USA > Ohio > Portage County > A portrait and biographical record of Portage and Summit counties, Ohio > Part 45
USA > Ohio > Summit County > A portrait and biographical record of Portage and Summit counties, Ohio > Part 45
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
Henry Baldwin settled in the northeast corner of Twinsburg township, on 130 acres of land, and cleared a farm from the heavy timber, making a good home. His children were Frank, Herman, Cassius O., Orsey and Cordelia. Mr. Baldwin passed all his active days on the farm, but retired to Solon, Ohio, where he died two years later, June 24, 1870. He and his wife were both members of the Disciples' church at Solon. He was a promi- nent office holder --- a man of excellent charac- ter, was noted for his honesty, and his word conld always be relied upon. In politics he was at first a democrat, but during the war became a republican.
Cassius O. Baldwin was born December 7, 1843, in Twinsburg township, on the farm, and received a common-school education, became a farmer and enlisted, at the early age of nine- teen, August 2, 1862, in company G, Capt. D. N. Lowery, One Hundred and Fifteenth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, to serve three years or during the war, and served until honorably discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, July 5, 1865, the war being closed, having been promoted to first duty sergeant, in 1864, for meitorious conduct. He was in the battles of La Vergne, Tenn., Stone River, Cynthiana, Ky,, Bowling Green, Ky., Nashville, Tenn., Franklin, Tenn., Greensboro, Tullahoma, Lookout Mountain, and he was in the famous Atlanta campaign. During this campaign he was for some time detailed as a scout. He was at the battles of Dallas, Dalton, Pumpkin- vine Creek and Kenesaw Mountain, and after that batile he returned to his command at Murfreesboro, T'enn., and was detailed with
thirty men of his company to guard a block house at LaVergne, Tenn .. and on the twenty- fourth of September, 1864. they were all cap- tured by Hood's army and taken to prison at Cuyahaba, Ga. The prisoners were robbed of everything they had-clothing, boots, shoes and caps, and all money and trinkets, and were obliged to put on and wear the ragged and filthy clothing which the rebels threw aside. Mr. Baldwin was first approached by a rough- looking rebel, who leveled his revolver at him, and demanded his boots-they were a nice, new pair that his father had just sent him; but he looked the rebel in the eye and said, "Now. look her, you cannot wear these boots; they won't fit you." The rebel said, "Wa'all, I can trade them;" but showed hesitation in his eye. Just then a rebel officer rode up and ordered the would-be robber to his company. In another moment, a little, dirty rebel caine up and leveled his revolver, and demanded the boots in no uncertain terms, and Mr. Baldwin could see, in his eye, that he would shoot un- less he got them, and they were promptly given up. His extra clothing and blankets were afterward taken. He was confined at this prison two weeks, but was not badly treated. He was taken thence to Anderson- ville, and in that infamous rebel prison was nearly starved, and suffered greatly. Having no shelter, he and his comrades dug a hole in the ground and inade a hut of sun-burned brick. In his mess were two Summit county men-Julian Upson and John Cox. For rations he received daily about one gill of cornmeal, ground cob and all, and sometinie- even this was omitted for three days at a time The had neither salt nor meat. A part of the time a thin bean soup was served. He would have died, but he fortunately had secreted $20 greenback, which he changed among the prisoners, and traded a dollar at a time, somle- times receiving from $50 to $75 in Confeder,at.
---
885
OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES.
bills for a one-dollar greenback. With this he would buy provisions from the guards and persons who came to the prison to trade, and thus kept himself alive. He was in this prison for about four months. in the fall of 1864, and was reduced almost to a skeleton. When captured he weighed 202 pounds, and when exchanged, at the close of the war, he weighed ninety-two pounds. He reached home sick, weak and emaciated, but, having a remarkable constitution, recovered rapidly. He then learned the carpenter's trade, and inarried, on the place where he now lives, February 8, 1866, Miss Maria Goff, who was born in Ire- land, a daugliter of John and Betsy (Mallory) Goff. John Goff came from Ireland and settled south of Twinsburg, about 1856, and his chil- dren were James, John, Thomas, George, Maria and Elle. He was a hard-working, in- dustrious man, much respected, and died an aged man, at Youngstown, Ohio, where his widow still lives.
