USA > Ohio > Portage County > A portrait and biographical record of Portage and Summit counties, Ohio > Part 38
USA > Ohio > Summit County > A portrait and biographical record of Portage and Summit counties, Ohio > Part 38
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
Samuel Pickens, father of Mrs. Maggie McGirr, was born in Franklin county, Pa., March 8, 1830. He is a carpenter by trade, and married, September 15, 1850, Miss Nancy Brown, who was born August 12, 1829, and to this union were born three children, viz: William H., Susie, wife of Joseph Balmat, and Maggie, now Mrs. McGirr. Mr. Pickens enlisted as a volunteer, in company I, One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio volunteer infaut- ry, in 1862, and served two years. The
824
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
family are members of the Reformed church, and the parents still reside in Stark county.
Henry C. McGirr has a very pleasant home in Deerfield township, and he and wife are among the most respected residents of the township, Mr. MeGirr being one of the steady- going, intelligent farmers who always lend a dignity to the calling of a husbandman, and advance the prosperity of any community in which they may chance to cast their lot.
ICHARD H. McGOWAN, a promi- nent farmer and highly esteemed resi- dent of Deerfield township, was born October 6, 1833, in Smith township, Columbiana (now Mahoning) county, Ohio, son of Adam and Mary (Davis) McGowan. Adain McGowan was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, in 1802, lived all his life on the same farm, and died in 1866. In 1828, he mar- ried Miss Mary Davis, a native of Wales, daugh- ter of John and Mary (Humphreys) Davis. To them were born seven children: Richard H., Adam, third, Theresa, wife of William Foutz; Eliza Jane, wife of Stewart Taylor, deceased; Peter H., Thomas, and J. Miller, deceased. Of the eleven children of Adam McGowan, first, and Elizabeth Miller, but one, Deborah, wife of Ebenezer Hoadley, who resides in In- diana, survives. The others were: Eliza, Polly, wife of E. Hubbard; Ann, wife of Jacob Hartzell; Elizabeth, wife of Joshua Calvin; Beniah, who was shot in California during the gold fever; Samuel, John, Adam, second; Rachael, wifc of Peter Hartzell; Rebecca, wife of Samucl Walker. Our subject's maternal grandparents were Welsh people who came to this country in 1820, and settled in Maho- ning county, Ohio, where they acquired a large farm. They had eight children, two of them, John and Thomas, survive. The others were Mary Ann, wife of Thomas. Gray; Mrs. Mc-
Gowan; Jane, wife, first, of Martin Becket, and, second, of David Borden; Margaret, wife of William Wharton; Elizabeth, wife of Hiram Hoadley, and Ann, who died during the twelve weeks' voyage across the ocean.
Richard H. McGowan was reared on his father's farm, in Mahoning county, receiving the common-school education afforded by the public schools of that place and period. This he supplemented by a course in Mount Union college, and in the fall of 1854 he began teaching school. For two years he was thus occupied and May 1, 1856, he married Miss Harriet Mower, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Roodasell) Mowen. Five daugh ters, all of whom are living, have graced this union: Cora May, wife of Alonzo Baldwin, of Rootstown, Ohio; Mary I., wite of C. Pettit, who resides in Kansas; Elizabeth O., wife of Willian Waithman, of Mahoning county, Rosa A., wife John Calvin, of Cleveland, and Lula, wife of John Robb, of Deerfield.
Most of Mr. McGowan's life has been passed in agricultural pursuits, although he has not occupied the old home farm all of that time. For eight years after their marriage. the McGowans resided on the home farm, and then moved to Van Buren county, Mich .. where for ten years they lived on a farin, dur- ing part of which time Mr. McGowan worked in a blast furnace. In 1875 they moved to Deerfield, remaining a year, after which they moved to Atwater, Ohio. While here our subject held the elective offices of township assessor and supervisor, and followed farming and saw-milling. In 1888 the family moved back to Deerfield, where they have since to- sided on the farm, being prominent amcon- the most substantial and highly regarded fan- iles of the community. Both Mr. and Mis McGowan are members and active support of the Disciples' church, at Deerfield, in win ! the former has held the office of deacon.
.
825
OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES.
HARLES C. MEAD, a thriving farm- er of Boston township, and an old soldier of the Civil war, was born in Springfield township, Summit county, Ohio, January 14, 1846, a son of Abner R. and Barbara (Klofinstein) Mead. He springs from old New England ancestry, of English descent on his father's side, and from French ancestors on his mother's side.
