USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Annals of the Early Settlers Association of Cuyahoga County, volume IV, no. I > Part 7
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
Mr. Hemenway came to Cleveland in 1836 and has made it his home since. He was an inventor of considerable ability, and obtained several patents, the most important of which was on the bending of wood by end pressure, now used in making all bent wood stuff.
He married Miss Caroline E. Humphrey, a well-known teacher of Cleveland, who died in 1886. They had three children, a daughter who died in childhood: Mary C. Hemenway, whose sudden death about three years ago distressed a large circle of friends, and Mrs. William F. Richardson of Seattle.
WILLIAM ALEXANDER INGHAM.
William Alexander Ingham died at midnight, Saturday, May 7, 1898, in his home, 203 Franklin avenue, after a week of remarkable activity. On the day of his death up to 6 P. M. he was at his place of business, 138 Superior street. He relished his dinner and read until 10 P. M., retiring in comfort. At 11:15 he was seized with angina pectoris, dying with the loving min- istration of his wife to cheer a rapid passage into the beyond.
The life of Mr. William A. Ingham is a striking example of
82
ANNALS OF THE
the results possible to the union of great natural ability and un- wearied effort. He was of a worthy ancestry, distinguished for four hundred years in the Mother Country for noble living, and in this new world for many heroic achievements. His great- grandfather was one of the slain in Washington's retreat from Long Island in 1776; his grandfather one of the few survivors of the defence of Fort Griswold under the traitorous attack of Benedict Arnold in 1781.
Mr. Ingham inherited a keen intellect, broad judgment, a sunny and hopeful temperament and an indomitable will. So endowed, and with natural religiousness of character, it was to be expected that his rounded life should be one of rare attrac- tiveness and power.
Mr. Ingham's birthplace was the old town of Groton, Conn., where his life began June 23, 1823. When a boy of 8 years he removed with his parents to the little village of Brooklyn, now a part of the great city of Cleveland, but then the veritable fron- tier. Many of the pioneer's hardships he encountered in his early years, with fascinating anecdotes of which he was in his late years ready to entertain those interested in that early local history. From his boyhood his active mind thirsted for knowl- edge, and he marked out for himself a broad education, disap- pointingly curtailed by adverse circumstances. But his insatiate craving made him for all life a most eager student, storing his retentive memory with so rich a hoard as made him the helper and delight of an appreciative multitude of friends.
His business career began very early, and from 1846 until recent years he has been known as a successful publisher and book seller. He early established a book store on the West Side, and it is interesting to remember that he was also the first person to publish a newspaper on the West Side, and the first to handle the West Side mails and to establish a house-to-house delivery. After a few years he opened a large and very pros- perous business on Superior street, to which were later added
83
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION
branch establishments in Meadville and Greenville, Pa., and in Sandusky, Ohio.
He also became largely concerned in the street railroads of Cleveland and in other branches of business, and for many years lie administered interests which called into activity his full powers of intellect and of administrative ability. He made use of his prosperity in varied enterprises of usefulness, giving largely to the church, of which he was a most devoted member and sup- porter, to Ohio Wesleyan University, of which he was, from 1867 to the hour of his death, an honored and useful trustee, of late years its senior trustee, and securing for himself such opportunities for travel and for culture as he ardently craved. That his later years were clouded by misfortunes and financial reverses was to him most of all a sorrow that his opportunites for study and for noble giving were so curtailed. Perhaps the most painful of all these disappointments was the giving up of a purpose formed in the very beginning of his business life, to endow generously a professorship in a college. Later this crystalized into a definite plan to devote $30,000 to this object at Ohio Wesleyan University, and not until its utter impossibility was demonstrated did he at last reluctantly abandon this cher- ished plan.
Mr. Ingham was a man of broad culture ; as a traveler in foreign lands he was familiar with the best in art and literature. Having the faculty of impartation, he enriched the lives of stu- dious young people by his clear and comprehensive description of the treasures of the Old World. None who ever listened to his lec- tures before Chautauqua circles and other associations, but were inspired to reach his own lofty ideal of intellectual and religious endowment and discipline.