After marriage Mr. Baldwin bought part of his father's farm, where he lived two years. and then moved to Twinsburg, and bought Mr. Goff's property, consisting of eighteen acres, with residence. and now has a pleasant home of twenty-two acres. Mr. Baldwin has worked at his trade many years in Summit and sur- rounding counties, and is still in active life. He received an injury to his left leg during the war, which renders him lame; other- wise he is strong and hearty.
Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics Mr. Baldwin is a republican. He was a good soldier and has a splendid military record. He served his country faithfully, and was always in active service. and was not sick an hour and did his full part promptly and cheerfully. Hle is a member of W. T. Sher- man post, G. A. R., at Hudson, and of Sum- mit lodge, No. 203. F. A. M., at Twinsburg,
has held the office of master of the Blue lodge, and in the royal arch has been high priest. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin were the parents of two children -- John O. and Alton C. Mrs. Bald- win died June 29, 1876. Mr. Baldwin mar- ried, for his second wife, Miss Emnia C. Lee, who died April 15, 1897.
ON. JACOB ADAMS KOHLER, of Akron, Ohio, is a son of Henry and Mary (Slanker) Kohler, and was born near Reading, Pa., August 15, 1835. When four months old he was brought by his parents to Franklin township, Summit county, Ohio, was educated in district schools and Lodi academy, and in 1853 apprenticed him- self to 1). G. Sanford, cabinetinaker in Akron. later read law with N. W. Goodhue, and was admitted to the bar in 1859. He served as prosecuting attorney of Summit county two terms-from 1868 until 1872; was law partner of Hon. Sidney Edgerton several years, and later was with Rollin W. Sadler, and afterward with Harvey Musser. Mr. Kohler represented Summit county in the state legislature from 1880 to 1885. and served as attorney general of Ohio from 1886 to 1888; November 5, 1895, he was elected judge of the court of comnion pleas for Medina, Lorain and Sum- mit counties, which position he now fills. His opinions upon the construction of statutes and their constitutionality have created wide and favorable comment among the judiciary of the state and the members of the legal pro- fession.
Judge Kohler was married May 16, ISGo, to Miss Frances H. Coburn (only child of the late Dr. Stephen H. Coburn), who has borne him two sons-Hurlbut Stephen, born July 20, 1868, and George Coburn, born November 17, 1870, both graduates of Yale college. In connection with Secretary of State Russell A.
886
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Alger, of Detroit, Mich. (a former Akron boy), Mr. Kohler, in 1882, erected the Arcade block, a five-story brick building on Howard street, one of the largest and handsomest business blocks in the city; and, beside his fine resi- dence on East Market street, as the manager of the Coburn estate has large landed interests in various portions of the city, being also one of the incorporators and president of the People's Savings bank on South Main street.
EWMAN CHAMBERLAIN, one of the substantial farmers of Stowe township, Summit county, Ohio, de- scends from sterling New England ancestry, the tradition being that several of the brothers of the name came from England in the Mayflower in 1620.
Moses Chamberlain, father of Newman, was born in Dalton, Mass., in May, ifog .; He was a farmer, and married Hannah Newell, who was born in Dalton, Mass., in 1761. Moses Chamberlain moved to Riga, N. Y., and after some years, to Sweden, Monroe county, N. Y., where he cleared up a farm from the woods, about ninety years ago. He was a substantial farmer, and owned, at Swe- den, a fine farm of 160 acres. His children were Merrick, Lyman, Adeline, Patty, John, Newman, Alvira, Stephen, Nelson, Moses and Joseph. Mr. Chamberlain was a Jacksonian democrat, a respected citizen, and was fre- quently a member of the grand jury, lived to be a little over sixty years old, and died on his farm, in October, 1849. He was a straightfoward, industrious man, well-known for his honesty of character.