Charles C. Mead received a good common- school education, and was reared to farming. He enlisted, at sixteen years of age, in 1862, at Peninsula, Ohio, under Capt. Means A. L. Conger, recruiting officer, for three years, or during the war, but being under age, the mustering officer would not accept him. He tried again, in the winter of 1862-3, to enlist in the Twenty-first battery, but was again re- jected, as he was taken sick with measles --- which, rendered him deaf. He finally suc- ceeded in enlisting, July 19, 1864, at Cleve- land, Ohio, for three years, or during the war, in company A, Second Ohio cavalry, and was honorably discharged at Benton barracks, St. Louis, Mo., September 1, 1865, the war hav- ing closed. He was in Sheridan's command, and served under Gens. Wilson and Custer. He was in the battle of Opequan Creek, at Winchester, which was Sheridan's first en- gagement. Mr. Mead was through many skirmishes, being nearly every day under fire. He was in the battle of Cedar Creek, which was desperately fought, and in which the Sec- ond Ohio cavalry took an active part. This was, in reality, the battle of Winchester, to which point Gen. Sheridan made his famous ride from Winchester, twenty miles away. Mr. Mead saw Sheridan on the battle field as he rode up. The Second Ohio cavalry had escorted Sheridan to the railroad train about two days before. Mr. Mead was in the great raids down the Shenandoah valley, in which all the barns, straw stacks, and all the mills
that could give food to the enemy, were de- stroyed. The dwellings alone were excepted, but many of these were burned by accident. Sheridan said that a "crow could not fly over the valley without his rations with him." Mr. Mead also assisted in the defeat of Early, and was always an active soldier, and in all the battles, raids, skirmishes and marches in which his regiment was engaged, except when sick in hospital, two months, at Baltimore and Philadelphia, with typhoid fever. He was not wounded, nor a prisoner, and endured the hardships and privations of war with fortitude.
After the war, Mr. Mead returned to Ohio and married, in Richfield township, Summit county, Miss Julia A. Carter, of Boston town- ship, a daughter of William and Emeline (Gil- lett) Carter. William Carter was born in Ohio and his children were Charles, Prof. William, a prominent school man, Albert, Ed- win, Fanny, Julia, Nettie and Lilly. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mead first located in Richfield. township and moved to his present farm about twenty years since, where he has a pleasant home. In politics he is independ- ent and voted with the free-silver democrats in 1896. He is an honored member of George L. Waterman post, G. A. R., at Peninsula, Ohio, and has always been an industrious and respected citizen.
Abner R. Mead, father of subject, was born in Vermont, a son of Ira Mead, a pioneer of Summit county, Ohio, and came to Ohio when young. He married, in Summit county, Miss Barbara Klofinstein, daughter of Chris- topher Klofinstein, who was born in France and who was a teacher of foreign languages. His children were Joseph, Truman, Charles C., B. Frank, Cynthia, Mary, Martha, Flora, and Josie. Josephi was a private of Capt. Coul- ter's battery, and was among the missing, sup- posed to be drowned in the Ohio river. Ab- ner R. went to Kansas and there lived about
826
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
fifteen years, but returned and died in Summit county. He was at one time a prominent farm- er of Richfield township, and on one occasion, with his brothers and father, who were all pot- ters as well as farmers, discovered a valuable bank of potter's clay in Springfield township, and they were the first to open the manufac- ture of pottery in that township.
The following congratulating address to the Third cavalry division, issued by order of General Custer, at the close of the war, is self-explanatory:
HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE, VA., APRIL 9, 1865. ) Soldiers of the Third Cavalry Division:
With profound gratitude toward the god of battles, by whose blessings our enemies have been humbled, and our arms rendered triumphant, your commanding general avails himself of this, his first opportunity, to express to you his admiration of the heroic manner in which you have passed through the series of battles, which to-day resulted in the surrender of the enemy's entire army.
The records established by your indomi- table courage is unparalleled in the annals of war. Your prowess has won for you even the respect and the admiration of your enemies. During the past four months, although in most instances confronted by superior numbers, you have captured from the enemy, in open bat- tle, one hundred and eleven pieces of field ar- tillery, sixty-five battle-flags, and upwards of ten thousand prisoners of war, including seven general officers. Within the past ten days, and included in the above, you have captured forty-six pieces of artillery, and thirty-seven battle-flags. You have never lost a gun; never lost a color, and have never been de- feated; and, notwithstanding the numerons engagements in which you have borne a prom- inent part, including those memorable battles of the Shenanhoah, you have captured every piece of artillery which the entiny had dared to open upon you. The near approach of peace renders it improbable that you will again be called upon to undergo the fatigues
of the toilsome march, or the exposure of the battle field, but should the assistance of kren blades, wielded by your sturdy arms, be re- quired to hasten the coming of that glorious peace, for which we have so long been con- tending, the general commanding is proudly confident that, in the future, as in the past, every demand will meet with a hearty and willing response.
