850 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD up another farm of sixty acres, and on this he passed away his remaining years, dying in 1864, at the patriarchal age of 105 years. He was a very intelligent man, was educated in Germany, and a great student of the Bible. John Myers, son of Stephen and father of Willis, was a native of Beaver county, Pa., and was about thirteen years old when brought to Ohio by his parents. He first married, in Geauga county, Amelia Hagen, who bore him one son, Frederick, and then passed away. His second marriage was with Nancy Tucker, a daughter of John and Catherine (Nieman) Tucker, the former of whom was a pioneer of Franklin township, Portage county, where he cleared up a fine farm, but later removed to Streetsboro township, where he purchased and cleared up another farm on which he passed the remainder of his life, dying at the advanced age of ninety-one years. John Myers was the original settler on the farm now owned by Willis, which he brought out from the woods and on which he built a saw-mill. He was a hard-working, honest man, was a democrat in politics, and died at the age of seventy-one years. Willis Myers, on attaining his majority, enlisted, August II, 1862, at Cuyahoga Falls, in the Ninth Ohio battery of artillery, to serve three years, or during the war, and was honorably discharged at Chattanooga, Tenn., June 16, 1865, with the rank of corporal. He took part in all the marches and campaigns in which his regiment was engaged and endured all the hardships of a soldiers' life, performing his duties cheerfully and promptly, and received his promotion for meritorious conduct on the battle field. It may here be mentioned that Frederick Myers, half-brother of Willis, as alluded to above, was also a corporal, served in company F, Thirteenth Michigan cavalry, in the three years' service, and was wounded in battle. After his discharge from the service, he returned to the old homestead, and married, March 25, 1868, Miss Ellen Miner, who was born March 8, 1845, in Goshen, Ohio, a daughter of John and Mary (Hornish) Miner. Mr. Miner was a farmer of Columbiana county, of American birth, but of English descent, and his wife, Mary, was of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. They were the parents of eight children, who were named Joseph, John, Thomas, William, Samuel, Lucinda, Matilda and Ellen. Of the sons, Thomas served in a Michigan regiment during the Civil war, Samuel was in the Sixth Ohio cavalry and was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, and Joseph and William were in the Ohio infantry. The father of the family died in middle age. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Myers settled on the old homestead, and their union has been blessed with the following children: John, James, George, Jesse D., Frank, Edith, Mamie and Sylvia. In politics Mr. Myers was formerly a republican, but is now a free-silver democrat. Fraternally he is an ex-member of A. H. Day post, No. 185, G. A. R., of which he was junior vice-commander, and was a member of Brady lodge, No. 183, I. 0. 0. F., both of Kent. Socially Mr. Myers and family stand very high, and personally he is greatly respected for his strictly moral character. ALMON NIMAN, a progressive farmer of Aurora township, Portage county, Ohio, and an ex-soldier, was born in Streetsboro, this county, August 6, 1841, a son of Frederick and Pamelia (Van) Niman, of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, and whose ancestors were pioneers of the Keystone state. Frederick Niman was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., Setember 5, 1804, a son of Adam Niman, and came to Ohio a single man, and married Pamelia Van, whose name had OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 851 been shortened from Van Guilder, and whose parents were natives of Vermont, but doubtless of Holland parentage. Mr. Niman cleared up a good farm of 100 acres in Streetsboro township, and to his marriage were born the following-named children: Perry, George, Electa, Orrin, Laura, Almon and Alvin W. Of the sons, Alvin W. and Almon enlisted at the same time and place, and in the same company, as will be noticed further on. Alvin W. was seized with typhoid fever, and died in Cumberland, Md., hospital, March 7, 1862, and his brother Almon, who was granted a furlough for the purpose, brought his remains home for interment. Frederick Niman, the father, was a democrat in politics, and lived to reach the venerable age of ninety years, dying in Kent, in 1894, a pious member of the Disciples' church, to which his wife also belonged, and was a devoted believer in its teachings. Almon Niman received a good common-school education, was reared a farmer on the homestead, and when about twenty years old enlisted, in Ashtabula county, in company D., Capt. P. C. Hard, Twenty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, for three years, but was honorably discharged, at Camp Dennison, Ohio, September 25, 1862, an account of disability, caused by chronic diarrhea, with which he he had been confined in the hospital, at the camp mentioned, from July 12, of the same year. He served in Maryland and Virginia, was in the famous Shenandoah valley raid under Phil. Sheridan, was on several forced marches, and greatly exposed to inclement weather, but was always promptly at his post of duty, and active, willing and cheerful in its performance, until seized with a disorder that nearly proved fatal, and from which he has never since thoroughly recovered. The marriage of Mr. Niman took place in Akron, Ohio, April 16, 1862, to Miss Emma Larkins, of Hudson, Ohio, but who was born in Akron, a daughter of John and Sophronia (Low) Larkins. John Larkins was born in 1800, in the state of New York, was reared a farmer, and was married in Pennsylvania, his wife being of German descent. He was a pioneer of Akron, Ohio, in 1836, settling there when it contained one store only, which was owned by P. D. Hall. For some time he burned charcoal, or, rather, made it, but finally moved to Hudson, in 1853, where he bought a farm, which he partially cleared up, but converted the remainder into an excellent home. To his marriage there were born the following children: Hannah, Louisa, Emma, Samantha, John, Clarinda, Walter and Alice. In politics Mr. Larkins was a democrat. He died in 1877 in good circumstances, having realized a competency through his excellent management of his affairs, and by living a temperate, honest and industrious life. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Niman lived in Franklin township, Portage county, near Akron, where, in 1873, he bought three acres of land, and for two years was engaged in teaming. In 1885 he came to Aurora, and purchased a fine farm of 173 acres, on which he has since resided. His marriage has been blessed with six children, named Frederick H., Ella L., Charles A., Carrie E., Edgar A. and Ida A. Of these, Charles A. is a graduate of Hiram college, of the class of 1895. Politically he is a democrat, and in 1897 he was a candidate of the democracy to represent Portage county in the legislature, and ran 250 ahead of his ticket. Frederick H. is a farmer of Geauga county, and is married to Miss Cornelia Point, a native of Portage county. Ella L. is the wife of W. G. Eldridge, a farmer of Streetsboro township. Carrie is a student at the Aurora high school, as are also Edgar A. and Ida A. In politics Mr. Niman is a democrat, has 852 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD held the office of township assessor, and for twenty years was a member of the school board. SAMUEL H. NORTON, of Mantua Station, is one of the representative citizens and old soldiers of the late war, who was born October 2, 1834, at Southington, Trumbull county, Ohio, the son of Joseph H. and Elizabeth (Hatch) Norton. He was early taught the habits of industry and economy and received the usual common-school education, and in early manhood began to learn the carpenter's trade. Samuel H. Norton was united in marriage October 25, 1852, with Miss Bessie Morris, who was born in Nelson, Ohio, in February, 1834, the daughter of David and Rosannah (Hawley) Morris. This felicitous marraige has resulted in the birth of the following-named children: Sarah E., Samuel C. and Charles O. Mrs. Norton died February 18, 1894, and May 7, 1895, Mr. Norton married Miss Sarah Parker, of Canton, Stark county, Ohio, who was born at Redmile, Leicestershire, England, daughter of John and Comfort (Derns) Parker, and she came to America in early childhood. Mr. Norton, soon after his first marriage, located in Southington, Ohio, where he continued to live for several years, and from this town he enlisted, October 6, 1861, and was mustered into the United States service at Cleveland, Ohio, October 8, 1861, as a private of company H, Forty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, to serve three years, unless sooner discharged. He was one of the unfortunate boys that went into the service, and on November 1, 1862, he received an honorable discharge at Nashville, Tenn., on account of wounds received in the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn., in which engagement he had three fingers shot off of his left hand, after which he was required to stay in field hospital three days, which is the extent of his hospital record during his service. He participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing and at Shiloh Church, along with the engagement in which he received his wound, beside a number of hard skirmishes. Mr. Norton proved to be an active and brave soldier, and from the time he joined his regiment he answered to the roll call each morning, and participated in all the service that his regiment saw until he was discharged at Nashville, Tenn., as before stated. Beside the wound that he received on his hand, his hearing was affected, which resulted from exposure, while on picket duty in March, 1862, at Nashville, Tenn., and the same has resulted in almost total deafness. After his return from the war he rejoined his family at Southington, Ohio, and resumed farming and carpentering. He, at this time, owned a good farm of 100 acres, which he put in a high state of cultivation, and continued to reside here until 1876, when he moved to Mantua Station and lived four years, after which he returned to the farm, and subsequently, in 1892, he rented his farm and returned to Mantua, where he has resided ever since. While residing upon the farm he was elected several times to serve as township clerk and trustee of his township, which offices he filled to the satisfaction of his constituents. Politically Mr. Norton is a stanch republican and has been such all through his life, casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont. He is an honored member of the G. A. R., Bentley post, at Mantua Station, and has always been a straightforward and respected citizen, and he and wife enjoy the confidence and esteem of their vicinity. Mr. Norton, after locating in Mantua the second time, in the year 1893, built his pleasant residence, which is one of the good homes of his village, and where comfort and contentment abide. Joseph H. Norton, the father of our sub- OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 853 ject, was born of English parentage in Connecticut, his parents being early settlers of that state. In the year 1812, Joseph H. Norton came west and located in Ohio, where he purchased land, and then returned to his native state, though he remained in the east only a short time, when he returned to his pioneer home and became one of the early and substantial farmers of the Western Reserve. His children were Samuel H., Theodocia and Sarah M. Mr. Norton was a member of the Methodist church, and in politics a member of the whig party, and died a man of middle age. Samuel H. Norton, the subject of this sketch, inherited one-third of the old homestead, and later bought his sister's share, which makes him a valuable farm of t00 acres, which is now cared for by his son, Charles O. Samuel C., the elder son, is an engineer, and lives at Meadville, Pa. He married Carrie Bowles, and to them have been born two children — George and Harry, Charles O., the second son, and youngest of the family, and who resides on the old homestead of his grandfather, married Aggie Tift. They have two children—Chrissible and Joseph H. John Parker, the father of Mrs. Norton, came to America in the year 1850, and settled at Newton Falls, Ohio, and the year 1851, having found a desirable location, sent for his family. Later Mr. Parker purchased a home at Warren, Ohio, where he resided fifteen years, when he sold and removed to Cheboygan county, Mich., where" he purchased land and lived the remainder of his life. His children by his first wife, who lived to grow to maturity, were Michael, Sarah, Fannie, Anna, James, Emma, beside six who died in infancy. By his second wife, Miss Betsy Broadbent, there were five children born, only one of whom, Ashton, grew to maturity. Mr. and Mrs. Parker were members of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Parker was a republican in politics, and his sons, Michael and James, were soldiers in the Civil war. WALTER NOTMAN, a most successful farmer and a highly respected citizen, was born on the farm he still occupies in Deerfield township, Portage county, Ohio, April 4, 1839, a son of George and Ann (Pickren) Notman, the former of whom was a native of Scotland and the latter of England. John Notman, the paternal grandfather of Walter, was yet a young man when he brought his family from Scotland to America and settled in Deerfield township, being among the pioneers, and here reared his four children—John, George, father of Walter, subject of this notice, and Mary, wife of Joseph Barnes. The maternal grandparents of Walter Notman were also early settlers of Deefield towhship, and reared a family of seven children, of whom, however, only one survives—Lewis. The six deceased were Mrs. George Notman, William, James, Caroline (wife of George McGowan), Elizabeth (wife of Ralph Scranton) and Mary Ann. The grandparents, on both sides, were strict members of the Methodist church. George Notman, father of Walter, learned the trade of blacksmith in Scotland, and this he followed for forty years, but his later years were passed in farming. He was twice married—first, to Miss Ann Pickren, who bore him nine children, of whom three are still living, viz: Walter, the eldest, whose name stands at the opening of this biography; Alvey, of Deefield township, and Julia, wife of Eugene Bow, of Alliance, Ohio; the deceased passed away in the following order: George, December 18, 1844; Mary Ann, December 25, 1844; Levi, May 1 1 , 1846; Solomon, February 28, 854 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 1849; Eliza, in May, 1853, and one who died in infancy. The mother of this family was called from earth November 22, 1854, and in 1855 George Notman married Mrs. Ann Clark, who bore him seven children, five of whom still survive, viz: Theressa, wife of Andrew Strong; Josephine, now Mrs. Charles Strong; George O., married to Lucy Steele; Warren, married to Ida Shively, and Bell, the last named being married to Harry Carver. Olive and a younger child are deceased. George Notman died April 4, 1884, a devoted member of the Methodist church, to which church his widow still adheres. George Notman was a most ingenious mechanic, and was the inventor of the binding machine, for which he secured the first patent; was an industrious man, and was highly respected wherever known. Walter Notman received a very good common-school education and was reared to manhood on his father's farm. He has been twice married—the first time, December 7, 1861, to Miss Margaret Hagley, daughter of William and Jane (Notman) Hagley, the marriage resulting in the birth of four children, viz: George H., who married Rosa Marsh and resides in Deerfield; Jennie; Annie, wife of Frank Burkey, of Deerfield, and Ida, now Mrs. Edward McGowan, of Michigan. Mrs. Margaret Notman having been called away April 28, 1875, Mr. Notman chose for his second helpmate Miss Mary E. Barnes, whom he married May 9, 1878, and this union has been blessed with one son—Clarence. Mr. Notman has always led an agricultural life, with the exception of one year, when he resided in the town of Deerfield, where he had charge of a creamery. In politics Mr. Notman is a stanch republican, and has served as school director many years; he is also a member of the Deerfield Agricultural society, is its present treasurer, and for twenty years has been a director of the same. Mrs. Mary E. Notman was born in Deerfield December 27, 1847, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Haines) Barnes, the former of whom was born in England, February 14, 1806, and the latter in Salem county, N. J., August 22, 1818. James Barnes was a young man when he settled in Deerfield township, was a farmer by occupation, and in 1838 married Miss Haines, who was a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Carman) Haines, the union being blessed with twelve children, six of whom still survive, viz: John, who married Mary Kerr, of Canada; Joseph, married to Ellen Kerr; James, who married Elizabeth Strong, resides in Edinburg, Portage county, Ohio; Mrs. Notman; Sarah, wife of James Robinson, of Canada, and Mivert, who is married to Alice Diehl and lives in Ellsworth, Ohio. William, James H., Willson, Matilda, Rebecca and another, all died when small. The father of this family passed away May 23, 1876, at the age of sixty-eight years, the mother having died November 5, 1875, aged fifty-six, and both faithful members of the Methodist church. William Barnes, paternal grandfather of Mrs. Notman, died in England, the father of nine children, four of whom came to America, viz: John, Harry, James and Joseph. Joseph Haines, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Notman, came from New Jersey to Ohio in 1825 and settled in Smith township, Mahoning county, where he followed his trade of shoemaking for many years, but later became a farmer. To his marriage with Miss Carman were born twelve children, ten of whom are still living, viz: Sarah, wife of William Snowed; Mary Ann, wife of Jeremiah Koon; Susan, now Mrs. John Baker, of Michigan; Joseph, of Williams county, Ohio; Tammer, wife of Anthony Yeagley, also of Williams county; Hugh, married to Ellen Eatinger; John is married and lives in Atwater, Ohio; Naomi, wife of Samuel Foley, of Edinburg, OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 855 Ohio; Hannah, now Mrs. Jared Weaver, of Alliance, Ohio, and Ann, married to William Seacrist, also of Alliance. Benjamin died at the age of fifty-four years, and the mother of the family died in 1842, while the father lived until 1877, reaching the advanced age of ninety-four years. The family all were or are devoted members of the Methodist church, to which Mr. and Mrs. Notman also belong, and of which Mr. Notman has been a deacon for many years, and it may well be said that no family in the township is held in higher respect than his. PROF. CALVIN T. NORTHROP, superintendent of Garrettsville public schools, and president of the board of examiners of Portage county, is a native of New York, born in the city of Poughkeepsie, May 17, 1858, his parents being John and Julia (Williams) Schoonoven. At the breaking out of the late rebellion John Schoonoven tendered his services to his country, enlisting August 28, 1862, in company C, One Hundred and Fiftieth New York infantry, with which he shared the fortunes and vicissitudes of war until stricken with typhoid fever, from which he died at Louisville, Ky., June 26, 1864. His wife died three weeks previous to that date, her death also being caused by typhoid fever. Four small boys were now left orphans, the eldest eight years and the youngest but two years old; these children were taken into four different families, and all but the eldest adopted the names of their respective foster parents. William, who alone retained the family name, lived for some years in the family of Albert Martin, a farmer of York state, and he adopted the pursuit of agriculture as his life work. He married and resided at Oxford, N. Y., where his death occurred at the early age of twenty-seven. Richard S., the second son, was reared in the family of Calvin Thomas, a farmer near Worcester, N. Y., whose name he adopted, and with whom he lived until about fifteen years of age. He attended the public schools of Worcester, and afterwards, by teaching, earned sufficient means to complete the prescribed course of the State Normal school at Albany, from which he was graduated. Later he attended the Madison university, and is now a prominent educator, being at this time superintendent of the schools at Akron, Ohio. He married Estella Saxton, of Madison, and is the father of two children, a son and a daughter. Charles E., another brother, the fourth in order of birth, was two years old when left an orphan, and grew to maturity in the family of Ira Carey, of Morris, N. Y., by which name he has since been known. When in his teens he left the farm and began to secure