Newman Chamberlain was born October 31. 1820, at Riga, N. Y., received a com- mon district-school education, and has al- ways been a farmer. He came to Stowe
township, Sunumit county, Ohio, in 1842, and married here September 29, 1844, Miss Char- otte S. Stark, who was born in Stowe township. January 14, 1824, daughter of Ben- jamin and Hannah (Chapman) Stark.
The Stark family is of the same stock as Gen. Stark, of Vermont, the famous Revolu- tionary general, and hero of the battle of Ben- nington. Joseph Stark, grandfather of Mrs Chamberlain, was born in Vermont, but died on his farm in Chazy, N. Y., about 1830. His children were Benjamin, James, Rebecca, Susan, Anna and Sallie.
Benjamin Stark was born in Vermont, May 16, 1793. He was a farmer, and mar- ried Hannah Chapman, January 3, 1817. She was born at Lake Champlain, N. Y., Decem- ber 25, 1798, a daughter of Ebenezer Chap- man, and the children were Frederick, Phi- lander, William, Charlotte S., Eliza A., Laura, Carroll, George, Aurilla, Maryette, Lucius and Lewis (twins), and Hiram. Benjatnin Stark came to Ohio in 1817, making the jour- ney overland with horses, and was twenty- four days on the road. He first located in Kent, Ohio, and then settled in Stowe town- ship, and here developed a farm of 140 acres, and made a good home, becoming a substan- tial farmer. He reared his children well, and gave them all a fair education. Twelve of his children lived to maturity. He was a man of sterling worth, and much industry and integ- rity of character. Ile and wife were both members of the Disciples' church at Stowe Corners, in which he was a deacon, and in politics he was first a whig, and then a repub- lican. He reached the venerable age of nearly eighty years and died October 19, 1872. a much respected citizen. When Benjamin Stark was a boy of but fourteen years all be did some service in the war, his father's hons. being filled with wounded soldiers from a bat tle, and at one of these battles he carried water
887
OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES.
to the soldiers in the field. Moses Chamber- lain, father of the subject, moved from Dal- ton, Mass., with a three-horse team, and was obliged to cut his way through the woods.
Newman Chamberlain, after his marriage, lived on his father's homestead four years and then returned to Stowe township, and lived on a farm for awhile, and then lived in Akron, where he and wife kept a boarding house ten years. He next moved with his family to Stowe township, and settled on his present farm in 1854. having bought eighty acres. By thrift and economy he prospered, aided by his faithful wife, and they now have a good farm of 160 acres, with tasteful residence, substantial barns, etc.
Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain are both mem- bers of the Methodist church, in which he has held the office of steward. In politics he is a republican. They have one son, Dr. Frederick N., of Akron, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Chamber- lain are well known for their upright christian character, are very industrious and frugal, and by their patient labor and thrift they have ac- quired a goodly property. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain, in the kindness of their hearts, have brought up and given a good home to five children, viz: William P., Lillie O., Charles L. Wright, Harvey F. Wright and Chara E. Wright.
Moses Chamberlain, a brother of Newman, was a soldier of the Civil war, was captured and imprisoned in the infamous Libby prison, and finally died from the effect of the impris- onment. Merrick G., another brother, was a licensed Methodist exhorter. Of the sons of Benjamin Stark, two were prominent physi- cians -- Dr. Frederick B. and Dr. Philander H., both of Detroit, Mich. William H. was a prominent commission merchant of Newton Falls, Ohio, where he died. Lewis V. was a soldier in the Civil war and served all through. Lucius, twin brother, died young. Carl J ..
is a Disciple minister of Hamilton, Ill., and Hon. George P., of Michigan, is the youngest.