Let us hope that our work is done, and that, blessed with the comforts of peace, we may be permitted to enjoy the pleasures of home and friends. For our comrades who have fallen, let us ever cherish a grateful re- membrance. To the wounded, and those who languish in southern prisons, let our heartfelt sympathy be tendered.
And now, speaking for myself alone, when the war is ended, and the task of the historian begins-when those decds of daring, which hove rendered the nainc and fame of the Third cavalry division imperishable, are inscribed upon the bright pages of our country's history. I only ask that my name may be written as that of the commander of the Third cavalry division. G. A. CUSTER, Brevet Major-General Commanding. Official.
L. W. BARNHART, Capt & A. A. A. G.
I EELAND A. MERWIN, a retired farmer of Nelson township, Portage county, Ohio, and residing in Gar- rettsville, was born in Nelson town- ship, September 29, 1840, a son of Leeland P. and Mary E. (King) Merwin, the former of whonr was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., Septent- ber 18, 1803, a son of Dr. Jesse and Sallie Merwin, pioneers of Portage county, Ohio.
Dr. Jesse Merwin was of New England ancestry and came from New York state to Ohio in 1821, settling in Nelson township Portage county, where he cut the first timber and cleared up the first farm from the wind 1 ness. He was a practicing physician and i ... well known throughout the surrounding coun-
-
OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES.
82
try, the pioneers fully appreciating his ability and skill. His son, Leeland P. Merwin, fa- ther of subject, was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., September 18, 1803, and came to Ohio with his father in 1821, being at that time about eighteen years of age. He assisted in elerring ap the Nelson township homestead, and a few years later married Miss Mary E. King, to which union were born Louisa, Sal- lie, Helen, Hannah, Martha, Van B., Leeland A., John C. and Todd S. All the sons were soldiers in the late Civil war-John C. and Leeland A. having served in the Second Ohio cavalry and Todd S. in the Sixth; Van B. was in the 100-day service, was captured by John Morgan at Cynthiana, Ky., but was held two days only. Beside these four brothers of the Merwin family, a brother of Mrs. Merwin served throughout the same struggle. Her sis- ter, Angeline, married Harry Daily, and Mr. Merwin's sister, Sallie, married Henry Merwin, and these two gentlemen were also soldiers who fought in defense of the Union. The fa- ther of this family was called to rest Novem- ber 18, 1887, honored by all who knew him.
Leeland A. Merwin, just before his twenty- first birthday, left the Nelson township home- stead and enlisted, in Windham township, September 25, 1861, in company G, Second regiment, Ohio volunteer cavalry, to serve three years, and continued in the army until honorably discharged at Baxter Springs, Kans., October 10, 1862. He fought against Quan- trell's guerrillas through all the border counties in Missouri and Kansas and in the Indian terri- tory, taking part in many skirmishes. He suffered a great deal from typhoid-pneumonia, contracted from exposure and sleeping on the ground in swampy localities, and was confined in the hospital at Fort Leavenworth, Kans., for six weeks, when he rejoined his regiment at Fort Scott, but two months later, on ac- count of disability, was discharged at the place
and time above mentioned. When not con- fined by illness, Mr. Merwin was always prompt and cheerful in the performance of his military duties and was a good and brave soldier.
On his return to Ohio, Mr. Merwin attend- ed Hiram institute two terms and then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed ten or twelve years, and then settled on the old Nel- son township homestead of about 123 acres, which he stills owns, but from the active and practical care of which he retired to Garretts- ville in 1892,
The marriage of Mr. Merwin took place in Vienna township, Trumbull county, Ohio, June 5, 1873, to Miss Margaret J. Lyon, who was born in Clarion county, Pa., a daughter of John B. and Catherine (McNaughton) Lyon, parents of the following-named children. James S., Calvin W., Franklin, Thomas. An- geline, Margaret J., Barbara A. and Ellen. The father, John B. Lyon, was a farmer, was a republican in politics, and two of his sons, James S. and Franklin, served during the Civil war, in a regiment of Pennsylvania vol- unteer infantry -- Franklin dying from wounds received in battle and his remains being in- terred at City Point, Va. The father, who descended from one of the oldest pioneer iam- ilies of the Keystone state, was born in 1815 and died in 1894. His daughter (Mrs. Mer- win, is a lady of great natural abilities, is a member of Ora Rebekah lodge, No. 240, I. O. O. F., of Garrettsville, held the office of presi- dent of the state assembly from 1895 to 1896, and has been presented by the state lodge with a beautiful emblem of solid gold. set with seven diamonds, as a testimonial of her gra- cious conduct and administrative impartiality. In politics Mr. Merwin is a republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has filled the office of township trustee two years, is a member of Mark Ilor- ton post, G. A. R., at Garrettsville, in which
828
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
he has served as junior and senior vice-com- mander, and is also a member of Portage lodge, No. 456, I. O. O. F., at Garretts- ville, in which he has filled all the chairs, in- cluding that of noble grand. In religion, the family affiliate with the Congregational church, and is one of the most highly esteemed in Nel- son township.
