USA > Ohio > Portage County > A portrait and biographical record of Portage and Summit counties, Ohio > Part 37
USA > Ohio > Summit County > A portrait and biographical record of Portage and Summit counties, Ohio > Part 37
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As Palmyra township was quite a wilde: ness when Mr. Lewis arrived here, at the age
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of six years, his opportunities for school at- tendance were somewhat meager, still he succeeded in acquiring a fair education. He faithfully assisted his father, when old enough for the purpose, in elcaring up the home farm from the woods until he reached man's estate, when he served an apprenticeship of four years at the carpenter's trade, under Owen Jones, and after the termination of his term of indenture continued with Mr. Jones, as a journeyman, three years longer, and altogether worked at the trade about fifteen years, when he engaged in farming.
The first marriage of Mr. Lewis took place in September, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Evans, daughter of Lewis and Mary Evans, and to this marriage were born five children, of whom John D., David W. and E. T. are still living; William died at the age of three, and Evan at one year of age. Mrs. Elizabeth (Evans) Lewis was called away November 15, 1870, a devoted member of the Welsh Presbyterian church, and the second marriage of Mr. Lewis was solemnized September 16, 1873, with Miss Elizabeth Jones, who was born in Wales in 1848, a daughter of Llewellyn and Jane (Williams) Jones, and this union has been blessed with twins -- Hattie and Nettie-now over twenty-one years old.
Llewellyn Jones, father of Mrs. Lewis, was a general farm laborer, and a very indus- trious man. To his marriage, in 1842, with Miss Williams, daughter of John and Jane Williams, were born seven children, of whom five still survive, viz: Jane, wife of John Davis; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Isaac Lewis; Samuel; Margaret, wife of John Parry, and Kaac; John died at the age of eleven years, ind Sarah died in 1872, aged fifteen. The parents died in Wales in 1877. the father at the age of seventy-seven, and the mother at seventy-one years, both members of the Pres- byterian church -- Mrs. Lewis having come to
America in 1871, accompanied by her brother, Samuci.
David Lewis, paternal grandfather of Isaac Lewis, reared a family of five children, viz: David, Thomas, John, Richard and Elizabeth. all now deceased. William Jones, maternal grandfather of Mr. Lewis, reared nine chil- dren, of whom one only --- Ann-is now living.
In 1866 Isaac Lewis settled on his present farm, and has met with much success in his vocation. He is an honored citizen, and has served as a republican as township supervisor and as a school director for many years. Hc and family are members of the Welsh Presby- terian church in Palmyra, in which he has held the offices of deacon and elder, and no family in the township is held in higher esteem than that of Isaac Lewis.
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J ESSE LING, one of the sailors of the Civil war, and a respected citizen of Mantua township, Portage county. Ohio, was born in Monroe county, N. Y., March 3, 1842, a son of Edward and Bet- sey (Elsfeck) Ling. He received a common education and ran away from home when he was between sixteen and seventeen years of age, and shipped on board the United States man-of-war, Northern Light-Capt. Mcknight. He was accompanied by an older boy, about nineteen years old, who shipped with him, but who became tired of a sailor's life after a month's experience, and was sent ashore. Jesse had more pluck and stuck to the ship. He was quick to learn his duties, and the cap- tain took a liking to him from the first, and Jesse liked the captain. He was one of the ship's boys and did a little of everything at first, and was promoted to be coxwain's mate. and soon became an ordinary seaman. and finally, after about two years' service, an able seaman while on the Northern Light, which
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was a full, square-rigged, three-masted ship, and carried a crew of about 250 officers and men. Jesse visited many parts of the world, including the English channel, and saw Scot- land, Ireland, England, the Isle of Wight, France, and even went as far as India and through part of Calcutta. He was on the South American coast and saw Honduras. He was finally transferred to the ship Tennessee off the coast of Virginia. She was a first- class man-of-war, and he served one year and four months on her as an able seaman. She was stationed on the blockade during the war -- most of the time in the Gulf of Mexico- her duties being to chase and capture the English blockade runners. She captured sev- eral of them, being a large and powerful ship, well armed. Jesse received a share of the prize money. He was an active sailor, served faithfully and did his duty promptly. He stood well with the captain, officers and men, and became a thorough sailor, and caused no trouble of any kind. He was honorably dis- charged from the navy at New York in 1862, and went to Oneida county, N. Y. He then sailed two years on the great lakes, as first mate under Capt. England, owner and master, and came to Mantua, Ohio, in 1864, and has since been engaged in farming.
