting was more than he could stand; he paid his bill, and struck for another hotel. Dr. Harmon said he thought the scamp was worse punished than he was himself, but concluded the end justified the means. Mr. and Mrs. Opdycke had six sons and one daughter, who is the wife of 0. H. Patch, of Warren.
Lucretia Harmon was born February 11, 1791, and married William Draper, of Weathersfield, who lived but a short time. She afterwards married William Frazier, of Hubbard, moved to Trenton, Ohio, and afterwards to Dearborn, Indiana, where he died in May, 1862. Mrs. Frazier died at Dillsboro, Indiana, January, 1871, and was the last of the family of eleven children--four sons and seven daughters, of whom nine were well known by the pioneers of Trumbull county.
Hiram R. Harmon was the ninth child and second son, born at Rupert, Vermont, December 18, 1793, died at Ives Grove, Wisconsin, October 15, 1852; was a blacksmith, lived in Liberty and Brookfield a few years, then moved to Bristol, and bought the Potter farm, where he kept a hotel for many years, working at his trade some, and farming extensively. He sold his farm, and moved on one a mile west of the village, but a few years later moved West, and died of apoplexy in the harvest field about three years after, an active, industrious, honest, and capable man, and a zealous advocate of temperance and antislavery.
Heman R. Harmon was born February 12, 1798, and died December 1, 1859. He began business early in Warren as a merchant, dealt extensively in cattle, taking large droves East, and carried on a large farm near the springs. He Was at different times a member of the firm of Harmon Brothers, of Harmon & Stiles, and of E. E. Hoyt & Co., and of Harmon & Johnson. He served two terms as sheriff of the county, was an ardent politician, and an indefatigable worker in all that he undertook,—aided in the manufacture of the Heath mowing machine, and started the first one in the county. Liberal-minded, truthful and kind to all, he did work enough to have amassed a fortune. His losses grew out of adverse circumstances more than from special faults of his own.
Dr. John B. Harmon was born in Rupert, Bennington county, Vermont, October 19, 1780; was named after John Brown, a friend of his father in the Vermont Assembly. His early education was limited, but he was sufficiently acquainted with Latin to give him a good understanding of the Latin terms in use in the medical books of his day. He was correct in spelling and grammar, quick and accurate in arithmetic,
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 317
well versed in English and American history, and was fond of speculative inquiries, such as Locke's Essay on the Human Understanding, Flume's Moral, Political, and Religious Essays, etc. He was partial to poetry also, Pope, Burns, and Shakespeare he often quoted, as well as Cowper and Watts. The Bible was at his tongue's end as much as with a Methodist or Disciple minister. In politics he was a Jeffersonian, afterwards a J. Q. Adams man and Whig. In medicine he was cautious and conservative, but progressive, so as always to adopt new views and remedies so far as reason and experience showed them to be of value. In 1814-16 he abandoned venesection in camp fever. He early adopted stimulants and cold water in fevers, and chlorate potassa, tincture of iron, and digitalis in scarlet fever. Ether and chloroform he hailed at once as boons to the suffering. At seventy years of age he was more progressive than many doctors of thirty-five. He was bold and skillful in surgical operations, having a hand which remained steady to the last. But he always studied carefully every operation of danger before he began it. His knowledge of anatomy was derived largely from books and plates, but it was accurate and minute. His observation was acute to a proverb, and his sound judgment was admitted as master of all. The late Tracy Bronson, M. D., said of him: "He had the best judgment of us all. I thought I had as much science, but when we got in a pinch and didn't know what to do, he would see at a glance, and help us out."
From 1800 to 1806 he aided his father in the salt works, which were carried on extensively, and furnished salt to the settlers at distant points, as well as those nearer. He enjoyed the common sport of the day, deer and bear hunting, and was one of the most expert at an off-hand long shot. One winter he had some twenty deer strung up on a hill a mile west of the springs. The law of hunters made such property more safe than bolts and locks now make our hams and bacon. The fat of the bear was used in cooking. Dr. Harmon used to say, "with a short cake in his bosom, made from bears' oil, he could travel further on a hunt or a ride, than on any other food." One time he treed a cub, placed his gun at the foot of the tree, and his dog to guard it, and climbing secured the cub. Its cries quickly brought the she bear from the thicket, but the sagacious dog, keeping out of her reach, quickly seized her as-she essayed the tree, so at last she retreated, and Harmon descended with his cub, and regained his gun, when the bear renewed the attack. Backing off with the cub on his shoulders, and the dog at the heels of the enraged animal, while he held his gun cocked, and ready for the shot, he saw her finally give up the pursuit, and he bore his cub home in triumph.
In 1804 Dr. Enoch Leavitt settled in Leavittsburg, and Dr. Harmon resorted to him at intervals for study. In 1808 he returned from Vermont and located in Warren. His practice rapidly increased, and although the fees were low, yet they enabled him to meet his large expenses easily. Part of this time he hoarded at the tavern kept on Market street, by Colonel William W. Cotgreave, by whom he was commissioned surgeon of the Second regiment, Fifth brigade, Fourth division of the militia of the State of Ohio, on the loth day of August, 1813. This commission was repeated by Stephen Oviatt, colonel, February 5, 1817, and by Governor Worthington, July 17, 1818, only his brigade was the first, and the rank of captain was assigned to him. He was present at the attack on Fort Mackinaw in 1813. When our forces first reached the fort, Dr. Har mon urged an immediate attack, but the general delayed some three days, during which it was reinforced, and the attack was repulsed with great loss. During the fight a captain was shot with a poisoned arrow in the body. His sufferings were great, and he cried out, "Oh doctor, for God's sake give me a cup of water." A spring near by had been alternately in possession of the contending parties. The doctor got a squad of twenty men, and gained possession long enough to secure some muddy water. The captain drank a cupful and exclaimed, "Now, if I had a shot at that d—d Indian I'd die content."
On returning to Cleveland the doctor was left on the boat with his sick and wounded while the officers proceeded to the tavern. He charged them first of all to send supplies to the boat; waiting until he became impatient, he went to the hotel and found the company at table. To an invitation to a seat, he sternly replied, " He did not eat till the sick were cared for." Their
318 - TRUMBULL AND MA HONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
needs were attended to while the feasting was delayed.
Near the close of the war he resumed practice in Warren, and from this time on his rides extended greatly, reaching to Cleveland, Painesville, Ashtabula on the lake, and a long distance in all directions, as, indeed, they had previously, but now more frequently. These rides were made on horseback, and it is no wonder that he sought out the elastic, easy-gaited racer. The fast walk, easy trot, courage, and endurance made him indispensable. One night his favorite "Buck Rabbit" broke through the ice with him in crossing Musquito creek, near Captain Joseph Marvin's. The game horse struggled through ice and up the steep miry bank. The doctor rode, with his clothes froze to him, some four miles on, sat beside a woman in labor and rode home without food the next morning.
In the winter of 1816 he laid out in the woods, three miles west of Warren, in a fierce storm, his horse chained to a sapling, and himself beside a log, while the wolves kept up their howling and snapping at his horse, who kept them at bay with his heels. He lost his watch there, but noted the spot so carefully that it was found the next spring. In riding home one night the doctor fell asleep, and his horse walked a fourteen-inch stringer laid across the Mahoning rive1 at the "Wilmot center of the world," and as he stepped off the doctor wakened, to find how safely his favorite had carried him over. But sometimes. the roads were too bad fo1 the best of horses. Then the doctor went afoot with his saddle-bags on his arm, across the country as best he could. His light, agile step enabled him to do a vast deal of such pilgrimages. In one of these tramps he walked sixty-five miles, starting at break of day, seeing many patients, and reaching home at 10 o'clock at night.
In the winter of 1816 he attended a family of six children and the parents in Aurora, all down with the epidemic of typhoid pneumonia. He 1eached them each night, laid upon the hearth floor, and returned next day. Upon their recovery, he was himself taken sick. He went to the house of his mother at "Salt Springs," hired a trusty nurse, and gave her directions how to manage him in the bad turns of the disease, with the promise of his horse and saddle should he not recover. One night he was thought to be dying. Dr. John W. Seeley was sent for, but he said "Dr. John B. will be all right in the morning," and did not visit him. The nurse tided hint through, but for six months after he was so emaciated as to ride with a pillow on his saddle, and carried a cold foot, which he had to warm even in warm weather, ever after.
In 1816 he bought the frame (which had been erected the year previous) on lot forty in Warren, and in 1817 finished the story and a half dwelling, where he afterwards resided. His sisters, Mrs. Clara Leavitt and Mrs. Dunscomb, kept house for him several years. Mrs. Dunscomb was made blind by small-pox, but was a neat housekeeper; kept everything easy in her hands, could make a good shirt even, and made a good home for the doctor as well as herself, her husband having died early after his removal from Rupert to the springs in 1802. Afterwards the wife of Captain Thompson (who taught in the academy) kept house for him. In 1822, February 6th, he married Sarah Dana at Pembroke, New York. Although never engaged, an early friend had forsaken him for another, and this no doubt had led him to postpone so important an event, but at the suggestion of Mrs. Leavitt, mother of the late George Parsons, and an aunt of Miss Dana, he had obtained by letter "the promise." He drove on in a double team sleigh, was introduced to the bride to be, and the next day started for home. He could not have found one better suited to aid him in his hard toil, had he looked over New England.
