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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
ATWATER TOWNSHIP.
E. D. BAITH, member of the firm of Baith & Jackson, merchants, Atwater, is a native of Atwater Township, this county, born in 1854, son of Amos and Mary A. (Hump) Baith, natives of Mahoning County, Ohio, who settled in Atwater Township, this county, in 1850. They reared a family of five children, all of whom are now living: E. D., Hattie (wife of L. C. Porter), Ella (wife of E. R. Spires), Albert and Anna. Our subject was brought up on a farm and followed agricultural pursuits until 1883, when he purchased the interest of Brush and Alden, of the firm of Brush, Alden & Butler. In 1884 Mr. Jackson succeeded Mr. Butler, and the firm became Baith & Jackson. They carry a general stock of merchandise worth about $10,000, and do an extensive business. Mr. Baith is a member of the Congregational Church.
MRS. E. H. BEACH, P. 0. Atwater, was born February 6, 1817, in Durham, Greene Co., N. Y.; daughter of Eliakim, Jr., and Frances Stannard, halves of Connecticut, born May 16, 1786, and March 22, 1790, respectively. They were the parents of nine children, viz.: Adaline, Antoinette, Harriet, Lucinda M., Edward, Lucy, Platt, Mary, Eliakim. Mrs. Beach's grandparents were Eliakim, Sr., and Bethia Stannard, of Puritan stock, both natives of Connecticut, former born August 31, 1753, and latter born July 15, 1759. Lucinda M., our subjects was twice married, on first occasion November 26, 1843, to Ransom Hinman, born in Greene County, N. Y., in 1813, and who, when but a child, came with his parents to this county, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying December 22, 1857. Our subject afterward, May 1, 1861, was united in marriage with E. H. Beach, also a native of New , York, born hi Victor. Mr. Beach came to this county in 1861 and is highly respected and favorably known in this community.
NELSON BENJAMIN, farmer, P. 0. Atwater, was born in Greene County, N. Y., September 15, 1814, son of Richard and Jerusha (Clark) Benjamin, natives of Connecticut, who were among the early settlers of New York State, where they both died. The subject of this sketch is the only living child born to this couple. He came to this county in 1846 and began the work of his life without means, but possessed of untiring energy and perseverance. He cleared the farm, consisting of 175 acres, where he now resides and which is finely improved. Mr. Benjamin was married, in his native county, to Miss Adeline Stannard, born May 20, 1811. Their generation is as follows: Platt, married to Nellie Baldwin (have seven children: Addie L., Frances S., Pearl R., Mabel G., Ray L., Chester and Josephine); Prances, wife of Amos Whitten, residing in Boston, Mass. (have the following children: Chester H., Edgar B., Charles N. and William M.); Cyius, married to Jerusha Blakesley (have three ehil-
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dren: Bertie S., Mamie and Freddie L.); Amos, married to Josephine G. Whittelsey, resides at home.
LUTHER BUTLER, retired farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born in North Branford, Conn., in 1801; son of David and Betsey Butler, who were among the pilgrims of 1827 to Atwater Township, this county, where they located on land now occupied by our subject, and there lives to the close of their lives Of thirteen children born to them, seven survive. The subject of this sketch served seven years as Drum Major in the militia, and took an active part as drummer in the Presidential Campaign of 1884, joining in most if not in all the torch-light processions and parades, and he is ever happiest when in the ranks beating the drum. He was married, in 1830, to Miss Eliza Jones, by whom he has the following children: Lyman W., Lucius F., Susan S., and Henry W., married to Weltha Wintersteen (they have two children: Albert H. and Arthur W.) In 1880 Mr. and Mrs. Butler celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding day, when there were present, besides other guests, thirteen grandchildren.
W. W. CLEVERLY, farmer, P. O. Atwater, is a descendant of one of the pioneers of Atwater Township, where he was born in 1835; son of William and Eliza Cleverly, natives of New York and Maryland, respectively, who where the parents of six children, five of whom are now living (the oldest being dead): W. W.; Eliza, wife of J. E. Garrison, of Junction City, Kan.; Fannie, wife of E. Ellison. Abbey, wife of William Ripple, of Warsaw, Ind.; and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. William Cleverly located in Atwater Township in 1831, settling on land now owned by Charles Bradley, Jr., and both died in the township. Our subject was married, in 1861, to Miss Lydia, daughter of John Webber, of Deerfield Township, this county. By this union were born five children: Chase, Charles, John, Florence and Bertie. In 1862 Mr. Cleverly settled on his present farm of 107 acres, which was then wholly wooded but he has cleared about sixty acres, has erected a fine commodious brick residence, and is making other improvements.