Mr. Ling married. October 15, 1866, in Mantua township, Roena C. Jennings, who was born September 5, 1830, in Mantua township, a daughter of Phineas U. and Cle- ona (Wilmot) Jennings. Phineas U. Jen- nings was born in Vermont, May 4, 1796, at Craftsbury, a son of Benjamin, who was born August 29, 1752, and Serene Jennings, who was born March 16, 1765, and died April 16, 1833. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, viz: Betsy, Ann, Lucretia, Phineas U., Telmon, Lucy M., Elida, and Benjamin. The Jennings were an old colonial family of New England. Phineas Jennings came, when a
young man, to Mantua township, and here was married, June 16, 1822, to Miss Cleona Wilmot, daughter of a pioneer. Mr. Jenning .. settled in Mantua township, and cleared up at good farm from the woods. He at first bought sixty-four acres on credit, paying $8 per acre, and by his steady industry and thrift, he prospered, and finally owned about 300 acres, and became a substantial farmer. Ili. children were Serene, Cordelia (died young;, Roena, Cordelia, and Eugenia. Mr. Jennings lived to the venerable age of eighty-six years and died June 26, 1882. His wife died March 26, 1881, aged seventy-four. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jennings were members of the Disciples church, in which he was a deacon many years. Mr. Jennings was a man of high character and well-known for his sturdy and straightforward course in life. He was much respected by the old pioneers, and all who knew him, and in politics was a republican.
Jesse Ling, after his marriage, settled in Mantua township, and is now one of the most substantial and prominent farmers in his pres- ent locality. In 1882 he built a pleasant and tasteful residence, and has a fine farm of 240 acres. He is very independent in his views on all subjects. In politics, he is a stanch democrat, and a bi-metalist, and voted for William J. Bryan, and is strong in the faith Mr. Ling is an honored citizen of his town- ship, and has been township trustee severi! times. Fraternally a Mason, he is a member of the Blue lodge, at Mantua, and chapter, at Garrettsville, Ohio, and is chaplain of the Blue lodge and member of the Prudentr.l committee. Mrs. Ling is a member of the Disciples' church. Jesse Ling owes much of his success in life to his early training when a boy on a man-of-war. He is a true gentle man, kind and obliging, and is one of the :: . men who has carried into his daily wall. . life gentle treatment to all who mect hin.
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His frank, manly expression is in a great part due to his life as a sailor. He looks every man square in the face, and a stranger in his house is treated as well as an old acquaintance.
Mr. and Mrs. Ling adopted a daughter when she was but two years old-Sadie J. Ling, By them she was reared as kindly as if their own. She received a good education in the district school, and later attended Hiram college. Mr. Ling has an excellent record in the service of his country, and his record as a man and as a citizen is equally as good.
YLVANUS LOVELAND, a respected citizen of Mantua Station, Portage county, Ohio, and an ex-soldier of the Civil war, was born April 22, 1824. in Vienna township, Trumbull county, a son of Aurora and Meloda Loveland, and descends from English Puritan ancestors, who settled in New Jersey.
Aurora Loveland was born in Hartford, Conn., July 10, 1805, a son of Aaron Love- land, and was reared a blacksmith. Aaron, also a blacksmith, was a pioneer of Northfield township, Trumbull county, Ohio, where he settled on a farm, the first in the township, and there passed the remainder of his life, dying at about the age of eighty years, the father of six children, viz: Aurora, Horace, Azael, Lucinda, Louisa and Eliza. Aurora Loveland was a boy when he was brought to Ohio by his parents, learned his trade under his father, and at manhood's estate married Mrs. Meloda Lora, a widow, who had borne the maiden name of Hallibut, the union re- sulting in the birth of seven children, viz: Sylvanus, Susannah, Harriet, Jehiel, Almeron, Jane and Aaron. In politics Aurora Love- land was a democrat, held the office of con- table under the auspices of his party, and died a most respected citizen at the age of
about seventy-two years, at Niles, Trumbull county, Ohio.
Sylvanus Loveland learned the black- smith's trade under his father, but when a young man went to Michigan, where he worked in various towns, among them Kala- mazoo. At the first call of President Lincoln for three-month volunteers, at the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr. Loveland enlisted in company I, Capt. Hubbard, of the First Michigan volunteer infantry, in April, 1861, and served faithfully through his term, being honorably discharged at Detroit, having fought at the first battle of Bull Run and doing other service in the District of Columbia and Vir- ginia. After his discharge Mr. Loveland re- turned to his native state, and enlisted at Warren, in 1861, in the Second Ohio cavalry, for three years, served about two months over the term of his enlistment, received a second honorable discharge, and was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio. Although Mr. Loveland was a great deal on detached duty as a black- smith, he experienced considerable active mil- itary service, and fought in Kansas, southwest Missouri, the Indian Territory, Tennessee and Kentucky.