Although of poor health, she kept his house in order—kept track of his patients, provided for all his home wants with economy, and left him free of all such cares as often vex men in their homes.
In the summer of 1822 Dr. Leavitt wished to operate on a Mrs. Norton for the removal of a tumor in the abdomen. Young Dr. Harmon advised against it, but Dr. Leavitt had removed a large fatty tumor from a Mrs. Gaylord some two years before, and was determined that this was like it. It proved to be a cancerous mass on the unde1 side of the liver. He handed the knife to Dr. Harmon, who dissected out several masses from the size of a goose's egg to a small pullet's egg. Dr. Leavitt staid with her six days and nights, and she recovered so as to ride to Warren, a distance of some three miles, but died about four months after. During his attendance
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 319
on her Dr. Harmon was induced by Mrs. Leavitt to adopt one of her daughters, Mitty, then a girl of eight years. She proved to be a woman of rare good sense, an elder sister to his children, and a life long faithful daughter. She was born June 23, 1814, at Hamburgh, New York; married Jacob Gimperling April 8, 1833, lived several years in Hudson, Ohio, then moved to Ravenna, where he died December 25, 1848. She 1eturned to Dr. Harmon's, and married Rev. John McLean, then in Bristol, November 4, 1863. She died in Canfield in 1878 or 1879; was a devoted Methodist from sixteen years of age, and was highly respected by many warm friends.
In 1830 Dr. Harmon was prostrated by a severe run of fever, which nearly proved fatal. In 1833 he was pulled by a colt he was leading, from his saddle, and his horse ran, dragging him by the heels in his stirrup till the breaking of the girth released him. His back was so hurt that he could not sit down or get up for a long time without help. Years after in attempting to do so he would suddenly fall helpless. But he kept at his work. In February, 1838, his horse ran away and broke his ribs and one leg, and he lay in the snow for some time till found by John McConnell, whose son William he was visiting. He was helped in his sleigh, and went on and prescribed for his patient, and was brought home before his own injuries were cared for. About 1840 a tumor formed on his left side, beneath the deep pectoral muscle. It was opened by Dr. Delamater, and again by Dr. Bronson, and a seton put in. The inflammation was severe, and was nearly fatal. In the summer of 1845 he was Again severely sick, and again in 1854 he had a congestive chill, in which for four hours he seemed to be past recovery. All of these attacks were results of excessive work and special injuries, which his iron constitution enabled him to survive.
In 1852 he 1eturned East with his wife and visited his early home and hers also. They spent six weeks of May and June in such pleasant way. He found the remains of his father's old copper mill, still at Rupert, and several boys like himself grown to be seventy and eighty years of age.
In 1854 he foreswore practice, saying that "an old man without eyes, ears, teeth or fingers had no business to be dabbling in medicine." This was not true of him, but it indicated his belief, that a man should quit before he becomes incompetent. His help, however, continued t0 be sought in counsel often, and was ever of aid to his son, who was taking his place in active work. His last case of obstetrics was in July, 1857. His practice in this branch extended over fifty-five years. He early supplied himself with a complete set of obstetrical instruments, and was expert in their use. In general surgery he was recognized as a master till the time of Ackley. In his fine sense of touch and cautious judgment he occasionally proved himself superior even to him, and the still more celebrated Mott, of New York city.
In 1838 he was sued for malpractice, in having (as was said) unnecessarily amputated a leg. The prosecution was conducted by the Hon. J. R: Giddings, with the help of Wade, Sutliff, and Ranney. The defence was made. by David Tod and R. P. Spalding. The leg had been crushed by a timber rolling down from the top of a cabin which was being raised. Doctors John W. and Sylvanus Seeley were called in, on the second day as counsel, and the operation was done. They were all sued. The unquestioned ability of the surgeons, and the fame of the counsel, gave the case great notoriety. The issue was squarely made: Had an ignorant public the right to pass judgment on the action of three eminent surgeons, who had fully considered the case at the time? Giddings claimed the right, and had succeeded a few years before in obtaining a verdict against a doctor in Ashtabula county, for not properly caring, as was charged, for an injured ankle. He was a monomaniac on the subject, as it were, and left nothing undone that a zealous and able man could do, to win his case. Tod and Spalding were equally zealous and able for the defence, and were completely successful. The expense was large. It cost Dr. Harmon more than he had ever made from surgery; but it showed to the public the essential impudence of such prosecutions, and has resulted in a better understanding of medical responsibility. There is no more sense in such a suit than there would be if a doctor should assume to prosecute three eminent lawyers for losing a case they had done their best to win, and such is the feeling now with the legal profession.
320 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
Dr. Harmon was usually a silent, thoughtful man, but when occasion called expressed himself fluently and clearly. He was outspoken in all his convictions, and gave his reasons with such force and originality as to command a respectful hearing. While opposing invariably what he thought errors in religion, he yet made firm friends among the most devout of women, and the ablest of preachers. From early days until his decease Presbyterians and Methodists, Baptists and Disciples alike patronized and honored him. Said the women, "We can't see why he thought as he did, but he was surely a good man, and he has gone to heaven." He was ever at the call of the sick, whether pay was to be had or not. He sometimes swam his horse across the Mahoning, swollen with floating ice, to meet a professional engagement. A large part of his life regular sleep was unknown to him. Within the memory of his children he has gone two weeks without undressing at home, because of daily calls. He learned to sleep on his horse, or in his sulky, and when he lay down instantly fell asleep; would awake at a call, put up medicine in his bed, give directions, and be asleep before the waiter was out of the room. He had his amusements. The fleet horse must be put to his mettle, and he delighted in the race, not for gaining but for love of the beauty and fleetness of the horse. About 1830 the "Warren Jocky Club" was formed, and a mile track was made on the John Leavitt (now James Hoyt) farm in Leavittsburg. In the spring and fall one, two, three, and four mile races were held. Sporting men came with the best racers of neighboring States. Dr. Harmon kept some of the fleetest himself. The Pennsylvania & Ohio canal went through the track and ended the sport in 1839. In boyhood he began the play of checkers, at which he soon became the best of his day. In the leisure hours of later life he often met his friends, the Seeleys, Bronson, and King, in the auditor's office, where Jacob H. Baldwin presided so long, and had a tilt. He had less fondness for back-gammon, but indulged in that occasionally with Judge Pease, Parsons, and Freeman, and others. He had become known as a checker player from Maine to New Orleans. Champion players from all parts came to play with him, only to find their superior. He excelled in whatever he undertook. His natural endowments were of the very highest order. One who had seen the leading public men of his age, both in this country and abroad, said: "He always impressed me as being the peer of any man I ever met." The last few years of his life were spent in quiet ease. Young in face, hair but slightly gray, and scarcely thinned, erect and straight as an arrow, he took his daily walks with a light step, read the news of the day and the last Medical Journal, and mingled with his friends, cheerful and thoughtful himself, and greatly revered by all.' He was taken with an acute pleuro-pneumonia in January, and died February 7, 1858.
The Cleveland Leader said of him :
Dr. Harmon was skillful and scientific, and met the largest success to which one in his profession can attain. As a man, he was true in all his relations, a faithful husband, kind father, obliging neighbor, steadfast, generous friend, patriotic citizen, a helper in every good work, a great, good, and true man—" we ne'er shall look upon his like again."
His wife, Sarah (Dana) Harmon, was born in Enfield, Connecticut, September 24, 1796: was the seventh daughter of Daniel and Dorothy (Kibbee) Dana. Her father was born in Ashford, Connecticut, September 16, 176o, and died in Warren, November 8, 1839. He graduated at Yale college, and was a studious man of letters ; of the fifth generation from Richard Dana, who immigrated from France, and died at Cambridge, Massachusetts, April 2, 169o. Miss Dana was delicate in health, barely escaping death in early womanhood by consumption ; but had perseverance and energy sufficient to enable her to meet the demands of her day with ample success. She was a friend to all ; her "charity covered a multitude of sins " in the erring, and her household gifts were ever at the disposal of the young, who lacked in the requisites of good housekeeping. She toiled hard to bring up the family, and was anxious to see them educated as well as possible. In the evenings her kitchen table was set for her boys to study, and with the intuitive tact of woman, she could help them to learn what she did not know herself. She was a natural cook, and delighted in surprising her family with new dishes. The love of flowers was strong within her, and she kept as many in her door-yard as economy would permit. She early became a member of the Presbyterian church, and remained a quiet, unobtrusive, but firm and consistent member. After the death of
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 321
her husband, she gave up the cares of the house, and led an easy, cheerful life till its close, November 6, 1868.