Especially dear to him, both for its intellectual and its relig- ious delight, was his long and close connection with Ohio Wes- leyan University, where he was greatly beloved by professors and students. His benefactions to the University were admir- ably judged. He added so large a collection of valuable books
84
ANNALS OF THE
to the university library that a commodious alcove was stored with his gifts to the amount of thousands of dollars, and given his name. A series of lectures on natural and revealed religion by distinguished clergymen, was provided by his liberality, and published in 1872 in a volume entitled "The Ingham Lectures." It was a great pleasure to him, too, to help ministers unable to purchase books. To many such he gave valuable and well se- lected libraries. When Franklin Avenue Methodist church was built (and it should be noted that he was chairman of the build- ing committee and president of the board of trustees at that time, and designed the plan of the Sunday school rooms with many unique features) he also furnished a well chosen library for the use of the pastors of the church.
Mr. Ingham's home evidenced his keen love for intellectual culture. The heart of the house is the spacious library, lined with bookcases full of rich literary treasures, gathered, not simply to satisfy his aesthetic tastes, but to furnish a well equipped workshop for a never weary student, who knew and loved his constantly-read books. Here it was always his delight to bring his most appreciative friends, and especially the eager young peo- ple he so much loved to help upward to his own ideals of life. His love for young people was one of the ruling passions of his life, and his house was often filled with large gatherings of young men and women who responded to his affection with loyal devo- tion.
Especially beautiful was the religious side of Mr. Ingham's character. At ten years of age he connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a faithful adherent to his latest day. For years he has been a very active member of the official board of Franklin Avenue church, and almost never absent from its Sunday school and unwearied in his attendance upon every public and social service. And his life was the truest exponent of the faith he held. In the midst of almost overwhelm- ing misfortunes his faith seemed never to waver. In the darkest days he ever saw he frequently quoted with strong emphasis the
85
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION
Scripture words: "The joy of the Lord is your strength," and in that strength he was able to endure to the end, and that with an unvarying cheerfulness that never complained, that was always considerate, kindly and sweet. One who loved him well has many times said that the twenty-third Psalm, in its sweet, trust- ful serenity, always reminded her of him. His character was not- able for its gentle judgments of motive and conduct. He was the most forgiving of men, never harboring a thought of resent- ment or revenge, but seeking an innocent motive for even cruel wrongs, and looking persistently for the best in every character.
To the very day of his death he kept up his remarkable activ- ity. As the vital forces weakened and frequent suffering came, he always spoke briefly and lightly of his infirmities, and turned a pale but still smiling face to those he so tenderly loved. His very last day was one of unflinching activity, filled with business cares, with interested participation in all the intense news of national events, in careful preparation for the anticipated service on the morrow in the church of his love. And then he sought his rest-unconscious of the hovering pinions of the heavenly messenger, who, in one brief hour had borne his ready spirit into the presence of his beloved Father in Heaven. "And he was not : for God took him." A noble soul; as one has well said, "AA man of righteousness, justice and progress."
MRS. ABIGAIL JANES.
The death of Mrs. Abigail Janes, April 22, 1898, has removed another of those who saw Cleveland in its infancy. Her father. Humphrey N. Nichols, came to this county from Connecticut, and soon after married Mariah Bunts, and their daughter .\bi- gail was born in Cleveland township . April 17, 1828. Mr. Nichols settled upon a farm, then in the thick forest, but where now pass Doan street and Hough avenue, and other thickly settled streets, as well as the new boulevard. In 1855 Abigail Nichols became the wife of Lorenzo Janes.
86
ANNALS OF THE
Mrs. Janes was the mother of four children. A daughter, Alice M., died many years ago, and a son, Andrew, five years ago, in the prime of young manhood. Her husband and two sons, Hylas S. Janes and Milton M. Janes, are left to mourn her loss. She was a loving, tender wife and mother, and such a loss cannot be made good.
Mrs. Janes ever retained a love and interest in the present as well as in the past, and manifested in a marked degree her pride in the city's advancement and beauty. She was cheery and bright in temperament, and her home attracted alike the young and old.
MRS. MARIA L. MEDARY.
Mrs. Maria L. Medary, a former resident of Cleveland and a member of the Early Settlers' Association of Cuyahoga County, died at Bedford Thursday, March 10, at the age of 76 years. Mrs. Medary was born in Cleveland November 21, 1821. She was the daughter of Luther Willes, who was a dry goods merchant, doing business on Superior street as early as the year 1820. Mrs. Medary was the niece of Judge John W. Willey, the first mayor of Cleveland, and was also a niece of Ziba Willes, who established the Cleveland Herald in the year 1819. At the age of 15 years she became a member of Judge Willey's family, where she lived up to the time of her marriage with General Jacob Medary, then one of the proprietors and editors of the Ohio Statesman, of Columbus. The elegant hospitality dispensed in Judge Willey's family for many years was largely aided by the high social qualites of Miss Willes, while in the best social circles both in Cleveland and Columbus she was noted for her genial disposition and rare ability for making everyone about her happy.