The Chamberlain Family. -- The first of this family of whom there is any account was William Chamberlain, who came to America from England, and whose record extended from 1620 to 1706. His wife was named Re- becca, and their children were William. Tim- othy, Isaac, John, Sarah, Jacob, Thomas, Edward, Rebecca, and Abraham. Jacob, the sixthi child, married Experience, and their children were Jacob, John O., Jason and Eb- enezer. Jacob, first child of Jacob, married Susannah Stone, and their children were Jacob, Josiah, Susannah, Isaac, Simon, Will- iam, Sarah and Margaret. Isaac, fourth child of Jacob (second), married Mary Keys, and their children were Isaac and Mary. Isaac, first child of Isaac, married Elizabeth Sprague in 1780. The children were Luther, Isaac. David, Elizabeth, Hannah, Jacob, Lydia. and Mary. Isaac was married twice, but the children were all by first wife.
Jacob, seventh child of Isaac, second, mar- ried Sarah Strong, in 1820, and by her had two children, David and Elizabeth. He mar- ried December 26, 1829, his second wife. Anna Nutting, who bore the following children. Sarah, Emily G., Jane Hulda, Jacob, and Will- iam, second -- all the children being born in Sharon, Conn. Anna Nutting was born at Groton, Mass., a sister of Prof. Rufus Nutting, of the Western Reserve college. Jacob and Sarah both went to the Arcat Mission, India.
The above is the line of lineal descent from the first Chamberlain in America to W. I. Chamberlain, the editor of the Ohio Farmer. now residing at Hudson, Ohio. It is believed that all the Chamberlains of the Western Re- serve are of this same stock. J. Chester Chamberlain, No. 135 East Eighteenth street. New York city, nephew of W. I. Chamberlain. is investigating the Chamberlam genealogv.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Dr. Frederick Chamberlain, one of the lead- ing dentists, and a respected citizen of Akron, is the only child of Newman and Charlotte (Stark, Chamberlain. He was born August IS, 1851, in Altron, Ohio. He received his education in the public schools and the high school, and attended the colleges at Alliance and Hudson four years. He studied dentistry in the dental college of Philadelphia, from which he graduated, in 1887, as D. D. S. He began the practice of dentistry at Canal Fulton, Ohio, and settled in Akron in 1888, where he soon built up a successful practice by his skill and ability in his profession. He married, August 22, 1872, at Akron, Demaris D. Viall, who was born in Richfield township, Summit county, a daughter of S. and Mary A. (Freeby) Viall, the Vialls being among the pioneers of Sum- mit county and Akren. To Dr. and Mrs. Chaniberlain have been born Blanche S., Oc- tober 6, 1874, at Kent, Ohio. Fraterually, the doctor is a Mason and a member of Elliott lodge, No. 14, at Canal Fulton, and a knight templar. Dr. Chamberlain is well known and highly respected, and stands high in his profes- sion. In politics he is a republican.
MERY JOHN COE, of Garrettsville, a mnost respected citizen, and ex-sol- dier, and formerly a well known ed- ucator and teacher of vocal music. was born in Charlestown, Portage county, December 4, 1839, a son of Claudius and Nancy (Johns) Coe. The Coe family is of English descent, and several of the early male mein- bers of the family in America were soldiers in the war for American independence. Claudius Coe was born in Granville, Conn., and in 1 808 came to Ohio, being one of the earliest settlers in Charlestown township, Portage county, where there were born to his marriage with Miss Johns eleven children, viz: Jacob, Sarah, 1
Almeda, Phobe, Ransom, Nancy A., Rosaline, Emily, Emery J., Orinda and Elizabeth. Th .. father lived to reach his sixty-eighth year and died a greatly respected citizen.
