USA > Ohio > Lorain County > A Standard History of Lorain County, Ohio: An Authentic Narrative of the. > Part 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
JOHN L. CORTS. In the year 1900 Mr. Corts came to the City of Lorain and effected the purchase of an established laundry plant and business of modest order, and from this inception he has developed a thoroughly modern and metropolitan establishment, conducted under the corporate title of the Corts Laundry & Dry Cleaning Company. Mr. Corts is president of the company, and his sons are his coadjutors in the large and prosperous business, as will be more specifically noted in a later paragraph. It has been given to Mr. Corts to gain secure vantage- ground as one of the representative business men and loyal, popular and public spirited citizens of Lorain County, and he is well entitled to special consideration in this history of one of the favored counties of his native state.
Mr. Corts was born on the paternal homestead farm ir Ashland County, Ohio, and the date of his nativity was September, 1851. He is a son of Lewis and Lydia A. (Long) Corts, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania and both of whom were honored citizens of Ashland County, Ohio, for many years before their death, the father having there been a substantial agriculturist and a man of influence in community affairs. He whose name introduces this article was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm and in the meanwhile duly profited by the advantages afforded in the public schools of his native county. There he was thereafter engaged in independent operations as a farmer for a few years. and he then learned the trade of marble cutter. For a full quarter of a century he was engaged in the marble and granite business
Digitized by Google
J. L. Corts
Digitized by
-- - --------
Digitized by
-
901
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY
in the City of Ashland, where he developed a large and profitable business in the manufacturing and handling of monuments and minor stones for memorial use in cemeteries. He continued his residence at Ashland until 1900, when he came to Lorain, as previously noted, and purchased a small laundry. He made minor improvements in the establishment as soon as he assumed control, and in 1905 he erected his present modern building, which is 40 by 130 feet in dimensions, two stories in height and of brick construction. The plant is amplified by the dry-cleaning estab- lishment, in an annex 40 by 20 feet in dimensions and likewise two stories in height, and by adequate buildings for the stabling of horses, wagons and automobiles used in connection with the business, as well as a separate building for the direct washing department. The equipment throughout is of the best modern type, and with such facilities all work turned out is such as to constitute the most effective of all advertising for the establishment. The business is incorporated as the Corts Laundry & Dry Cleaning Company with Mr. Corts as president, his son Tullus P. as vice president and with his elder son, Charles W., as secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Corts is liberal and progressive in his attitude as a citizen, is a staunch republican in politics, is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of the Maccabees, and both he and his wife are most zeal- ous members of the United Brethren Church, in which he is serving as a trustee of the church at Lorain and also as superintendent of its Sunday school.
In the year 1874 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Corts to Miss Sadie McIlvain, of Ashland, Ohio, and they have two children, Charles Wesley and Tullus Pedro.
Charles Wesley Corts was born at Ashland, this state, on the 5th of October, 1875, and there received his early education in the public schools. He was employed as a bookkeeper in Cleveland until he became associated with his father in the laundry business at Lorain, and he is now secretary and treasurer of the Lorain industry before mentioned. He is a Knights Templars Mason, besides being affiliated with the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and he holds member- ship also in the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He married Miss Elizabeth Schopf, of Ashland, and no children have been born of this union.
Tullus Pedro Corts was born at Ashland, Ohio, in 1877, and after completing the curriculum of the public schools he was for two years in the employ of the Myers Manufacturing Company. In that city he then learned the laundry business, and thus he was the "practical man" of the concern when he joined his father and brother in the laundry busi- ness at Lorain, where he is vice president of the company. He is affili- ated with the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knights Templar degree, and he is also identified with the Knights of Pythias. He married Miss Alberta Mansfield, of Ashland, and they have two children-Margaret Rebecca and John Mansfield.
R. C. ADAMS. For a man to have lived usefully and honorably for more than three quarters of a century is itself a distinction deserving of more than passing attention in a community.
Now one of the oldest native sons of Lorain County, R. C. Adams was born in Wellington Township February 1, 1838, more than seventy- seven years ago. For considerably more than half a century he and his devoted wife and companion have walked along life's highway together.