They had six children. John B. Harmon, Jr., born October 29, 1822; graduated at Yale in 1842, a lawyer of San Francisco; grand master of Odd Fellows in 1878-79, to whom they gave a grand reception in Warren October 4, 1878, in which the citizens universally joined, making it by far the grandest celebration ever held in Warren, if not in the State. Six hundred and seventy-two guests sat at the table at one time in the Methodist church, details of which may be found on another page, in the History of Odd Fellowship.
Doctor Julian Harmon, born August r, 1824; graduated at Western Reserve college August, 1846, at Cleveland Medical college February 28, 1849; practiced with his father till March 1, 1854; continued alone till June, 1860, when Dr. J. T. Smith formed a partnership with him. Smith went out, as assistant surgeon with the Second Ohio volunteer cavalry in 1861. Dr. Harmon continued his rides during the war, during which his practice became very extensive. In the winter of 1862-63 he rode horseback through snow and mud for ninety consecutive days, a, trip of from thirty-two to fifty-two miles, going on foot evenings and mornings around the town. One night he walked . between 8 and 11 o'clock six miles, after a ride of fifty-one miles. Small and delicate, he seemed unfitted for such work, and was induced to ente1 the drug business in September, 1865. He left it April 1, 1868, having lost some $16,000. His wife had died six weeks previous, and he was, in consequence, deprived of the help he relied on, which made his pecuniary loss greater. He resumed practice in his old office, with Dr. Metcalf, till April, 1875, since when he has been alone. He has acted as examining surgeon for Trumbull county, for pensions, for sonic twenty years; is art active member of Trumbull county, Northeastern Ohio, and the State Medical societies, and has been a trustee of the Newburg insane asylum and of the Western Reserve college.
He married J. Rebecca Swift, daughter of George and Olive (Kinsman) Swift, July 3o, 1857, by whom he has two daughters and one son. He was married again, June 6, 1871, to Mary E. Bostwick, daughter of L. L. and Margaret (Wetmore) Bostwick, of Canfield, by whom he has one son living, an elder one having died October 26, 1881. He himself was severely sick from thirteen to nineteen years of age, and in 1851, and again in 1871 was nearly cut off by erysipelas of head and neck. In 1840 he was prostrated nine weeks by jaundice, and has had no light burden of infirmity to contend with a large part of his life.
The loss of Captain Harmon's son Ellis, (whom he had adopted) at thirteen years of age., and his own son, Charlie, at nine years, both by malignant diphtheria, were severe disappointments of his hopes in the future. The sudden loss of his wife, February 13, 1868, made a black chasm across his pathway. Brilliant and sociable, unwearying and devoted as a wife and mother, generous and helpful, she was taken away just when she would have been of the highest value to him and their children. His sister was a close friend and intellectual companion and adviser, whose recent loss has added heavily to his burdens. Amid all, he has remained true to his manhood. Integrity unsullied, and elastic in spirits, he bids fair to keep his ship afloat awhile longer, and bring her to port in good trim at last. As .a physican he has been prompt in attendance, quick to recognize and skillful in combating the dangerous forms of disease. He was eminently successful in 1854 during an epidemic of vesicular bronchitis among children. During the great prevalence of scarlet fever and diphtheria in 1861-62-63 and 1864 he lost but very few out of a large number of cases. In the gravest accidents of obstetric practice he has been prompt, skillful and successful. For many years he acted as surgeon for the Cleveland & Mahoning, and Atlantic & Great Western railroads, and has managed some desperately bad cases with most gratifying success. Unassuming in manners, devoid of all trickery, frank in speech, clear in convictions, enthusiastic in the love of his profession, he may fairly be called a chlp from the granite block.
Captain Charles R. Harmon was born November 4, 1826. Active and restless as a child, he abhorred the confinement of school, but when the fit was on him, would learn in a few weeks all that his mates had spent a full term on. At thirteen he entered the store of E. E. Hoyt & Co. as clerk, and remained there till 1846, when
322 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
he became a clerk with T. P. Ellis & Co., of New York city, dealers in hardware. March 5, 1848, he married Mary, daughte1 of James and Sarah (Heywood) Hezlep, of Girard, Ohio, and established himself in the hardware business at Warren, in company with Edward E. Hoyt, under the firm name of Harmon & Co. Mr. Hoyt withdrew their part of the business from the firm of E. E. Hoyt & Co., and Charlie pushed the business to a large extent. Warren Packard and James G. Brooks were his clerks. In a few years the firm was dissolved, and he continued the business alone. Packard was started in a separate store with $1,200 worth of goods bought by Harmon, who was a silent partner with Mr. Packard for three years.
In 1854 Mr. Harmon formed a partnership with H. A. Opdycke, but continued in business only a few months. An uncurbed passion for sport brought his business to a close. Soon after, he moved to Iowa, remained there one or two years, and returned to Warren.
With the aid of relatives he built a house on Washington avenue, published a spicy sheet in the interest 0f the Mecca oil business for about a year, enlisted in company F of the Twenty- fourth Ohio volunteer infantry as a private, was in the Western Virginia campaign in Colonel Ammon's brigade, served as a valuable scout, and enjoyed the hearty respect of Colonel Ammon. He was home 0n a recruiting furlough with rank of lieutenant. In February and March, 1862, he rejoined his regiment with his recruits immediately after the battle of Shiloh, was the first soldier over the defences at Corinth, and was in the march from Alabama to Louisville when the race was run on quarter rations.
In a letter to the Spirit of the Times he gave a vivid caricature of the performance under the signature of "Reuben."
At the battle of Perryville he wrote home:
Here we are, fifty-five thousand men in arms, anxious to fight. The country is rolling and our cannon could sweep it, but we will have no order to move. Buell will let McCook be slaughtered, he will never fight unless he is forced to; then he would go in grandly to save his reputation. Our officers Say it is only a skirmish, but every private as well as officer know it is death to McCook and his men.
At the battle of Stone River the lieutenant- colonel was shot at the outset. In the afternoon Lieutenant Harmon and men were ordered down flat, to cool their guns and let our cannon play
over them; raising his head a little upon his hands, lie encouraged his men, humming, "Who would not be a brave soldier boy?" A sharpshooter up a neighboring tree sent a bullet through his brain. While being carried back, Major Terry (then in command) said, "Halt, let me see him." As he leaned forward the same gun brought him to the ground, as he was saying "Oh, God, but it's hard." All the officers were picked off save one captain, who had more discretion than valor. The sharpshooter was seen at last, and a volley riddled him.
The commission of captain was mailed Lieutenant Harmon by Governor Tod the day he was killed, and after long discussion between Commissioner Bartlett. and Dr. J. Harmon as to the pension his widow was entitled to, the commission was returned home by the valiant captain, who had kept it till after the battle at Chickamauga. The same day came the pension as lieutenant. Dr. Harmon forwarded both to Washington, and soon after President Lincoln issued an order that in all such cases the soldier should be put on the rolls as if he had received his commission and been formally mustered-in. He had been acting captain for some six months, and justice was done his widow by the effect of the order.
Captain Harmon was naturally extremely sensitive to suffering, and not till after long effort could he see blood without fainting, yet he was cool, brave, and daring in the extreme.
Although addicted to sport, he was rigidly temperate, and would not permit liquor or tobacco to the young in his employ. He was a courteous and very popular salesman, and could command a high salary. When pressed with poverty, he was offered a salary of one thousand dollars to enter a grocery and liquor store in Warren, but said "he would starve sooner than engage in such work." He was a very sociable and attractive man, correct in business,. a ready writer, furnishing a play Or school exhibitions, or a racy letter to the Chronicle from the army, with ease. His companions in arms honored and trusted him. Had fate spared him his career would have been one of continued and increasing success. When he arrived at Louisville from Alabama, the news reached him of the death of his twin son Ellis, by diphtheria. The blow was cruel indeed. He wrotehome, "If ever I return, I
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES; OHIO - 323
shall be looking for the dear boy, with a longing earth can not fill. If I fall, let my body rest where it falls." The cemetery at Murfresboro holds the remains of few men so brave, unselfish, and capable as was Captain Charles R. Harmon.
Edward D. Harmon was born May 1, 1831; clerked for his brother, Charles R., some time ; went to California in March, 1853 ; returned and married Marie Metcalf, of Newark, Ohio, in the summer or fall of 1868. He is a prosperous farmer and real estate dealer in Oakland, California.
Sarah D. Harmon, their .only daughter, was born April 3, 1833, and died in Warren, July 6, 1880. She was highly educated, and taught in the grammar and high schools of Warren, Dunkirk, Columbus, Elkhart, and Poughkeepsie, (Select Ladies seminary,) and also in Sanford's seminary, at Cleveland. Never robust, she overworked in her school duties, and wore herself out prematurely, but had done a good life's work with great success, and bore a year and a half of intense suffesing with great courage and resignation, and the firm hope of an humble Christian woman.