THORNTON DOUTHITT, farmer, P. O. Atwater Center, was born in Edinburg Township, this county, October 11, 1831; son of Daniel and Rachel ( Pumphrey) Douthitt, the former born in Pennsylvania, the latter a native of Huron County, Ohio, and who joined the early settlement at Edinburg. They were parents of twelve children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the third Daniel Douthitt, in the latter part of his life, removed to Hardin County, Ohio, where he died in February, 1881, Mrs. Douthitt dying in 1849. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm with scarcely any educational advantages outside the severe discipline of labor, which taught him economy, Honesty, perseverance and regular habits, giving him a vigorous constitution, combined with a natural ambition to achieve success, seconded by excellent judgment, have caused him to more than equal his greatest anticipations. Neither early habits nor later indulgences have weakened him in body or mind, using neither strong drink nor tobacco. He married, February 16, 1852, at Atwater, Ohio, Miss Matilda Ann Siddall, second child of Mahlon and Elizabeth (Gould) Siddall, of Atwater, Ohio. Mrs. Douthitt was born April 1, 1831, and in all the laborious undertakings of her husband has borne her equal share, acting nobly and truly a self-sacrificing part. She is a kind friend, affectionate mother and good wife; their home being ample and sufficiently ornamental to dispense to a large circle of friends that free-hearted hospitality for which they are justly noted. She (Mrs. Douthitt) has borne our subject five children: Andrew M., born April 20, 1853, admitted to bar, but engaged in teaching (has two children: Bertha Ann and Dudley M.);
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George F., born June 12, 1856, a teacher in the Union Schools, but preparing for the practice of law; Jennie T., born September 10, 1864, married, January 1, 1885, to H. Alva Myers, a teacher; Thomas D., born January 27, 1867, engaged in teaching: Clinton A., born June 1, 1870, attending school and helping his father on the farm. During the late war Mr. Douthitt located on his present farm of 225 acres, clearing it of timber, etc., besides several other large tracts, and with the revenue received from the railroad company (in payment for thousands of cords of wood) he has paid for the farm and liquidated other large obligations. The majority of the family are regular attendants on the service of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but not any are members of any religious denomination. In politics Mr. Douthitt is an unswerving disciple of Jefferson, but although living in a township overwhelmingly Republican, his fellow-townsmen have seen fit to repose in him the responsible position of Real Estate Assessor in 1880, and Township Trustee for three terms.
JAMES B. ELTON, farmer, P. 0. Atwater, was born in Atwater January 14, 1848, soh of Erbin and Caroline (Woodruff) Elton, and grandson of Ebenezer and Emily Elton, of Puritan stock, who came from Connecticut in 1833 via canal to Buffalo, thence by lake to Ohio, and settled on the land now occupied by their son Erbin. Mrs. Caroline Elton came with her parents, Chancy and Perlina Woodruff, from Farmington, Conn., to Atwater Township, this county. They had with them their seven children: Havey, Ezekiel, Henry, Caroline, Cornelius, Cornelia and Alfred, and after coming here had two more—Sarah and William. Ebenezer and Emily Elton had six children: Lucella, married Watrous Fairchild Taylor; Erbin, married Caroline Elton; Elizabeth, married John Norton; Harriett, married Lucius Walker; Edwin, married Harriett Knapp, and Ebenezer, died at the age of two years. Ebenezer Elton lived to enjoy pioneer life but a short time, dying December 22,.1835, aged forty-three. At his death, Erbin, who was but a boy at the time, took charge of the homestead and diligently cleared it of timber, etc., and still makes it his residence. He had four children: Edwin, died April 18, 1870, aged twenty-six; those now living are James B., born in this township in 1848, (married, in 1871, Miss Sarah Hacock, by whom he has two children: Iona A. and Edwin); Henry, a farmer, Windham Township, this county (married Miss Eliza Hacock, June 26, 1883, have two daughters: Carrie and Nina); Emily, married October 8, 1879, to Earnest Youngman, farmer, Windham Township, this county. The family are highly esteemed and respected members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
THOMAS W. GILSON, farmer, P. 0. Atwater, was born in Oil Creek Township, Crawford County, Penn., in 1823; son of William and Mary (Lafferty) Gilson, natives of Pennsylvania, both now deceased. Of their children, John, Alice, Peter, Margaret and Thomas W. are now living. Our subject spent the greater part of his life in his native county, and has always been a farmer by occupation. He was married, in 1846, to Miss Cynthia Fowler, a native of Crawford County, Penn., who died January 19, 1876, the mother of five children, viz.: M. H., M. W., L. A., A. T. and E. L., who have been spared to care for their father and his home through the declining years of his life. In 1865 Mr. Gilson purchased and settled on his present estate, comprising 120 acres, now one of the best cultivated farms in Atwater Township. He and his family are highly respected in this community.