Mrs. Medary was a woman of fine presence and whoever made her acquaintance remembered her with the most pleasing satisfaction. After the decease of her husband she took up her residence with her widowed mother, now long since deceased,
87
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION
in the pleasant village of Bedford. After some years she pur- chased a charming house on Lake street, Cleveland. Later she became the owner of a delightful cottage on College street, Hud- son, then the seat of Western Reserve College. She was a woman of deep and earnest piety, and wherever she lived was an active worker in the church, a life she enjoyed to the full.
For some years past Mrs. Medary had been declining in health, and her life closed with the deepest regret of her many friends.
JOHN MORRIS.
Mr. John Morris, an old and respected citizen of this city, died Sunday morning, Jan 23, 1898, of apoplexy, at the residence of his daughter. He was in his 84th year. Mr. Morris was one of the pioneer shipbuilders of Cleveland, having been in busi- ness since 1842. He retired several years ago. Since the death of his wife in 1891 he had made his home with his daughter, Mrs. F. S. Warner, No. 10 Crawford road, where the funeral services were held. Mr. Morris leaves one son and five daughters.
LUTHER R. PRENTISS.
Squire Luther R. Prentiss, probably the most interesting character among Cleveland's early pioneers, died November 24, 1897, at the home of his son, Mr. W. C. Prentiss, in Twinsburg. His death is attributed to general debility. Having passed his 94th year Mr. Prentiss begun to feel the enervating effects of old age about two weeks before his death. He sank gradually and passed peacefully away.
Mr. Prentiss was born in Acworth, N. H., in 1803, and sev- enteen years later he migrated to Ohio, the trip having been long and tedious. The squire's antecedents were of the colonial stock, his father and two uncles having participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. It is not known outside of a limited circle that one of these uncles, James Prentiss, was buried at Warrensville.
88
ANNALS OF THE
Squire Prentiss passed through all the vicissitudes attending early life in the Western Reserve. One of the stories which he frequently related was that he worked one season in Cleveland for a pair of boots and a razor. His employer during the first year of his residence here was Judge Kingsbury.
"Pshaw !" said Mr. Prentiss sometime previous to his death, "Father Addison old! Why, I was mowing hay when he was born !"
Some time subsequent to his arrival in this city Mr. Prentiss located on a farm in Warrensville, and it was there that he was elected a justice of the peace, retaining the office for many years. He was a member of the Early Settlers' Association.
The final years of his vigorous life were spent at the home of his son, Mr. Prentiss having detested life in the city.
The deceased leaves two sons and three daughters, W. C. Prentiss, M. L. Prentiss, of Belle Plaine, Ia .; Mrs. H. H. Colby, of Chagrin Falls ; Mrs. Mary Watterson, of Cleveland ; Mrs. T. C. Reed, of Marengo, Ia. His wife, a Mrs. McKinney previous to her marriage, died a long time ago.
HARRIET JOHNSON SACKET.
Since the last meeting of the Old Settlers' Association one of its members, who for almost 82 years has been a resident of Cleveland, has passed to her reward.
Harriet Johnson Sacket entered into rest on the 6th of last October at her home, 1490 Euclid avenue. Mrs. Sacket was the widow of the late Alexander Sacket, who died in September, 1884. She was born in this city on December 10, 1815, when Cleveland was a mere village, and the place where her late home is on Euclid avenue was an unbroken wilderness. Her father, Levi Johnson, was a prominent contractor and builder in the early days of Cleveland, coming from New York state in 1809.
The house in which Mrs. Sacket was born was situated on Superior street, where the Johnson house now stands, and Dr.