EWTON SPERRY, a prominent cit- izen and one of the wealthiest farm- ers of Streetsboro, Ohio, descends from one of the New England pio- neer families of the Western Reserve, and is of sterling English ancestry.
Lyman Sperry, grandfather of Newton Sperry, was born in Woodbury, Conn., and he first married Deborah Newton, to which union were born the following-named children: Amadeus, Mary, Amanda, Phebe and Adna. After the death of his first wife, Lyman inar- ried Lydia Peck, and the children born to this marriage were Lyman, Lydia, Elizabeth L., Levinus, Lewis, fra P., Samuel, Ebenezer, and Dr. Willis, the last two born in Ohio. Lyman Sperry moved with his family to Ohio in 1819, making the journey with horse and ox-teams -- quite a party coming together. Lyman Sperry settled on the north line of Tallmadge, a little east of Monroe Falls. He bought a lot of 160 acres, which he cleared from the woods, aided by his sons. He and wife were members of the Congregational church, and in politics Mr. Sperry was a whig. He died on his farm, quite an aged man, greatly honored for his integrity of character.
Amadeus Sperry, father of Newton, was born in Woodbury, Conn., March 16, 1798, and March 22, 1819, married Esther Upson, who was born November 25, 1799. They came to Ohio on their wedding trip, with the
Lyman Sperry party, in 1819. Andrew se: tled ou forty acres, a port of his father's tract of 160 acies, which he cleared up, sold, and bought 100 acres, in 1834, in Streetsboro town- ship. Portage county, all in the woods. ITi. sons cleared this land, as Mr. Sperry liver but eight years after settling in Portage coun- ty, his death taking place September is, 18.12. aged about forty-four years. He and wife were members of the Presbyterian church, of Tallmadge, and the Presbyterian church a: Streetsboro, and in politics Mr. Sperry was a whig. He was a man of sterling worth and straightforward character. Mrs. Sperry died September 12, 1866, aged sixty-seven years, a woman of many virtues. Their children were Newton, Lucius, Mary, Clark, Alonzo, Ornan, Olive E., Eunice and Celia M.
Newton Sperry was born in Tallmadge township. on the old Sperry homestead, Sep- tember 2, 1821. He is entirely self-educated. and by his home study acquired much practica! information, being possessed of unusual in- telligence. He began work at clearing when a small boy, and when but twelve years of age was hired out to a farmer in Tallmadge to drive a yoke of oxen and plow, and even at that early age could do a full day's work, and plowed, at this age, with James Chamberlain for Andrew Treat. As he was the oldest son, he had to work young; when he was twenty- one years old, his father died and he was left with the care of his mother and eight childrer. and the homestead was not yet paid for; itc. therefore, worked with great perseverance tu support the family and pay for the farm.
Mr. Sperry married, May 13, 1849, in Au- rora township, Lucy L. Cannon, who was born July 8, 1825, at Kirkland, Lake county. Ohio, a daughter of John and lydia (Rice. Cannon. John Cannon was born January . .. 1787, in Blanford, Mass., of sterling Scotch ancestry. The name was originally Carnahan.