an education, teaching in the meantime in order to defray expenses incurred while pursuing his studies. He early united with the Methodist church and intended to enter its ministry, and while gaining his education frequently preached the gospel. He concluded his studies at the seminary in Cazenovia, N. Y. , and has since been engaged in teaching, his present position being the superintendent of the schools of Warren, Ohio. He married Elsie Smith, and is the father of one son. Calvin T., whose name introduces this sketch, was reared in the home of Alonzo Northrop, a merchant of Worcester, N. Y., whose name he adopted, and at the age of sixteen left home and began the struggle of life upon his own responsibility. His elementary education was received in the public schools of Worcester, and later he was graduated from the academy of that town, having taught school at intervals while attending that institution. After leaving the academy, Prof. 856 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Northrop had charge of the schools of Richmondville, N. Y., later accepted a similar position at Portlandville, that state, and was for some time superintendent of the schools of Worcester. In 1891 he accepted the superintendency of the schools of Garrettsville, Ohio, the duties of which he has since discharged in a manner highly creditable to himself and satisfactory to all concerned. The educational system which Prof. Northrop inaugurated at Garrettsville compares favorably with that of any other city in northern Ohio, and reflects great credit upon him as an organizer and successful instructor. From the primary to a complete course in the school is here placed within the reach of all, rich and poor alike. The entire course is twelve years, divided into four-year periods, namely, primary, grammar and high school. Pupils graduating are eligible to enter any normal or college throughout the state without further examination. The average enrollment lists three hundred pupils, and the curriculum is broad, including full English and full Latin-English courses. The schools are noted for being up to the highest standard of educational efficiency and the corps of teachers have been selected because of the professional standing which they have attained. Since his incumbency Prof. Northrop has accomplished many reforms in a gradual way, and in all departments has greatly heightened the standard of efficiency. He has acquired more than a local reputation as an instructor, and is widely and favorably known among the educators of Ohio. Prof. Northrop was married August 27, 1879, in Middlefield, N. Y., to Hattie E. Blair, daughter of Erastus Blair, a well-known citizen of that town; they have had one child, a son, that died in infancy. Politically Prof. Northrop is a republican, and fraternally belongs to the F. & A. M., in which he has risen to the thirty-second degree, and is also a mem ber of the Mystic Shrine; he is an active worker in the I. O. O. F., and, with his wife, belongs to the Congregational church of Garrettsville. Mr. Northrop was appointed a member of the county board of school examiners of Portage county in August, 1893, and has served as president of the same. HIRAM S. RANDALL, one of the most highly respected citizens of Deerfield township, Portage county, Ohio, was born in Kent, Litchfield county, Conn., March 23, 1828, a son of Walter and Mary Martha (Smith) Randall, who came to Ohio in 1840, and located in Palmyra, Portage county. Walter Randall's father was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., and his mother in Kent, Litchfield county, Conn. Walter was a clothier by trade, and to his marriage with Mary M. Smith, were born five children, of whom three still survive, viz: Hiram S., Walter and Edwin D, The two deceased were Sabra, who died in 1873, at the age of forty-three years, the wife of John Benton, and Smith Randall, who died about 1887. Walter Randall, a few months after reaching Palmyra, Ohio, removed to Nelson, in Portage county, where he was engaged in farming for eighteen months, and then moved to Trumbull county, where he bought another tract of land, on which he passed the remainder of his days, dying in February, 1843, at the age of forty years, his wife dying in Palmyra, at the same age, in February, 1848, both in the faith of the Presbyterian church. Elias Smith, maternal grandfather of Hiram S. Randall, was a native of Litchfield, Conn., and was actively engaged in farming until, when in his prime, he was precipitated a distance of twenty feet from a falling bridge, and so badly crippled that he was compelled OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 857 to withdraw from active labor, although he kept a supervision over his farm, until death called him away. To his marriage with Miss Dodge were born twelve children, viz: Marian, Harry, John, Reuben, Philemon, Stephen, Chauncy, Sabra, Mary, Flora and two who died in infancy. Mr. Smith was eighty years of age at the time of his death in 1852; his wife died a few years later, and both were devoted members of the Presbyterian church. Hiram S. Randall received a good common-school education, and until his father's death lived on the home farm. Being then about fifteen years of age, he began learning the tanner's and currier's trade under Amos Spaulding, at Palmyra, Ohio, served an apprenticeship of three years, and then worked as a journeyman at different places, until the death of his former employer, when he returned to Palmyra and closed up the latter's business. In March, 1848, Mr. Randall, being but twenty years old, bought a tannery in Deerfield, Portage county, and carried on a very successful trade until about 1851, when he sold his plant, and worked as a journeyman, for about two years, at Kinsman, Trumbull county. He next went to Mahoning county, where he was employed at his trade by Walter Smith for a year, and for four years following engaged as a traveling salesman in handling stoves, chain pumps and other commodities, and then for a year worked again as a journeyman tanner. The first marriage of Hiram S. Randall took place August 21, 1851, to Miss Sarah Allerton, who was born November 9, 1829, a daughter of James and Eleanor (Kellogg) Allerton. The father of Mrs. Randall, James Allerton, was born November 11, 1798, and his wife, May 4., 1792. They had a family of five children, of whom one is still living-Oliver, born May 23, 1825; the deceased were Catherine, born April 18, 1827, died April 7, 1846; Sarah (Mrs. Randall); Eleanor, born March 19, 1833, died August 22, 1835, and Jane, who was born January 2, 1836, and died April 14, 1837. The parents of this family have both passed away. To the marriage of Mr. Randall and Sarah Allerton were born seven children, of whom three are still living, viz: Williard C., born March 24, 1854; Alice,, born May 24, 1859, now the wife of Dr. M. E. Mowen, of Deerfield, and Eliza, born May 15, 1864. The four deceased children were Mary E., who was born July 18, 1852, and died October 15, of the same year; Warren T.., born September 7, 1857, died when twenty-three years old; Myrtle M., born August 22, 1867-died October 12, the same year, and Wallace, who was born April 30, 1861, died May 31, 1894. Mrs. Sarah (Allerton) Randall, the mother of this family, died on the present farm, in Deerfield township, in 1869. The second marriage of Mr. Randall took place August 17, 1870, to Miss Emeline Grate, daughter of Lewis and Catherine (Kebler) Grate, but to this union no children have been born. But it is necessary to resume the recountal of Mr. Randall's business career. On relinquishing his trade as a journeyman tanner, in 1856, he engaged in butchering in Deerfield, in conjunction with shipping live stock, doing a very large business in the latter trade and being the first to ship a train-load to the army at the outbreak of the Civil war. While engaged in this trade, he bought a farm in Atwater township, which he cultivated about four years, and in 1864 purchased his present farm in Deerfield township-then known as the Thomas Mead farm. About this time, also, Mr. Randall erected a cheese factory in Deerfield, and, later, another in Edinburg, to which town he removed, after renting out his farm in Deerfield, and there lived one year, when he sold out his Edinburg plant and re- 858 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD turned to Deerfield, where he followed his trade as journeyman for two years in the employ of Henry Muerman. He then returned to his farm, where he has since remained. The father of Mrs. Emeline (Grate) Randall was born July 16, 1808, in Columbiana county, Ohio, and her mother was a native of Virginia, and the fact that Mr. Grate was a butcher, may have led Mr. Randall to embark in that business. Mr. Grate married, February 21, 1833, Catherine Kibler, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Shank) Kibler, to which union were born six children, viz: Emeline (Mrs. Randall), born August 26, 1834; Drusilla, born March 19, 1836; Lavorus, born July 30, 1839; Maryette, born November 24, 1841, and married to Daniel Kimmel; Angeline, born December 9, 1846, and now the wife of John M, Forder, and Sarah S., born July 16, 1854, and married to Wallace Gilbert. Mr. Grate in his later years relinquished has trade of butcher and passed his declining years on his farm in Deerfield township, where he died June 7, 1894, at the age of eighty-five years; his widow, now also eighty-five years old, makes her home with Mr. Randall. George B. Grate, grandfather of Mrs. Randall, was born in Ohio, December 22, 1777, and his wife, Susanah (Thatcher) Grate, was born April I, 1783--their marriage taking place January 26, 1802. Their ten children were born in the following order: Betsey, October 13, 1803; Jeremiah, December 10, 1805; Lewis, July 16, 1808; Isaac, January 24, 1811; Reson, December 6, 1812; George B., December 5, 1814; Benjamin, March 1, 1817; Eleanora, July 23, 1820; John, November 22, 1822, and Reson, September 12, 1825. George B. Grate, father of this family, did January 31, 1851, and his wife May 30, 1867, both in the faith of the Baptist church. Hiram S. Randall has always enjoyed the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and in politics was first a whig and then a republican. In 1850 he was elected constable, and served thirty years, and for many years had been a member of the school board. Adelaide, half sister of Mr. Randall, was reared by a family named Steward, who adopted her, so she assumed the same name. She is the wife of Simeon Card, of Cleveland, Ohio. He was a mechanic, and a soldier in the late Civil war, served three years, and now draws a pension. They have two children, Florence and James Garfield Card. LORING J. PHILLIPS, a well-known citizen of Everett, Ohio, and one of the old soldiers of the Civil war, was born in Richfield township, Summit county, Ohio, June 23, 1847, a son of Jason and Alvira (Gillett) Phillips. He received a common-school education, and when seventeen years old enlisted in company A, Second Ohio cavalry, July 19, 1864, for three years, or during the war, and served until honorably discharged, September 17, 1865, at Benton barracks, Mo. He was in the battles of Opequan Creek, near Winchester, and at the battle of Cedar creek-this was the battle at Winchester where Gen. Sheridan rallied the troops. He was in the Shenandoah Valley campaign, when Sheridan destroyed all the mills, barns and forage, so that the enemy could not exist, and said a crow could not fly over the valley unless he took his rations with him. He was with his regiment in all the border counties of Missouri and Kansas, and in many skirmishes with the guerrillas. He was in the battles of Horse Creek, May 7, 1862; Cowskin Prairie, Ind. Ter., June 25, 1862; Fort Gibson, Ind. Ter., July 15, 1862; Lone Jack, Mo., August 28, 1862; Newtonia, Mo., September 30, 1862, and assisted to OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 859 reinstate the Union Cherokees and Osage Indians in the Indian territory. He returned with his regiment in the winter of 1862-3, to Camp Chase, Ohio, where the regiment was re-organized and re-equipped and sent to Kentucky, where it remained the greater part of June, 1863, and was then on Sander's raid of fifteen days; then at Wild Cat Gap, in the Cumberland mountains, and on that raid had many skirmishes, a distance of forty miles up the Holston river; then in the battle of Mount Sterling, Ky., April 14, 1863; Monticello, Ky., May 25, 1863; Steubenville, Ky., June 19, 1863; Richmond, Ky., July 28, 1863; London, Ky., September 5, 1863; Cumberland Gap, September 10, 1863; Blue Springs, Tenn., October 10, 1863; Ray, Tenn., October 11, 1863; Blountville, October 14, 1863; Russellville, Tenn., December 12, 1863; Bean Station, December 3, 1863; Rutledge, Tenn., December 14-15, 1863, and Dundridge, Tenn., December 24, 1863. The regiment stood second best in the cavalry service, the regiment that stood first being the Second United States regulars. After the service in Tennessee, and after veteranizing and reorganization, the Second Ohio cavalry was assigned to the army of the Potomac, under command of Gen. Wilson, and was in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, and when on Wilson's raid assisted in the destruction of the Weldon railroad, and had severe fighting on the return, being obliged to abandon and burn their ambulances, stores, ammunition wagons, guns and artillery, and at the fight at Ream's Station lost heavily. The regiment joined Sheridan, and, under Custer, raided down the Shenandoah Valley, destroying by fire all material that could feed or shelter the rebels. It was in the battle of Cedar Creek, and in the spring of 1865, the closing campaign of the war. Mr. Phillips was for a short time sick in hospital at Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, . of chronic diarrhea, but outside of this he was always an active soldier, and performed his full duty promptly and cheerfully. He was in all the battles, skirmishes, campaigns and marches in which his regiment took part, and did not miss a day from duty. He was riot wounded nor a prisoner, and endured all the hardships of a soldier's life with fortitude. On a reconnaissance in the valley campaign, just before the Winchester fight, Mr. Phillips became separated from his comrades, who were firing at the enemy in a gulch. Mr. Phillips entered the gulch and discovered the rebels. He kept boldy on, and commanded them to surrender, saying, "Surrender, or I will fire." Much to his surprise, the colonel of a South Carolina regiment and the major of the same regiment rose up from the brush and surrendered—they being separated from their commands. They looked very sheepish when they found they had surrendered to but one Union soldier. Mr. Phillips took them to the lines and turned them over to his commander, Col. Purrington, and returned to the same gulch with comrade Milton Abby, of Akron, and captured a squad of rebels. On approaching, he told them so surrender, or he would bring up the guns and open fire. They threw down their arms and complied, and were taken to the Union lines. Thus Mr. Phillips captured, almost single handed, two officers and a full squad of Confederates, which is a splendid record for one soldier. After the war Mr. Phillips returned to Summit county and has been engaged in farming and butchering. He was a good soldier and is an equally good citizen. In politics he is a stanch republican. Jason Phillips, father of Loring J., was born in New York state, and came as a pioneer to Richfield township, Summit county, Ohio, in 1811. He married Alvira E. Gillett, and 860 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD their children were Sylvia, Ida, Inez, Irving C., Loring J. and Bryan F. Mr. Phillips cleared up a farm, lived to be eighty-three years old, and died a highly-respected citizen. NELSON W. FENN, of Tallmadge, Ohio, descends from one of the pioneer families of Tallmadge township, Summit county, and is of sterling English ancestry. Benjamin Fenn, the first of the family of whom we have any trace, was born in 1612 in the parish of Whitdington, Buckinghamshire, England. He was a Puritan and came to America in 1639, a single man. He settled in Milford, New Haven county, Conn., and married Sarah Baldwin, who was born at Dun-bridge, England, a daughter of Sylvester and Sarah Baldwin, and of noble ancestry, having a coat of arms. Sarah Baldwin Fenn died in Milford, Conn., in April, 1663; Benjamin Fenn, died in 1672. He left a valuable landed estate in England, from which his heirs never received anything. In his will, admitted to probate court in 1672, he fully describes this property and bequeathed it to his son Benjamin. His children, by his wife Sarah, were Benjamin, Joseph, Sarah, Mary and Martha. After the death of his first wife he married, March 12, 1865, at Milford, Conn., Sarah Wood, and the children by this wife were Samuel, Jamesand Susannah. Benjamin Fenn was elected deacon of the Congregational church at Milford in 1650 and held this office with but one interruption until his death. He was magistrate from 1656 to 1668 and again elected in 1671, holding this office also until his death. His son, Benjamin, was born at Milford, in 164o, and there died in 1693; he had married, December 21, 1660, Mehitable Gunn, a daughter of Jasper Gunn, one of the first set tlers, and they had seven children, viz: Benjamin, Samuel, Samuel (second), born September 16, 1667, and died young; Susannah; Samuel (third), born July 11, 1671 and died 1693; Mehitable and Hannah. Benjamin Fenn, third son of above, was born in 1661 at Milford and died August 29, 1752, aged seventy-one years. He married Sarah Clark, who died May 26, 1727, aged sixty-four, leaving two children, Benjamin and Mehitable. Benjamin, third, was elected deacon of his church and made his will in July, 1727. Benjamin, fourth son of above, was born at Milford, in 1690; he married Sarah Prince, and died in 1776, aged eighty-six years. The children were Benjamin and Hannah. Benjamin, fourth, was a ruling elder of the Presbyterian church of Milford, and captain of a militia company. Benjamin Fenn, fifth, born 1720, died February 20, 1778, at Milford. He married Mary Peck, November 4, 1741, at Milford. and she died about 1800, quite aged. Benjamin Fenn, fifth, was captain of a militia company from 1770 to 1774, and was then elected colonel, holding his commission until his death . His children were Benjamin, Nathan, Mary, Sarah and Samuel. Benjamin Fenn, sixth, born at Milford, Conn., died October 27, 1780, in Milford. He married Sarah Treat, great-granddaughter of Gov. Robert Treat, twenty years governor of Connecticut. She died in Tallmadge, Ohio, August 12, 1838. aged ninety-three years. They were the parents of seven children, viz: Benjamin, Peck, Treat B., William, Sarah B., Clemence and Richard B. Benjamin, sixth, was appointed quartermaster of the Second regiment, Connecticut cavalry, in October, 1756; in May, 1759, was appointed lieutenant of a troop of horse, Second regiment; in October. 