HOMER HILLYER, retired, was born in Deerfield Township, this county, November 17, 1815; son of Daniel and Charity (Loomis) Hillyer, natives of Southwick, Mass. The family, along with a colony of seventy-five persons, embarked for the West in 1815, and were forty-four days
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on the road, settling in this county during October, 1815. Daniel Hillyer was farmer and did considerable surveying in Atwater and Randolph Townships, Of the six children born to him and his wife, three are now living: Homer, Joseph T. and Edwin, the two younger now residents of Dodge County, Wis. Homer Hillyer was brought up on a farm and was married, June 11, 1845, to to. Miss Hannah Cooney, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, who died January 17, 1865, without issue. He was married, on second occasion, September 6, 1865, to Miss Celinda C. Crail,born in Beaver County, Penn. Mr. Hillyer was appointed station agent at Atwater on the C. & P. R. R. at the time it was built and acceptably served in that capacity until 1884, when he resign being one of the oldest agents on the road, and retired to enjoy the well-earned results of his labors. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for years, and is widely known and esteemed by all.
IRA JACKSON, firm of Baith & Jackson, merchants, Atwater, was born in Mt. Vernon, Knox Co., Ohio, in 1853, and is an adopted son of Josiah and Lucy A. (Phinney) Jackson, former of whom, now in his seventy-ninth year, is a native of Rutland County, Vt., and the latter of Dover, Ohio. The family settled in Freedom Township, this county, at an early date and cleared a farm where they resided until their removal to this village. The subject of this sketch served an apprenticeship of ten years at Ravenna in merchandising and in the spring of 1884 formed the present partnership. This firm are successors to Brush, Alden & Butler, the leading business house of Atwater. Mr Jackson married, August 15, 1877, Miss Mary F., daughter of Capt. J. C. Long of Nantucket, commander of a whaling vessel for years, but now living a retired life in Ravenna. The children born to this union are William and George. Mr. Jackson is a member of the Congregational Church; a member of the Royal Arcanum.
S. W. JOHNSON, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born in New Haven County, Conn., in 1825; son of Levi and Eliza (Riggs) Johnson, who crossed the country, arriving in this county in 1834, and settling in Rootstown Township, where the father purchased a farm and founded a home. In 1846 Levi Johnson removed to Atwater Township, where he lived till the close of his life August 25, 1862. His widow is now in the eighty-sixth year of her age. Of the children born to this couple, but two survive: S. W. and Henry. The subject of this sketch was married, in 1849, to Miss Sally, daughter of Stephen Wooley, deceased. His living children are James R. and Eliza, wife B. F. Hathaway, present Clerk of Atwater Township. In 1850 Mr. Johnson settled on a farm of 100 acres in the northern part of Atwater Township, on which he resided until 1882, when he moved to his present farm, comprising sixty acres, situated near Atwater Station. He has spent a life-time of labor and toil in clearing land and creating from the wilderness scenes of growth, and abundance.
JOHN KENNEDY, section foreman. Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad, P O. Atwater, was born in Tipperary, Ireland, in 1819; son of John and Ann Kennedy. He crossed the ocean in 1851 and began the struggle of life, possessing a vigorous constitution, strong ambition and an honest heart as his only capital. He made his way to the "West" and worked for two months on Akron branch of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Delaware Railroad. In 185 he was appointed to his present position, and haa proved, by his careful appli cation to business, one of the best, as he is one of the.oldest, men in the corn pany's employ. He was married first to Miss Mary A. Sebrell, who died 1871, leaving four children: Ellen, Ann, John and Patrick. He was marri on second occasion, to Mrs. Margret Coats, who died in March, 1883. Mrs
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Kennedy, who has ever been temperate and frugal .in habits, in 1864 was enabled to purchase his present farm, consisting of 128 acres of land.
WILLIAM W. KETTRING, farmer, P. 0. Atwater, was born in Atwater Township, this county, in 1842; son of Jacob and Rachel (Petrie) Kettring, natives of Baden, Germany, the former born in November, 1815, the latter in 1822, the respective families immigrating to America in 1831. They were the parents of six sons: William W., George, Joshua, Jacob, Caleb and Eli. Jacob Kettring, Sr., cleared forty acres of land in Atwater Township, this county, where he engaged in farming till his death. His widow, who survives him, is a resident of Atwater, this county. Our subject was brought up on the farm, and has always followed agricultural pursuits. In 1862 he joined the Union Army, enlisting in Company C, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving till the close of the war. He participated in the battle of Stone River, siege of Knoxville, the Georgia and Atlanta campaigns, Franklin, Ft. Fisher and Nashville under Thomas, and received an honorable discharge as Corporal in July, 1865. Returning to peaceful pursuits he was married, in 1867, to Miss Lucy A., daughter of Thomas Gilson, of Atwater Township, this county. Six children were born to this union, all now living: Henry, Clara, Charles, Maggie, Edith and Mary. Mr. Kettring is a member of the I. 0. 0. F.