After his return from the war Mr. Love- land went to Greenville, Mercer county, Pa., on a visit, and there married Mrs. Clarinda Loveland, who was born in Mecca, Trumbull county, Ohio, September 7, 1834, a daughter of Grosvenor and Elizabeth (Headley) Bailey. Clarinda Bailey had first been married to Al- meron Loveland, a brother of Sylvanus, and was born in Knox county, Ohio, January 11, 1832; he was an iron worker by trade, to whom she bore one daughter-Rosa. Grosevenor Bailey was born in Pennsylvania, January 5, 1799, and was of English descent, was a stonemason by trade, and passed the greater part of his life in Cortland, Trumbull county, Ohio, of which he was one of the first settlers. His
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children were Sarah, Joseph, William, Sam- uel, Wesley, Clarinda and Orilla, of whom Joseph served in the 100-day call for volun- teers in the late Civil war. In politics Mr. Bailey was a democrat, and he and wife were devout members of the Methodist church, in the faith of which they both passed away.
After marriage Sylvanus Loveland and wife located in Cortland, Ohio, where he fol- lowed his trade for several years, thence moved to Mecca, in 1874 moved to Cuyahoga Falls, and November 1, 1885, settled in Man- tua Station, which has since been his home, and where he has been living the past few years in quiet retirement, respected by all who know him, and in the enjoyment of the society of his beloved wife and three children -- Clara, George and William.
PILLIAM JARVIS WILLSEY, no- tary public, ex-justice of the peace, aud a prominent farmer of Edin- burg township, Portage county, Ohio, was born in Fulton township, Schoharie county, N. Y., October 3, 1823, a son of Henry T. and Orpha (Snow) Willsey, both natives, also, of the Empire state.
Henry 1. Willsey brought his family to Ohio in 1840, arriving at Atwater, Portage county, on the 9th day of December. He purchased a tract of about thirty-six acres in the wilderness close by, went to work with a will, and in a short time cleared off the forest, and made a comfortable home for his family. He soon afterward added to his first purchase sixty acres from the old Snow homestead, and later purchased 121 acres of unimproved land one-quarter of a mile north, to which he re- moved and on which he resided until 1853. when he moved to Ashtabula county and pur- chased 160 acres in Denmark township, about six miles east of Jefferson, which he cultivated
until his death, which occurred January 6, 1854; his widow survived until March 28, 1884, when she expired at the home of her son, A V. Willscy, in Atwater, Ohio. To this couple were born five children, viz: Al- exander V., now deceased; William J., the subject of this biography; Catherine A., wife. of Rev. Adam Moor; James HI. and Moses b)
William J. Willsey, the subject, was edu- cated in the public schools of his native state and in Portage county, Ohio, which he at- tended until twenty-one years old, and then attended the Atwater academy two years; for five winters following he taught school in va- rious parts of Portage county, working on the home farm during the summers. October 6, 1853, he married Miss Samantha L. Clover, at Edinburg, the lady being a daughter of Na- than and Hannah (Roll) Clover. The father, Nathan Clover, was born in New Jersey, Au- gust 16, 1792, and died in Portage county. Ohio, September 17, 1872; his wife was born June 26, 1797, and died May 15, 1877. They were the parents of seven children, viz: Dr. Davenport C., who died January 25, 1876; Hadassah Hester, Mary Jane, Dr. Roll F .. who died December 28, 1861; Samantha L .. Horace Bigelow and Susan Keron. Mrs. Sa- mantha L. (Clover) Willsey was born in Deer - field, Portage county, July 3, 1833, was pri- marily educated in the village school, and later attended the high school in Edinburg. and after finishing her education remained at home with her parents until her marriage. She is deeply imbued with the faith of the Disciples' church, of which she is a member, and has borne her husband one child, Celia Lois Adelia, who was born September 30. 1854, is now the wife of D. Gilbert, and i- the mother of two children-David William and Edith Polly.
After marriage, subject purchased thirty six acres of land in Atwater township. (0)
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S. He Willsey.