Their youngest child, Willie, was born June 3o, 1835, and died April Jo, 1836, a pet favorite with his father, never forgotten. The stern, stoical man years after would drop a tear when, coming to his home, some incident would recall his babe. The inner feelings of such men are seldom understood. A few years before his death, a poor woman said to him, "Oh doctor, you can't imagine how I felt when my child was scalded." "Ah, mother," he said, "yes I do; my youngest brother was scalded to death, over fifty years ago, and I hear his cries again every time I am called to care for such a case." This acute sensibility, coupled with resolute courage and self control, is largely enstamped upon his children, softened in some more than in others, by the quiet tenderness of his wife.
JACOB PERKINS*
was born at Warren, September 1, 1822, being next to the youngest of the children of General Simon Perkins. In his early years Jacob Perkins developed a strong inclination for study, acquiring knowledge with unusual facility and gratifying his intense passion for reading useful works by every means within his power. He commenced fitting himself for college at the Burton academy, then under the direction of Mr. H. L. Hitchcock, afterwards president of the Western Reserve college, and completed his ,reparation at Middletown, Connecticut, in the school of Isaac Webb. He entered Yale college in 1837. While in college he was distinguished for the elegance of his style and the wide range of his literary acquirements. He delivered the philosophic oration at his junior exhibition, and was chosen second editor of Yale Literary Magazine, a position in which he took great interest and filled to the satisfaction and pride cf his class. His college course was, however, interrupted by a long and severe illness before the close of his junior year, which compelled him ..o leave his studies and (to his permanent regret) Prevented him from graduating with his own class. He returned the following year and was graduated with the class of 1842.
He entered his father's office at Warren, and was occupied with its business until upon the death of his father, some two years afterward, he became one of his executors.
During his residence at Warren he appeared occasionally before home audiences as a public speaker, and always with great acceptance. In politics he early adopted anti-slavery principles, then not the popular doctrine, and they were always freely and openly advocated.
Without solicitation he was nominated and elected a member of the convention that framed the present constitution of Ohio. His associates from the district were judges Peter Hitchcock and R. P. Ranney, and although "he was the youngest member but one of the convention, and in the minority, his influence and position were excelled by few." He was one of the Senatorial Presidential electors for Ohio on the Fremont ticket in 1856. In the intellectual progress of the young about him, and the building up of schools and colleges, he took especial interest.
* From Mahoning Valley Collections.
324 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
He first suggested and urged the adoption of the conditions of the present permanent fund of Western Reserve college rather than to solicit unconditional contributions, which experience had proved were so easily absorbed by present necessities, and left the future as poor as the past. In connection with his brothers he made the first subscription to that fund.
The wisdom of his suggestion was subsequently shown when, during the rupture and consequent embarrassment under which the college labored, the income of this fund had a very important, if not vital, share in saving it from abandonment, and afterwards proved the nucleus of its present endowments. He was always efficient in favoring improvements. He was associated with Hon. F. Kinsman and his brother in founding the beautiful Woodland cemetery at Warren. The land was purchased and the ground laid out by them, and then transferred to the present corporation.
Soon after his return from the constitutional convention he became interested in the Cleveland & Mahoning railroad. He was most influential in obtaining the charter and organizing the company, of which he was elected president, and became the principal, almost sole, financial manager. Owing to prior and conflicting railroad interests, little aid could be obtained for his project in either of the terminal cities, Cleveland and Pittsburg, and the work was commenced in 1853 with a comparatively small stock subscription. A tightening money market prevented considerable increase of the stock list or a favorable disposition of the stock of the road, and the financial crisis, a few years afterwards, so reduced the value of the securities of this, as of all unfinished railroads, as practically to shut them out of the market. In this emergency the alternative presented itself to Mr. Perkins and his resident directors, either to abandon the enterprise and bankrupt the company, with the entire loss of the amount expended, or to push it forward to completion by the pledge and at the risk of their private fortunes, credit, and reputations. In this, the darkest day of the enterprise, Mr. Perkins manifested his confidence in its ultimate success, and his generous willingness to meet fully his share of the hazard to be incurred by proposing to them jointly with him to assume that risk, and agreeing that, in case of disaster, he would himself pay the first $100,000 of loss, and thereafter share it equally with them. With a devotion to the interests intrusted to them, a determination rarely equalled in the history of our railroad enterprises, they unanimously accepted this proposition, and determined to complete the road, at least to a remunerative point in the coal fields of the Mahoning valley. The financial storm was so much more severe and longer continued than the wisest had calculated upon, that for years the result was regarded by them and the friends of the enterprise with painful suspense.
In the interest of the road Mr. Perkins spent the spring of 1854 in England, without achieving any important financial results. At length, in 1856, the road was opened to Youngstown, and its receipts, carefully husbanded, began slowly to lessen the floating debt—by that time grown to frightful proportions, and carried solely by the pledge of the private property and credit of the president and Ohio directors. These directors, consisting of Hon. Frederick Kinsman and Charles Smith, Esq., of Warren; Governor David Tod, of Briar Hill; Judge Reuben Hitchcock, of Painesville; and Dudley Baldwin, Esq., of Cleveland, by the free use of their widely known and high business credit, without distrust or dissension, sustained the president through that long and severe trial—a trial which can never be realized, except by those who shared its burdens. The president and these directors should ever be held in honor by the stockholders of the company, whose investments they saved from utter loss, and by the business men of the entire Ma- honing valley, and not less by the city of Cleveland, for the mining and manufacturing interests developed by their exertion and sacrifices lie at the very foundation of the present prosperity of both.
Before, however, the road was enabled to free itself from financial embarrassment so as to commence making a satisfactory return to the stockholders, which Mr. Perkins was exceedingly anxious to see accomplished under his own presidency, his failing health compelled him to leave its active management, and he died before the bright day dawned upon the enterprise.
He said to a friend, during his last illness, with characteristic distinctness, "If I die, you may inscribe on my tombstone, Died of the Ma-
PICTURE OF JUDGE FRANCIS FREEMAN
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 325
honing Railroad;" so great has been his devotion to the interests of the road, and so severe the personal exposures which its supervision had required of him, who was characteristically more thoughtful Of every interest confided to his care than of his own health.
He was married October 24, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth 0. Tod, daughter of Dr. J. I. Tod, of Milton, Trumbull county, Ohio, and removed his family lo Cleveland in 1856. Of three children only one, Jacob Bishop, survives him. Mrs. Perkins died of rapid consumption June 4, 1857, and his devoted attention at the sick-bed of his wife greatly facilitated the development of the same insidious disease, which was gradually to undermine his own naturally vigorous constitution.
The business necessities of his road, embarrassed and pressing as they were, united with his uniform self-forgetfulness, prevented his giving attention to his personal comfort and health long after his friends saw the shadow of the destroyer falling upon his path. He was finally, in great prostration of health and strength, compelled to leave the active duties of the road, and spent the latter part of the winter of 1857-58 in the Southern States, but returned in the spring with little or no improvement. He continued to fail during the summer, and in the fall of 1858 he again went South, in the vain hope of at least Physical relief, and died in Havana, Cuba, January 12, 1859. His remains were embalmed and brought home by his physician, who had accompanied him, and were interred at Warren in Woodland cemetery, where so many of his family repose around him. A special train from each end of the Cleveland & Mahoning railroad brought the board of directors and an unusually large number of business and personal friends, to join the long procession which followed "the last of earth" to its resting-place.
One of the editorial notices of his death at the time very justly remarks of him :
He was a man of mark and through strength of talent, moral firmness, and urbanity of manner, wielded an influence seldom possessed by a man of his years. In addition to his remarkable business capacity, Mr. Perkins was a man of high literary taste, which was constantly improving and enriching his mind. He continued, even amid his pressing business engagements, his habits of study and general reading.
Mr. Perkins belonged to that exceptional class of cases in which great wealth inherited does not injure the recipient.
An editorial article in a Warren paper, mentioning his death, says:
He was born in this town in 1821, and from his boyhood exhibited a mental capacity and energy which was only the promise of the brilliancy of his manhood. To his exertion, his personal influence, and liberal investment of capital, the country is indebted for the Cleveland & Mahoning railroad. To his unremitting labor in this enterprise he has sacrificed personal comfort and convenience, and, we fear, shortened his days by his labors and exposure in bringing he work to completion. Known widely as Mr. Perkins has been by his active part in public enterprises, his loss will be felt throughout the State ; but we, who have known him both as boy and man, have a deeper interest in him ; and the sympathies of the people of Warren with his -relatives will have much of the nature of personal grief for one directly connected with them.