JOHN MANSFIELD, farmer, P. 0. Atwater Centre, was born in Walling. ford, Conn., November 18, 1806; son of Ira and Susan (Kirtland) Mansfield, who had a family of six children, of whom our subject is the only survivor. His grandfather, John Mansfield, was an officer of some distinction in the Revolutionary struggle. Ira Mansfield, his father, better known as Maj. Mansfield, made his way through the wilderness of Ohio in 1806, and succeeded in making a trade of land with Joshua Atwater, the original proprietor of he township, securing 360 acres. Returning to the East he brought his family back with him in 1808, and here founded a home. This land he subsequently sold, and purchased 150 acres near the present homestead. He raised a company of volunteers for the war of 1812, in which he took an active part. While in camp at Detroit his trusted clerk decamped with $1,500 of his money. For a time this crippled him, but his untiring ambition soon enabled him to retrieve the loss. Ira Mansfield's death occurred in Atwater in 1849. His widow survived him until 1851. Our subject was married, in 1838, to Miss Mary Hall, also a native of Wallingford, Conn., and who has borne him two sons: Ira K., residing at Chicago, Ill., is married to Emma J. Cook (their living children are Mary M., Susan M. and Bessie I.); Silliman S., married to Margaret Goss, hey reside in Atwater Township, this county, (Their children are Charles K., Alfred H., Pearl W., Henry L., Carrie J., Frankie G. and Ira S.). Mr. Mansfield is among the oldest settlers of Atwater Township. He has served as Assessor several terms, and has ever taken an active part in the development of his township.
EDGAR H. MANSFIELD, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born May 4, 1843, in Atwater Township, this county; 'son of Henry E. Mansfield, born in Wallingford, Conn., August 16, 1803, and, grandson of Maj. Ira Mansfield, a pioneer of 1807 to Atwater Township. Henry E. Mansfield was twice married, first to Miss Jane Stanly, a native of Newton Falls, Trumbull Co., Ohio, who died April 2, 1837. Jane, the only surviving child of this union, married M. D. Motherspaw, and is the mother of two children—Harry and Frank—and grandmother of Carl and Ruby. His second union was with Ann S. Stanly, a sister of his deceased wife, born August 16, 1815, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Moore) Stanly, the former born November 15, 1768, died August 13, 1848, the latter born August 22, 1772, died June 11, 1847, and who
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had thirteen children, of whom two survive: James, born July 23, 1801, and Ann S. There are seventy-nine living descendants of this couple. The subject of this sketch was married, in 1889, to Miss Lora E., daughter of William Campbell, a native of Atwater Township, this county. This family and its connections are among the oldest and most respected in Atwater Township; they are both industrious and successful, walking in the steps of their forefathers.
SIDNEY A. MATTOON, farmer, P. O. Atwater, is a native of Atwater Township, this county, born December 25, 1832, son of Caleb and Betsey (Hall) Mattoon, of Connecticut, and grandson of Caleb Mattoon, one of the earliest pioneers of this township, coming here from Connecticut with an ox team. Here he cleared a farm comprising 100 acres and lived the balance of his life. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, in Atwater Township, this county, January 9, 1856, with Miss Elizabeth, adopted daughter of Aaron Baldwin. This union has been blessed with five children, four now living: Charles A., Jessie,' Estella and Edwin. In 1858 Mr. Mattoon settled on his present farm of 240 acres. He is Trustee of the Congregational Church and Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. The family are among the oldest and most respected in Atwater Township.
JOHN MYERS, Atwater, Ohio, was born in Berlin Township, Mahoning Co., Ohio, December 22, 1828, son of Daniel and Polly Myers from Pennsylvania, and early pioneers of Mahoning County, Ohio. The subject of this sketch had not the advantages of acquiring an education that many boys, even of his time, possessed. Arithmetic was his "main fort," and in that branch he got as far as the "double rule of three." His constant practice in compound numbers, interest., percentage and mensuration has made him so proficient in these departments of arithmetic, that better scholars than he frequently acknowlege his superiority in these departments. When about twenty years old he commenced to battle with life for himself, and his first undertaking was a contract to cut 100 cords of four-foot wood at 25 cents per cord for John Boles, of Campbellsport. Taking for a partner his broher Henry, they accomplished the feat in ten days, going to and from their work twice during the time, a distance of fifteen miles. With his share of the proceeds, as part payment, Mr. Myers purchased a "Canfield grain thresher " for which he paid $200. This was his first investment, and he continued to follow threshing for sixteen years. In February, 1851, he was married to Miss Sophia Betts, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, but who when two years old moved with her parents to Trumbull County, Ohio, where she lived until united in marriage to Mr. Myers. Our subject and wife spent one year of their married life in Berlin Township, and in the fall of 1852 they moved to Atwater Township, this county, on the farm where they now live,consisting of 120 acres, for which Mr. Myers paid $17.50 per acre; about ten acres of this farm were cleared off when Mr. Myers moved :on it, but being possessed of a strong constitution and a tireless ambition, with the best elements of character and natural frugality, his life's work has been crowned with merited success. He is owner of over 500 acres of land in Atwater Township, and notwithstanding the vast amount of labor connected with operating such a farm, he has always taken an active interest in educational matters, giving his children every advantage of acquiring a thorough education. The record of his family, all of whom are now living, is: W. C., born November 3, 1852; Lucy A., born July 11, 1854, married to L. I. Glass; Chester A., born December 16, 1856, married to Clara E. Hawn; H. Alva, born August 20, 1859, married to Jennie T. Douthitt; Vinnie M., born August 27, 1861; Eddie M., born December 11, 1864; Hattie
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J., born January 8, 1867; Jesse 0., born May 26, 1870, and Worthy Allen, born December 14, 1873. Six of these have taught school, viz.: W. C., Chester A., H. Alva, Vinnie M., Eddie M. and Hattie J. Mr. Myers is a strong supporter of Democracy, casting his first Presidential vote for Franklin Pierce, and voting for every Democratic candidate for President since that time.