On September 29, 1859, R. C. Adams married Melva A. Whitney, whose father, Seaver Whitney, was an early settler of Pittsfield town-
Digitized by
902
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY
ship. In September, 1909, Mr. and Mrs. Adams celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, and at that time almost the entire village of Wellington turned out to celebrate and congratulate the venerable couple on the event. It is equally noteworthy that every one of their four children born to their union is still living. Evidently it was of such people that the Scriptural writer spoke when he said: "With their seed shall continually remain a good inheritance and their children are within the covenant. Their seed shall remain forever and their glory shall not be blotted out."
The parents of R. C. Adams were Calvin and Eunice (Smith) Adams, both natives of Connecticut. They came to Ohio in an early day and located in Wellington Township, where they spent their lives. Calvin Adams was twice married. R. C. Adams is now the only one living of the five children born to his mother. His parents were both active members of the Congregational Church and his father was first a whig and afterwards a republican. When the Adams family located in Wellington Township there were only two other families residing there.
R. C. Adams acquired his early education in the common schools, found plenty to do on the home place, and afterwards turned to farming as a regular vocation. He acquired and developed a good place of 157 acres, but in 1880 he left the farm and moved to Wellington, where after a year of work on the public highways and one year spent as a carpenter he engaged in the implement and feed business, and he now gives all his time to the latter work. He is a republican and Mrs. Adams is a member of the Methodist Church.
A brief record of their four children is as follows: Rosa M. is the widow of Mr. Delmar Beckley. Edith is the wife of Edson L. Wilcox, a farmer in Huntington Township. Grace married Charles Rodell of Wellington and has three children, Marian, Charles and Delmar. Leon R., a banker at Willoughby, Ohio, married Cora Oble.
WALTER ALBERT DAVIES. The record of Walter Albert Davies is that of a man who has by his own unaided efforts worked his way upward to a position of affluence. His life has been one of industry and per- severance, and the systematic and honorable business methods which he has followed have won him the support and confidence of his business associates. Occupying a leading position in financial circles as cashier of the City Bank Company of Lorain, he is also prominent in civic affairs, and his wide circle of friends testifies to his general popularity.
Mr. Davies was born in the City of Cleveland, Ohio, May 20, 1870, and is a son of George S. and Jane (Hillyer) Davies. His father was chief clerk to the auditor of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Rail- road for a number of years. Mr. Davies was five years of age when brought to Elyria, Ohio, and here his education was acquired in the public schools. When he put aside his studies he entered the auditing department of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway as a clerk, and continued to be connected with that line from 1887 until 1899. in the latter year joining the office force of the National Tube Works, where he also held a position in the auditing department. In 1901 Mr. Davies became identified with the City Bank Company, in the capacity of teller, a position which he retained until 1910, being then elected to his present position of cashier, an office earned by patient industry, faithful discharge of duty and fidelity at all times to the bank's interests. The City Bank Company was organized in 1899 with a capital stock of $100,000, and the following officers: W. A. Donaldson, president : Max M. Suppes, vice president ; Spencer K. Ortt, cashier. The officers in 1915 were as follows: Charles Fell, president; R. L. Rankin, vice president ;
Digitized by Google
aDaving
Digitized by
Digitized by
903
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY
Walter A. Davies, cashier. The institution has a capital stock of $100,- 000, with a surplus of $40,000 and undivided profits of $10,000, while its annual deposits average $900,000. The concern owns its own bank- ing house, a three-story brick structure, 50 by 75 feet, of which the bank occupies 50 by 40 feet of floor space on the first floor, the remainder of the building being devoted to offices. This is a conservative institution, conducted by local capital, financed by men whose interests are wrapped up in its welfare, and directed by minds well trained in the field of finance. It offers 4 per cent interest on savings and caters to these kind of deposits, being considered one of the safest repositories in the northern part of the state. As cashier of this banking house, Mr. Davies has done much to increase its credit, his own well known integrity having contributed toward establishing public confidence.