Said a classmate in the class-meeting of 1862:
Although his name on the catalogue ranks with the class of 1842, his affections were with us, and he always regarded himself of our number. He visited New Haven frequently during the latter part of his life, in connection with a railway enterprise in which he was interested, and exhibited the same large-heartedness and intellectual superiority which won for him universal respect during his college course.
JUDGE FRANCIS FREEMAN
was a conspicuous figure in Warren business affairs for nearly half a century. He was born in Amenia, Dutchess county, New York, June 7, 1779. During his youth he acquired a good education in the schools of his native county. On leaving school he engaged for some time in the lumber trade, but western emigration and settlement had opened a more profitable field for enterprise. His first visit to Ohio was made in 1803. Warren had been made the county seat of the whole Reserve, and was regarded as having excellent prospects for growth. This fact determined Mr. Freeman's choice of location. He returned to New York to close out his business there, which was accomplished in about two years. His brother joined him in the removal to Warren, and each purchased a farm. This purchase was the foundation of Mr. Freeman's future wealth, and shows his characteristic business sagacity. A large part of his tract was within the present city limits, being that part lying south of the Cleveland & Mahoning railroad. Being a man of powerful physique and vigorous health, he was enabled to accomplish with cheerfulness the rugged labor of clearing and cultivating new land. His business qualifications and business habits were soon recognized
326 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
by his neighbors. He was one of the original stockholders of the Western Reserve bank, and was chosen one of the first board of directors. He continued a director until his death, being during the whole period one of the most influential members of the board. A prominent trait of his business character was rigid and judicious economy. This he exercised both in private and public transactions, and acquired the reputation of being a "safe" man. His voice and vote in bank directors' meetings always received the respect of his associates, who were, during the whole history of the bank representative business men.
In 1832 Mr. Freeman was chosen one of the associate justices of the court of common pleas, and held the position for seven years. The three associate justices under the old judicial system transacted the probate and minor judiciary business, and during terms of court sat upon the bench with the presiding judge. Their place and subordinate dignity upon the bench gave them the appellation of "side judges." Mr. Freeman had previously served sixteen years as treasurer of Trumbull county. He succeeded John Leavitt after the death of the latter in 1815, and was regularly chosen to the position at the election following. He was successively re-elected until the expiration of his eighth regular term in 1831. It will be seen that with the exception of one brief interval he was in continuous official life twenty-three years. Mr. Freeman sold his farm to a company of capitalists, realizing a handsome profit on his original investment. During his older years he had extensive real estate interests in the vicinity of Warren, which occupied a large portion of his business energy. Physically Judge Freeman was one of the largest men in the county, being tall, round- featured, and broad-shouldered. He married January 27, 1817, Lyndia, only daughter of Samuel and Abigail Kent Leavitt. She was born at Rupert, Vermont, July 5, 1785. She was married in 18o7, to Joseph Hopkins, who died a few years afterward.
The family of Francis and Lyndia Freeman consisted of three children: Samuel L., the only son, was born March 29, 1823, married in 1846, Charlotte L. Tod, and has been identified with commercial and banking business in Warren until recently; Laura Abigail was born August 24,. 1819, was married to Charles Hickox in 1843, and resides in Cleveland; Olive, born October 25, 1825, was married to Albert Morley July 9, 1851, and died in Warren February 12, 1866.
Judge Freeman died in Warren September 8, 1855. Mrs. Freeman survived her husband nearly twelve years, the date of her death being April 20, 1867.
HON. GEORGE MYGATT.
This venerable gentleman, for many years a resident of Trumbull county, now residing in Cleveland, was born in Danbury, Connecticut, June 14, 1797. His parents were Comfort S. and Lucy (Knapp) Mygatt, who were among the pioneers of Canfield, now Mahoning county. They came from Danbury to Ohio in the summer of 1807, arriving in Canfield on the 7th day of July.
Comfort S. Mygatt was engaged in mercantile business in Canfield some sixteen years. Soon after coining to Canfield he entered into partnership with Herman Canfield and Zalmon Fitch, under the firm name of Mygatt, Canfield & Fitch, and opened a general store. The firm was dissolved after about two years, and the business was continued by Mr. Mygatt during the remainder of his life. He had been a member of the Connecticut Legislature before removing to Ohio. He died in October, 1823.
George Mygatt obtained his education in the common school, but enjoyed very limited advantages after the removal of the family to Ohio. He entered the employ of the Western Reserve bank at Warren in 1818. He carried on a mercantile business in Warren for about five years; was county tax collector in the fall of 1821. He was elected sheriff of Trumbull county in .1829, and re-elected in 1831, serving four years. He removed to Huron county in 1834, and was cashier of the Bank of Norwalk, residing there about two years. He removed to Painesville, and was cashier of the Bank of Geauga county for ten years. In 1846 he removed to Cleveland, where he now resides, and was subsequently elected president of the City bank of Cleveland, which position he held four years. He was a member of the firm of Mygatt & Brown, private bankers in Cleveland six years. He was elected to the Legislature from Cuyahoga county in 1855,
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 327
and served two years. From 1857 to 1861 he was cashier of the Merchants' hank, of Cleveland; was afterwards secretary and treasurer of the Cleveland & Mahoning railroad company for six years, holding that positron till February, 1871, when he retired from active business. This bare recital, of facts in the life of Mr. Mygatt shows it to have been one of remarkable activity, and his industry and activity have been attended with equal success. He was married in 1820 to Miss Eliza Freeman, daughter of Robert Freeman, one of the early settlers of Braceville township. Mrs. Mygatt was born in New York State April 28, 1797. This union was blessed with six children, only one of whom survives, viz: Lucy, now widow of Franklin T. Backus.
THE HOYT FAMILY.
The name Hoyt occurs so frequently in the preceding pages, relating to the civil and industrial history of Warren that a brief sketch of the family will be of interest in this connection. Lewis Hoyt was a native of Norwalk, Connecticut, and was born in the year 1782. It was the custom of all well-to-do young men in those days to learn a trade. Mr. Hoyt served an apprenticeship in a hatter's shop, the manufacture of hats being a profitable branch of industry. Re married, in 1804, Abigail Mygatt, whose father, Comfort S. Mygatt, soon after removed to the Western Reserve and settled at Canfield. Mr. Hoyt also began to seek a more promising field for his business, and accordingly wrote to his brother-in-law, Elisha Whittlesey, at Canfield, asking whether that would be a good point for a hatter. Mr. Whittlesey, with characteristic humor, replied that "people out West were born without hats on." In 1808 he removed from Connecticut with his family, then consisting of a wife and two children, and from that date Canfield was his home. He died in Cleveland in October, 1828. Mrs. Abigail Hoyt lived to the age of eighty-two years, the date of her death became August 27, 1867. Their family consisted of six children, one of whom, Eli, died in early manhood.
Lucy n. married John C. Smith in 1826. They lived on Long Island, New York, until after his death. She then removed to Warren.
Edward E. Hoyt was born in Danbury, Connecticut, in July, 1807. He served seven years apprenticeship at the harness and saddlery trade in Warren. In 1832 he engaged in mercantile pursuits, to which he gave exclusive attention until the time of his death, which occurred June 2o, 1864. He was a man of quiet manners and close business habits. He married in Hubbard, Trumbull county, Martha L. Callander, who is living. Four children are living—two sons and two daughters. Edward W. has been city clerk for a number of years ; John S. is sheriff of Trumbull county. The daughters are Abigail M. (Briscoe) and Frances A. (Jameson).
Comfort L., second son of Lewis Hoyt, was born in Canfield, August 2, 1811. He clerked in Warren for some years, and then removed to Painesville, where he was in the banking business twenty-eight years. He was married three times. His death occurred in Painesville, July 20, 1866.
For almost half a century James Hoyt has been one of the most active, vigilant, and public spirited citizens in Warren. He was born in Canfield, February 22, 1814. At the age of fourteen he began learning the saddlery trade in Warren under the direction of Henry Stiles, and served six years apprenticeship. He worked at the trade until 1851, but was also in partnership with his brother, Edward E., engaged in mercantile business, having purchased an interest in 1837. He retired from the store after the death of his brother in 1864. Mr. Hoyt married March 26, 1840, Elizabeth Brown, of Warren. Their family consisted of two sons, Eli S., who is dead, and James B., who resides in Warren. A prominent characteristic of Mr. Hoyt is the interest he takes in public affairs. He was a member of the first fire company organized in Warren, and has ever since been watchful of the public safety. Since Warren has been made an incorporated city, he has been marshal, recorder, mayor, and councilman (a part of the time being president of that body), making twelve years consecutive service. He had previously under the village government served four years as mayor, and three years in the council. He was township treasurer nineteen years, and for seven years held the office of assistant assessor of internal revenue. Mr. Hoyt is especially mentioned by the writer of the history of Mahoning lodge, I. 0. 0. F., as a
328 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
zealous and active member. During the war he was a member of the local military committee, and m that capacity did effective work in the Union cause. A man so prominently connected with public affair:, of local character could not expect to escape criticism, but his unselfish devotion to the public good has never been questioned, and on the whole his management of affairs entrusted to him has been entirely satisfactory.