HENRY NICHOLS, farmer, P. 0. Atwater Centre, was born in Fairfield, Columbiana Co., Ohio, September 20, 1825, son of Nasin and Elizabeth (Gould) Nichols, natives of New York State, where the former died when our subject was but two years of age. The widowed mother, with her son, came West and located in Ellsworth, Mahoning hio, and three years later removed to this county, settling in Edinburg Co.,Township, where she was married, on second occasion, in Columbiana County, to Mahlon Siddall, by whom she had eleven children, nine of whom are now living: Marilda J., George W., Matilda A., Louisa and Elisha (twins), Lovinia, Keller, Isaac and Melissa. The subject of this sketch has been a resident of Atwater and Edinburg Townships, this county, since 1834 and experienced all the hardships incident to pioneer life. Between his residence and Atwater Center the road covers hidden timber which he helped to fell in order to obtain a pass through the woods. He has been twice married, first in 1850 to Miss Mary K. Lynn, born in Limestone, Fayette Co., Penn., September 29, 1831, and who died in 1874, the mother of two children, both now living: Frances J., wife of Jerome Huxley, of Princeton, Kan. (have two children: Dallas H. and George E.), and Samuel E., residing in Atwater, married to Ada Wireman (have two sons: Bernard H. and Walter). Mr. Nichols was married on second occasion, in 1875, to Miss Eliza, daughter of Jesse and Emily Rogers, a pioneer family. Mr. Nichols in 1866 settled on his present estate, comprising 126 acres, where he has established a permanent home. He and his wife are connected with the Disciples Church of Edinburg.
JOHN NORTON, farmer, P. 0. Atwater, one of the oldest native residents of Atwater Township, this county, was born here in 1813; son of Jerry and Rachel (Hubbard) Norton, who journeyed from Connecticut in 1812, with ox teams and one horse. They had two children with them, were six weeks on the road, and located in Atwater Township, this county. They had a family of twelve children, of whom five are now living: Sarah, wife of Daniel Hall, in Richmond, Mich,; Mary, wife of Isaac Elliott; John; James; and Ellen, wife of Henry Beebe. Jerry Norton in the latter years of his life removed to Randolph Township, where he died. Our subject was married in Edinburg, this county, March 11, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Elton, of Atwater Township. Their only child (adopted), Martha, married Z. Strong and has three children: Willie, Henry and Landa. Mr. Norton lives on the homestead farm consisting of 100 acres. He has served his township as Treasurer.
JAMES SPIERS, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born in England, October 16, 1813, son of Thomas and Ann (Parkins) Spiers, with whom he immigrated to this country in 1833, and located in Deerfield Township, where Thomas Spiers died the following week. In 1840 our subject secured fifty acres of his present estate, now comprising eighty-two acres, which at that time was wholly wooded. A road through the forests had to be cut to make a clearing for the erection of a cabin. Their bread was baked in a kettle suspended on poles, over a fire, and they experienced all the other hardships and privations incident to a pioneer's life. He was married in Boardman, then Trumbull, now Mahoning County, Ohio, February 29, 1844, to Miss Betsey, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Webber, by whom he has the following children living:
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Milo; Lucy, wife of Charles Craig (have one child—Ethel M.), and Celeste, residing at home, the joy and solace of her parents' declining years. The family are widely known and highly esteemed.
C. J. STANFORD, member of firm of Stanford & Mendenhall, furniture dealers and undertakers, Atwater, was born in Randolph Township, this county, September 7, 1841. His father, Orrin 'Stanford, a native of Connecticut, came to this county when a youth, with his father, Oliver, who was one of the pioneers of Randolph Township. Orrin Stanford married Eliza Coe, a daughter of Deacon James Coe, Sr., who was born in Granville, Mass., March 19, 1769, and settled in Randolph Township, this county, in 1811. The Coe family came to this country from the County of Suffolk, England, where their ancestors for many generations back had resided. Robert Coe, of Milford, Suffolk, was burned at the stake by orders from Queen Mary, September, 1555. Robert Coe (of the ninth generation) is the first of this name who came to this county. The subject of this sketch learned the carpenter's trade of his father, and worked at the same until he joined the Union Army, in 1861, enlisting in Company A, Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and serving three years. He participated in the battles of Middle Creek, Ky., under Garfield, Pound Gap, Siege of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, and in other skirmishes. After his return he worked at his trade until 1877 when he opened a furniture store and undertaking establishment at Edinburg. In 1880 he removed his business to Atwater, and in 1883 Mr. Mendenhall was admitted a partner in the concern. Mr. Stanford was married, March 15, 1883, to Miss Nina Mendenhall, by whom he has one son—William.