1776, was made lieutenant-colonel, Second regiment of militia, and in Novem- OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 865 ber, 1776, was appointed ensign of the Second battalion, continental service, certified by Kitty F. McIntyre—clerk in secretary of war's office, Washington, D. C. When the British entered New London, Conn., he was in a fight which occurred near the city, on the west. On the night of this day, a son (Richard), was born (July 4, 1779), and he went from the field of battle to the bedside of his wife, after the birth of his son. He died early in the faith of the Lord, with consumption, during the Revolutionary war. His widow (nee Sarah Treat Fenn), married Maj. Ezra Fellows, October 20, 1797, of Sheffield, Mass., where he died July 7, 1806; she came to Ohio in 1817, with Peck and Richard Fenn, her sons, and passed her remaining days at Tallmadge. She was left a goodly property by Maj. Fellows. In Revolutionary times, in Connecticut, her house was surrounded by tories, and she was kept under surveillance. She recognized one of the tories, and told him that she knew him as a neighbor, though he was masked, and called him by name. She told him that he would be remembered, and after that he was forced to leave the country, and went on board a British vessel. Mrs. Fellows was a member of the Congregational church, and assisted in the establishment of the church at Tallmadge. She donated the communion service, which is still in use, and is very handsome. She delighted to relate her Revolutionary experiences to her grandchildren. Peck Fenn, son of Benjamin, was born February 28, 1768, at Milford, Conn., and died at Tallmadge, Ohio, March 12, 1824, aged fifty-six years. He was a farmer, received a common education, and married in Milford, Conn., January 28, 1794, Urenia Durand, born in Milford, November 23, 1769, a daughter of John and Ann (Downs) Durand. John Durand was descended from John Du- - 36 - rand, a French Huguenot—exiled from France in 1630, and a settler in Connecticut. Peck Fenn died at Tallmadge, September 15, 1824. He was appointed deacon of the Congregational church at Milford, near Orange. in 1805, and held the office until he moved to Tallmadge in 1818. Peck and Richard Fenn came to Ohio and entered land in 1817, making the journey with a horse team. Peck entered 500 acres in different parts of the township, north, northeast, and east. Richard entered 120 acres in the east part of the township, and both returned to Connecticut. On August 9, both men, with their families, and the connections of their families, including Grandmother Sarah Fellows (aged seventy years), Benjamin Fenn, Dr. Philo Wright, son of Deacon Elizur Wright, a resident of Tallmadge, and a large landholder. Twenty-three persons in all, carne back to Ohio. The journey was made with vehicles drawn by horses and oxen. A two-horse wagon was used to carry the women and children, and an ox team for the effects. They came via Buffalo and Cleveland overland, camped out and slept in the wagons. The arrived at Tallmadge, October 5, 1818, having been six weeks and six days en route. Peck Fenn settled one mile north of center of Tallmadge, on 105 acres of land—twenty acres partly cleared, and a log cabin built. He cleared up this farm and died in 1824. His children were Miranda, William, Miranda, second, Harvey, Joseph, Clarinda, Eliza, Sereno, and Andrew A., all now deceased, except the last. Peck Fenn was a thrifty and substantial pioneer farmer, and left 500 acres of land in Tallmadge township. Richard Fenn, fifth son of Benjamin sixth), was born July 4, 1779, at Milford, and came to Tallmadge in 1817 or 1818. He had married, in Milford, Mabel Platt, born March 1, 1781, in Milford, Conn., a daughter of Capt. Platt. She died in Tallmadge Jan- 866 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD uary 18, 1855, aged seventy-four years. Richard was a substantial farmer and a hatter by trade. His children were Dennis and Willis (thins), born February 14, 1803. Dennis died November 16, 1827, aged twenty-four years, and Willis died November 11, 1880, aged seventy-eight years; Treat, born December 10, 1804, and died November 23, 1886; Mabel, born October 6, 1808, and died October 21, 1826; Delia, born June 23, 1812, and died March 5, 1882, aged seventy years; Sallie, born June 3, 1815, and died November 29, 1886, aged seventy-one years; Martha, born May 22, 1817; Julia A., born in June, 1820. Mr. Fenn was superintendent of the Sunday-school and proved an excellent member. He lived to be eighty-nine years of age, and was active up to his last days and a much respected pioneer citizen. The following is a copy of a letter of advice, written by Benjamin Fenn to his infant son, Richard Fenn. MILFORD, CONN. AUG. 5, 1780 My Dear Son: Now an infant at the age of thirteen months, you are not now sensible of the value of earthly parents, and know not the loss you sustain, when they are taken from you. You are born into the world in a time of great fear and trembling—the enemy then having invaded New Haven, to oppose which your now departed father exposed his life in the field of battle, but the weapons of death were not permitted to hurt; my life was spared, and I am left to languish and waste away with a lingering consumption. I leave you these few lines as the choicest gift I can confer upon you. By this, you may know you had a father, though you may not remember him. These few lines I leave for your perusal and I entreat you, my dear son, not to forget the instructions here given: Firstly—Let religion be your main study. See that you make your peace with God, that as you increase in years you may increase in grace, and in knowledge in things heavenly and divine; this will support and comfort you, under the trials of this militant state, by enabling you to stay your mind on God, and make you appear lovely in the sight of man., and glorious in the sight of God, and cause you to spend a glorious immortality at his right hand. Secondly—As you are deprived of the instructions of a father, kindly receive the advice of your mother, pay due respect to her, comfort her in affliction, obey her lawful commands, and conduct yourself toward her as becomes a dutiful son. Thirdly—Love your brothers and sisters, pay proper respect to persons of any denomination; shun evil of every kind, remembering that at the great day you must be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ for every thought, word and action; be diligent and zealous in the worship of God, both public and private. Avoid all wicked and profane company, all quarrels and unnecessary disputes. Study the Holy Scriptures and make them the rule of your faith and practice. Strive for knowledge in things temporal and spiritual, that you may be a blessing to yourself, of service to mankind, and be made happy, eternally happy, hereafter, with God in glory. Fourthly—Should God spare your life and make you capable of entering upon any particular calling, be steady in it, remembering that slothfulness and negligence will clothe a man in rags. I advise you to learn some useful trade to get a livelihood with. Be kind and faithful to the master with whom you may live, and likewise one of his family. And to conclude, my dear child, prepare for death, and to stand before God, in judgment. Prepare to meet your Father in heaven, where I hope to spend my eternity, through my glorious Lord and Savior. Receive my instructions, remembering it is the advice of a dying father. Follow the example of Jesus Christ, that at last we may meet in heaven. May God grant this for Jesus Christ's sake. This, my dear son, is the prayer of your now departed father, BENJAMIN FENN. This relic of parental affection and confidence in the covenant of faithfulness of God, written by my father, near the close of his life, OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 867 and in the sure prospect of death, to me, Richard Fenn, when a babe of thirteen months, was delivered to me according to the superscription by his executor. It has been carefully preserved, not merely as a legacy from a respected father, but as a token of the confidence with which he took hold of the Apostolic assurance--the promise is to you and your children. And now, at the age of seventy-eight years, not knowing how soon I may be called to my last account, I enclose in this form for preservation to my children and children's children, that they may see and understand the solicitude of Christian parents for their children. It exhibits the best desires and instructions that I can express for my posterity. Not riches, nor wordly honors, but sincere piety and devotion to God. Let me meet you at the right hand of Jesus Christ, our covenant head; this is my dying request. RICHARD FENN. TALLMADGE. Summit County, Ohio, July 4, 1857. Nelson W. Fenn, subject of this sketch, and one of the substantial farmers of Tallmadge township, was born October 23, 1847, in Tallmadge, on the farm where he now lives. He received a common-school education, and attended the academy at Tallmadge six years, and has an excellent education. He married November 5, 1885, in Akron, Mary L. Gunsaulis, who was born in Perrysville, Allegheny county, Pa., August 1, 1851, a daughter of John H. and Mary Ann E. (Eichor) Gunsaulis, and to Mr. and Mrs. Fenn was born Irene M., February 8, 1889. They have also an adopted son—Oliver Albert Fenn, a son of Mrs. Fenn's sister, Emeline. Mr. Fenn has a good farm of 135 acres, part of the original Richard Fenn farm. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fenn are members of the Congregational church, and Mr. Fenn is a man of marked ability and intelligence, and was one of the original members of the grange in his township. He stands high as a citizen, and has always been an industrious, straightforward man. He is a son of Treat and Harriet (Bierce) Fenn, and Treat Fenn was a son of Richard and Mabel (Platt) Fenn. Treat Fenn and wife were the parents of Curtis T., Philo B., Frederick B., Emily A., Helen A., Harriet F. and Nelson W. Mrs. Treat Fenn died, and Mr. Fenn married Mrs. Rachel Baldwin (nee Fuller), and they had one child, Sarah E. Mrs. Baldwin was the widow of Stephen Baldwin, and they were the parents of Stephen and Ellen. Treat Fenn was born in Milford, Conn., December 10, 1804, and came with his par- ents in 1818, and settled on part of the Richard Fenn homestead, and cleared up the farm where our subject now lives, in 1833. He was a member of the Congregational church, was an honorable citizen, and held the usual township offices. He lived to be eighty-two years old, and died November 23, 1886, on his farm. He was a man of excellent moral character, and a well-known pioneer. The. Gunsaulis family is of sterling French ancestry,. and came in early colonial times to Allegheny county, Pa., where they were pioneers. Mr., Gunsaulis, grandfather of subject, was a son. of William and Delilah (Lucas) Gunsaulis, who were pioneers in Allegheny county, Pa., while the Indians were yet there. William Gunsaulis was a farmer, and cleared up a farm of 200 acres on Lowrey's Run, Kilbuck township, and was a substatial farmer. His children were Delilah, John H., Margaret,, Mary, William, Philip, Rachel and Sarah (twins). William Gunsaulis lived to be seventy years old, and died in 1862; his mother lived to be ninety-four years old. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and a much respected pioneer. John H. Gunsaulis was born in Allegheny, county, Pa., October 22, I 825. He had a good education for his day, and was a man of marked intelligence, and good mind. He was a wagon-maker by trade, and lived in Perrysville, Pa., 868 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD for some years, then moved to Beaver county, and settled on a farm, where he died two years later, January 9, 1861, at only thirty-seven years of age. He and wife were members of the Presbyterian church. The Gunsaulis family is of the same stock as the famous minister, Rev. Gunsaulis, of Chicago. The children of John H. are Mary L., Margaret T. and John C. Treat Fenn married, Novemher 5, 1861, for his third wife, in Ashtabula county, Ohio, Augusta F. Wright, born June 21, 1814, who still survives him, being now aged eighty-three years—she having lived with her husband twenty-five years. She is a daughter of Col. David (of the war of 1812), and Laura (Knowlton) Wright. Laura Knowlton was one of a large family, and came with her parents to Ohio, from Winstead, Conn., in 1801-1802, and settled in Morgan township, Ashtabula county. Col. Stephen Knowlton, of Revolutionary fame, was of this stock. David Wright was born in Winstead county, Conn., and came to Ohio in 1812, and settled as above. This is the same family as that which settled in Tallmadge. David Wright had three brothers who came out with their father, John Wright, to Ohio. Mrs. Fenn is a venerable lady of remarkable memory and intelligence, and has a fund of valuable facts at command. John, Amos and Alpha, sons of John Wright, settled in Tallmadge township. OSCAR F. REED, formerly of Boston township, Summit county, Ohio, but now manager of a cheese factory at Peninsula, and one of the ex-soldiers of the Civil war, springs from sturdy German stock. He was born in Wolcott, Wayne county, N. Y., April 17, 1844, a son of Otis and Harriet A. (Hickey) Reed, and came with his parents, in 1854, to Richfield, Ohio, and was here reared to farming. He enlisted at Richfield, Ohio, August, 29, 1864, as a private of company H, Capt. Tracy, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, to serve one year or during the war, and was honorably discharged at Camp Cleveland July 7, 1865, the war being closed. He was in the battles of the Cedars, at Murfreesboro, but was taken sick with chronic diarrhea in January, 1865, and was confined in hospital at Camp Dennison, Ohio, until January 23, when he was transferred to Cleveland hospital and rejoined his regiment, the latter part of April, 1865, at Greensboro, N. C. Mr. Reed was always an active soldier and prompt and cheerful in the discharge of his duties. He returned home, however, much debilitated, and for a long time was seriously troubled with his disorder, and to this day is a sufferer. On returning to Richfield, Mr. Reed worked at any kind of labor until he married, the first time, July 24, 1871, at Akron, Emma C. Deiterlen, who was born in Germany, near Wurtemberg. She lost her father when fourteen years old, and then came to America with her mother, who had married Jacob Spredel. Mrs. Reed died without issue, and Mr. Reed married Mary J. Spencer, a widow of Weymouth, Medina county, born at Bordman, Ohio, a daughter of William C. and Belinda C. Streeter. She had been previously married to Nathan Spencer, and their children were Eveline, Ella and Jesse. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have no living children. Mr. Reed moved to South Akron in 1893, and has been engaged in the cheese factory-since 1872, and has become a skillful cheese and butter maker. He is now managing the cheese factory at Peninsula and is a straightforward and skillful man, and has always stood high for his integrity of character. He is a member of A. N. Goldwood post, No. 104, G. A. R., West Richfield, and has held the office OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 869 of chaplain and quartermaster five years. In politics he is a republican, and cast his first vote for A. Lincoln's second term as president of the United States. Otis Reed, father of O. F. Reed, was born in Massachusetts, was a shoemaker and married in Wolcott, Wayne county, N. Y., Harriet A. Hickey. The Hickeys were of English descent, and to them were born Margaret, Cordelia, Charles N., Edward B., Charlotte A., Oscar F. and Minerva M. Mr. Reed came to Ohio and settled at Richfield in the fall of 1854 and followed his trade until his death. In politics he was an original republican, but formerly an old-line whig, and lived to be seventy years old. He had two sons in the Civil war—Edward B. was in company G, One Hundred and Fifteenth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, in the three years' service, and was on guard duty at Nashville and Chattanooga railroad, and was in many skirmishes with bush-whackers. Mr. Reed has always been a sober, industrious and moral man, and is highly esteemed wherever known. HARRISON H. RICE, one of the respected citizens of Mantua township, and an ex-soldier of the Clvil war, was born in this township January 22, 1841, a son of Cyrus and Sarah (Nooney) Rice. He received a common education in the district schools and then for two years attended Hiram Eclectic institute, when James A. Garfield was its president. He next engaged in school-teaching in Portage, Franklin and Geauga counties, Ohio, meeting with much success. Mr. Rice enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, in the United States navy, August 30, 1864, and was assigned to service on the Mississippi river, under Admiral Lee, of the gunboat Argosy, for one year, but was honorably discharged June 30, 1865, at Carmi, Ill., on account of the closing of the war, having been promoted for meritorious conduct to be quarter-gunner. September 12, 1863, he was commissioned first lieutenant of company C, Second regiment, 0. M., in Geauga county, by Gov. David Tod. After the war Mr. Rice returned to Ohio, and taught school in Geauga county, at Auburn, and then in Cass county, and in Jackson county, Mo. He married on October 1, 1868, in Auburn, Geauga county, Ohio, Julia Messenger, who was born September 6, 1842, at Kirtland, Lake county, Ohio, a daughter of Clement and Pleades (Skinner) Messenger. Clement Messenger was born in Massachusetts of old colonial stock. Major Messenger, father of Clement, came to Mantua township as a pioneer, and at first bought about 500 acres, but this land he sold, and bought a large farm near the line of Hiram township. Mr. Messenger married, in Massachusetts, Ruth Miller, and died in his 'sixties, a prominent and respected citizen. Clement Messenger, the father of Mrs. Rice, married, in Mantua, Pleades L. Skinner. He was a prosperous farmer, owning a good farm of 250 acres.- In politics he was a democrat, but voted for A. Lincoln on his second nomination, and was a strong Union man. He was a respected citizen, was township trustee, and a man of great industry and integrity. He died, aged eighty-three years, in 1891. After marriage, Harrison H. Rice settled near Ray-more, Cass county, Mo., where he bought 100 acres of land, and where Mr. and Mrs. Rice both taught school for a time, Mrs. Rice having received her education in the district schools at Auburn and at Burton, Ohio. The first school taught by Mr. Rice in Missouri was in 1867, in Jackson county. It was the first school taught under the new system of public taxation—the old method in Missouri and throughout the south, when they 870 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD had any schools, being by subscription. When he settled there it was directly after the Civil war, and the country was in a very unsettled condition. He settled about twelve miles from Harrisonville, Cass county, near the home of the famous guerrillas and border outlaws, the notorious Younger brothers, now confined in the penitentiary at Stillwater, Wis. The native Missourians nearly all went armed, carrying their revolvers in their belts; there were many fights growing out of the Civil war, as they were very bitter against the Yankees, yet Mr. Rice had no trouble, and was not molested in any way. Mr. and Mrs. Rice remained in Missouri twelve years, and then returned to Ohio, and settled at Burton in 1881. Here Mr. Rice bought a farm of T00 acres and remained until 1887, when he moved to Hiram, where he resided two years, and then moved to Garrettsville, where he lived three years, and in the spring of 1893 bought his present farm near Mantua Station, which he has improved with a pleasant residence. In politics he was first a republican, but is now a bi-metalist, and voted for W. J. Bryan. Mr. Rice held the office of township clerk in Auburn, and is a well-read man, of much practice and experience in life, and stands high among the people. Cyrus Rice, the father of Harrison H., was of old New England ancestry, of English descent. Mr. Rice came to Mantua when he was about sixteen years old, in 1821, and bought fifty acres southwest of Mantua Center. He cleared up his land from the woods, and married Sarah Nooney, who was born in Massachusetts in 1807, a daughter of Capt. James and Sarah (Hawkins) Nooney. Capt. Nooney was a pioneer, and served in the war of 1812, at Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Rice cleared up his land, but afterward sold, and located in West Mantua, sold again and moved to Auburn township, where he bought 100 acres and there died May 27, 1890, at eighty-four years of age; his wife died December 28, 1886, aged seventy-nine years. He was a substantial farmer. His children were Henriette, Sylvester C., Harrison N., Cynthia and Austin. In politics he was a republican, and in religion was a member of the Methodist church, in younger days. He had two sons in the Civil war—Harrison H. and Sylvester C. , the latter enlisting August 30, 1862, and serving in battery I, First Ohio volunteer artillery, for three years, and was in many battles, among them being Chancellorsville and Gettysburg; he was discharged June 30, 1865, at Chattanooga, Tenn., by order of the secretary of war. He was a good straightforward citizen, and much thought of. MRS. LORENZO RILEY, of Twinsburg, Ohio, is the daughter of Israel and Lucinda (Parks) Cannon, was born at Blandford, Mass., April 13, 1822, and was eleven years of age when she came with her parents to Portage county, Ohio, in 1833. She received her education in the district school, in the academies at Aurora and Ravenna, and taught school at eighteen years of age at Twinsburg, at Ripley high-school, and one year on the Ohio river, where her sister and husband, William Bissell, a graduate of Harvard college, were teaching. She was married at Twinsburg, where her father was then living, April 24, 1845, to Lorenzo Riley, who was born October 19, 1820, at Aurora, a son of Eppy and Rebecca (Parrish) Riley. Eppy Riley was born at Chester, Mass., a son of Julius Riley, a Revolutionary soldier for seven years. He was of old colonial Massachusetts stock, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and came to Aurora, Ohio, in 1807, when he was a young man, and walked back to Massa- OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 871 chusetts after his wife, and then came out on horseback in 1808. He bought land at Aurora, where his son, Gerdon Riley, now lives. He cleared up a good farm from the woods, and became a substantial farmer. His first wife was Rebecca Parrish, born at Chester, Mass., and their children were Olive, Orsmon, Lorenzo, Tallman and Betsy. His first wife died, and Eppy then married a sister of that lady, Diana (Boies), nee Parrish, and by this wife Gerdon was born. Eppy Riley was a member of the Congregational church, and lived to be between eighty and ninety years old, and died on his farm. He was a man of shrewd wit, and of rare intelligence. Lorenzo Riley received his education