Lewis Hoyt, the youngest of the sons of Lewis Hoyt, Sr.,was born at Canfield, June 15, 1816. He has been in mercantile business in Warren since 1837. His specialty for a number of years was drugs, and he acquired the reputation of being an expert pharmacist. He is at present engaged in the drug business. He married in 1847, Sarah M. Spear, of Warren. They have three children, Comfort L., Abigail, and Annie.
GEORGE TAYLER.
In this register of Warren business men, more than passing notice must be made of George Tayler, who was for twenty-three years cashier of the Western Reserve bank, and on the organization of the First National bank, was chosen to the cashiership of that institution. His father, James Tayler, IN as born in Pennsylvania, his parents being natives of the north of Ireland. He married Jane Walker, and settled in Franklin county. In 1814 they removed to Beaver county, and in 1815 came to Youngstown township. He purchased on Mill creek a fulling mill and wool factory, which he operated for several years. In the year 1831 Mr. Tayler removed to Youngstown. His death occurred in 1834. Their family consisted of nine children, only one of whom, Jane, the oldest, is living. Robert and James D. were lawyers respectively in Youngstown and Warren, and are spoken of in other parts of this volume. John was a commission merchant at Warren ; Nancy was married to Dr. Adair, of Poland, and Susannah to John B. Canfield, of Warren ; Albert, the youngest son, died in Youngstown ; a sketch of Matthew B., the third son, follows in this connection. George Tayler was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1811. While his parents resided on Mill creek, in Youngstown township, he assisted in the woolen factory and on the farm, and in the meantime attended the district school. After spending a term or two at the Youngstown academy, he began the study of law, in 1832, in the office of Burchard & Tod at Warren. Tod was postmaster at that time, and his student was employed so much of the time in the post-office, that his study was seriously interfered with. This, after all, was probably a fortunate circumstance, for it threw Mr. Tayler into a business instead of a professional channel. What he might have become as a lawyer can only be guessed ; that he possessed business qualifications of a high order he proved by a highly successful career. In 1835, having left the law office and the post-office, we find him employed as clerk to the treasurer of the Pennsylvania and Ohio canal, then in course of construction. The following year he accepted a situation in the Western Reserve bank, at Warren. That he proved himself faithful and efficient is shown by the fact that upon the death of Mr. Hickox, he was the choice of the directors for the cashiership. This position he held in the Western Reserve bank, and in its successor, the First National hank, until his death, which occurred May 25, 1864. During the twenty-eight years of his connection with the hank, he proved himself worthy of the confidence which the directors placed in him. Competent, honest, and courteous, he won the confidence of all with whom he came in contact, both in business and social relations. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and practiced the faith he professed. yr. Tayler was married April 25, 1837, to Elizabeth Woodbridge, who still survives. Six of their family lived to mature age. The monument which marks the grave of Mr. Tayler was erected by the bank directors as a tribute to his memory.
MATTHEW B. TAYLER.
Matthew B. Tayler was the third son and fourth child of James and Jane Walker Tayler, whose settlement near Youngstown has been noted. He was born at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1815. His boyhood was spent on the farm in Youngstown township his time being divided between farm work and attendance upon the country school. And his parents re-
PICTURE OF MATTHEW B. TAYLER
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 329
moved to the village of Youngstown, he became a pupil at the "academy," where he completed what may be termed a good business education. At the age of eighteen years he embarked upon a business career. From this time forward his life was one of earnest, ceaseless activity, and in that, chiefly, was the secret of his success. His life furnishes an example of the value of early discipline. It was the close application and solicitous care which he gave to every transaction in his younger years that moulded the character of the exemplary and trustworthy business man. Mr. Tayler's first experience was in the dry-goods business in the store of W. H. Goodhue, at Warren. He continued in the dry-goods trade six years, until 1839, when he entered the Western Reserve bank as teller. When the bank closed its accounts under the first charter in 1843, Mr. Tayler embarked in the forwarding and commission business on the Pennsylvania and Ohio canal. This was his first independent venture, and gave him a wider and freer field of action than he had hitherto occupied. Year after year the business grew and satisfactory gains rewarded his enterprise and labor. While not actively employed in the old bank he became connected with its business in 1849, in the capacity of director, a position which he held until the bank closed out its business in 1863. He subsequently became one of the first directors of the First National hank, and sustained that relation until his death.
Mr. Tayler, in 1856, discontinued the canal trade and became a member of the coal firm of Tod & Yates, subsequently Tod, Yates & Tayler. The office of the company was at Cleveland, but his family remained in Warren. After about five years he severed his connection with the firm.
In 1864., after the death of George Tayler, the directors of the First National bank showed their confidence in his brother, Matthew B., by choosing him to the vacant cashiership. From that time until his death he discharged the duties of that office.
Mr. Tayler was married March 17, 1841, to Miss Adaline A. Hapgood, daughter of George Hapgood. A family of eleven children blessed this union, all of whom are living. In this large and interesting family the father took great pride and interest. Always loving, always indulgent, always gentle, he found in the home circle a quieting refuge from every troubling care incident to active employments. Mr. Tayler in 1840 became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and during the forty years of his connection with that society he was always found pure, tender and sincere. Mr. Tayler was religious because he believed in Christianity, he was charitable because it gave him pleasure to relieve suffering and want. Many unfortunate people lost a full-hearted friend and assistant when he died.
During the month of November, 1880, Mr. Tayler complained considerably of indisposition, but with that will and determination which characterized all his conduct he remained at his post of duty. On November 22d he was compelled to yield, and at 8 o'clock on the following morning, November 23d, he died. The funeral services were held in the church of which he was a member November 26th. As a token of the universal respect in which he was held all business was suspended during the sad funeral hour.
Mr. Tayler was a man of medium height, broad shouldered, full-chested and compact body. His large face wore a settled and benevolent expression. His eyes and hair were dark. Native affability quickly won the friendship of people with whom he came in contact, qualities of character held the friendship of those with whom he associated. His manner was warm, hearty and sympathetic. No better analysis of his character or tribute to his memory can be written than the memorial prepared by his business associates:
When honored men pass away, it is well for us to consider those elements of character through which they won honor and achieved success. Mr. Tayler was a modest, retinng man, seeking not the approbation of his fellows so much as the approval of a good conscience, and yet was he honored of all who knew him, and of none so much as those who knew him best. In qualities of mind and heart he was worthy of the esteem he secured from all.
He was a man of a remarkably clear and well-poised judgment. Everything submitted to his consideration was carefully examined and well weighed before a decision was given. He had the rare faculty of retiring all extraneous questions, and personal influences, and judging of things upon their merits alone; his decisions were, therefore, accepted, and relied upon, as just, wise and conclusive. In matters of great interest, and in times of deep excitement, his equanimity was undisturbed, and his judgment unclouded.
He was a man capable of making fine moral distinctions, and was pre-eminently a lover of justice. Everything in his own conduct and life was harmoniously keyed thereto. No individual interest, no financial gains, no bias of friendship could make him deviate from the way commanded by the
330 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
strictest justice, and the most uncompromising righteousness. He was as true to the claims of honesty and probity as the chronometer to the hour of midnight.
He was a man of convictions, and dared to maintain them. Such was the constitution of his mind that he loved truth, and in his eye it was of great price. He would not yield to error; he made no compromise with it. Liberal, charitable in his thinking, he nevertheless paid homage to the truth as it came to him, and refused to part with it. Unobtrusive in his opinions he was firmness itself in holding his beliefs. He regarded beliefs as the constructors of character, and character as priceless. A man of great strength of will, he was not obstinate—obstinacy seeks not for reasons; his opinions and decisions were always supported by them.
He was successful in business and gained a competence; but he used it not for selfish gratification. He was a man of benevolence and kindness of heart; a generous contributor to those institutions of society upon which its stability and excellency depend. He had an ear to hear the wants of mankind, a heart to feel for them, and an open purse to relieve them. Many were the objects of his charity who received his bounty not knowing whence it came. He was a friend of the poor, a distributor to the needy. Attentive to business and bearing heavy responsibilities, he yet found time for the discharge of those social obligations which devolve upon men in his station, and those church obligations which devolve upon the Christian. As a friend, none could be truer, more reliable, tnore constant.