W. H. STOCKBERGER, carriage manufacturer, P. O. Atwater Center, was born in New Lisbon, Columbiana Co., Ohio, in September, 1841, son of Frederick and Elizabeth Stockberger, who emigrated from Germany in 1835. They were married at New Lisbon and settled at Atwater Center in 1854. Their family consisted of four children: Caroline, W. H., Daniel and Lizzie. Frederick Stockberger was a carriage-maker by trade, and established the present business here, which he carried on to the close of his life, in 1878. His widow is still surviving. The subject of this sketch was married in Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1862, to Miss Louisa Rettman, also a native of Germany. Their living children are Jessie, Carrie, Mary, Frank, Lottie, Frederick, Walter and one nct named. Mr. Stockberger has made great improvements in the carriage factory, moving the old building to the rear and erecting a substantial two-story structure. The main floor is used as a carriage repository and the upper floor as a paint shop and drying room. This .addition was completed in 1880. Mr. Stockberger and family are members of the Lutheran Church.
JARED STRATTON, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born in 1841, in Atwater Township, this county; son of Jared, and Damaris (Perkins) Stratton, natives of Connecticut, who settled in Atwater Township in 1821. Of their children three are now living: Almon, born in this township, in 1831, married to Rebecca Henline (they have two children: Willie J. and Howard S.); Jared; and Samuel, unmarried. Jared Stratton, Sr., was a carpenter by trade, and worked at this occupation until within a few years previous to his death in 1883. His widow is now a resident of the old homestead farm. The subject of this sketch, in 1871, settled on his present farm, consisting of fifty-six acres, which he has greatly improved and cultivated. He was married in 1872, to Miss Lydia B. McLeish, who has borne him four children: Fannie, Frank, John and Walter. Mr. Stratton is present Clerk of this district, School Director and a member of the Board of Education. He was appointed a Deacon in the Congregational Church, of which he is a member, in 1883.
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SAMUEL STRATTON, farmer, P. 0. Atwater, was born in Atwater Township, this county. June 21, 1843; youngest son of Jared Stratton, Sr., Whose history appears above. Samuel Stratton has always remained on the homestead farm, and since his father's death, February 18, 1883, has been the erapport and companion of his respected mother, now in her eightieh year. Our subject has added thirty-seven and one-quarter acres to the original homestead, making a total of seventy-five and one-fourth acres. He is connected with the Congregational Church.
WILLIAM THOMPSON, farmer, P. 0. Atwater, was born in Deerfield Township, this county, in 1822, son of Uriah and Elizabeth (Allen) Thompson, ,natives of New Jersey, and among the pioneers of 1810 to settle in Deerfield Township. At that time there were but ten families in the township, the country was covered with woods, and wild animals were in abundance. Their nearest market was New Lisbon. Uriah Thompson secured eighty acres of land which he cleared, but subsequently removed to Atwater Township, where lie and his wife died at the ages of eighty-four and seventy-nine, respectively. Of their six children, three now survive: Uriah, Jr., William and Elizabeth. Our subject has occupied his present farm, now comprising 225 acres, since he was eighteen years of age. He erected a cheese factory on his place, and has won for himself a wide reputation as a successful manufacturer of this commodity. He began life empty-handed, clearing his farm of woods and Slowly improving it until he has now one of the best in the county. Mr. Thompson was married in 1855, to Miss Emily Fowler, of Pennsylvania. Of the children born to this union five are living: Louie, Owen P., Lillie, Leona and Wendell.
SAMUEL TOWNSEND, ticket and station agent, Atwater, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1836; son of Jonathan and Ann Townsend, of English and French descent, respectively. They came from Bucks County, Penn., and settled in Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1833, where they both died. Our subject was 'married in 1865 to Miss Lois Roller, of his native county. ' He was brought up on a farm and followed various occupations until his removal to Atwater in 1870. He was subsequently employed as assistant station agent until the resignation of H. Hillyer, in January, 1884, when he succeeded him, and has proved himself to be an efficient officer. He is well known and highly respected.