Emery J. Coe was reared on the home farm and also learned ropemaking under bis father. Having received a good common- school education, he began teaching at the age of twenty-one years, and at the age of twenty - two commenced giving instructions in voca! music, teaching, in all, 100 ierms. In 1862 he made a tour of the west, teaching music in Angola, Kankakee, lowa City, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Rock Island and other cities, and on his return, in 1864, enlisted at Toledo, Ohio, August 18, in company D. Capt. W. W. Cooke, One Hundred and Eighty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, for one year, or dur ing the war, and was honorably discharged ut Nashville, Tenn., July 7, 1865, the war having been closed. Mr. Coe was a participator in the battles of Nashville and Franklin, Tenn .. and on the night of the retreat from Franklin to Nashville, a distance of eighteen miles, Mi. Coe, on reaching the outskirts of the latter city, fell exhausted, with his comrades, and lay all night on the bare ground, under a cold, sleety rain, and woke up in the morning half covered with water and stiff with the rheuma- tism, from which he has never recovered. Mr. Coe was also sick in the hospital at Louis- ville, Ky., about four weeks, having contracte ! fever from fatigue and exposure. His hardest or most severe service was, in his opinion, the cutting of logs for the building of Fort Butler. near Nashville, at which he was employed on a "rush" for eleven days and nights and great- ly exposed to inclement weather. On another occasion the rebel general, Hood, tore up the railroad tracks and cut off the supplies for the Union troops, and for two weeks the Feder .. boys were fed on "hard tack" only, and nearly starved, and these hardships were doubtless
8$9
OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES.
the cause of Mr. Coe's illness. Outside of this, he was a truc and faithful soldier, and ever ready and cheerful in the performance of his duty.
After the war was closed, Mr. Coe returned to Pertage county, and located on a farm of eighty acres, which: hc purchased in the north part of Hiram township. December 15. 1865, he married, in Nelson township, Miss Arvilla Knowlton, who was born here June 25, 1845, a daughter of Williard and Hannah Knowl- ton-the former a substantial farmer and stock-dealer. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Knowlton were named Lavinia (de- ceased), Perenia, Cornelia. Valinda, Arvilla (Mrs. Coe, now deceased,, and Ellen (also deccasedi. Mr. Knowlton was a greatly hon- ored citizen, was for many years a justice of the peace in Norton township. Summit county, president of a bank in Garrettsville, and a thoroughgoing business man. After marriage Mr. Coe lived on his farm, in Hiram township, for two years, then sold and bought a farin of seventy-six and a half acres in Charlestown township. to which he added a second tract of eighty-seven and a half acres. In 1888 he retired to Garrettsville, where he has since resided, honored and respected by all who know him. To Mr. and Mrs. Coe have been born the following-named children: Frantz E. and Frank A. (twins;, Williard E. and Bert E. The mother of this family was called from earth October 10, 1897, a devout member of the Methodist church, and a lady of more than usual intelligence, and of many christian virtues, which endeared her to all who knew her. Mr. Coe, also a Methodist, was a Sunday-school teacher for many years, and for a long time its superintendent, and for sixteen years was choir leader in Charlestown. In politics he is a republican, and for twelve years was a trustee of Charlestown township.
Mr. Coe has given his children every edu-
cational advantage. Frantz A. and Frank E. are graduates of Mount Union college, Ohio, and are now postal clerks; Williard F. graduated from the Ohio State university, and is now a successful practicing physician at Troy, Ohio; Bort is at home with his father. Probably no resident of Garrettsville is more sincerely respected than Mr. Coe, who has done so much to advance the educational and moral interests of Portage county, and whose naine stands, and has stood all these years, without taint or slur, and whose children have been reared to become, like himself, good and useful citizens.
J OHN A. MORGAN, a highly-respected farmer of Paris township, Portage county, Ohio, was born on his present farm, September 16, 18.45, a son of John and Sarah (Davis) Morgan, both natives of Wales.