at the district school and attended the famous school of Samuel Bissell, at Twinsburg, three winter terms. He farmed and did business, and was a very enegetic and industrious young man, and began life with a horse, cow and T00 acres of swamp land in Twinsburg township. He married Sarah Melissa Cannon, of Twinsburg, April 24, 1845, and after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Riley settled in Twinsburg township, and here he passed the remainder of his life—his land laying two and one-half miles northeast of Twinsburg Center; and he bought sixty acres adjoining the swamp land, and by hard, patient labor cleared up his land, drained it, and, aided by his faithful wife, made a good home. He was a shrewd business man, and accumulated property until he owned over 2,000 acres in Twinsburg and Aurora townships, was an excellent cattle and horse raiser, and was the largest landholder in Portage and Summit counties. In politics he was a republican, and although frequently solicited to accept nominations, would refuse all public offices. He was a member of the Congregational church, and was a man noted for his honest and straightforward character, and possessed a native ability as a business man. Mr. Riley died February 5, 1893, deeply mourned by his family and numerous friends. Mrs. Riley is now living in Twinsburg. She has an excellent memory of pioneer events, and remembers many of the earlier settlers. She is a member of the Congregational church at Twinsburg, and has contributed largely to its maintenance. At her husband's request she has given the Congregational church, at Aurora, 180 acres of farm land, and the Congregational church, at Twinsburg, $35 per year, which is to be paid by Lewis Cochran, and has given a fine farm of T00 acres to said Lewis Cochran, a poor boy, whom Mr. and Mrs. Riley reared to manhood. Mrs. Riley also gave sixty acres of land to Charles Riley, who lived with them from the time he was eleven years old. He was a nephew of Mr. Riley, and he is to have a future bequest of eighty-seven acres. Mrs. Riley is a lady of marked intelligence, a woman of excellent business qualifications, and manages her large property with the assistance of her brother, Hon. Rueben P. Cannon. The following facts of the early history and genealogy of the Cannon family were gathered during a period of thirty years. Hon. R. P. Cannon spent a great deal of time and labor to obtain these facts, which are undoubtedly correct. The original name was Carnahan, and it is thought the change to Cannon came gradually through two generations. They were of Scotch-Irish descent, and came to America during the first quarter of the seventeenth century, and their first settlement in America was at Hopkinton, twenty-nine miles west of Boston, now Landbury. There were two brothers and one sister, probably unmarried, but the time of their settlement is not known. Hopkinton, and surrounding lands, were owned by Harvard college, and rented very cheaply—two or three cents per acre. The 872 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD town was built and peopled by a Scotch-Irish colony, that came in the year 1718, arriving August 4; five ships, with people of the same faith, came at this time. In after years, history says, many more of the same faith joined them. It is a well-established fact, that the Cannons were among the early settlers of Hopkinton, and that some of the name, and relatives, remained in that town and vicinity for half a century after their settlement. From this place nine emigrated to the then territory of Tennessee in early times, and one was later governor there many years. Many years later, another large family went from Hopkinton to Genesee county, N. Y., in its first settlement. With descendants of that branch, this writer has corresponded. Another branch went from West Hopkinton to Blandford, Mass., first called Glasgow. That town was settled in 1736 by a colony of fifty families, receiving two sixty-acre lots, and among those that followed were the Carnahans or Cannons. That colony was made up at Hopkinton, their former residence, and again we find them, soon after settlement, occupying two of the original lots—one of the first, and one of the second division. The first settler of the name in Blandford was William Carnahan. The time of settlement cannot be given, but his location was on first division, Town street. The next generation in the town was William and John, brothers, supposed sons of William, Sr. William, Jr., occupied the first division homestead, which the family held in descent for a century, and John (calling his name Cannon), occupied the second division, which the family held in descent for a century and more, two miles east of Blandford. In 1775, William was chosen to represent the town in the congress of the colonies, and he served also in the Revolutionary war, in two enlistments. The founders of the family in America were two brothers and a sister, all probably unmarried, who came with the Scotch-Irish Presbyterian colony to Hopkinton, arriving August 4, 1718. Their names are unknown. The first name known is William Carnahan, believed to be a son of one of the two brothers, who was the original founder of the family, but William Carnahan may have been one of these brothers, as he settled at Blandford in 1736. His sons were John and William. From John Carnahan our subject descends, or, as he spelled the name, Cannon. He was a resident of Blandford, Mass., and a farmer. He married Rebecca Gibbs, and their children were Nathan, John, Isaac, Ezekiel and Rebecca. William Cannon died at Blanford, Mass., 1790. Nathan, his son, next in descent, was born at Blandford, Mass., December 2, 1759, and married April 5, 1785. Elizabeth Gilmore was born in 1760, in Chester, Mass., a daughter of James Gilmore, a Revolutionary soldier who enlisted twice. Nathan and wife were the parents of Israel, born April, 1796; Sylvester, born 1790; Nathan, born 180o; Sallie, born 1788; Artemesia, born 1793; Olive, born 1795; Salomie, born 1797, and Tryphena, born 1807. Nathan Cannon was a farmer, and a resident of Bland-ford, on the old homestead, all his life. He served three enlistments, of from three to six months each, in the Revolutionary war. His first enlistment was in Capt. Carpenter's company, regiment of Col. Sheppard, for three months, stationed at Springfield, Mass. The third enlistment was in Capt. Samuel Sloper's company, for six months, and was mustered at Northampton. Of his second enlistment no record is held in Massachusetts, but he enlisted, with four others, from Blandford township, viz: William Butler, John Taggert, Reuben Blair and William Knox, in Springfield, Mass., served three months, and was discharged at Hartford, Conn., and paid off OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 873 with continental money and one ration. Bland-ford was forty-five miles distant. They ate their ration, and walked one day. They found they could buy no food for their continental money. and it was not until they reached Westfield, Mass., where they were known, they obtained food. Their continental money was never redeemed. He held at one time the office of commissary in a regiment in Connecticut. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and died in 1846. Col. Israel Cannon, son of above, was the father of subject, was born May 2. 1786, at Blandford, on the old homestead of John Cannon. He received a common-school education, was a farmer, and married, in Blandford, Lucinda Parks, who was horn October 21, 1786, in Russell township, Hampden county, Mass., a daughter of Reuben and Mary Parks. Mr. Cannon lived on the old farm until 1833. Here all the children were born, viz: Polly, horn November 25, 1808; Betsy, March 2, 1811: Franklin, October 1 0, 1813; Horace, April 8, 1817; Reuben, January 13, 1820; Melissa, April 13, 1822, and Lewis, August 7, 1827. Mr. Cannon was a prominent man in Blandford. In politics he was a whig. He represented his town in the state legislature in Boston in 1828-1831. He was minute man in the state militia during the war of 1812, was a colonel in the Massachusetts state militia, and held the office of justice of the peace many years; was also one of the board of selectmen, and held other offices. In 1833, having met with reverses by becoming surety for other parties, he came to Ohio, making the journey by canal to Buffalo; N. Y., and then by water to Cleveland on the steamboat Enterprise—the first steamer between Cleveland and Buffalo, and was twenty-four hours from port to port, and used wood for fuel. He came to Aurora with wagons and settled on a tract of land, and here he lived ten years, and then moved on 1 t0 acres in Twinsburg township, which he had bought the second year after he came. This was all in the woods, but Mr. Cannon cleared his land, improved it with good buildings, and made a • substantial, comfortable home. In his old age he bought a house and lot in Twinsburg, where he died, aged eighty-one years, January 19, 1865, a strict member of the Congregational church, in politics a whig and republican, an honored citizen, and trustee of township and church. Hon. Reuben P. Cannon was born January 13, 1820, at Blandford, Mass. He attended common school in Massachusetts, and came with his parents to Aurora, in 1833, when he was thirteen years old. He attended the academy at Aurora three years and thus received a good education—to which he added by keeping up with the times and taking a great interest in politics. He was sent as a delegate to the whig congressional convention at Ravenna when he was but twenty-two years old, and in 1848 was elected clerk of the township unanimously, although it was a democratic township, and after that he held all the township offices. In 1867 he was elected to the state legislature and served two terms--four years—and during that time was chairman of the agricultural committee, and was the writer and promoter of the bill which gave Ohio the agricultural college, which now has become the state university of Ohio, and as a result of his labors he was elected to the state board of agriculture, and re-elected twice, served six years, and was one term, in 1875, its president. Hon. R. P. Cannon was elected justice of the peace in 1865, and has held the office of commissioner covering a period of twenty-five years, and during this time has done much legal business, and has settled a great many estates, acting as administrator, and has married many couples. He himself 874 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD married, October 18, 1843, Betsy Baldwin, born at Aurora, Ohio, January 14, 1822, a daughter of Alonson and Ruth (Wallace) Baldwin. Alonson Baldwin was born March 28, 1799, in Danbury, Conn., a son of Samuel and Rachael Baldwin. Alonson Baldwin and wife were the parents of Betsy, Hannah, Melissa, Lucy, Lois, Alonson and Sophronia. Mr. Baldwin came to Aurora when he was about nine years old, with his parents. He married in Franklin township, and settled on a farm of 300 acres in Aurora. He was a prosperous pioneer, and was one of the early merchants in Aurora, in company with S. D. Kelly, under the firm name of Baldwin & Kelly. He was a member of the Disciples' church, and church trustee. In politics he was a democrat and a respected and honored man, and held the office of county commissioner several terms, and that of justice of the peace many years. He was also associated with Harvey Baldwin, Sr., in the cheese-shipping business, and in the pork-packing business, and was a well-known pioneer. He died, aged sixty years, in Aurora, November 9, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Cannon settled in Aurora, on the farm on which they lived two years, and then came to his present farm. Mr. Cannon has prospered by his industry and good management, and has now 300 acres. He is a self-made man, and, assisted by his faithful wife, has succeeded. The children are Addie A., Mary Alice, Ella O. and Ruth L., members of the Disciples' church; in politics he is a republican. Mr. Cannon is a substantial citizen, and has always been a straightforward gentleman. RANDOLPH ROBINSON, a prosperous farmer of Boston township, and an old soldier of the Civil war, was born February 10, 1841, in Bath, Summit county, Ohio, a son of James and Ruth (Welker) Robinson. He received a common district-school education, and was reared a farmer. He enlisted, aged twenty years, at Cleveland, Ohio, in an independent company, known as the Continental guards, in 1861, to serve three months, but was honorably discharged at Cincinnati, Ohio, after a service of two and one-half months; there being no arms, the company never reached the front. He then enlisted at Cincinnati, in June, 1861, in company H, Second regiment Kentucky volunteer infantry, to serve three years, or during the war, and was honorably discharged at Covington, Ky., in June, 1864. His services were in what is now West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Mississipi, and he was always on active duty, and had no furlough home. Company H, Second regiment, Kentucky volunteer infantry, was organized at Camp Clay, Ohio, on May 1, 1861, for the three months' service, and was mustered into the United States service, June 13, 1861, by Maj. Burbank, for three years, unless sooner discharged. On the 9th of July, the company was ordered to West Virginia; on the morning of the 11th, they disembarked at Guyandotte; on the 13th, the regiment attacked Col. Jenkines' guerrilla band at Barbersville, and after some fighting, succeeded in driving them from the crest of a large hill. The loss was two killed, and fourteen wounded. In the evening the regiment arrived at Camp Poco, in the Kanawha Valley, sixteen miles below Charleston. On the evening of the 17th, Col. Woodruff, Lieut.-Col. Neff and Capts. Neff, Austin and Hurd, were taken prisoners. The regiment remained in West Virginia until January 5, 1862, in the meantime participating in all the tedious marches and skirmisnes, during the Sewell mountain campaign. February 8, 1862, the regiment arrived at Jeffersonville, Ind., and went into Camp OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 875 Joe Holt; arrived at Bardstown, Ky., January 20, 1862; February 14, they marched southward, and at the battle field of Shiloh, on the evening of April 6, and on the 7th of April, were actively engaged all day in this great battle. The regiment lost sixteen killed, fifty-five wounded, and seven missing, and in the siege of Corinth, lost two killed, and fourteen wounded. The regiment was kept busily engaged, and nearly always in advance, throughout the campaign of 1862, and pursued Bragg's retreating forces, marching thirty miles through Cumberland Gap. At the battle of Stone River, the regiment displayed great gallantry, and did not retreat until overwhelmed by numbers. There the regiment lost eleven killed, fifty-seven wounded, and eleven missing. After the enemy retreated from Murfreesboro, the regiment went into camp at Cripple creek, eight miles east of Murfreesboro. The latter part of August, 1863, the regiment marched to Sequatchie valley—thence to the Tennessee river, and arrived at Shell Mount, September 19, 1863; then went to Chattanooga, was in both days' fight on the banks of the Chickamauga, and lost sixteen killed, seventy-two wounded and six missing. Of the commissioned officers of this regiment, from its organization up to October 1, 1863, three were killed, one died of disease, fourteen were wounded and four were transferred; four were taken prisoners of war, twenty-three resigned, six were relieved for promotion, two were dismissed, and one was cashiered—a total of fifty-eight. Of the enlisted men, seventy-six were killed, thirty-seven died of disease, 182 were wounded, 110 discharged for disability, sixteen discharged for promotion, three discharged on account of minority, nineteen discharged to enter other regiments, and twenty-seven transferred ; eleven were missing in action, four were drowned and 166 deserted. Mr. Robinson was always an active soldier, being a strong, hardy young man, and endured all the hardships and privations of a soldier's life with fortitude. He was sick in regimental hospital at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1861, for one month, and this is his entire hospital experience. After the war he returned to Ohio, but married in Michigan, at Ridgeway, Lenawee county, Miss Mary Point, who was born in Geauga county, Ohio, December 29, 1848, a daughter Elibbeous and Amanda (Gould) Point. Her mother's people were from Vermont, of German ancestry. Elibbeous Point was a farmer and old settler of Summit county, Ohio. His children were Mary, Henry, Anna. and Cornelia, all living. Mrs. Point died in Ashtabula county, Ohio, and he next married, in Michigan, Elizabeth Faust, and their children were Frank and Frances (twins), Nathaniel, Lillie and William (twins), Emma and Amanda. Mr. Point moved to Buena Vista county, Ia., about 1877, had a large farm of 640 acres of land, and was a substantial farmer and good citizen. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Robinson settled on their present home farm, which he purchased in partnership with his brother William, and which then contained 297 acres, but they have since divided, and Randolph Robinson now owns 151 acres of fine land, on which he has made good improvements, building a good farm house and substantial barns. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are Cora M., Flora A., Henry and James. In politics he is a republican, cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln, and is a member of George L. Waterman post, No. 272, G. A. R., at Peninsula. Mr. Robinson is a much-respected citizen, and an industrious, hard-working man. James Robinson, father of subject, was born in England, and came from London when a boy of twelve years, working his way on a ship. He married in Chippewa, Ohio, and 876 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD DAVID RITTERSBACH, a well-known and highly respected citizen of Akron, Ohio, and a veteran of the late Civil war, in which he gallantly served from start to finish, was born in Canton, Ohio, October 2, 1839, a son of George and Elizabeth (Hess) Rittersbach, prominent residents of that city. the children born to this union were William, Elizabeth, Mahala, Randolph and Andrew. Three of the sons were in the Civil war--William, Andrew and Randolph. William and Andrew were in the Twenty-ninth Ohio infantry, three years' service, and were in several battles in the army of Virginia. James Robinson was a soldier in the war of 1812, and lived many years in Summit county, Ohio. He lived to be seventy-eight years old, and died in 1863, a hard-working, industrious citizen. Simon Gould, uncle of Mrs. Robinson, was a soldier in the Civil war. David Rittersbach received a very good common-school education and had just begun learning the machinist's trade, at Canton when the alarm of war was sounded, at which, early in the spring of 1861, he went to Kankakee, Ill., and enlisted, April 24, in company G, Twentieth Illinois volunteer infantry, for three months, but, before the expiration of his term was permitted to enlist for three years, or for the war, at Joliet, Ill„ June 13, 1861. He served six weeks longer than the stipulated time, and was honorably discharged at Chattanooga, Tenn. He then came to Akron, and again enlisted February 17, 1865, this time in company I, One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, for one year or during the war, and served until again honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., September 21, 1865 (the war having terminated), with the rank of sergeant, although at the time he was serving as orderly-sergeant. Mr. Rittersbach took part in many battles and met with several mishaps, although none of them was of a serious character. He fought at Frederickstown, Mo. ; Charleston, Mo. ; Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Brittain Lane, Tenn. ; Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill and Vicksburg, Miss., and was beside in many skirmishes. At Fort Donelson, two rifle-balls pierced his overcoat; at Shiloh, a ball passed through his blouse and a comrade in his immediate rear was killed; at Raymond, he was struck in the face by a splinter, but did not leave the field. For three weeks, in July, 1863, he was laid up with intermittent fever in hospital at Vicksburg. At the battle of Brittian Lane he was captured by the enemy, but, the rebels being on the retreat, he was hastily paroled within twenty-four hours and returned to his regiment. David Rittersbach was in the Seventeenth army corps, Gen. Logan's division, at Vicksburg; during the siege it lay in front of Fort Hill, the key to the city. When the Union troops blew up Fort Hill, a negro was thrown into their lines and struck on his head without being hurt; he told Gen. Logan that his master was going up as he was coming down. After the battle of Raymond, Gen. Logan came into camp and counted ninety-one holes in the colors of the Twentieth Ill. regiment. Mr. Rittersbach had three brothers, and they were all in the Union