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which he lived four years. In the spring of 1857 he removed to the Nathan Clover farin at Edinburg, of which he had the full manage- ment for thirteen years, but in the spring of 1871 he purchased his present farm of Ico acres of excellent land, on which he lives in comparative retirement. A republicai. in politics, he has been elected justice of the peace of Edinburg, and has also served as township trustee, assessor, supervisor, school director, and as president of the board of ed- ucation. He at present holds a notary pub- lic's commission, and in every position he has held has performed his functions with eminent ability and to the entire satisfaction of his fellow-citizens, in whose esteem he stands very high. In conjunction with a brother, Mr. Willsey owns forty-five acres of land at Atwater, on which are a store and elevator, and a brick dwelling. He has always been industrious and practical, and well deserves the esteem in which he is universally held.
HILIP LONG (deceased) was born in Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany, April 9, 1813, a son of John and Mary (Cope) Long, and was reared to manhood in his native province, receiving a good educa- tion in the public schools the meanwhile. In 1836 he embarked for America, and after a voyage of three months reached the shores of the United States. He was a skillful carpen- ter, and for some years followed his trade in Pennsylvania, where he first located after reaching this country, but later engaged in farming. On leaving the Keystone state he settled in the woods of Portage county, from which he developed a fine farm, and made a comfortable home for himself and family.
He was married, August 7, 1838, at Can- ton, Stark county, to Miss Athus Gondy, laughter of Joseph and Catherine Gondy, 34
the union resulting in the birth of nine chil- dren, viz: Catherine, born May 27, 1839. and now the wife of Jacob Wise; Mary, who died March 30, 1894, at the age of fifty-three years; Philip, born November 15, 1842; Chris- topher, who died May 21, 1881, when thirty- seven years old; John, born February 27, 1846; Adam, July 21, 1848; Elizabeth, March 21, 1850, married to Peter Andes; Joseph, born February 29, 1852, is a bachelor, and is the owner of the old homestead; Eva was born December 18, 1854, and lives with her brother at the old home.
Philip Long, the father of this family, be- came one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Randolph township, and reared his family to be equally respected with himself. He had the full confidence of his neighbors, who chose him supervisor of the township and selected him as a member of the board of school directors. He was active as a member of the Catholic church, in which he was a steward for many years, and in the faith of which he died March 13, 1889, at the age of seventy-five years, his wife being called to join him at the advanced age of eighty-five.
John Long, father of the late Philip Long, was also a carpenter by trade, and followed this vocation as long as his physical powers permitted. On coming to Ohio he located in Canton, Stark connty, and there, assisted in the construction of the first church erected in that city. On retiring from carpenter work he came to Randolph township, Portage county, and purchased the farm on which his grandson, Joseph Long, now resides, and here passed the remainder of his days. To his marriage wits Miss Mary Cope were born nine children, all now deceased.
Joseph Gondy, father of the late Mrs. Philip Long, was a native of Germany and came to America in 1826; he was a mason by trade, and for many years lived in Canton,
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Ohio, but eventually settled in Suffield, Port- ! age county, where he lived the remainder of his days. He married Miss Catherine Bare, to which union six children were born, all of whom have passed from earth.
J "OHIN LYONS, one of the brave de- fenders of his country's flag during the late Civil war, and now a highly-re- spected citizen of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, is a native of Essex county, N. J., was born April 1, 1843, and is a son of John B. and Susan (Freadline) Lyons, well known and prominent residents of the Old Line state.
John B. Lyons, father of John, the subject, was also born in Essex county, N. J., a son of Benjamin and Charlotte Lyons. He was an expert hatter, and also learned the shoemak- er's trade, in which he became equally skillful. He was united in marriage at Orange, Essex county, N. J., with Miss Susan Freadline, a daughter of John A. and Susan (Wagoner) Freadline, the former of whom came to Ameri- ca from Germany. To this happy union six children were born in New Jersey, and in 1853 Mr. Lyons brought his family to Ohio, located at Cuyahoga Falls, and engaged in farming. At the outbreak of the Civil war, however, Mr. Lyons, who was a truc American, enlisted, in 1861, in battery D, First Ohio volunteer light artillery, under Capt. A. J. Konkle, to serve three years unless sooner discharged by reason of the cessation of hostilities, but did not live to see the termination of the great struggle, as he died from sickness while still in the service. He had proven himself to be a brave and faithful soldier, and had fought under Gen. Nelson at West Liberty and Pike- ton. was with Gen. Buell on the advance from Green River, Ky., to Pittsburg Landing. Tenn. ; was at Corinth, Munfordville, and with Burn-
side at the siege of Knoxville, and at Rockford and Cumberland Gap, and with Sherman through the Atlanta campaign, and was always ready and willing to do his duty until over- come with sickness. As a civilian, Mr. Lyons was an industrious and moral man and was greatly respected for his many personal merits. Since the lamented death of her husband. Mrs. Lyons has patiently and worthily labored to rear in respectability her family of nine children, who are named Almira, John, Char- lotte, Fannie, Katie, Minnie, Julia, Mattie and Naomi; Aurelia, the tenth child, died young.