John Morgan, father of Jolin A., was born in 1799, was reared to mining, and came to America in 1831. He lived six months in Palmyra township, Portage county, Ohio, and then removed to Paris township, of which he was the first Welsh settler. He here engaged in farming, having purchased a tract of land in the woods, on which he built a log cabin. Ile was married in July, 1834, to Miss Sarah Davis, in Hudson, Ohio, and his union was blessed with seven children, three of whom still survive, viz: Joseph, John A. (subject), and Sarah, wife of Joseph Leonard, of Cleve- land. The deceased were Lettie, who was married to David D. Jones, and died March 17, 1883, at the age of forty-four years; Mary, wife of Isaac D. Jones, died December 15, 1888, aged fifty-three years; Winnifred, mar- ried to William Lewis, died July 17, 1893, when fifty-three years old, and John died in infancy. In course of time Mr. Morgan de-
890
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
veloped a fine farm from the wilderness, and replaced his original log cabin with a com- modious residence, and also erected suitable substantial farm buildings. Mr. Morgan rose to considerable prominence in the township, was for years a justice of the peace, and also township trustee. He was a member of the Congregational church, in which he filled all the secular offices, and died in its faith, April 9, 1882, aged eighty-three years, his wife hav- ing passed away July 4, 1872, at the age of sixty-six years.
Job Morgan, grandfather of John A. Mor- gan, came to America from Wales, also in 1832, but remained a short time only. He was a miner all his life, and had a family of five children, viz: A daughter who died in infancy; Miriam, wife of 'Squire David Johns; and Mary and Thomas, twins. Job Morgan died in May, 1864, at the age of ninety-four years, and Mary, his wife, died the same year and month, at ninety-one years of age.
John A. Morgan was reared to farming. re- ceived a good common-school education, and remained with his father until 1865, when he went to Youngstown, Ohio, where he was em- ployed as a clerk in a general store for three years, and then returned to his farm. April 16, 1883, he married Miss Mary Evans, who was born in Cardigan, Wales, May 12, 1856, a daughter of John and Amelia (Molyneaux) Evans. The father of Mrs. Morgan died in January, 1867, at the age of thirty-two years, and her mother in 1861, aged twenty-six, leaving two children -Mrs. Morgan and John, of Alliance, Ohio. To the marriage of John A. Morgan and wife have been born two chil- dren- Lettie Amelia and Homer Stanley. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are devoted members of the Congregational church at Wayland, of which Mr. Morgan has been clerk for several years. The family is one of the most respected in the township. and Mr. Morgan is individually
esteemed for his strict integrity in all his trans actions, and activity in his efforts to promote the public welfare.
HE RAVENNA REPUBLICAN. one of the oldest county papers of the state of Ohio, was established, in 18;0, as the Ohio Star. In 1854 it was known as the Portage County Democrat, being pub- lished by Hall, Herrick & Wadsworth. In 1859, the Democrat passed into the hands of L. W. Hall & Son, and was published by them until September, 1882, when the paper was purchased by the Republican-Democrat Pub- lishing company, with Arthur Mosley as editor. About three years afterward, John Meharg se- cured a controlling interest in the paper. then known as the Republican-Democrat, and be- came editor, changing the naine to the Ra- venna Republican. August 22, 1895, The Republican was purchased from Mr. Meharg by C. W. S. Wilgus, who, two months previ- ously, had bought the Ravenna Graphic. which paper he consolidated with the Repub- ican. The Republican, under the management of Mr. Wilgus, has fully maintained its position as one of the leading county-seat weeklies of the Western Reserve, and is a bright, newsy journal, filled with local items of interest, as well as with all the important current events transpiring throughout the world.
OHN ROPPEL, a respected citizen .t Tallmadge township, Summit county. Ohio, and an ex-soldier of the Civil wat. was born in Bavaria, Germany, 1811. a son of Casper Roppel. His parents fi -! when he was but an infant, and he was fi !! tially reated by his half-brother --- John W ... fert-his mother having been married to a Mi. Wolfert, father of John. John Wolfert, i di.
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.