army and one disabled for life. At the conclusion of his war service, Mr. Rittersbach returned to Akron and was here married, October 11, 1866, to Miss Sarah Lawrence, daughter of Aaron and Mirtilla (Miller) Lawrence, the union resulting in the birth of one daughter, Eva, now the wife of Harry Cleveland. He here resumed his trade of machinist in the Buckeye works, where he remained twenty-six years, and then engaged OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 877 in the manufacture of a canteen for veterans of the late war, decorated in a highly artistic manner, in colors, with the G, A. R. badge, and inscribed with the designating letter of their company, number of their regiment, and the name of their state, and of this beautiful souvenir a large number of his comrades have made purchase. As a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Mr. Rittersbach has filled the offices of junior and senior vice-commander and commander. In politics he is a republican, and for the past eight years has been president of the board of park commissioners, and no man in the city of Akron is more respected to-day than the valiant soldier, David Rittersbach. SARAH E. RUSSELL, of Streetsboro, Ohio, descends from an old colonial family of Connecticut, of English Puritan ancestry, three brothers, John, Jacob and William Russell, having come from England between 1730 and 175o, and locating in Hebron, Conn., whence they moved to Windsor, where they made permanent settlement. William Russell, above mentioned, was the father of five sons, Samuel, Ebenezer, Ellis, Jonathan and Hezekiah. Of these, Samuel, was born in England about 1714, married Mary Huffman, and died in Windsor, Conn., at the age of sixty-five years, the father of six children-Jacob, Stephen, Cornelius, John, Elizabeth and Rachel-his sons all taking part in the war of the Revolution, and some of them holding offices of high rank. His death occurred at West Windsor, Conn., and was caused by the accidental falling of a rail on his thigh, breaking the bone. John Russell, youngest son of Samuel, married Patty Thrall, settled in Rodman, Jefferson county, N. Y., and there died June 22, 1844. Of his children, Alanson died in Cleveland, Hezekiah at Chagrin Falls, Cayahoga county, Ohio, Elizabeth was married to a Mr. Young, and Rachel married a Mr. Cook. Jacob Russell, eldest son of Samuel and Mary (Huffman) Russell, was born in West Windsor, Conn., April 26, 1746, served in the war of the Revolution, and came to Ohio in 1812. He married, in West Windsor, Esther Dunham, who bore him the following children: Elijah, born July 13, 1773, and died February 2, 1857; Esther, born October 25, 1774, married David Benjamin, and died in March 1864; Return, born March 1, 1778, died October 5, 1834; Elisha, born November 14, 1779, died October 15, 1862; Samuel, born January 14, 1781, died June 8, 1853; Jerusha, born February 24, 1785, and now the wife of Moses Deming; Content, born May 7, 1794, died March 5, 1866, the wife of Risley Harley; Ralph, born August 3, 1789, died December 28, 1866; Roxana, born March 10, 1792, married Gershom Sheldon, and died September 15, 1872; Obedience, born May 23, 1794, was married to Joseph Pelton, and died April 29, 1862, and Rodney, born May 17, 1796, died September 3, 1880. The father of this family died in Warrensville, Ohio, August 29, 1821, and the mother in Solon. Ohio, September 16, 1835. The paternal grandfather of Sarah E. was Return Russell, who was born in Windsor, Conn., March 1, 1778, and died October 5, 1834. He was married, February 22, 1800, to Jerusha Osborne, daughter of Ezekiel Osborne, of the state of New York. She was born December 20, 1780, and died March 23, 1854, both being members of the Shaker -society, and are buried in Warrensville, Ohio, in what was Shaker ground. Their children were: Luther, father of Sarah E; Jerusha, born July 3, 1803, died June 22, 1854, lived a Shaker and lies buried in Warrensville Shaker 878 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD grounds; Edward, born July 18, 1805, died June 18, 1885, and is buried in Streetsboro; Samuel S., born May 14, 1807, died at Mantua Station, December 14, 1893; he married Adeline, daughter of Elijah Russell, April 6, 1859. She was born July 10, 1810, died December 26, 1853, both are buried in Streetsboro; Rachel, born May 25, 1809, died January 14, 1894; she lived and died a devout Shaker, and is buried in Shaker grounds near Dayton; Robert E., born February 30, 1811, died October 16, 1888, in Sumner, Iowa; he was twice married, his first wife being Hannah Williams; they had four children; one son, Robert E., Jr., served in ,the Civil war, and died in Andersonville prison. His second wife was Mary A. Joy; by her he also had four children-six children survive him: William H. H., born August 21, 1813, died December 5, 1889, in San Diego, Cal.; Mary A., born May 21, 1816, long a helpless invalid is living with her husband, Nelson Phillips, who was born March 3, 1827, in Hinckley, Ohio-in the home of Sarah E.; Sanford J., born May 1 1, 1818, a Shaker, at Union village; Lydia, born June 6, 1820, died at Mantua Station, September 7, 1868, buried in Streetsboro; Roxanna, born June 9, 1822, died March 25, 1852, a Shaker, and is buried in Warrensville Shaker grounds. Luther Russell, son of Return Russell, and father of Miss Sarah E., was born in West Windsor, Conn., November 9, 1801, received a good common-school education, was reared a farmer, and came to Ohio in 1821. He married, March 3, 1828, in Aurora, Ohio, Miss Polly Russell, who was born March 25, 1806, a daughter of Samuel and Hepzibeth (Ellsworth) Russell. From Aurora, Luther and wife came to Streetsboro, about 1830, and settled on the farm now owned by Miss Sarah E. Russell. The farm, which consisted of 105 acres, was covered by a dense growth of heavy timber, which Mr. Russell cleared off by patient industry and hard work, and improved with substantial buildings, making a comfortable home. His children, in order of birth, were named Martin L., born December 29, 1829, died July 2, 1855; Cynthia M., born May 22, 1832, died December 25, 1834; Sarah E., born June 3, 1834; Marion B., born November 10, 1837, died January 18, 1879, and Helen M., born November 16, 1841, died November 28, 1881. Mr. Russell was a man of excellent judgment, and high moral character. In politics he was a democrat, and in religion a Spiritualist. For more than fifty years he was identified with the moral, intellectual and material prosperity of Portage county, and, being well read and of profound thought, he was often selected by his neighbors as a counselor and abitrator of their various little difficulties, rather than seeking adjustment by litigation. He was of a kind disposition, and very benevolent, and a most affectionate husband and father. Successful as a business man and a good manager, and with the aid and economy of his devoted wife, they realized a competence through their individual exertions, and at his death, which occurred August 5, 1878, left the unincumbered farm now occupied by his daughter, Sarah E., and granddaughter, Mrs. Nellie A. (Saddler) Gordon. His wife was called away September 9, 1896. Many are the orphaned children now grown to womanhood and manhood, who live to bless their memory. Helen M. Russell, youngest child of Luther and Polly Russell, was married, January 1, 1865, to Johnson J. Sadler, a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, and a son of Thomas and Ann Sadler, who were of Scotch-Irish extraction. Johnson J. Sadler was a soldier in the Civil war, and later a coal dealer at Mantua Station, where he died May 19, 1882, at the age of forty-four years, as man of excel- OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 879 lent moral character, and in politics a republican. The only living child born to Mr. and Mrs. Sadler was named Nellie A., and she was married, August 9, 1893, to Oliver P. Harris, a farmer, who was born at Sugar creek, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, February 27, 1871, a son of Joseph and Leah (Gordon) Harris, and who died of typhoid fever in Streetsboro, December 16; 1895, leaving his widow with one son-Jack Oliver Harris, born September 22, 1895. Her second marriage was consummated December 31, 1897, with Elmer E. Gordon, who has spent most of his life in the mercantile business. Elmer E. Gordon was born in Bedford county, Pa., July 29, 1871, a son of L. M. and Margaret A. Gordon, is a graduate of Pleasantville Normal school, and a member of the Patriotic Sons of America. The maternal grandfather of Sarah E. was Samuel Russell, whose date of birth and death have been given; his wife was Hepzibeth Ellsworth, of Connecticut; she was born August 30, 1785 and died February 6, 1837. About the year 1811, they, with their three little children, braved the toil and suffering attendant upon what at that time was a long and tedious journey, sometimes walking, sometimes riding in the rude wagon which bore their scanty supplies, and sometimes riding on the back of the patient ox, which bore them with slow but sure steps from the home of their nativity the wilds of Aurora, Portage county, Ohio. No wonder the tears of the young wife and mother mingled with those of her home-sick children or that fear drove sleep from their eyes when the hours of night were filled in by the howling of the hungry wolf, the stealthy step of the prowling bear, and oftentimes visits from the red man of the forest, but time and energy changed this lonely place into a desirable home; here they lived, here they reared their family and from here they passed to peaceful rest and now lie buried in the country cemetery less than a mile from the old home. The children of this family were as follows: Polly E., the mother of Sarah E. and whose date of birth and death have been given; Samuel, Jr., born February 15, 1808, father of four children, survived by only five grandchildren; Cynthia, born May 22, 1810, died February 12, 1828; Laura, born July 8, 1812, in Aurora, died February 28, 1864, in Mendon, Ill., the wife of Dr. Jacob Haymaker. Dr. Haymaker was a man of most generous deeds; he died in Kent, April 15, 1881; children they had none, but by a second marriage to a Miss Harriet Whitcolm three lovely daughters were born to him; this second wife died in Kent September 30, 1897; Newil, born July 27, 1817, in Aurora, died in Winnemucca, Nev. ; his wife was Pauline Blachley of Blachleyville, Ohio, They married June 11, 1850; she died in Quincy, Ill., July 29, 1867, leaving five children: The father was of a free, kind, genial nature; he served in both the Mexican and Civil wars; Horace, born December 6, 1819, in Aurora, died March 15, 1857; his wife was Elizabeth Kent, of Aurora; she died January 3, 1866, leaving the old Russell homestead unincumbered to their four children; the home has now passed into another name; but two children now survive, Bell M. Clark and Horace Z. Of the children of Newil Russell, Chester N. came into the home of Luther and Polly April 23, 1864; following the death of their mother; the remaining four children came to this home; their names are as follows: Frank P., born October 29, 1852, in Valparaiso, Ind., was married to Miss Lillie Tucker, of Streetsboro, May 13, 1880, three daughters are born to them; he is a practicing physician in Suffield, Ohio. Chester N., born March 19, 1855, in Council Blnffs, Iowa, married Lizzie Inglehart of Brimfield, October 5, 1885; is practicing law 880 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Agnes V., wife of J. F. Seaton, Omaha, Neb., was born at Council Bluffs, Iowa, September 24, 1858, and is the mother of five children; Lola L., wife of W. A. Folger, Akron, Ohio, was born at Council Bluffs, Iowa, March 4, 1861, and is the mother of three daughters; Charles H. was born December 23, 1864, in Quincy, Ill., and is a railroader. He was married January 14, 1891, to a Miss Mary Lewis, who was born October 1, 1870, and died February 11, 1895, leaving two children; March 2, 1896, he was married to Miss Ina Hemingway, who was born January 5, 1866. WILLIAM ROWLAND, a deceased farmer of Paris township, Portage county, Ohio, was born of Welsh parents, in Monmouth, England, at midnight—December 31, 1795, and January 1, 1796—a son of Edward and Ann Rowland. Edward Rowland was a blacksmith by trade, and reared a family of ten children, viz: Miles, Charles, Edward, Henry, Edmund, Adam, William, John, Thomas, and Ann, all now deceased. The children on the maternal side were seven in number, of whom one only survives--Via, now the wife of Joshua Andrus. William Rowland was reared in Wales until twenty-nine years of age. In 1825 he sailed from England and landed in New York, where he remained one year; then visited Canada, and then returned to England, where he married, February 15, 1826, Miss Catherine Edmunds, daughter of Edmund and Johanna Edmunds, and this marriage was blessed with ten children—three of whom were born in England, and six of whom still survive, viz: Ebenezer, of Colorado; Sarah, Adelina, Henry (of Youngstown, Ohio), Edward (on the old Paris homestead), and Edmund, of Michigan. Ann died in. 1849, at the age of twenty-one years; Susan died in April, 1882, aged fifty-three, the wife of David James, also deceased; Adam died February 11, 1895, at the age of sixty years, and William died May 11, 1896, aged forty-eight. In 1832 Mr. Rowland brought his wife and English-born children to America, and located in Utica, N. Y., where he left his family and came to Ohio, and bought the tract of land in Paris township on which his son Edward now resides. He was the first Welsh settler in the township, and cleared up from the wilderness a neat farm, his family coming here a year after his own arrival. Mr. Rowland, just after the arrival of his family, visited Pittsburg, Cincinnati and St. Louis, in a fruitless search for a brother who had come to America, and then settled down to solid work. He had learned the carpenter's trade when young, and this he followed in conjunction with farming, securing, through his industry and skill, a competence. He served as school director and supervisor for a number of years, and died, an honored citizen, June 12, 187 1, and was followed to the grave by his widow January 4, 1874—both being consistent members of the Welsh Presbyterian church. Mr. Rowland was one of the greatest pedestrians which this part of the country has seen. At one time, about 1835, he started from Pittsburg, Pa., for Paris township, his home. It was at six o'clock in the morning when he started, and at nightfall he had landed in Deerfield township, a distance of ninety-six miles. Edward Rowland, son of above, and his. sisters, Sarah and Adeline, reside on the old homestead and are still unmarried. Edward has served as school director, supervisor and township trustee for several years, and is one of the most respected agriculturists of Paris township. OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 881 CHAUNCY A. BARTHOLOMEW, an ex-soldier of the Civil war, and a highly-respected citizen of Mantua township, Portage county, Ohio, descends from one of the oldest colonial families in America, of which the genealogy, as far as possible, will be traced in the paragraphs following: William Bartholomew, the founder of the family in this country, was born in Buford, England, in 1602 or 1603, was a son of William and Triswede Bartholomew, who belonged to the peerage and bore his coat of arms, and yet the father conducted a mercantile establishment. William, the younger, was also reared a merchant, and was married in London to Ann Lord, a sister of Robert Lord, who subsequently became his near neighbor in Ipswich, Mass. Before coming to America he had entertained, at his home in London, the famous Ann Hutchinson, renowned for her free thought and free speech, and who, in 1635, was banished, on this account, by the Massachusetts colony, and accompanied Roger Williams and his colony to the new settlement of Rhode Island. On September 18, 1634, William Bartholomew, in company with Rev. Zachary Symmes, Mrs. Ann Hutchinson, Rev. John Lathrop, and some thirty of the latter's congregation, of which he was probably a member, debarked from the sailing vessel Griffin at Boston, Mass., whence he went .to Ipswich, where he took an active part in public affairs, represented the residents in the general court in Boston, and held several local offices of trust and honor. About March, 1670, he moved to Boston, where he followed mercantile pursuits, and filled several important offices, among them being that of treasurer of the colony. There his death took place January, 18, 1682, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his remains were interred in the Phipps street cemetery, beside those of John - 37 - Harvard, famous as the founder of Harvard college. His old residence in Ipswich stood intact until 1894. William Bartholomew (second), son of the colonist, William, was born in Ipswich, Mass., in 1640 or 1641, was married, December 17, 1663, in Roxbury, Mass., to May, daughter of Capt. Isaac and Elizabeth (Porter) Johnson, and a granddaughter of John Johnson, surveyor of all the armies of the king in America, and who was killed while leading his men over the bridge and fallen timber into the Indian fort of the Narragansetts—known in history as the battle of Fort Narragansett. Mr. Bartholomew was a carpenter by trade, and was working in Hatfield, Mass., when the Indians destroyed the town, killed twelve white men, captured thirteen, and wounded four. Of the prisoners, his daughter, Abigail, aged four years, with the other twelve, were carried through the forests to Canada, where they were ransomed, eight months later, by the payment of 200 pounds sterling. Mr. Bartholomew later removed to Branford (now in Connecticut), erected a saw-mill, was appointed ensign of a military company, then promoted to be lieutenant, and still later settled in Woodstock, which town he represented in the general court at Boston, and died in Woodstock in 1697. Joseph Bartholomew, son of William (second), was born in Branford in 1682, married, November 12, 1713, Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel Sawyer, was a farmer of Woodstock, Conn., and died at the age of forty-two years. His son, Joseph, was a corporal in Capt. Cheney's company, Choat's regiment, and was in the expedition against Louisburg, on Cape Breton island, at the entrance of the gulf of St. Lawrence, which fortress had cost the French government millions of dollars to build, and was considered to be the strongest in the world, but which fell under an attack 882 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD by a few thousand Yankee farmer boys, led by Col. Pepperrell, of Maine, who was knighted for its capture, by the government of England, the event taking place in 1745, during the war between England, George II being on the throne, and the French government, then in possession of Canada—the colonies of America, of course, being participants in the cause of the British. Passing now to Joseph Bartholomew, the fifth of the name, and the great-grandfather of Chauncy A., it is proper to state that he was born in Wallingford, Conn., August 25, 1752, and married a widow, Mrs. Esther Cleveland. About 1790 he moved to Hamilton, and thence to Cornwall, Conn., and in 1793 settled in the town of Pompey, N. Y., where he built the first hotel in 1796; and conducted it until 1808. He was also a prosperous farmer and held the office of road overseer. Chauncy Bartholomew, next in line, was born in Wallingford, Conn., April 15, 1776, married in Pompey, N. Y., Susannah Schofield, and died in Cornwall, N. Y., in 1808. He, like his father, was a prosperous farmer. Jonathan P. Bartholomew, father of Chauncy A., was born in Cornwall, N. Y. , September 26, '1799, and married, March 4, 1821, Mary Wilson, a daughter of Andrew and Mary Wilson. At the early age of fifteen he enlisted in the volunteer army, and in the war of 1812-15, took part in the battle at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y. He afterward learned blacksmithing, and in 1822 came to Ohio and built the first blacksmith shop in Auburn, Geauga county. He also owned several farms, and had born to him a family of twelve children, viz: Charity, Alvirus P., Nelson S., Julia A., Chauncy A., Betsy A., James D., Sarah, Mary L., Alonzo D., Thomas C. and Andrew —of whom nine lived to rear families of their own. Jonathan Bartholomew was in politics at first a whig, then a republican and abo litionist, and gave much attention to the management of the "underground railroad" in assisting runaway slaves to freedom. He held a captain's commission in the old Ohio state militia, was prominent as a member of the Methodist church, and died in that faith at Auburn, February 3, 1862. Chauncy A. Bartholomew, son of Jonathan P. and May (Wilson) Bartholomew, was born in Auburn, Geauga county, Ohio, August 31, 1828, was reared a farmer, and married, November 25, 1852, in Mantua township, Portage county, Ohio, Miss Emily Winchel, who was born in Mantua township, September 21, 1832, a daughter of Chauncy and Perses (Parker) Winchel. John