SILAS P. WALLER, farmer, P. 0. Atwater, was born November 6, 1841, on the Waller estate, this township, in the old log-cabin which his father first occupied in 1837, since when two generations have been born within its honored walls. His father, David G. Waller, was born in Palmyra Township, this county, August 12,1812, and was married to Catherine Webber, born in Pennsylvania, October 17, 1804, daughter of Peter Webber, who was born September 4, 1779, in Berkshire County, Penn, a son of Christian Webber. a native of Germany who fled from that country when eighteen years of age to avoid being pressed into the army. To this union were born the following children, viz.: Hiram, Silas P. (our subject), and David Webber. David G. Waller's parents, Silas, Sr., and Betsey (Bnappen) Waller, were natives of Connecticut and parents of thirteen children, only two of whom now survive: David G., and Mason. a native of Palmyra Township, where he still resides. Silas Waller, Sr., was a son of Joseph (who died in Connecticut) and Sarah Waller, who accompanied her three sons, Silas, David and Asel, with their families, who settled in Palmyra in 1805; she died February 21, 1815. Our subject was married June 2, 1870, to Miss Angeline V., daughter of Henry and Sophia Dawes, early settlers of Deerfield Township, natives of England
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and the parents of twelve children. To Mr. and Mrs. Waller have been born six children, four now living: Mary Sophia, Fannie Betsey, Cora Elizabeth and George Edmund. Our subject enlisted in 1861 in the three months' call, but did not go out. He re-enlisted for three years in Company G, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was wounded in the battle of Cedar Mountain, Va., August 9, 1862, and was honorably discharged on account of same, March 16, 1863. After being discharged from the army he attended school at the Poland Seminary, Mahoning Co., Ohio, for one year, and during the winter of 1864-65 he attended the Iron City Commercial College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1865. In October, 1865, he removed to Lawrence County, Mo., and was engaged in teaching school for five years, during which time he assisted in organizing a teachers' institute, and establishing a teachers' library of over 350 volumes; was one of the prime movers in establishing a normal school at Marionville (the building costing $12,000). He was a member of its first Board of Directors, and Secretary of the Board of Directors for three years, and also one of the Building Committee. In the spring of 1870 he returned to the old homestead on a visit, during which he married Angeline Victoria Dawes, and in September returned with his bride to Missouri. During the winter he taught school. In the spring of 1871 he engaged in farming, in which he continued for five years, and during that time be held the offices of Township Clerk, Township Treasurer and Collector of Taxes; he was First Lieutenant of Company I, Missouri State Militia. During the fall of 1873 they lost their little boy, Edmund Guy, and in the spring of 1874 they buried their little boy, Henry. Lester, over which his wife became very despondent. Her health remaining very poor all summer, she returned to Ohio on a visit the first of October, staying all the winter of 1874-75. During that time he was engaged in teaching school. In the spring of 1875 he returned to Ohio, and stayed all summer, during which time his wife?' health greatly improved. In the fall of 1875 he proposed to his wife t they return to Missouri again, to which she objected, saying that she would rather live in Ohio in a log-cabin than in Missouri in a mansion: He then decided to return to Missouri, dispose of his property and come back and set= tle on the old homestead, and is now living in the old log-cabin which has been standing some sixty-five years, and in which the third generation is now living. He has been a member of the Township Board of Education for seven years, and has always taken an active part in public and private enterprises.
E. WARRINGTON, M. D., Atwater, was born in Butler Township, Colum biana Co., Ohio, in April, 1821, son of Abraham and Keziah (Woolman) Warrington, who were the first couple married in Springfield Settlement, Columbiana Co., Ohio, where they raised their family of ten children and resided the balance of their lives. Our subject was raised on a farm, receiving a primary education in Friends' 'select schools and at Mt. Pleasant Academy. After teaching twelve years and practicing surveying he began the study o medicine, and graduated at Cleveland in the Medical Department of the West, ern Reserve College in 1852. For five years he practiced his profession at North Benton, Mahoning Co., Ohio. In 1857 he settled in Atwater Center, where he has since been in constant and successful practice, and with tw exceptions is the oldest living physician in the county. He has been a mem, ber of the Portage County Medical Society for sixteen years, ever since it w started; is also a member of the Northeastern Ohio Medical Associatio During his twenty-eight years' residence in Atwater seven doctors at differe times have tried to get a foothold there, but would remain only a short times Dr. Warrington for many years back has used antiseptic method in the treat-
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ment of both wounds and diseases with marked success generally, and in some individual cases with marvellous results. In 1853 the Doctor was married to Miss Jane Sproat, who died in 1863, leaving two children—Richard and Jessie. He was married on second occasion in April, 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Ritchie, of Columbiana County, Ohio. Dr. Warrington has served as Township Treasurer and on Board of Education. He is connected with the Congregational Church.
JAMES WEBBER, JR., farmer, P. 0. Atwater Centre, was born on the homestead farm where he now resides in Atwater Township, this county, April 8, 1825, the second son of James, Sr., and Phebe (Mix) Webber (whose record appears in this book elsewhere). Our subject was married in 1855 to Margaret, widow of Isaac L. Webber, eldest son of James Webber, Sr. (by whom she had three children: James B., Charles E. and Lida L.), and a native of Harrison County, Ind. To our subject and wife have been born two sons: Robert L. and Howard H. Residing from birth on the old homestead, our subject's life has necessarily been uneventful. He has served as Justice of the Peace some years and in. various oher township offices of trust.