He was a true Christian man. This is saying much, but there are none who knew him that will question it. His experience, his deeds, his life all bear witness to the great fact. He carried his religion into his business, and business into his religion. No man in the city of Warren commanded a larger share of the public confidence in his Christian integrity. He was an example of a Christian business man to whom reference may be made with great assurance. For forty years he lived in communion with the Methodist Episcopal church, of Warren, Ohio—a pillar, a wise counsellor. a safe guide. The uniform testimony of that large, intelligent church to his simple, unaffected piety, his liberality, and the wisdom of his counsels, is a witness to his character that cannot be misinterpreted. The esteem in which he was held by the citizens of Warren and the business communities adjacent, is a proof that no ordinary man has passed away. Such men are rare, and dying, they leave vacancies that go unfilled for a generation.
GEORGE HAPGOOD.
Few men become better known in the county in which they reside, than the editors of country newspapers. It is the business of the newspaper man to find out and narrate current happenings. He is consulted on matters of general information, of public opinion, and of general policy. For this reason, to the man of social temperament and painstaking habits, the position is fascinating; that it was so to Mr. Hapgood is shown by the fact that for a period of twenty-three years he remained connected with one paper. He was born in Petersham, Worcester county, Massachusetts, August 9, 1795, and died at Warren September 2, 1861. Little is known of his boyhood beyond the fact that he learned the printing trade in the office of the New England Farmer, of which Thomas G. Fessenden was editor, Brattleboro, Vermont. Having completed his appren ticeship, in the spring of 1817 Mr. Hapgood came westward, traveling on foot as far as Albany, New York, where he found employment of a temporary character. In December, 1817, he arrived in Warren, the place which he subsequently adopted as his home. He became connected with the Western Reserve Chronicle in a short time, and purchased an interest in the office in 1819. Until 1835 his work was chiefly in the mechanical department, but at that date he assumed the active editorship. The paper was strongly Whig in argument, as the editor was Whig in feeling. Glancing through the files, we find much in praise of "the gallant Harry of Kentucky"—Clay, and nothing against the Van Buren Democrat was too severe to be excluded from the Chronicle's columns. It is presumed that Mr. Hapgood's political services were brought to the notice of General Harrison, by whose administration he was chosen postmaster at Wart en, though he was commissioned by John Tyler, after the death of Harrison.
Mr. Hapgood having been confirmed postmaster, sold his interest in the paper to his partner, Mr. Parker. But the tenure of a Federal office is uncertain. A sudden change of policy on part of the National administration, after the Tyler administration had become settled in the management of the Government, a gradual change began to be made in the whole civil service. Mr. Hapgood was a victim of this policy. After a service of about three months he was succeeded by General T. J. McLain, at that time an active Democrat. Mr. Hapgood received the Whig nomination for county auditor in the fall of 1842, and was elected by a complimentary majority. He failed of a re-election on account of unyielding loyalty to the Whig party, being unwilling to enter into compromise with the liberals, even though such compromise would probably have resulted in his re-election.
During his official term he engaged in the nursery business at Warren, which was under the supervision of his sons, in which he continued a
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 331
number of years. The later years of his life were spent in ease and retirement.
While firmly attached to the Whig party, he desired the ultimate abolition of slavery. He belonged to that faction of the party which opposed the extension of slavery, and at the same time feared the consequences of Abolition agitation. He sympathized with refugee slaves, and whenever opportunity offered provided .for them assistance. When the irrepressible conflict between slavery and freedom finally came, his sympathies were wholly with the newly organized Republican party.
Mr. Hapgood was a man of a quiet temperament, and perceptive mind, and agreeable, sociable qualities. In 1836 he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and until his death remained consistent with his profession and true to his convictions. He was an officer of the church during most of the period of his membership, and had the satisfaction of seeing all of his family members of the church, all but one members of the church with which he was connected.
Mr. Hapgood was married April 6, 1820, to Adaline Adams, daughter of Asahel and Olive Adams, of Liberty township, and a sister of Asahel Adams, of Warren. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Hapgood consisted of eleven children. Three died in childhood. The remaining eight all married, and had families. George N., the eldest son, learned the printing trade in his father's office, and became one of the editors and publishers of the Chronicle in 1855, which relation continued until his death in August, 1865. Henry K., the youngest, died December, 1875, Charles is living in California. Laura (Mrs. Paul C. Ford) is living in Ashtabula county. William is a druggist of Warren. Three of the daughters, Mrs. M. B. Tayler, Mrs. George Van Gorder, and Mrs. S. R. Brown, live in Warren. Mrs. Adaline Hapgood died in the house in which she was married in Liberty township, October 26, 1871.
JOSEPH MARVIN.
The Marvin family of this county are descended from Reynold Marvin, one of the Puritan settlers of Massachusetts. Joseph Marvin, son of Matthew Marvin, was born at Lyme, New
London county, Connecticut, March 26, 1772. He married in his native village in 1797. This union continued for a period of nearly sixty- eight years, until broken by the death of Mrs. Marvin, September 24, 1864, then in the eighty-fourth year of her age. Mr.: Marvin lived to the remarkable old age of one hundred and one years, five months, and three days, the date of his death being August 29, 1873, at Atwater, Portage county, Ohio. On the same day of the same month, sixty-seven years before, his father, Matthew Marvin, died. He was a man of great industry and activity, being able to swing an axe even after he had passed the centennial of his birth. Mrs. Marvin, too, was strong and healthy even in her old age.
Joseph Marvin, son of Joseph Marvin, Sr., and well-known within the field of this history as teacher, merchant, and preacher, was born January 12, 1807, in Lyme, Connecticut. He accompanied his father's family in 1821 from their Connecticut home to Ohio, the journey being accomplished in the old-fashioned way, the wagon with goods being drawn by an ox-team, and the family by a horse-team. Slowly they traveled for forty days, until Musquito creek, in Bazetta township, was reached. There they settled in the midst of a woods more than five miles in extent, with all the surroundings of pioneer frontier life. Turkeys, squirrels, and raccoons destroyed crops, and wolves made night hideous with horrible howling. When the Marvin family settled in Bazetta there were only thirty-seven families in the township. All that were then married are dead, except Mrs. William Davis, who lives with her son-in-law, William Kennedy, in Bazetta, now in her ninety-eighth year.
Mr. Marvin, after having assisted his father on the farm seven years, began life for himself. A boy's work on a farm at that time was wholly unlike a boy's work since machinery has come into general use. Added to the toil of cultivating the soil was the severe labor of clearing, which was carried on year after year. Mr. Marvin engaged in teaching until 1835, and in the meantime had devoted considerable attention to the study of medicine. While at New Castle teaching, in 1834, he became interested in a religious revival, and on September 13th was soundly converted in the old Methodist style. Before the year closed he joined the Methodist Episcopal
332 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
church, and was licensed to preach in 1835 by the quarterly conference held at Greenville, Pennsylvania, in October of that year. The presiding elder engaged him to labor on Salem circuit, consisting of twenty-seven appointments to be filled every six weeks. Mr. Marvin filled his appointments in regular succession, preaching as often as eleven times in eight days. There certainly was very little financial inducement for a Methodist itinerant in that day. The highest salary Mr. Marvin ever received was $142 for a year. The pay of most circuit riders was much less than that. Mr. Marvin had weakened his constitution before entering the ministry, by excessive study, so that the physical exhaustion caused by his severe itinerant labors brought on nervous prostration. He quit the circuit and resumed teaching. In 1837 he was employed in an academic department to be connected with Ohio university at Athens. He labored in his new field with success for some time. He married, December 25, 1838, Lucy Temple Dana, daughter of Joseph Dana, of Athens.
Mr. Marvin, accompanied by his wife, returned to Trumbull county in January following, having resigned his position to a young college graduate. Since that time he has been engaged in merchandising and farming, holding these employments, however, as secondary to the calling to which he devoted himself in early life. During the forty-six years of ministerial life, sometimes in conference relation, but for the most part as local preacher, he has asked or received little monetary compensation for his labor, having ample outside means of support. During all that period he has failed to meet but two appointments of his own announcement. He has traveled in his buggy more than forty miles on Sunday and preached to two congregations. It is a remarkable fact that despite the hard labor to which his life has been devoted he is yet, at the age of seventy-five years, hearty and strong. His figure does not suggest old age, nor is he w, ing to admit what the incontrovertible logic of mathematics proves, that he is an old man. Mr. Marvin, after the death of his first wife, married Ann VanGorder, daughter of James L. VanGorder, of Warren. This city has been his home since 1851.
BENJAMIN STEVENS AND STEVENS FAMILY.
The name of Stevens has been associated with the history of Warren since 1816. The advance member of the family was Benjamin Stevens, a clothier, who took charge of the works here at that date, being then in his twenty-ninth year. Mr. Stevens is yet living in Warren, as are also two of his brothers, the youngest of whom has passed his eighty-sixth year.