Newton Sherry
------
Lucy Le Stressy
833
OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES.
and the genealogy is traced to the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620. His parents were John and Mary Cannon, whose family consisted of eight children, viz: John, Stephen, George, Eli --- onc daughter who married a Cochran, one who married a Spen- cer, Lucy L., and Polly, who married Charles Starr. John Cannon came with his mother, brothers and sisters to Ohio in 1806, when he was a boy. The farm had been selected by his brother Stephen, in 1804. in the southwest part of Aurora township. He made some ini- provements, and in 1So6 returned for his mother and the children. and on the 20th, with a genuine pioneer outfit, a huge wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen, lead by a trusty horse, upon which the young pioneers of the family took turns riding, and for forty days they continued their march, crossing hills, scaling mountains, wading swamps, threading forests, in the early days of December, and, all tired out, they made their home in the woods of Ohio. John Cannon and his brother Eli were both soldiers in the war of 1812. John was in the regular United States service three years near the Niagara river. He had a good education for his time and taught school in Darrowville, and there he married. Septem- ber 10, 1820, Lydia Rice, who was born Feb- ruary 2, 1787, in Massachusetts. She was a school-teacher in Darrowville, and came from Massachusetts with William Blair and family to Painesville, Ohio.
John Cannon lived in Painesville for five years on fifty acres of land, and in after life lived in Aurora, Northampton and Streetsboro as a farmer. His children were Lucy I. and Norman S. Mr. Cannon was a Methodist in religion and democrat in politics, but became a republican during the war. He was a man of good character and temper and very up- right. He died April 1, 1872, aged eighty-five years, his wife having died November 2, 1868,
the death of both occurring at the home of Newton Sperry.
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sperry settled on the farm which he had bought and paid for. consisting of no acres, and which was the old home of his father. He had also assisted his mother to bring up her family. Mr., Sperry prospered and eventually became the owner of 600 acres, and was one of the most sub- stantial fariners in Streetsboro township, and still owns a fine estate of 370 acres. This property he has acquired by his thrift and sturdy industry and sagacity, working every day early and late, and is an entirely self- made man. Mrs. Sperry died October 24, 1896, a member of the Presbyterian church at Streetsboro, of which Mr. Sperry has been an elder for twelve years, and was deacon several years, and to the support of which he always liberally contributed. In politics he is a pro- hibitionist, being a strong temperance man. Mr. Sperry is well preserved and a man of active manner, and has always been well- known for his straightforward honesty of char- acter. Mrs. Sperry was a woman of marked character and strong personality, of great in- dustry and perseverance and for eight years cared for her parents in their declining years.
The children born to Newton and Lucy L. (Cannon) Sperry are Alice E., wife of William J. McDowell, an agriculturist, of Woodstock, Ill., with a family of four living children --- Laney A., Emma M., William A. and Elmer N., and one deceased, Mary S. Arthur N., was married, but is now deceased, having left two children-Robert M. and Arthur G. Fred A., a carpenter and builder at Colorado Springs, Colo., was first married to Fannie E. Kerr, of Tallmadge township, and had three children-Berrie L., Ethel B. (deceased), and Marjorie A. - and after the death of his first wife in Colorado, October 12, 1395. married Mrs. Fannie A. Beebe, of Des Moines, Iowa.
.
834
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Lucy E. is at home with her father, is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, is president of the C. E. society, secretary of the local union of the W. C. T. U., and is superintendent of the I. T. I. department, W. C. T. U., for Portage county.
ILLIAM T. MENDENHALL, of the firin of Mendenhall & Shuman, the well-known furniture dealers and undertakers, of Atwater, Portage county, Ohio, was born in Chester county, Pa., May 8, 1832, a son of Stephen and Mary (Thomas) Mendenhall. also natives of the Keystone state.
. Stephen Mendenhall and wife were the par- ents of five children, viz: Margaret (deceased), William T. (subject), Edwin D., Maria and Thomas C. In 1834, accompanied by his wife, and Pennsylvania-born children, Mr. Mendenhall crossed the mountains in a wagon, and in the course of four weeks arrived in Co- Jumbiana county, Ohio, where he bought a tract of land, cleared up a farm, built a log cabin, and engaged in his trade of wagon- making, and finally added carriage and buggy manufacturing; did a good business for a num- ber of years, but eventually moved to Indiana, where his wife died in January, 1874, and ยท where his own death also took place in No- vember, 1894.
William T. Mendenhall received his earlier education in the common schools of Colum- biana county, and later attended high school in Marlboro, Stark county, then for a number of years worked at carriagemaking, and then came to Portage county, and for ten years op- erated a saw-mill in Randolph; for the twenty years following he was engaged in farming. and in 1883. settled in Atwater, where he eu- tered into the furniture trade in partnership with Mr. Stanford; three years later Mr.
Stanford sold his interest in the concern to E M. Chapman, and in 1893. Mr. Chapman sold to Mr. Shuman, since when, the firm has been conducted under the title mentioned at the opening of this notice, and now does the largest house-furnishing business in the town- ship, to which has been added a complete in dertaking equipment.
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.