89
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION
Long, Cleveland's earliest physician, lived in a brick house just opposite. She attended Mrs. Scranton's school with Dr. Long's daughter-now Mrs. Mary Severance. The school house was a small wooden building on the corner of Bank and St. Clair streets, the seats being little rude wooden benches. When she was still a small girl her father, Levi Johnson, moved from Su- perior street, to a large square house on the bank of the lake, on Water street, later known as the Whittaker house. Here a part of her girlhood was spent. Later she lived in a frame house on the northeast corner of Lake and Water streets, where she was married on the 15th of July, 1836, to the late Alexander Sacket, who came from Sacket's Harbor, N. Y., to Cleveland by stage in 1835. She was just past girlhood at the time of her marriage. The young couple had decided to start their wedding tour by a trip to Buffalo via the boat line then in operation. The vessels were none too regular, and planned journeys were often postponed.
This city seemed then to have been little more than a way port for the Toledo and Buffalo line. In the case of the wedding tour, however, a unique decision was made. It was decided to delay the ceremony until the boat was in sight. Therefore, with minister, guests and relatives assembled at the house, a watch was appointed. After quite a while of anxious suspense the little group of young people, who had been detailed to look out for the boat, rushed in with the good news that the steamer was coming. The ceremony was performed by Dr. Aiken and the young couple were escorted aboard, and Buffalo was reached in safety. Lake Ontario was visited and from there New York city was reached by boat and stage. Upon their return to Cleve- land Mr. and Mrs. Sacket kept house in a dwelling on the southeast corner of Ontario and Champlain streets. Afterward Mr. Sacket built a cottage on Ontario street, between St. Clair and Lake streets, where they lived until they moved to the home on Euclid avenue. Mr. Sacket built the homestead in 1852 and it was here that she passed the remaining years of her
90
ANNALS OF THE
life. Mrs. Sacket always had excellent health up to the last year before her death, and was only seriously ill three weeks, passing away in a painless, peaceful sleep, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, by whom she was ever the honored and beloved center, not only for her sweet and gentle life, but her true Christian character. Mrs. Sacket had several children, two of whom died in infancy, and her son, Mr. Levi Sacket, died only six months previous to her own death. The remaining children are Mrs. V. C. Taylor and Mrs. H. H. Baxter, of this city ; Mrs. H. T. Rumbough, of Hot Springs, N. C., and Mrs. Chas. E. Brown, of Chicago.
MRS. EMELINE MORSE SAXTON.
Mrs. Emeline Morse Saxton died Sept. 28, 1897, at her home, No. 1930 Euclid avenue. She was one of the pioneer resi- dents of Cleveland. She had attained the age of 77 years, the age of her husband when he passed away four years ago.
Mrs. Saxton had been ill for about a year, and her death was not a surprise to those who knew her. It is thought her death was caused by old age.
Mrs. Saxton was Emeline A. Morse before she became the wife of Jehiel Clinton Saxton, and was born in Oxford county, Me., in the year 1821. With her parents she moved to Cuyahoga county in the year 1832. She was married in 1837.
Immediately following her marriage she moved with her hus- band to Cassopolis, Mich., where Mr. Saxton conducted a tem- perance hotel. It was at this place that the first women's suf- frage meeting ever held in Michigan occurred. There were six women present, including Mrs. Saxton.
Mr. and Mrs. Saxton were strong abolitionists, and their hotel was one of the stopping places in the famous "under- ground railway," and many a slave sought protection and re- ceived it under their hospitable roof.
Mr. and Mrs. Saxton later returned to Cleveland and took up their residence on Euclid avenue. Mrs. Saxton at the time
91
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION
of her death had lived on this famous thoroughfare more than forty-four years, and had lived in the house in which she died for almost a generation.
Mr. Saxton, when Cleveland was still a very small place, became interested in the militia, and from orderly worked his way up until he became a brigadier general. He was a surveyor by occupation, and always referred with pride to the Kinsman pike road, which was laid out by him.
Mrs. Saxton shared her husband's strong personality and intrepid character, as did their daughter, Mrs. Josephine Am- mon, who died several years ago. Mrs. Saxton, being a spirit- ualist in religion, braved the scorn of her friends and relatives, who did not believe in this form of worship. She died in this faith.
She leaves seven grandchildren and four great-grandchil- dren. The grandchildren are Mrs. Addie Arnold, of St. Louis; Frank Dowling, John S. Dowling, Mrs. Hattie Ammon Dowl- ing, J. R. Ammon, Harry Ammon and Mark Ammon.
JOHN J. SHIPHERD.