On April 5, 1893, Mr. Davies was married to Miss Fannie Gaudern of Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio, a daughter of E. E. Gaudern, a well known merchant for a number of years at Elyria. Mr. Davies is popular in social circles, and a valued member of the Elyria Country Club. As a citizen he has been a generous and stanch supporter of beneficial move- ments in the community. He is a republican in politics.
HENRY R. DAUGHERTY. During many years of residence at Welling- ton Henry R. Daugherty has reached that enviable position where his word is accepted in business matters the same as a bond, and all his friends and acquaintances repose the utmost confidence in his judgment and integrity. While much of his early career was identified with farming and he still owns a farm in Medina County, he has been chiefly interested in mercantile affairs, and now conducts the leading hardware establishment in the Village of Wellington.
He was born in Spencer, Ohio, January 5, 1864, a son of James · and Sarah (Bernard) Daugherty. His grandfather, Charles Daugh- erty, came from New York State to Medina County, Ohio, and in 1833 bought a farm of four or five hundred acres, on which he settled his family in 1835. A part of this original homestead is still in the family. The Daughertys came originally from Ireland. Mr. Daugherty's maternal grandfather, Joshua Bernard, was born in Pennsylvania and was also one of the early settlers in Medina County. James Daugherty, father of the Wellington merchant, was born in New York State in 1831 and was four years of age when he came to Medina County. He grew up on a farm and for a year was in Company C of the One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war. He after- wards was well known in Grand Army circles, and in politics was a re- publican. Though starting out comparatively poor, he made a substantial success. He and his family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. James Daugherty was married at Chatham, Ohio, in 1856 to Miss Sarah Bernard, who was born in Medina County in 1835 and is still living. while her husband passed away in 1897. Of their children Henry R. is the only one now living. The son, Harry B., who was born in Spencer, Ohio, January 27, 1868, and was educated both at Spencer and Wellington, was one of the first men to engage in the telephone busi- ness at Wellington. He was in telephone construction work for several years. Afterwards he bought a local hardware store, and subsequently in 1905 his brother, Henry R., joined him as partner. Harry B. Daugh- erty died February 12, 1914, and his death was greatly lamented over all this section of Lorain County. He married Marian Franks.
Henry R. Daugherty received his early education in the Welling- ton schools. When quite young he began farming and teaching, alter- nating those vocations according to the seasons of the year. Altogether he
Digitized by
904
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY
taught six or seven terms and is remembered by his old pupils as a very able schoolmaster. His first mercantile experience was as clerk in a dry- goods store. For his services the first year he was paid $4 a week, his wages being increased to $6 a week the second year and afterwards to $8. He was in business at Wellington for eight years and for twelve years was located at Cleveland. In 1905 he returned to Wellington and took a share in the hardware business with his brother, Harry, and the firm of Daugherty Brothers Hardware Company was a live and pros- perous concern, and Mr. Daugherty has continued it more successfully than ever during the last year of his individual proprietorship. He carried a complete line of general hardware, and he also takes some time to supervise the management of his farm in Medina County.
In 1891 Mr. Daugherty married Elizabeth Hollenbach, who was born at Wellington, a daughter of Reuben Hollenbach, a tailor who first set- tled at Elyria and afterwards at Wellington. Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty have one son, Robert, who graduated from the Wellington High School in 1914, spent a year in the store with his father and is now in the freshmen class of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Mr. Daugh- erty and family are members of the Congregational Church and fra- ternally he is affiliated with the lodge and Royal Arch Chapter of the Masons. Politically his affiliations are with the republican party.
E. E. WATTERS. The important and high-class commercial estab- lishment of E. E. Watters at Wellington is one that testifies to the truth of the saying that in concentration of effort lies success. Such concen- tration, combined with special ability for that work, with frugal con- servation of funds at the beginning and judicious handling of them as they increase, Mr. E. E. Watters has employed with notable re- sults.