Winchel, grandfather of Mrs. Bartholomew, was a native of Connecticut, born in Suffield, and there married Roxie Coombs, who bore him eight children—Ariel, John, Chauncy, Eli, George, Daniel, Roxie and Clarissa. Mr. Winchel was a well-to-do farmer in Connecticut, but late in life came to Ohio, and until his death resided with his son, Chauncy, the father of Mrs. Bartholomew. Chauncy Winchel was born in Suffield, Conn., in 1800, and on coming to Ohio, at the age of fourteen years, was accompanied by his brother George, aged twelve. They had a brother, Eli, living in Aurora, Portage county, with Zenas Kent, and trudged all the way on foot to visit him. He was the owner of one dollar on his arrival, but found work at clearing land, and before his marriage, in Aurora, to Perses Parker, had earned money enough to buy a comfortable home, and died, at the age of eighty-four years, the owner of 1,360 acres in Portage and Geauga counties, and the father of twelve children, who all grew to maturity, viz: John, Roxie, Alden, Daniel, Emily, Pamela, Chauncy, Abel, Henry, Horace, Luther and Caroline. Three of these sons served in the Civil war—Abel, Horace OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 883 and Luther, and Henry also volunteered, but was rejected on account of his diminutive stature. Abel and Horace were students in Hiram college, under James A. Garfield, and enlisted in the Forty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, of which Garfield was the colonel; Abel died in Camp Chase, Ohio, of disease contracted in the service, and Horace was seized with typhoid fever while in the field at Big Sandy, and for want of medical attendance became insane, and now draws a pension of $72 per month, and on adjustment of his claim for back pay, etc. , was awarded $14,595.17. Luther was for three years in company B, Forty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, took part in all its engagements, and now lives in Geauga county, one mile north of the residence of Mr. Bartholomew, in Portage county. Chauncy A. Bartholomew, after marriage, settled on his present farm, which he mainly cleared with his own hands, and built the residence he now occupies. Descending from a race of American patriots, who had served in the war of the Revolution and that of 1812, he and two brothers also became soldiers--Nelson S. serving for three years in the Fifth Michigan cavalry, and re-enlisting for three years longer; Alonzo D. was in the Twenty-third Wisconsin infantry, famous for its bearing the war eagle, Old Abe; was taken prisoner at Port Hudson, and for a long time was confined in Libby prison; Chauncy A. enlisted at Chardon, Ohio, September 22, 1862, in company B, Forty-first Ohio infantry, and served until honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., January 22, 1863, and took part in several battles and many severe marches, notably that from Lousiville, Ky., to Columbia, Tenn., at the rate of thirty-six miles daily. At Nashville, Tenn. , he was confined in hospital with malarial fever, pneumonia and chronic diarrhea, but on all other occasions was ever at his post, doing good and active service. Since the war he has lived on his farm in Mantua township. He is a member of Bentley post, G. A. R., at Mantua Station, and of the Masonic lodge at Twinsburg. In politics he is a republican, and has always been an industrious citizen, and is highly respected for his sterling integrity and many other excellent traits of character. To Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew have been born no children, but they have reared and educated a legally-adopted son, Albertus C. CASSIUS O. BALDWIN, carpenter and farmer of Twinsburg township, Summit county, Ohio, and one of the veteran soldiers of the Civil war, descends from old colonial Connecticut stock. On the maternal side, his grandfather, Hart Risley, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and Samuel Baldwin, his paternal grandfather, a native of Connecticut, became a surveyor, married in Connecticut, and the children born to him were Edward, Caroline, Lucretia, Emily, Jewett and Henry. Samuel Baldwin came as a pioneer among the early settlers of Cuyahoga county, Ohio, there being at that time but one log house at Cleveland, at the mouth of the Cuyahoga river. Mr. Baldwin settled in Newburg, where he was one of the early surveyors and at one time sheriff of Cuyahoga county. He prospered and owned a goodly property at Newburg and Cleveland, now covered by valuable buildings. He was a captain in the old state militia, and died at Newburg, Ohio, an aged man, much respected. Henry Baldwin, father of Cassius O., was born in Ohio, in 1825, became a farmer and married Amanda Risley, of Aurora, Ohio, a daughter of Hart Risley. Hart Risley was born in Connecticut and was a pioneer at the earliest settlement of Aurora, Ohio. He be.- 884 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD came a prosperous farmer and was a soldier in the war of 1812. His children were Austin, Andrus, Freeman, Emily, Caroline, Amanda, Cordelia and Mary. Mr. Risley lived to be an aged man and died on his farm, two miles south of Aurora, a much-respected citizen. Henry Baldwin settled in the northeast corner of Twinsburg township, on 130 acres of land, and cleared a farm from the heavy timber, making a good home. His children were Frank, Herman, Cassius O., Orsey and Cordelia. Mr. Baldwin passed all his active days on the farm, but retired to Solon, Ohio, where he died two years later, June 24, 1870. He and his wife were both members of the Disciples' church at Solon. He was a prominent office holder—a man of excellent character, was noted for his honesty, and his word could always be relied upon. In politics he was at first a democrat, but during the war became a republican. Cassius O. Baldwin was born December 7, 1843, in Twinsburg township, onthe farm, and received a common-school education, became a farmer and enlisted, at the early age of nineteen, August 2, 1862, in company G, Capt. D. N. Lowery, One Hundred and Fifteenth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, to serve three years or during the war, and served until honorably discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, July 5, 1865, the war being closed, having been promoted to first duty sergeant, in 1864, for meitorious conduct. He was in the battles of LaVergne, Tenn., Stone River, Cynthiana, Ky„ Bowling Green, Ky., Nashville, Tenn., Franklin, Tenn., Greensboro, Tullahoma, Lookout Mountain, and he was in the famous Atlanta campaign. During this campaign he was for some time detailed as a scout. He was at the battles of Dallas, Dalton, Pumpkin-vine Creek and Kenesaw Mountain, and after that battle he returned to his command at Murfreesboro, Tenn., and was detailed with thirty men of his company to guard a block house at LaVergne, Tenn., and on the twenty-fourth of September, 1864, they were all captured by Hood's army and taken to prison at Cuyahaba, Ga. The prisoners were robbed of everything they had—clothing, boots, sh0es and caps, and all money and trinkets, and were obliged to put on and wear the ragged and filthy clothing which the rebels threw aside. Mr. Baldwin was first approached by a rough-looking rebel, who leveled his revolver at him, and demanded his boots—they were a nice, new pair that his father had just sent him; but he looked the rebel in the eye and said, "Now, look her, you cannot wear these boots; they won't fit you." The rebel said, "Wa'all, I can trade them ;" but showed hesitation in his eye. Just then a rebel officer rode up and ordered the would-be robber to his company. In another moment, a little, dirty rebel came up and leveled his revolver, and demanded the boots in no uncertain terms, and Mr. Baldwin could see, in his eye, that he would shoot unless he got them, and they were promptly given up. His extra clothing and blankets were afterward taken. He was confined at this prison two weeks, but was not badly treated. He was taken thence to Andersonville, and in that infamous rebel prison was nearly starved, and suffered greatly. Having no shelter, he and his comrades dug a hole in the ground and made a but of sun-burned brick. In his mess were two Summit county men—Julian Upson and John Cox. For rations he received daily about one gill of cornmeal, ground cob and all, and sometimes even this was omitted for three days at a time. The had neither salt nor meat. A part of the time a thin bean soup was served. He would have died, but he fortunately had secreted a $20 greenback, which he changed among the prisoners, and traded a dollar at a time, sometimes receiving from $50 to $75 in Confederate OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 885 bills for a one-dollar greenback. With this he would buy provisions from the guards and persons who came to the prison to trade, and thus kept himself alive. He was in this prison for about four months, in the fall of 1864, and was reduced almost to a skeleton. When captured he weighed 202 pounds, and when exchanged, at the close of the war, he weighed ninety-two pounds. He reached -home sick, weak and emaciated, but, having a remarkable constitution, recovered rapidly. He then learned the carpenter's trade, and married, on the place where he now lives, February 8, 1866, Miss Maria Goff, who was born in Ireland, a daughter of John and Betsy (Mallory) Goff. John Goff came from Ireland and settled south of Twinsburg, about 1856, and his children were James, John, Thomas, George, Maria and Ella. He was a hard-working, industrious man, much respected, and died an aged man, at Youngstown, Ohio, where his widow still lives. After marriage Mr. Baldwin bought part of his father's farm, where he lived two years, and then moved to Twinsburg, and bought Mr. Goff's property, consisting of eighteen acres, with residence, and now has a pleasant home of twenty-two acres. Mr. Baldwin has worked at his trade many years in Summit and surrounding counties, and is still in active life. He received an injury to his left leg during the war, which renders him lame; otherwise he is strong and hearty. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics Mr. Baldwin is a republican. He was a good soldier and has a splendid military record. He served his country faithfully, and was always in active service. and was not sick an hour and did his full part promptly and cheerfully. He is a member of W. T. Sherman post, G. A. R., at Hudson, and of Summit lodge, No. 203, F. A. M., at Twinsburg, has held the office of master of the Blue lodge, and in the royal arch has been high priest. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin were the parents of two children--John O. and Alton C. Mrs. Baldwin died June 29, 1876. Mr. Baldwin married, for his second wife, Miss Emma C. Lee, who died April 15, 1897. HON. JACOB ADAMS KOHLER, of Akron, Ohio, is a son of Henry and Mary (Slanker) Kohler, and was born near Reading, Pa., August 15, 1835. When four months old he was brought by his parents to Franklin township, Summit county, Ohio, was educated in district schools and Lodi academy, and in 1853 apprenticed himself to D. G. Sanford, cabinetmaker in Akron, later read law with N. W. Goodhue, and was admitted to the bar in 1859. He served as prosecuting attorney of Summit county two terms—from 1868 until 1872; was law partner of Hon. Sidney Edgerton several years, and later was with Rollin W. Sadler, and afterward with Harvey Musser. Mr. Kohler represented Summit county in the state legislature from 1880 to 1885, and served as attorney general of Ohio from 1886 to 1888; November 5, 1895, he was elected judge of the court of common pleas for Medina, Lorain and Summit counties, which position he now fills. His opinions upon the construction of statutes and their constitutionality have created wide and favorable comment among the judiciary of the state and the members of the legal profession. Judge Kohler was married May 16, 1860, to Miss Frances H. Coburn (only child of the late Dr. Stephen H. Coburn), who has borne him two sons—Hurlbut Stephen, born July 20, 1868, and George Coburn, born November 17, 1870, both graduates of Yale college. In connection with Secretary of State Russell A. 886 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Alger, of Detroit, Mich. (a former Akron boy), Mr. Kohler, in 1882, erected the Arcade block, a five-story brick building on Howard street, one of the largest and handsomest business blocks in the city; and, beside his fine residence on East Market street, as the manager of the Coburn estate has large landed interests in various portions of the city, being also one of the incorporators and president of the People's Savings bank on South Main street. NEWMAN CHAMBERLAIN, one of the substantial farmers of Stowe township, Summit county, Ohio, descends from sterling New England ancestry, the tradition being that several of the brothers of the name came from England in the Mayflower in 1620. Moses Chamberlain, father of Newman, was born in Dalton, Mass., in May, 1709. He was a farmer, and married Hannah Newell, who was born in Dalton, Mass., in 1761. Moses Chamberlain moved to Riga, N. Y., and after some years, to Sweden, Monroe county, N. Y., where he cleared up a farm from the woods, about ninety years ago. He was a substantial farmer, and owned, at Sweden, a fine farm of 160 acres. His children were Merrick, Lyman, Adeline, Patty, John, Newman, Alvira, Stephen, Nelson, Moses and Joseph. Mr. Chamberlain was a Jacksonian democrat, a respected citizen, and was frequently a member of the grand jury, lived to be a little over sixty years old, and died on his farm, in October, 1849. He was a straightfoward, industrious man, well-known for his honesty of character. Newman Chamberlain was born October 31, 1820, at Riga, N. Y., received a common district-school education, and has always been a farmer. He came to Stowe township, Summit county, Ohio, in 1842, and married here September 29, 1844, Miss Charotte S. Stark, who was born in Stowe township, January 14, 1824, daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Chapman) Stark. The Stark family is of the same stock as Gen. Stark, of Vermont, the famous Revolutionary general, and hero of the battle of Bennington. Toseph Stark, grandfather of Mrs. Chamberlain, was born in Vermont, but died on his farm in Chazy, N. Y., about 1830. His children were Benjamin, James, Rebecca, Susan, Anna and Sallie. Benjamin Stark was born in Vermont, May 16, 1793. He was a farmer, and married Hannah Chapman, January 3, 1817. She was born at Lake Champlain, N. Y., December 25, 1798, a daughter of Ebenezer Chapman, and the children were Frederick, Philander, William, Charlotte S., Eliza A. , Laura, Carroll, George, Aurilla, Maryette, Lucius and Lewis (twins), and Hiram. Benjamin Stark came to Ohio in 1817, making the journey overland with horses, and was twenty-four days on the road. He first located in Kent, Ohio, and then settled in Stowe township, and here developed a farm of 140 acres, and made a good home, becoming a substantial farmer. He reared his children well, and gave them all a fair education. Twelve of his children lived to maturity. He was a man of sterling worth, and much industry and integrity of character. He and wife were both members of the Disciples' church at Stowe Corners, in which he was a deacon, and in politics he was first a whig, and then a republican. He reached the venerable age of nearly eighty years and died October 19, 1872, a much respected citizen. When Benjamin Stark was a boy of but fourteen years old he did some service in the war, his father's house being filled with wounded soldiers from a battle, and at one of these battles he carried water OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 887 to the soldiers in the field. Moses Chamberlain, father of the subject, moved from Dalton, Mass., with a three-horse team, and was obliged to cut his way through the woods. Newman Chamberlain, after his marriage, lived on his father's homestead four years and then returned to Stowe township, and lived on a farm for awhile, and then lived in Akron, where he and wife kept a boarding house ten years. He next moved with his family to Stowe township, and settled on his present farm in 1854, having bought eighty acres. By thrift and economy he prospered, aided by his faithful wife, and they now have a good farm of 160 acres, with tasteful residence, substantial barns, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain are both members of the Methodist church, in which he has held the office of steward. In politics he is a republican. They have one son, Dr. Frederick N., of Akron, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain are well known for their upright christian character, are very industrious and frugal, and by their patient labor and thrift they have acquired a goodly property. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain, in the kindness of their hearts, have brought up and given a good home to five children, viz: William P., Lillie O., Charles L. Wright, Harvey F. Wright and Chara E. Wright. Moses Chamberlain, a brother of Newman, was a soldier of the Civil war, was captured and imprisoned in the infamous Libby prison, and finally died from the effect of the imprisonment. Merrick G., another brother, was a licensed Methodist exhorter. Of the sons of Benjamin Stark, two were prominent physicians—Dr. Frederick B. and Dr. Philander H. , both of Detroit, Mich. William H. was a prominent commission merchant of Newton Falls, Ohio, where he died. Lewis V. was a soldier in the Civil war and served all through. Lucius, twin brother, died young. Carl J. is a Disciple minister of Hamilton, Ill., and Hon. George P., of Michigan, is the youngest. The Chamberlain Family.—The first of this family of whom there is any account was William Chamberlain, who came to America from England, and whose record extended from 1620 to 1706. His wife was named Rebecca, and their children were William, Timothy, Isaac, John, Sarah, Jacob, Thomas, Edward, Rebecca, and Abraham. Jacob, the sixth child, married Experience, and their children were Jacob, John O., Jason and Ebenezer. Jacob, first child of Jacob, married Susannah Stone, and their children were Jacob, Josiah, Snsannah, Isaac, Simon, William, Sarah and Margaret. Isaac, fourth child of Jacob (second), married Mary Keys, and their children were Isaac and Mary. Isaac, first child of Isaac, married Elizabeth Sprague in 1780. The children were Luther, Isaac, David, Elizabeth, Hannah, Jacob, Lydia, and Mary. Isaac was married twice, but the children were all by first wife. Jacob, seventh child of Isaac, second, married Sarah Strong, in 1820, and by her had two children, David and Elizabeth. He married December 26, 1829, his second wife, Anna Nutting, who bore the following children: Sarah, Emily G., Jane Hulda, Jacob, and William, second—all the children being borne in Sharon, Conn. Anna Nutting was born at Groton, Mass., a sister of Prof. Rufus Nutting, of the Western Reserve college. Jacob and Sarah both went to the Arcat Mission, India. The above is the line of lineal descent from the first Chamberlain in America to W. I. Chamberlain, the editor of the Ohio Farmer, now residing at Hudson, Ohio. It is believed that all the Chamberlains of the Western Reserve are of this same stock. J. Chester Chamberlain, No. 135 East Eighteenth street, New York city, nephew of W. I. Chamberlain, is investigating the Chamberlain genealogy. 