John J. Shipherd died June 2, 1898, very suddenly, in the home on Lake avenue, near Cove street, occupied by himself and his son-in-law, M. H. Solloway, and their wives. Mr. Ship- herd was about 58 years old. He had lived in Cleveland for a long time, and was one of the best known men in the city. He passed away at 9 o'clock, after a few minutes' illness, and before the arrival of the family physician. At 7 o'clock he had felt as well as at any time for two or three months past.
John J. Shipherd was of a Cleveland family, although he spent some time away from here in his early manhood. He married in this city between thirty and forty years ago, Miss Dibble, the daughter of the late Lewis Dibble, a pioneer citi- zen of Cleveland and a man of means, for whom Dibble avenue was named. Two children survive this marriage, Mrs. Florence
92
ANNALS OF THE
Shipherd Solloway, wife of M. H. Solloway, Esq., and Louis C. Shipherd of Kensington street, a merchandise broker. Mrs. Ship- herd also survives.
Mr. Shipherd, sixteen or eighteen years ago formed a part- nership with Charles H. Potter, under the firm name of C. H. Potter & Co., in the banking and investment business. Mr. Pot- ter's connection with this firm has for some time been purely nominal. Later, Mr. Shipherd invested in a number of enter- prises, among them street railway ventures in Fort Wayne, Ind., Cincinnati, and elsewhere. He was also connected with the old Cleveland Cable Railway Company, before its merging into the Cleveland City Railway Company.
Mr. Shipherd was in prosperous days a Union club member and a member of several other social organizations. The family has lived of late years on Prospect street, and on Euclid avenue, and finally on Lake avenue.
ADAM M. WAGAR.
Adam M. Wagar died at his home in Lakewood, August 1, 1897. Mr. Wagar lived for many years in what came to be known as the Wagar homestead on Highland avenue. His death was due as much to his advanced age, perhaps, as to any other cause, though it was hastened by a stroke of paralysis. The end was painless and peaceful. His family were about his bed- side when he breathed his last.
Mr. Wagar had been in feeble health for some time and death, while not immediately expected, when it occurred did not come with the shock of a surprise to the relatives who were with him. He leaves four daughters-Miss Anna Wagar, Miss Min- erva Wagar, Miss Carabel Wagar and Mrs. Arthur R. Bailey.
Mr. Wagar was of commanding presence and of genial tem- perament. He was six feet four inches in height, and was called sometimes "the tall sycamore of Rockport." When he met a
93
EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION
friend it was his habit to grasp his hand and ask cordially : "Well, what's the good news? What's the good news with you?"
His interest in affairs, both local and of a more general na- ture, was intense and noteworthy. Only last fall he was honored by serving as an elector on the Palmer and Buckner ticket. He had been a life-long democrat of the old school, and he did not countenance the repudiation platform of 1893. In local affairs, the political campaigns and interests of his village, Mr. Wagar was enthusiastically engrossed. He was elected for four terms of three years each a justice of the peace of Lakewood, served five years as a township trustee, eight years as school treasurer, and for several years was postmaster of the village. He also showed a keen interest in religious affairs. He was a faithful, consistent and prominent member of the New Jerusalem Swedenborgian church in Lakewood. His father. Mars Wagar, gave the land on which the church was built.
Adam M. Wagar was born in Farmington, N. Y., February 25, 1818. He was the oldest of six children born to Mars and Keturah Wagar. When he was a babe, nine months old. his parents moved to Cleveland, then only a village. They were rowed across the Cuyahoga river in a scow, and during this ferry trip lost part of their household belongings. For two years Adam Wagar's parents lived in various hotels, but they finally settled on a farm on the present Detroit street opposite what is now Warren street. Mr. Wagar's education was acquired at a log school house in Rockport township. He followed agricul- tural pursuits all his active life. He died worth probably $100,000 or more. On March 9. 1848, he married Miss Margaret Kyle, of Steubenville. Her death occurred about two years ago.
Of course Mr. Wagar did not remember the long wagon trip of his pioneer father and mother from New York to far- away Western Ohio, but he did recall some very interesting facts about the early history of Cleveland. For instance, he remem- bered the time when the county jail had doors of logs and he, in passing, saw peering through the barred windows the faces of
94
ANNALS OF THE
men in prison for debt. He remembered when Pearl street was cleared of timber, and when Detroit street was a wooden section except for three or four houses. At that time the letter H was cut into the trees to mark the highway. He knew the pathway of the old stage coach that went between Buffalo and Detroit, pass- ing through his farm, and he remembered vividly the Tippe- canoe Harrison campaign.
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.