He was born in Medina County, Ohio, June 10, 1876, a son of Wil- liam A. and Clara J. (Reese) Watters. His grandfather, William Wat- ters, was a native of England, and was an early settler on a farm in Medina County. The maternal grandfather, Jacob M. Reese, was born in Vermont and also went to Medina County in the early days. Wil- liam A. Watters was born in Medina County in 1842 and died in 1897, his wife was born in the same locality in 1854 and died in 1914. They were married in Medina County in 1875. William A. Watters was a suc- cessful farmer and stock buyer, and both he and his wife spent their lives on the old farm. He was a republican in politics, was honored with several township offices, and he and his wife were members of the Congregational Church. Of their three children E. E. Watters is the oldest. The two younger were twins, Dorian C., who now runs a re- tail store at Riverside, California, and Dorothy, wife of Fred Todd, a machinist at Elyria.
E. E. Watters grew up on his father's farm in Medina County. He graduated from the high school at Medina in 1894, and soon afterwards gained his first experience as clerk in a dry goods store. His home has been in Wellington since 1899, and for a time he was in the dry goods business with George D. Griesinger. In 1903 he was able to buy out his partner and for the past thirteen years he has conducted the lead- ing establishment of its kind in that section of Lorain County. He is the type of business man who has courage and resourcefulness suffi- cient to overcome all difficulties. On February 25, 1915. a fire destroyed his building and stock, but he was not long in resuming business, and he constructed a handsome building for his headquarters, and the store was opened with much eclat for the Christmas holidays of 1915.
In 1900 Mr. Watters married Ninette Nichols, a native of Medina
Digitized by Google
1
-
!
·
Digitized by
Digitized by
i
i İ
:
1
905
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY
County and a daughter of A. P. Nichols, who for many years has been a successful practicing dentist in that city. , There are two children. Elberta Ninette and William A., both of whom are in school. The family are members of the Congregational Church and Mr. Watters is affiliated with the Masonic Order, the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a republican.
CLARENCE E. PIERCE. A popular and prominently known resident of Lorain, Clarence E. Pierce has devoted his entire career to activities in connection with railroading, and at present is terminal agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Lorain, the importance of this position being indicated by the fact that at this point 4,500,000 tons of coal are handled by the line annually. Mr. Pierce was born in Medina County, Ohio, May 11, 1869, and is a son of Orlin D. and Mary (Judson) Pierce. His parents were lifelong farming people of Medina County. He came to Lorain in 1890 and has continued to make that his home.
Clarence E. Pierce received a public school education, and when he laid aside his studies secured a position as clerk in the offices of the C. L. & W. Railroad. He proved faithful, energetic, painstaking and industrious, qualities which count for much in railroad offices, and won rapid promotion to cashier, then to chief clerk, and finally to agent. On April 1, 1907, he was made agent and April 1, 1913, was advanced to terminal agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Lorain, a position in which he has charge of its large interests including the handling of the coal and ore docks. The Lorain business of the Baltimore & Ohio is one of the most important of its whole system, being the receiving as well as shipping point for coal and iron ore. In this position he has won the unqualified approval and confidence of his company. He is a member of the First Congregational Church of Lorain, in which he has been a deacon for years, and was formerly superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a member of the Lorain Board of Commerce.
Mr. Pierce was married January 23, 1893, to Miss Pearl Seeley, of Mallet Creek, Medina County, Ohio, and to this union there has been born one daughter, Marjorie Rosilla. Mr. Pierce is not a politician nor an office seeker, but has always taken an interest in his community's welfare and has aided in public-spirited movements. He is highly re- garded as an industrious representative of railroad affairs, as a good citizen, and as a neighbor and friend whose loyalty may be relied upon.
W. D. WARREN is one of the oldest and best known residents of Wellington Township, where, in the village of that name he has been for many years engaged in the hardware business.
The Warren family has been identified with Lorain County fully eighty-five years, and in that time its members have borne a full share in the work of development and progress. The Warrens are of old Colonial stock and Mr. Warren's great-grandfather, Joseph Warren, served as a quartermaster in the American army during the Revolu- tionary war.
His grandparents were Benjamin and Lucy (Burr) Warren, who were Massachusetts people and came West to Lorain County in the year 1831. They bought a farm and paid for it with a large quantity of cloth which they brought from the East. They spent the rest of their lives on the old homestead.