888 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Dr. Frederick Chamberlain, one of the leading dentists, and a respected citizen of Akron, is the only child of Newman and Charlotte (Stark) Chamberlain. He was born August 18, 1851, in Akron, Ohio. He received his education in the public schools and the high school, and attended the colleges at Alliance and Hudson four years. He studied dentistry in the dental college of Philadelphia, from which he graduated, in 1887, as D. D. S. He began the practice of dentistry at Canal Fulton, Ohio, and settled in Akron in 1888, where he soon built up a successful practice by his skill and ability in his profession. He married, August 22, 1872, at Akron, Dernaris D. Viall, who was born in Richfield township, Summit county, a daughter of S. and Mary A. (Freeby) Viall, the Vialls being among the pioneers of Summit county and Akron. To Dr. and Mrs. Chamberlain have been born Blanche S., October 6, 1874, at Kent, Ohio. Fraternally, the doctor is a Mason and a member of Elliott lodge, No. 14, at Canal Fulton, and a knight templar. Dr. Chamberlain is well known and highly respected, and stands high in his profession. In politics he is a republican. EMERY JOHN COE, of Garrettsville, a most respected citizen, and ex-soldier, and formerly a well known educator and teacher of vocal music, was born in Charlestown, Portage county, December 4, 1839, a son of Claudius and Nancy (Johns) Coe. The Coe family is of English descent, and several of the early male members of the family in America were soldiers in the war for American independence. Claudius Coe was born in Granville, Conn., and in 1808 came to Ohio, being one of the earliest settlers in Charlestown township, Portage county,, where there were born to his marriage with Miss Johns eleven children, viz: Jacob, Sarah, Almeda, Phebe, Ransom, Nancy A., Rosaline, Emily, Emery J., Orinda and Elizabeth. The father lived to reach his sixty-eighth year and died a greatly respected citizen. Emery J. Coe was reared on the home farm and also learned ropemaking under his father. Having received a good common-school education, he began teaching at the age of twenty-one years, and at the age of twenty-two commenced giving instructions in vocal music, teaching, in all, t0o terms. In 1862 he made a tour of the west, teaching music in Angola, Kankakee, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Rock Island and other cities, and on his return, in 1864, enlisted at Toledo, Ohio, August 18, in company D, Capt. W. W. Cooke, One Hundred and Eighty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, for one year, or during the war, and was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., July 7, 1865, the war having been closed. Mr. Coe was a participator in the battles of Nashville and Franklin, Tenn., and on the night of the retreat from Franklin to Nashville, a distance of eighteen miles, Mr. Coe, on reaching the outskirts of the latter city, fell exhausted, with his comrades, and lay all night on the bare ground, under a cold, sleety rain, and woke up in the morning half covered with water and stiff with the rheumatism, from which he has never recovered. Mr. Coe was also sick in the hospital at Louisville, Ky. , about four weeks, having contracted fever from fatigue and exposure. His hardest or most severe service was, in his opinion, the cutting of logs for the building of Fort Butler, near Nashville, at which he was employed on a "rush" for eleven days and nights and greatly exposed to inclement weather. On another occasion the rebel general, Hood, tore up the railroad tracks and cut off the supplies for the Union troops, and for two weeks the Federal boys were fed on hard tack" only, and nearly starved, and these hardships were doubtless OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 889 the cause of Mr. Coe's illness. Outside of this, he was a true and faithful soldier, and ever ready and cheerful in the performance of his duty. After the war was closed, Mr. Coe returned to Portage county, and located on a 'farm of eighty acres, which he purchased in the north part of Hiram township. December 15, 1865, he married, in Nelson township, Miss Arvilla Knowlton, who was born here June 25, 1845, a daughter of Williard and Hannah Knowlton—the former a substantial farmer and stock-dealer. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Knowlton were named Lavinia (deceased), Perenia, Cornelia, Valinda, Arvilla (Mrs. Coe, now deceased), and Ellen (also deceased). Mr. Knowlton was a greatly honored citizen, was for many years a justice of the peace in Norton township, Summit county, president of a bank in Garrettsville, and a thoroughgoing business man. After marriage Mr. Coe lived on his farm, in Hiram township, for two years, then sold and bought a farm of seventy-six and a half acres in Charlestown township, to which he added a second tract of eighty-seven and a half acres. In 1888 he retired to Garrettsville, where he has since resided, honored and respected by all who know him. To Mr. and Mrs. Coe have been born the following-named children: Frantz E. and Frank A. (twins), Williard E. and Bert E. The mother of this family was called from earth October J0, 1897, a devout member of the Methodist church, and a lady of more than usual intelligence, and of many christian virtues, which endeared her to all who knew her. Mr. Coe, also a Methodist, was a Sunday-school teacher for many years, and for a long time its superintendent, and for sixteen years was choir leader in Charlestown. In politics he is a republican, and for twelve years was a trustee of Charlestown township. Mr. Coe has given his children every educational advantage. Frantz A. and Frank E. are graduates of Mount Union college, Ohio. and are now postal clerks; Williard E. graduated from the Ohio State university, and is now a successful practicing physician at Troy, Ohio; Bert is at home with his father. Probably no resident of Garrettsville is more sincerely respected than Mr. Coe, who has done so much to advance the educational and moral interests of Portage county, and whose name stands, and has stood all these years, without taint or slur, and whose children have been reared to become, like himself, good and useful citizens. JOHN A. MORGAN, a highly-respected farmer of Paris township, Portage county, Ohio, was born on his present farm, September 16, 1845, a son of John and Sarah (Davis) Morgan, both natives of Wales. John Morgan, father of John A., was born in 1799, was reared to mining, and came to America in 1831. He lived six months in Palmyra township, Portage county, Ohio, and then removed to Paris township, of which he was the first Welsh settler. He here engaged in farming, having purchased a tract 0f land in the woods, on which he built a log cabin. He was married in July, 1834, to Miss Sarah Davis, in Hudson, Ohio, and his union was blessed with seven children, three of whom still survive, viz: Joseph, John A. (subject), and Sarah, wife of Joseph Leonard, of Cleveland. The deceased were Lettie, who was married to David D. Jones, and died March 17, 1883, at the age of forty-four years; Mary, wife of Isaac D. Jones, died December 15, 1888, aged fifty-three years; Winnifred, married to William Lewis, died July 17, 1893, when fifty-three years old, and John died in infancy. In course of time Mr. Morgan de- 890 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD veloped a fine farm from the wilderness, and replaced his original log cabin with a commodious residence, and also erected suitable substantial farm buildings. Mr. Morgan rose to considerable prominence in the township, was for years a justice of the peace, and also township trustee. He was a member of the Congregational church, in which he filled all the secular offices, and died in its faith, April 9, 1882, aged eighty-three years, his wife having passed away July 4, 1872, at the age of sixty-six years. Job Morgan, grandfather of John A. Morgan, came to America from Wales, also in 1832, but remained a short time only. He was a miner all his life, and had a family of five children, viz: A daughter who died in infancy; Miriam, wife of 'Squire David Johns; and Mary and Thomas, twins. Job Morgan died in May, 1864, at the age of ninety-four years, and Mary, his wife, died the same year and month, at ninety-one years of age. John A. Morgan was reared to farming, reeeived a good common-school education, and remained with his father until 1865, when he went to Youngstown, Ohio, where he was employed as a clerk in a general store for three years, and then returned to his farm. April 16, 1883, he married Miss Mary Evans, who was born in Cardigan, Wales, May 12, 1856, a daughter of John and Amelia (Molyneaux) Evans. The father of Mrs. Morgan died in January, 1867, at the age of thirty-two years, and her mother in 1861, aged twenty-six, leaving two children--Mrs. Morgan and John, of Alliance, Ohio. To the marriage of John A. Morgan and wife have been born two children--Lettie Amelia and Homer Stanley. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are devoted members of the Congregational church at Wayland, of which Mr. Morgan has been clerk for several years. The family is one of the most respected in the township, and Mr. Morgan is individually esteemed for his strict integrity in all his transactions, and activity in his efforts to promote the public welfare. THE RAVENNA REPUBLICAN, one of the oldest county papers of the state of Ohio, was established, in 1830, as the Ohio Star. In 1854 it was known as the Portage County Democrat, being published by Hall, Herrick & Wadsworth. In 1859, the Democrat passed into the hands of L. W. Hall & Son, and was published by them until September, 1882, when the paper was purchased by the Republican-Democrat Publishing company, with Arthur Mosley as editor. About three years afterward, John Meharg secured a controlling interest in the paper, then known as the Republican-Democrat, and became editor, changing the name to the Ravenna Republican. August 22, 1895, The Republican was purchased from Mr. Meharg by C. W. S. Wilgus, who, two months previously, had bought the Ravenna Graphic, which paper he consolidated with the Repubican. The Republican, under the management of Mr. Wilgus, has fully maintained its position as one of the leading county-seat weeklies of the Western Reserve, and is a bright, newsy journal, filled with local items of interest, as well as with all the important current events transpiring throughout the world. JOHN ROPPEL, a respected citizen of Tallmadge township, Summit county, Ohio, and an ex-soldier of the Civil war, was born in Bavaria, Germany, 1841, a son of Casper Roppel. His parents died when he was but an infant, and he was partially reared by his half-brother—John Wolfert—his mother having been married to a Mr. Wolfert, father of John. John Wolfert, half- OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 891 brother to our subject, was a married man, and our subject when twelve years old came with him and his family to America, sailing from Bremen in the good ship St. John. They were forty days on the voyage to Baltimore, where they arrived in the fall of 1852. They went thence to Pittsburg, where Mr. Wolfert was employed as a carpenter. Our subject began to work in the glass works when a small boy of thirteen or fourteen years old, and has supported himself since that time. He continued in the glass works until he enlisted, in April, 1861, at Liberty, near Pittsburg, Pa., for three months, in company I, Third Pennsylvania volunteer infantry. He served out his term and was honorably discharged at Harrisburg, Pa., in July, 1861. His service was in Hagerstown, Md., guarding a railroad, his company being detailed for that purpose. Mr. Roppel was a good soldier, prompt and cheerful in the discharge of his duty. He suffered a good deal from exposure, however, and injured his left arm at the elbow by a fall in the evening, after dark, on the railroad, and the arm is still stiff and can be used but little. Mr. Roppel returned, after his service, to Pittsburg, and again worked in the glass works. He married, in Pittsburg, April 26, 1864, Mary E. Meyer, who was born January 19, 1843, in Alsace, France, a daughter of Christian and Mary E. Meyer. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Roppel lived in Pittsburg eleven years, where he continued to work in the glass works, and in 1874 came to Tallmadge and worked in Kent in a glass house for two years, but since that time has worked on the railroad and for farmers. Mr. Roppel bought a home, before he came to Tallmadge, of eleven and three-fourths acres. The children born to him and wife are Helen, Annie, Henry (died aged twenty-one years) John, Fannie and Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Roppel are members of the Catholic church and are sincere Christians. Mr. Roppel has always been a hardworking, industrious man, straightforward and honest, and has reared an excellent family. Casper Roppel, father of subject, was a large farmer, owning land, and Casper was the only son. To the marriage of Mrs. Roppel, mother of our subject, to Mr. Wolfert, the following children were born: Julia, Mary, Maggie, John and George. WILLIAM B. HOLCOMB, one of the most substantial farmers of Paris township, Portage county, Ohio, was here born October 4, 1828, and is a son of Harvey and Sallie (McArthur) Holcomb, the former 0f whom died March 16, 1897, at the age of ninety-four years, and the latter February 20, 1892, aged eighty-two years, two months and seventeen days, both in the faith of the Methodist church, in which the father had held all the offices; he had also been for twenty-five years, a constable of Paris township, as well as school director. William B. Holcomb was educated in the district school, was reared to farming, and worked on his father's farm until twenty-seven years of age. He married, February 1, 1855, Miss Harriet Oviatt, a daughter of Samuel and Laura (Earl) Oviatt, and this union has been blessed with seven children, four of whom still survive, viz: Grant, born January 5, 1865; Dwight, July 21, 1872; Lulu, August 8, 1874 (wife of Edward Morris), and Hattie, born October 3, 1878. Miss Hattie is still unmarried, and has the reputation of being the best violinist in the county, is at present teaching music, and is the leader of the ladies' orchestra at Newton Falls. The deceased children born to Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb were John W., born August 31, 1856, and died February 14, 1883; Lena, born August 14, 1869, and died September 21, 1883; Laura, born May 27, 892 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 1858, died January 9, 1888, the wife of Sydney Hudson. In 1861 Mr. Holcomb relinquished farming, and for eight years was engaged in the hotel business at Paris. He then exchanged his hotel property for a farm north of Paris, which he conducted until 1876, when he moved to his present place, which he has under a high state of cultivation, and, in connection with his agricultural pursuits, is largely engaged in the sale of organs and pianos, being himself an excellent musician. In politics he is a republican, and has served as constable, school director and supervisor of Paris township for many years. Mrs. Harriet (Oviatt) Holcomb was born in Newton Falls, Ohio, October 22, 1835. Her father was a native of Connecticut and was a turner, and her mother of Massachusetts, and in early life came to Ohio and settled in Newton Falls. To the marriage of the parents were born eight children, seven of whom are still living, viz: Electa, widow of Elijah Johnson; Mrs. Holcomb; Elmira, widow of Henry Tew; Clarissa, unmarried; Sylvanus, Homer and Clista, wife of Russell McEwin; the deceased was Malinda, who died at the age of sixty-five years, the wife of Alonzo Winnans, also deceased. Samuel Oviatt, grandfather of Mrs. Holcomb, came to Ohio in 1805, and was one of the heaviest men in Portage county, weighing 425 pounds. Harvey Holcomb, father of William B., was a son of Calvin and Eunice Holcomb, and was born February 11 , 1803, in Granby, Conn. , and when twelve years old was brought to Ohio by his parents, who finally settled in what is now Paris township, in October, 1815. They endured all the vicissitudes of pioneer life, but eventually developed a comfortable home. After the marriage of Harvey Holcomb to Sallie McArthur, he settled in a cranberry swamp, where he lived three years, and then moved to a sugar grove, where he lived in a log house twenty-five years, and later erected a frame dwelling, with suitable outbuildings. His family consisted of two boys and four girls, viz: William B., John C., Caselia, Annette, Eunice C., and an infant son who died unnamed—all now deceased with the exception of William B. Mr. Holcomb was a member of the local rifle company for a long time, was constable for twenty years, as has been mentioned—an office conferred upon him on account of his well-known integrity. After this venerable pioneer and hunter retired from the woods over thirty-five years ago he engaged in farming until about ten years since, when he bought a house and lot in Newton Falls, in order to secure better school advantages for his grandchildren. EDWIN A. SEASON, a thrifty and prominent farmer of Hudson township, Summit county, Ohio, and an old soldier in the Civil war and head of a respected family, was born October 21, 1837, in Leigh, Somersetshire, England, and came to America with his father and family in 1843, sailing from Bristol, England. He received a common-school education in Stowe township, Summit county, Ohio, where his father, James Season, settled on a farm. On arriving in this country, while yet a boy, Edwin A. went to Minnesota and attended high school one winter. He lived with his uncle, John Season, in Goodhue county, that state, until his enlistment, May 23, 1861, in Capt. William Colville's company F, First Minnesota volunteer infantry, for three years or during the war. This was the first regiment mustered into the United States service for three years. Mr. Season was mustered out and honorably discharged January 2, 1863, at Washington, D. C., on account of disability, OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 893 having served faithfully over two years. He was in the following battles: First battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861; Ball's Bluff, October 21, 1861; siege of Yorktown, April, 1862; West Point, May 7, 1863; Fair Oaks, May 3o, and June 1, 1862; Peach Orchard, June 27, 1862; Savage Station, in January, 1862; Elendale, January 30, 1862; White Oak, June 30, 1862; Malvern Hill, July I, 1862, and again at Malvern Hill, August 5, 1862; Vienna September 2, 1862—all in Virginia—and Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862. In the winter 0f 1861-62 he was taken sick in camp, with fever and went home on furlough for a month, but the day after the battle of Antietam he was taken severely sick with pneumonia, became unconscious, and was taken to Lospital at Fredericksburg, but was soon afterward removed to the hospital at the patent office in Washington, D. C., and remained there until discharged, when he returned to Ohio, much disabled. Mr. Season was always an active soldier, and, until disabled, was in all the battles, skirmishes, marches and campaigns in which his regiment took part, the battles themselves numbering fourteen. After the war, although suffering from rheumatism, he followed farming, and worked five years at Hudson, Ohio, in the depot, handling freight and express matter. Mr. Season married, January 4, 1866, in Stowe township, Miss Emma A. Call, born December 20, 1847, a daughter of Moses D. and Harriet M. (Starr) Call. Moses D. Call, father of Mrs. Season, was born July 12, 1815, near Warner, N. H., a son of Jerry and Lovina (Danforth) Call. Jerry Call was a farmer, and his ancestors came from England. His children were Moses D., William, Jerry and 0. H. Moses D. Call came when a young man to Ohio, in 1837. He studied medicine with Dr. Towne of Hudson, but did not complete his course, although he was a man of good education and had taught school many years. He was engaged in the cooper business at Darrowville for many years, and until 1860 employed from ten to fifteen hands. He bought in 1860 the Starr homestead in Stowe township, of 200 acres, and for the last fifteen years of his life he carried on a cheese factory. In politics he was first a whig, then a republican, and was justice of the peace from 1845 to his death, with the exception of one year. He was a captain in the state militia, was township trustee, a member of the school board, and was county commissioner for the six years ending in December, 1863. He died March 24, 1891. His children were Mary L., Emma A., Ellen J. and Charles A. He was a Universalist in religion, was a liberal subscriber to the erection of the church at Kent and was one of its most liberal supporters. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Season settled on a farm of his father's, where they lived five years; then moved to Hudson, and lived five years, and then lived on a farm in Stowe township one year, and then lived in Darrowville three years, and then bought, in 1882, eighty-seven acres of their present farm, which they have greatly improved, and on which they built a beautiful residence in 1892, together with good barn and other buildings. Their children are Leora I., Grace E., Edwin Herbert, Maude E. (killed by lightning at the age of fourteen years), and Archibald B. The eldest child, Leora I., was united in marriage June 27, 1888, with W. C. Ritchie, a native of Summit county, Ohio, and to this union has been born one child, Gertrude L. The second child, Grace E., is a graduate of the Hudson high school. Edwin H., also a graduate of the Hudson high school, attended the Western Reserve academy some time, then taught school in Hudson two years, then took a .course in Hammel's Business college, Akron, filled a position as bookkeeper for some time and is now a 894 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD student at the Western Reserve Medical college at Cleveland. Archibald B. is a student at Cuyahoga Falls, and is making a specialty of the study of electricity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Season are members of the United Presbyterian church at Metz. In politics he is a republican and cast his first vote for Lincoln, and is one of the old soldiers who have made a success in life and reared an excellent family. James Season, father of Edwin A. Season, was born in New York city, October 24, 1812, and was the son of George and Ann (Perkins) Season. George Season was born at Leigh, Somersetshire, England, where he was a land owner, and there married Ann Perkins. She also was born at Leigh, November 25, 1792, and was baptized January 5, 1795. Mr. Season and wife came to America to visit her mother, who, after the death of her husband, Mr. Perkins, had married, in 1810, James Dodderell, of London, England, and had settled in New York. George Season returned to Somerset, England, but while he was in America his son James was born. The children were James, William Henry, George Ann and John. Mr. George Season was in some official position, and traveled extensively with his wife, and was in America during the war of 1812. James Season married in Leigh, England, Hester Coles, and their children were Henry, who died in England, childless; Edwin A. ; Elizabeth; Henry, second, who died childless in Stowe township; James Season, a farmer who came to America in 1843 and settled in Stowe township in 1843, and became a substantial farmer. Mrs. Season, mother of our subject, died January 28, 1845, and Mr. Season afterward married Mrs. Lucinda (O'Brien) Stewart, June 5, 1846, and their children were: William, Martha, Ann, John C., Wallace and Mary. This wife died January 2, 1872, and he married, November 24, 1880, for his third wife, Mrs. Lorinda (Perkins) Russell. George Season, an uncle of Edwin A., was a soldier in the English army, and came when young with the family to America, his mother paying $500 for his release. He settled in Minnesota, where he became a successful agriculturist. James Season, father of Edwin A., the subject, died in Kent, Ohio, October 15, 1894, a member of the Methodist church, and in politics a republican. He was an honored and greatly respected gentleman and of excellent moral habits. CONRAD SCHOCH, of Northfield township, Summit county, Ohio, an old soldier of the Civil war, was born October 12, 1835 in Baden, Germany, a son of Peter and Ursilla (Detrich) Schoch. Peter Schoch was the owner of a small farm, on which the family had lived for generations. He was a soldier in the German army and a body guard of the king, and measured six feet two inches in height. His children were Julius, Anselin, Julia and Conrad. Peter Schoch died at forty years of age on his farm, a Catholic in religion. Conrad received a common-school education, and learned shoemaking of his brother Anselm. When twenty-two years of age, he sailed from Havre, France, February 18, 1858, and arrived in New York April 6, having been forty-seven days on the ocean, in a sailing vessel. He came to Cleveland, Ohio, and to Little York, where his brother Julius was living, and engaged in farm work until he enlisted, at Cleveland, October 16, 1861, in Capt. James Horner's company K, Forty-first regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, to serve three years or during the war, and was honorably discharged in Mississippi, by reason of re-enlistment in January, 1863, in a marine brigade, company D, at Camp Dennison, Ohio, and was honorably OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 895 discharged January 18, 1865, at Vicksburg, Miss., having served his country faithfully over three years. He was in the battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7, 1862. He was wounded in the marine service near Vicksburg, Miss., in Marmaduke's raid, and was in many minor engagements and skirmishes, which were very frequent. He was taken sick in May, 1862, while with the Forty-first regiment at Pittsburg Landing, with malarial fever, and was in hospital at Camp Dennison, Ohio, and remained until his re-enlistment. At the battle of Vicksburg, Miss., while on the Louisiana side, of the Mississippi river, he was shot in the head by a minie ball, and knocked senseless, but his c0mrades revived him with brandy and water after twenty-five minutes. This was about 10 A. M., and he was taken by ambulance about twenty miles in Louisiana and laid on the counter in a little store, over night, and then taken to the fleet in the Mississippi river opposite Vicksburg, and transferred to the hospital at Vicksburg, where he remained two months, then rejoined his regiment and served until discharged. He was promoted for meritorious service to duty-sergeant, having before been corporal. He endured all the hardships of a soldier's life with fortitude and cheerfulness, and was in all the battles and skirmishes in which his regiment took part. He returned to Ohio and engaged in farm work, and was married February 11, 1866, at Little York, Ohio, to Miss Lydia Leach, who was born August 22, 1831, at Hudson, Ohio, a daughter of George and Lydia (Wolcott) Leach. George Leach was born in Goshen, Conn., November 26, 1799, a son of William and Sallie (Gaylord) Leach. William Leach was a pioneer of Hudson, settling there in 1799 or 1800, and his son Henry was the first white male child born in that village. William moved later to Sandusky, Ohio, where he lived when the war of 1812 broke out, in which he was a noted Indian fighter. He died in Sandusky, and was buried, with the British soldiers, where the city now stands. He was the father of George, Henry, Jonas and Elita. Mrs. Leach married after his death and had one son—Marvin. George Leach was but an infant when brought by his parents from Connecticut and carried the mail in 1814, when peace was proclaimed, from Sandusky to Cleveland. He married at Boston, Ohio, Lydia Wolcott, who was born at Boston, Ohio, daughter of Alfred and Margaret (Craig) Wolcott—Mr. Wolcott coming from New England. He was the surveyor of Boston township and also surveyed much land elsewhere in Summit county. George Leach and wife were the parents of Clarissa, Eliza and Lydia. Mrs. Leach died, and he married Phila Wood, née Cook, a widow. Mr. Leach settled at Little York in 1832, and cleared up a good farm. He owned 500 acres of land and built and ran a saw-mill in Hudson, and this was the first one he ever saw--which fact was rather remarkable. He was a well-known and prominent citizen, served for some years as township trustee, and was a man of great industry and energy. Mr. and Mrs. Schoch settled, after marriage, in Little York, where they have since lived. They have one daughter living—Avis Maude. In politics Mr. Schoch is a republican, and is a member of Royal Dunham post, No. 177, G. A. R., at Bedford. Mr. Schoch has always been an industrious and respected citizen and was a brave and gallant soldier. JACOB P. SHOEMAKER, a retired farmer of Bath township, Summit county, Ohio, and one of its most respected citizens, was born in Jackson township, Stark county, April 3, 1832. 896 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD John Shoemaker, father of subject, was a native of Maryland, was born October 20, 1799; and was a son of Henry Shoemaker, a native of the same state, who came to Ohio in 1812 and settled in Stark county. There John. Shoemaker was reared to manhood, and November 20, 1823, was married to Ann Brelsford, who was born in Henrico county, Va., in 1799, a daughter of Barney and Naomi Brelsford. John Shoemaker, after marriage, continued his vocation of farmer in Stark county until 1834, when he sold his farm and came to Bath township, Summit county, and bought the farm on which Jacob P., the subject of this article, now makes his home, and which he owns. John cleared up this land and erected a log cabin, in which he reared his family, advanced his fortunes, and died January 24, 1867, in comfortable circumstances, a member of the Disciples' church. He was a generous, public-spirited citizen, a democrat in politics, and greatly respected by his neighbors and the community at large. His widow died August 11, 1873, equally respected with her husband. The six children constituting the family of John Shoemaker and wife were born and named in the following order: Henry H., December 20, 1824, and now a farmer in Kansas; Mahala, January 16, 1829, who was married to Jacob Peach, of Bath township, Summit county, Ohio, and died December 23, 1863; Rachel J., August 4, 1830, now the wife of George Kunkle, of Williams county, Ohio; Jacob P., the subject of this biography; Enoch J., born July 3, 1836, died July 10, 1837; Lavina A., born July 1, 1838, is the wife of Benjamin Hartman, of Williams county, Ohio. Jacob P. Shoemaker, the subject, married, October 7, 1858, Miss Eleanor J. Harris, who was born in Wayne county, March 23, 1837, where her marriage took place. This lady is a daughter of Aaron and Eleanor ( White) Harris, of whom a detailed record is made in the biography of Vincent G. Harris, on another page. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker has been blessed with one child, Eben, who was born February 8, 1874, and married, October 29, 1895, Miss Lillian Miller, a native of Bath township and a daughter of Milton and Abbie (Hackett) Miller--Mr. Miller being a prominent and successful farmer of the township. Eben Shoemaker is now managing the old homestead, which his father had settled on years ago, and occupies the original dwelling. Jacob P. Shoemaker and wife reside in a fine new house, built for their own use, and are passing away the later years of their well-spent life in ease and comfort. The farm comprises 123 acres of well-cultivated land, and presents as fine an appearance as any farm of its size in Bath township. In politics Mr. Shoemaker is a democrat and has ever been forward in aiding the progress of his township and county, and enjoys the respect of all who know him. Mrs. Shoemaker is a pious member of the Evangelical church and is by all her neighbors esteemed as a good, charitable and christian member of society, while Eben and his wife also come in for a full share of public esteem. CHARLES SKINNER, a respected farmer of Richfield township, Summit county, Ohio, and an ex-soldier, descends from colonial families of Massachusetts and Vermont, and was born in Northfield, Ohio, September 3, 1842, a son of William and Diana (Lilly) Skinner. William Skinner was born near Boston, Mass., and was first married there, to which marriage were born one son and two daughters. Mrs. Skinner died in the old Bay state, and subsequently Mr. Skinner came to Ohio, but left his children behind. He purchased a OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES = 897 farm in Northfield township, Summit county, and here married Miss Diana Lilly, and to this union were born Charles and John. Mr. Skinner lived to be sixty-seven years old, and died on his farm, fully possessed of the respect of all his neighbors. Charles Skinner received a good common-school education in his native village, and was reared on his father's farm. August 2, 1862, he enlisted, at Northfield, in company C, One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, to serve three years, if not sooner discharged on account of the cessation of hostilities, and for this reason was honorably discharged at Murfreesboro, Tenn., in July, 1865, and was mustered at Cleveland, Ohio, with the rank of corporal, having been promoted for meritorious conduct, and having served to within a few days of three years. The military service rendered by Mr. Skinner was in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Mississippi, and at one time was detailed for one year, with others of his regiment, to hunt guerrillas. He was in many severe skirmishes with Wheeler's famous cavalry at Murfreesboro, Lavergn and elsewhere, and with Forrest, in Tennessee, and in pursuit of the pursuit of the notorious John Morgan and his raiders through Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio, capturing some of his men almost daily, and on the morning of Morgan's surrender captured 300. Within nine months Mr. Skinner's detachment captured about 1,300 of these guerrillas--very dangerous and fatiguing work. He was himself once captured, but escaped the same night, which was very fortunate for him, as capture by these irregular troops meant, almost to a certainty, sure death. One of the most important events that happened to this detachment was the capture of Guerrilla Job, who had for years been a terror to the country, and who never gave quarter to his captives. A squad of twenty men, of whom - 38 - Mr. Skinner was one, had pursued him several days, and finally caught him asleep in the woods, his hiding place being pointed out by an old negro. When given his choice as to whether he should be hanged or shot, he was perfectly indifferent, and he was finally shot in the back by two soldiers, as the most merciful way of ending his existence. The Confederate general, Joe Wheeler, the cavalryman, offered a reward of $10,000 for the executors of Job, and swore that he would remain in Tennessee until they were captured, but the diminutive general was forced out of the state at a more rapid gait than he had entered it. Mr. Skinner was in all the marches and engagements in which his regiment took part, and was a brave and efficient soldier, who was never wounded nor a prisoner for more than one day, as has already been mentioned, but suffered, at one time, from a severe attack of chronic diarrhea, and was given a sick furlough home for thirty days, but was confined to his bed for four months. After the war Mr. Skinner returned to Northfield and married Miss Martha Irwin, who was born in Perrysburg, Ohio, in August, 1847, a daughter of William and Hermie (Wilcox) Irwin. Mr. Irwin was the first marshal of the city of Cleveland, but removed to Perrysburg, where he died of cholera in middle life, with two of his children, and leaving two, who yet survive—Julia and Martha. After marriage, Mr. Skinner engaged in farm work in several townships until 1889, when he purchased his present farm of thirty-six acres in Boston township, which he has converted into a most pleasant home, and he also rents 100 acres adjoining, being a practical farmer and an energetic and honest man. There have been born to his marriage three children—Josephine, died aged eleven years, Sumner and Hulda. In politics Mr. Skinner is a republican and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham 898 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Lincoln. He is a member of George L. Waterman post, G. A. R., No. 272, in which he has held the office of senior vice-commander and most of the other offices, and no man in the township is better known or more sincerely respected than Corporal Charles Skinner. AUGUSTUS P. SHUMAN, of the firm of Mendenhall & Shuman, well known furniture dealers and funeral directors of Atwater, was born in Portage county, Ohio, August 15, 1871, and is a son of John P. and Mary (Amick) Shuman, natives of Germany. In 1850, the parents of subject came to America and for a number of years lived in Rootstown, Portage county, Ohio, but finally moved to Randolph, in the same county, where the father carried on shoemaking, served as postmaster three years, filled the offices of township treasurer and township trustee, and was also treasurer of the Randolph Mutual Fire Insurance company, but is now living on his farm of fifty acres in the neighborhood of the town. To their marriage were born five children, viz: Frank, Lewis, Augustus P., Charles (deceased) and Curtis. Augustus P. Shuman was educated in the common and high schools of Randolph, then clerked in the dry-goods store of C. Elletts, of the same place, and later, in Atwater, clerked for a Mr. Jackson and E. S. Goodman until 1893, when he formed a partnership with W. T. Mendenhall under the present firm-style. This firm carry a large stock of household furniture, carpets, crockery, etc., and also conduct an undertaking business, and in both branches their transactions take the lead in the township. The marriage of Mr. Shuman took place December 25, 1893, to Miss Lavinia Keller, who was born in Randolph, Ohio, November 22, 1873, a daughter of John and Susan Keller, old-time residents of Portage county. In his fraternal relations, Mr. Shuman is a member of Atwater lodge, No. 649, Knights of Pythias, of which he is the present vice-chancellor, and in which he has also filled the offices of outer-guard, master-at-arms and prelate. In politics he is a republican, and during the presidential campaign of 1896 was president of the Atwater McKinley club. Although not identified with any religious organization, Mr. Shuman is a strictly moral man, and is greatly respected for his business integrity and his usefulness as a citizen, as well as for his genial disposition and other praiseworthy attributes. JOHN B. SILVER, one of the most successful agriculturists of Deerfield township, Portage county, was born in Sandy township, Stark county, Ohio, December 18, 1851, a son of Alpheus and Catherine (Binkley) Silver. David Silver, paternal grandfather of John B., was a native of England, came to Ohio early in life, located in Stark county, where he followed farming all his life,and reared a family of eight children, viz : Martha, Ezekiel, Polly, John, Sarah, Arthur, David and Alpheus. Felix Binkley, maternal grandfather of subject, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., was a farmer and married Catherine Graybill, and to this marriage there were born seven children, named as follows : Leah, Fannie, Felix, Graybill, Abraham, Catherine (Mrs. Silver) and John. Alpheus Silver, father of John B., was a native of Stark county, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming all his life, with the exception of about twelve years, during two years of which he served as justice of the peace, and for ten years was in the loan business. To his marriage with Miss Catherine Binkley, OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 899 who was a native of Lancaster county, Pa., were born the following named children : Sarah, widow of Philip Van Voorhis; John B., the subject of this notice; Martha, deceased wife of James Faulk, and David, who died January 15, 1885, at the age of forty-four years. Alpheus Silver died September 4, 1885, at the age of sixty-eight years, and Mrs. Catherine Silver was called away July 8, 1887, aged sixty-nine years, both dying in the faith of the Methodist church. John B. Silver was reared to farming, and at the early age of thirteen years united with a brother-in-law in working the home place, his father granting them a share of the proceeds. He attended school until seventeen years old, when not actively employed on the farm, and October 18, 1871, was first married, in Belleville, Ill., to Miss Anna Bair, daughter of Jesse and Anna Eliza (Bonfield) Bair, and to this union were born four children, viz : Jesse F., August 8, 1872; James A., July 19, 1874; Ada H. and Homer T. Of these children Jesse F. was educated in the common schools and at Mount Union college, and in 1892 began teaching school; he taught two successive terms, then for a year sold books, and, in 1895, entered the ministry. He preached for a short time in New Castle, Pa. , then went to Blairsville, in the same state, where he filled the pulpit until the fall of 1895, when he was assigned to a charge in Indiana county, where he preached two years. In October, 1897, he was ordained and assigned to Greensburg, Pa., and was there married to Miss Maggie George. James A. Silver was also educated in the common schools and at Mount Union college, attending the latter about three years, and since 1893 has been engaged in school-teaching. The mother of the above family passed from earth June 4, 1881, at the early age of thirty-one years, and July 1, 1883, Mr. Silver married Miss Calista Kim- mel, daughter of Henry and Caroline (Wheedling) Kimmel, and this marriage has been blessed with three children—Henry M., Edwin R. and Rena. To the parents of Mrs. Anna Silver were born four children, viz: James, who is still living; Martin, a soldier, perished in the wreck of the steamer Sultana, in 1864, at the age of thirty-three years; Victoria, who was married to John Votaw, and died the mother of seven children. Mrs. Anna Silver, after the death of her mother, was reared to womanhood by John and Sarah Greves, of Osnaburg township, Stark county, Ohio, with whom she remained until the winter of 1870. The following spring she went to Belleville, Ill., where her father resided, and there lived until married to Mr. Silver. After this event, Mr. and Mrs. Silver returned to Ohio, remained here until 1873, then went to Montgomery county, Kans. , intending to settle, but, disliking the country, returned to Belleville, Ill, where they lived until 1874, when they came back to Ohio, where Mr. Silver purchased his father's farm in Stark county, on which they lived until they came to Deerfield township, Portage county. The parents of the present Mrs. Silver, Henry and Caroline Kimmel, were both born in Stark county, Ohio, the father, August 7, 1826, and the mother, November 22, 1833, and were married December 4, 1852, the union resulting in the birth of three children—John, Mrs. Silver and Addis. The parents are members of the Lutheran church, in which Mr. Kimmel has served as a deacon for many years, and he has also served as township trustee. David, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Silver, was a native of Pennsylvania, and a pioneer of Stark county, Ohio, where he married Susan Welker, who bore him six children, all still living, viz: Joseph; Nancy, wife of John Sickafoos; Henry; Michael; Susan, widow of Samuel Lutz, and Lydia, married to