The ancestry of this family has been traced to General Nicholas Stevens (or Stephens) a brigadier under Cromwell in the revolutionary army of 1649. After the overthrow of the commonwealth and the restoration, in 1660, General Stevens, deeming prudence the better part of valor, came to America and settled in Taunton, Massachusetts. From his youngest son Henry, Zebulon Stevens was descended. He was a small Connecticut farmer, and had a family of seven sons, three of whom were in the Revolution Zebulon, Thomas, and Benjamin. The seventh son, Jonathan, was born in Canaan, Connecticut, March 7, 1767. He married in Connecticut Susan Wells, and in 1789 removed his family to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and from there in 1799 to Addison county, Vermont. The family at that time consisted of one daughter and five sons, the daughter and eldest son having been born in Connecticut. The children were, Harriet, born in 1787; Benjamin, born July 20, 1788 ; William, born in 1790 ; Charles, born in 1792; Horace, born February 4, 1794, and Augustus, March, 1796.
The Stevens family belonged to the Jeffersonian or Democratic party, and in consequence were supporters of the war which was declared against England in 1812. The father and all the sons belonged to the militia companies, and when an 1nvasion of New England from the north was threatened, all but the youngest son volunteered. All were engaged on the celebrated field of Plattsburg, September 1r, 1814, which resulted in the complete rout of British General Provost, with a loss of 3,000 men. The American forces were mostly militia from the neighboring towns of Vermont and New York. Every boy able to carry a gun was admitted to the lines.
Jonathan Stevens came to Ohio after the emigration of his children, and settled at Newton
PICTURES OF MR AND MRS BENJAMIN STEVENS
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 333
Falls, where he enjoyed a peaceful old age. His death occurred in 1848. Mrs. Susan Wells Stevens died in Vermont. Harriet, the only daughter, was married to Mr. Harris. She came to Ohio in 1827, and lived with her father; went finally to reside with her son, Judge S. W. Harris, of Morris, Grundy county, Illinois, where she died. William is residing in Pennsylvania, having attained the advanced age of ninety-two. Charles married Catherine Sterling, of Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio. He died in Warren in 1860. He was in partnership with his brother Benjamin in the manufacture of cloth. Horace came to Warren in 1817. He was a hatter by trade, and opened a shop on Market street. With the exception of an interval of a few years he has resided here ever since. Augustus came to Warren in 1816, and engaged in business with his brother Benjamin in the cloth business. He afterwards established a factory at Newton Falls which he operated for a number of years. He now resides with the family of his brother Benjamin at Warren.
Benjamin Stevens at the age of fourteen was apprenticed in a clothier's establishment in Vermont for a period of seven years—as it looks to us now, a long time to learn a trade. At the expiration of his service he was given charge of the works, but soon engaged in business on his own responsibility. He met with heavy loss at the conclusion of the War of 1812, in consequence of the demand for army clothing being suddenly stopped. Mr. Stevens started West in search of a favorable location in 1816. Warren being at that time the leading town in the Reserve, he like most other emigrants made Ng the objective point. Levi Hadley was operating a carding machine and Thomas Wells had just fitted up machinery for making cloth. Mr. Stevens purchased both establishments and op- crated a regular factory. Water-power was not adequate to a large business in all the departments of carding, spinning, weaving, and fulling, but considerable flannel was made for the Pittsburg market, and cloth was manufactured at $r per yard.
The business mainly consisted in carding wool read) for the domestic spinning wheel. During me year 1842 Mr. Stevens worked twenty-eight thousand pounds of wool. The business began to decline about 1850 in consequence of the growth of larger establishments and increased transportation facilities. Mr. Stevens sold out and retired in 1847. He married, in 1825, Mary Case, daughter of Mesbach Case. Their family consisted of five children, three of whom are living. Mary and Harriet reside in Warren; Lucy (Opdycke) in New York; Benjamin and Leonard are dead. Mrs. Mary (Case) Stevens died in Warren April 18, 1874.
He was initiated into the Masonic fraternity in Vermont and in former years attended the communications of the lodge at Warren. He is the oldest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, having been received into membership but a few months after the organization of the first class in November, 1819, composed of six persons. For more than sixty years Mr. Stevens has made the simple demands of his church a part of his life, and in his old age is comforted by the faith which has ripened with years.
Horace Stevens was born in Huntingdon township, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1794. In 1808 or 1809 he went to learn the hatters trade, at which he served some six years. In the fall of 1816 he came to Warren, Ohio, and the following spring commenced at his trade in Warren, in which he continued until 1828, when he removed to Newton Falls, and with his brother Augustus built a flouring- and saw-mill, and also clothing and carding works. He resided there until 1867, when he retired from active business and removed to Warren, where he has since, resided. In 5819 he married Miss Aurelia Pier, who was born in 1798. She died in 185 I. Mr. Stevens volunteered in the War of 1812, and was under fire at the battle of Plattsburg. He was captain of the Rifle Grays in Warren in 1825 or 1826. His first American ancestor was General Nicholas Stevens, who came over in 1660 and settled at Taunton, Massachusetts. Of his family four daughters are living, namely: Aurelia Hall, of Philadelphia; Mary B. Fuller, of Warren ; Laura A. Merwin, of Fox Lake, Wisconsin, and Frances Smith, of Waupun, Wisconsin.
Mary B. Stevens was born in Warren October 25, 1822, and married Ira Lucius Fuller December 10, 1840. Mr. Fuller came to Warren at an early day and was a clerk in the post-office and county clerk's office; read law and was admitted
334 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
to the bar in Warren, and was a successful lawyer. He was subsequently elected probate judge. He died October 16, 1874. Six of the eight children of Judge and Mrs. Fuller are living— Mrs. Mary C. Harmon, Horace S., and Emily S. Tidball, of Nebraska; Lucius E., of Bradford, Pennsylvania; Harriet P., attending Cooper seminary at Dayton, Ohio; Robert P., at home. Lily S., wife of R. H. Freer, died May 22, 1873, and Ella T., at the age of twenty, in 1872.
Augustus Stevens was born in Pennsylvania in 1796. He was married to Esthe1 C. Sherril, of Vergennes, Vermont, in 1821. She died in Newton Falls in 1860. He removed with his family to Vermont, and in 1816 made his first visit to Ohio. He stopped with his brother Benjamin in Warren, and subsequently engaged with him in the manufacture of cloth at this place. He built a grist-mill about 1822, below the present Market-street bridge, which he sold 1n 1828 to James L. Van Gorder. Mr. Stevens then removed to Newton Falls, where he built a gristmill and cloth factory, which he operated in partnership with his brother Horace. In 1861 he returned to Warren and has since been living here.
CASE FAMILY.
The Case family settled in Trumbull county, near Warren, in the year 1800. The name is of Dutch origin. Meshach Case was of Holland parentage on his father's side and Irish on his mother's side. He was born in New Jersey in 1752, and in 1780 he married, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Magdalen Eckstine, who was of German descent. They settled in Washington county, Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Trumbull county. Mr. Case was a farmer and snared the experiences incident to life in a new country. Mrs. Case died in 1832 at the age of seventy years. Mr. Case lived to the age of eighty-nine years, his death taking place in 1841. Their family consisted of eight children. Elizabeth was married to James Ellis, of Warren, Ohio, removed to Kentucky, and after his death she returned to Warren and died here; Leonard removed to Cleveland; Catharine was married to Daniel Kerr, of Painesville; Mary was married to Benjamin Stevens of Warren; Reuben removed to Maysville, Kentucky; Sarah was married to Cyrus Bosworth, of Warren; Jane died in childhood; Zopher, the only surviving member of the family, resides in Cleveland.
Of Leonard, the oldest son of Meshach Case, it is proper that something more should be said although his mature years were spent in Cleveland. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1786, and was consequently about sixteen years old when his parents settled in this county. A severe sickness the following year left him a cripple for life. Poor and unfitted for physical labor, his chief anxiety was how to escape becoming a burden upon his friends. He secured a few books and began the study of surveying, which at that time was considered profitable business. This was at a period of life when a whole career depends upon the little things which lead the way. Though he never became a regular surveyor he acquired a fair knowledge of the business, which was of inestimable service to him in after life. In 1806, being twenty-two years old, he obtained employment in the land office in Warren. His work attracted the attention of John S. Edwards, county recorder, who induced him to study law. In connection with other work he did sufficient reading to he admitted to the bar. His position in the land office gave him an accurate knowledge of the Western Reserve—its history and its resources. The appointment to the position of collector of taxes of non-residents on the Reserve still further increased his acquaintance.
In 1816 the Commercial bank of Lake Erie was organized and Mr. Case was appointed cashier. Cleveland was a small town at that time, and the bank did not occupy Mr. Case's whole attention. He pursued his profession and acquired the reputation of being the best authority in northern Ohio on questions relating to the law of real estate and land titles. He seldom appeared in the trial of general causes in the courts. In addition to banking and professional work he dealt extensively in real estate, which, after 1834, occupied all his time. His life was by no means devoted exclusively to the accumulation of a fortune. He was public-spirited and used his influence and wealth for the upbuilding of his adopted city. He died in Cleveland December 7, 1864, leaving one son, Leonard, who has since died without issue.