W. D. Warren was born in Wellington Township September 15, 1851, a son of Luther Day and Laura (Wait) Warren. His maternal
Digitized by
906
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY
grandfather, George Wait, spent his life as a New York State farmer, Luther D. Warren was born in Tyringham, Berkshire County, Mas- sachusetts, in 1813, and was about seventeen years of age when he ac- companied his parents to Lorain County. He soon identified himself with the pioneer community, taught school for a number of years, and later gave his attention to farming, and though starting on a very modest scale he was for many years one of the substantial men of Wellington Township. He died on the old homestead in 1889. He was a republican in politics, served as school director and supervisor, and he and his wife were members of the Congregational Church. His wife, Miss Laura Wait, was born in Fredonia, New York, in 1814, and she also died in the year 1889. Of their three children the two now living are Frank D. Warren and W. D. Warren.
After acquiring a district school education, W. D. Warren took up the duties of the home farm, and he is now owner of the old homestead. Since 1898 his home has been in the village of Wellington, where at first he was in the roofing and slating business. In 1907 he bought a stock of hardware and has since kept all articles and commodities of that line needed to supply his extensive trade over the country surrounding Wellington.
In 1875 Mr. Warren married Helen M. Comstock, who was born in Wellington Township, daughter of Isaac L. and Emeline (Loveland) Comstock, who were natives of Massachusetts and early settlers on a farm in Lorain County, where they spent the rest of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Warren have three children: Clarence is a contractor at Wellington ; Albert I. lives on his father's farm; Emma is the wife of J. K. Gannett, a civil engineer at Cleveland. Mrs. Warren is an active member of the Methodist Church. For many years Mr. Warren took a very active part in the Patrons of Husbandry, served as master of the Grange a number of times, organized various Granges, and at one time was deputy state master. He is a republican in politics.
F. E. ANDREWS of Wellington has been a resident of Lorain County more than thirty-five years, and has been successfully engaged as a miller, farmer and merchant. His own enterprise has been at the founda- tion of the successful business which he now manages, one of the best' equipped furniture stores and undertaking establishments in the county.
A native of Connecticut and of old New England stock, he is a son of Almon and Esther Hart (Hall) Andrews. His father was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1818 and died there in 1901, while his wife was born in Vermont in 1828 and died in 1911. They were married in Vermont and Miss Hall was his third wife, and of their four children the two now living are Emma C. Andrews of Meriden and F. E. Andrews of Lorain County. Almon Andrews spent many years operating a flour mill and afterwards engaged in the flour and feed business. He held the position of street commissioner in Meriden, and in the early part of his life was very successful, met with reverses, but succeeded in re- establishing himself financially before his death. He and his third wife lived together for more than fifty years. At one time Almon Andrews came to Lorain County and spent three or four years in this county with his brother, part of the time being engaged as a teacher. He married his first wife in Penfield Township. He was reared a member of the Episcopal faith, but afterwards went with his wife into the Methodist Church, and both were very active in church affairs. He was a re- publican, and affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
F. E. Andrews attended the common schools in Meriden, Connecti- cut, and also had the advantage of private school instruction. After
Digitized by Google
Digitized by
Go Math
Digitized by Google
907
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY
his education he spent two years in Vermont, and in 1880 came to Lorain County to visit a cousin in Penfield Township. He worked on farms, spent a year in California and Washington, and then returned to Wellington and was employed in a flour mill. He was entirely de- pendent upon his own exertions to put him ahead in the world, but quite early in life he married and established a home of his own.
In 1885 he married Alena R. Starr, who was born in Penfield Town- ship of Lorain County, a daughter of O. K. Starr, one of the early set- tlers there. To their union have been born four children. Georgia, who graduated from the Wellington High School and from Oberlin College, taught a few years, then took a course in the Dykeman School at Cleveland, and is now private secretary to Mr. Baker of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Mamye, the second daughter, lives at home and assists her father in the store. Keith S. graduated from the Wellington High School in 1915 and is now pursuing special studies. Robert is still in school. Mrs. Andrews and two of her children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally Mr. Andrews is affiliated with the Masonic Order, he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, and in politics he is a republican.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.