HIRAM B. WEBBER, merchant, P. 0. Atwater Centre, was born in Atwater Township, this county, July 18, 1828, son of James, Sr., and Phebe (Mix) Webber, natives of Wallingford, Conn., whose history appears in this work. The subject of this sketch left home when seventeen years of age, and followed mercantile business at New Albany, Ind. where he was extensively engaged for upwards of thirty years. He was united in marriage in Indianapolis, Ind., in 1856, with Miss Fannie E. Solith, of Bloomington, Ind., and who died in Atwater, this township, March 6, 1881. By this union there are three children, now living: Louis C., Mary J. and John L. Mr. Webber 'moved to St. Louis in 1872, and engaged in the sale of carpets, but in 1875 returned A) his native place, where he erected his present place of business, in which he carries a general stock of goods. Mr. Webber was a stock-holder and Director in the Ohio Falls Iron Works at New Albany, Ind., and has been otherwise identified with prominent operations here and elsewhere.
FRIEND WHITTELSEY, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born April 10, 1830, in Atwater Township, this county, son of Randolph and Clarissa (Mansfield) Whittelsey, of Wallingford, Conn., who were the parents of five children: Africk, Edgar, Friend, Randall, and Clara, wife of Ambrose Goss. The ternal grandfather of our subject, John H. Whittelsey, also a native of Walford, Conn., of Scotch descent, settled in the woods near Atwater about 1807, on the farm now owned and occupied by John B. Whittelsey, Jr., his Only living child. Our subject was married in 1856 to Miss Eliza Ballinger, of Atwater, who came from Cheltenham, England, with her parents in 1850, and who died in November, 1859, leaving one son—Elisha. Mr. Whittelsey was married, on second occasion, to Miss Susan B. Smith, of Deerfield, by whom e has two children: Susan B. and Edgar. Mr. Whittelsey occupies a part of the old homestead, having a farm of 260 acres. He is regarded as one of the substantial men of Atwater Township.
RANDALL WHITTELSEY, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born on the homestead farm, upon which he now lives, in Atwater Township, this county, August 30, 1842, the youngest son of Randolph S. and Clarissa (Mansfield) Whittelsey, natives of Wallingford, Conn., where the former was born September, 1799, and the latter in November, 1800. They reared a family of five
ildren, all of whom are now living: Patrick, Edgar, Friend, Randall, and Clara, wife of Ambrose Goss. Randolph S. Whittelsey came to this county when seven years of age, with his father, John H., who founded a home on the
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land in Atwater Township, now occupied by John B. Whittelsey. Our subject was married November 16, 1876, to Miss Lucy daughter of Royal Merwin, of Palmyra Township, this county, and whose family were pioneers of that township. The three children born to this union are all living: Lois, born June 11, 1878; Clara Jane, born August 7, 1880, and Royal, born August 1, 1882. The Whittelseys are among the most numerous of the pioneers, and are highly respected. Under our subject's able administration the homestead farm has become one of the finest in Atwater Township.
A. V. WILLSEY, Postmaster and merchant, Atwater, was born in Schoharie County, N. V., in 1823, son of Henry T. and Orpha (Snow) Willsey, natives of that State. The family located north of Atwater Center in 1840, and subsequently moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, where Mr. Willsey died. His widow lived to attain her eighty-fifth year, and died in Atwater Township, this county, March 28, 1884. They raised a family of five children, all of whom are living, and of these, Moses, who served three years in the Union Army during the late war of the Rebellion, is now a resident of Ashtabula County, Ohio. The subject of this sketch learned the carpenter's trade in his native place, and followed this occupation in connection with farming until his appointment as Postmaster of Atwater by President Grant in 1871, which position he has filled continuously since that time. Mr. Willsey was married in 1843, to Miss Mary J. Clover, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has three children: Louisa, wife of Z, Crubaugh; Henry, and Delilah, wife of G. Gelhart. Mr. Willsey owns a farm in Atwater Township, this county, which he operates in connection with his other business. He has served six years as Justice of the Peace, and two terms as Notary.
HOMER H. WOOLF, hardware merchant, Atwater, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, October 24, 1851, son of George and Eliza A. (Baum) Woolf, natives of Columbiana County and Mahoning County, Ohio, respectively, and who had a family of six children, of whom five are now living: Preston G., Homer H., Maurice O., Clark E. and Wilson W. George Woolf came to this county in 1848, and followed farming until he retired from business. He is now a resident of Atwater township, His wife died December 2, 1880. Our subject was brought up on a farm, and after attending Mt. Union College three years, taught school nine terms and then embarked in business. He was married in Ravenna, June 17, 1875, to Miss Carry V. Crumrine, a native of Mahoning County, Ohio, by whom he has three children: Edith A., A. Leslie and Elsie L. Mr. Woolf, with his brother Preston, established their present business in Atwater in 1874, and in March, 1882, Preston disposed of his interest to our subject, who has since carried it on alone and is doing a good trade, having a stock of about $3,000. He is now serving his third term as Justice of the Peace, and has filled other township offices. His father's family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.