John Lyons, whose name stands at the head of this biography, was about ten years of age when brought by his parents to Ohio, and here he was reared until his enlistment, in July, 1862, at Cuyahoga Falls. He was nlis- tered in, July 18, at Camp Massillon, Ohio, in company G, One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, for three years, and served until honorably discharged, July 4, 1865, at Cleveland, Ohio. He fought in the second battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn., when the rebel, Hood, made his raid on Nashville, and was then placed on guard duty at Fortress Rose- cranz, Murfreesboro, for about eighteen months, having many skirmishes with guerril- las. In 1862, however, he was seized with erysipelas, which caused his confinement in hospitals at Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio, for about one year, and after having experi- enced much suffering, he rejoined his regiment and faithfully did his duty until mustered out. Since his return to Cuyahoga Falls, Mr. Lyons has been engaged in various kinds of business, but has always been industrious and straight- forward, and has achieved an excellent reputa- tion and made many sincere friends. He is a member of Eadie post, G. A. R., is strictly moral, and is ever willing to lend a helping hand toward the promotion of any project designed for the good of the public.
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ENRY C. McGIRR, one of the most enterprising and successful young farmers of Deerfield township. Port- age county, Ohio, was born in Lex- ington township, Stark county, September 9, 1861, a son of John and Mary (Reeves) McGirr.
James McGirr, paternal grandfather of Henry C., a native of Maryland, born March 25, 1786, was reared a farmer, came to Ohio a young man and married Sarah Hamlin, the result of the union being seven children, four of whom are still living --- John, William, Jardes and Henty -- and three deceased -- Eliza- beth, Lydia and Harpley. The mother of this family died June 16, 1866, at the age of seventy years, seven months and eighteen days, and the father's death took place March 6, 1876, at the ripe age of seventy years and twelve days.
Samuel (. Reeves, the maternal grand- father of Henry C. McGirr, was born in New Jersey April 4, 1803, and when a mere boy was brought to Ohio by his parents, who set- tled in Columbiana county, and in his early manhood was engaged in school-teaching, but later became an agriculturist. He married Miss Ann Ellyson, who was born June 4, 1803, and to this marriage were born eight children, viz: Melicent and Mark, still living; Anna Jane, who died November 23, 1861, aged twenty-five years and five months; Joshua, who died March 21, 1888, when forty- eight years, three months and twenty-four days old; Mary, who was married to John Mc- Girr, and died March 28, 1890, aged fifty-eight years, two months and eighteen days; Benja- min, who died July 14, 1890, aged sixty-two years, five months and two days, and John, who died June 7, 1897, at the age of fifty- five years. Samuel C. Reeves, the father of this family, passed away December 17, 1883, at the age of eighty years, six months and thirteen days, and his widow died July 25,
1885, aged eighty-two years, one month and twenty-one days, all the family having been adherents of the Quaker society.
John McGirr, father of Henry C., was born in Stark county, Ohio, March 15, 1825, learned the spinning-wheel trade, later en- gaged in stair building, and also did some car- penter work, and is now engaged in the manu- facture of extension ladders. November 6, 1850, he married Miss Mary Reeves, a dauglı- ter of Samuel and Ann (Ellyson) Reeves, to which union were born seven children, viz: Thomas, of Deerfield township; Webster and Albert, of Iowa; Henry C., whose name opens this article; Sarah A. and Benjamin K., of Iowa, and Charles, who died in infancy, all of whom were reared in the Quaker faith."
Henry C. McGirr lived on the home farm until fifteen years of age, receiving in the meanwhile a good common-school education, and then hired out among the neighboring farmers until twenty-four years old. In 1886 le began farming for himself in Stark county, and June 9, 1887, married Miss Maggie Pick- ens, born in Stark county, January 2, 1866, a daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Brown) Pick- ens, and this union has been blessed with two children-Edna May and Myrtle Ivy. In 1891, Mr. MeGirr rented the present farm in Deer- field township, Portage county, where he has ever since been most successfully engaged as a tiller of the soil.
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