Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 101

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1094

USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 101
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 101
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 101

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).

C ORNELIUS WASHBURN, one of the most successful mechanics and con- tractors in brick and stone work, at Ashtabula, Ohio, was born in Ashtabula county, July 1, 1837. He comes of sturdy New England ancestry, his father, Cornelius Washburn, Sr., having been born in Massa- chusetts, whence his parents afterward re- moved to Vermont. He married Lavina Mer- ritt and in 1834 removed from the Green Mountain State to Ohio, settling in Ashta- bula county, where he followed farming. This continued to be his home until his death in 1862, at the age of sixty-six years. His ten children were: Adaline Ann, died in infan- cy; Ann, deceased; Adaline is the wife of P. M. Darling, of Conneaut; Abigail, deceased, in Tennessee, was married to John Pains; Cornelius, subject of this sketch; Lavina, wife of John Dick, of Kingsville; G. H., residing in East Village; and Marnette, wife of Lun Fry, of Lansing, Michigan.

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

Being one of a large family, whose par- ents were in limited circumstances and pio- neers of a new country, the subject of this sketch early learned to rely on his own re- sources. At the age of eleven he began to support himself, working for a number of years for his board and clothing. On becom- ing large and strong enough to work for wages, he was variously employed until twen- ty-seven years of age. He then decided to learn the Mason's trade, and for that purpose secured employment with Messrs. Pratt & Brooks, plasterers and masons, and so indus- triously and persistently did he apply himself that in less than two years he was capable of taking contracts and becoming responsible for their proper execution. On completing his apprenticeship, he became a partner in this business with Elijah Upton, which union continued three years. The succeeding year, Mr. Washburn made a profitable arrangement with Messrs. Brooks Brothers, with whom he continued seven years. Since then he has been alone, except during one season, when he, with George Russell, secured the contract for erecting the water-works buildings and foundations for tanks. Among others, Mr. Washburn has plastered the Haskell, Raser and Sherman residences, the Ducros store and hundreds of minor structures, his work in every instance being a sufficient guarantee of its merit. Nor has this prosperity come by accident, but by arduous and continued endeavor, which might well be emulated by all ambitious young men starting in life for themselves. Mr. Washburn now owns a beautiful place covering an acre in East Vil- lage, which he purchased in 1859, and which he has improved with a handsome residence and ornamental surroundings, until it is now one of the most attractive places in the city.

November 23, 1865, Mr. Washburn was

married in Ashtabula, to Miss Flora Allen, a cultivated lady, daughter of Rev. Henry M. and Elizabeth (Whitford) Allen. Her father was a Baptist minister, originally of Lake George, New York, who removed in 1859 to Pennsylvania, dying in Springboro, that State, in 1875, aged sixty-seven. He was the father of twelve children, ten of whom attained maturity and all but three of whom reside in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Wash- burn have had four children: George Fran- cis, who died in 1880, aged fourteen; Nor- man C., born June 11, 1870, a mason by oc- cupation, married Miss Addie May Smith, of Springfield, Pennsylvania; Leland M., born March 8, 1872, also a mason by trade, assists his father; and Allie S., born March 2, 1879, died June 19, 1890, of lockjaw, occasioned by running a piece of corn stubble into his foot.

Fraternally, Mr. and Mrs Washburn are members of the Royal Templars of Temper- ance and both belong to the Congregational Church. Both enjoy the highest regard of the community in which they have lived so long and to the material and moral advance- ment of which they have greatly contributed.

W ILSON LAMPMAN, one of the sub- stantial farmers of Chardon township, Geauga county, Ohio, was born at Granby, Oswego county, New York, Septem- ber 19, 1828, a son of Stephen P. Lampman, a native of New York also, born in Rensselaer county, November 17, 1788. Isaac Lampman, the grandfather, was a native of Germany, and emigrated to America when a young man ; he located in New York State, and followed farming. Stephen P. was reared to agricult- ural pursuits, and, believing the opportunities

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

better in the West, removed to Ohio in 1831, settling in Delaware county. He died in 1842, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife's name was Susan Lowen; her father was born on the coast of England, and when a boy used to take short trips with the cap- tain of one of the vessels. The captain finally induced the lad's parents to allow him to come to America, but left him in New York upon his return, poor and friendless. He served through the war of the Revolution under Washington. Susan Lowen Lampman was born at Danby, Rutland county, Vermont, September 13, 1790, and died April 5, 1869. The father of Wilson Lampman was twice married; he had two children by the first wife, and thirteen by the second.

The subject of this notice is the tenth of the family; he remained at home until his father's death, which occurred when he was fourteen years old. He then came to Geauga county to live with a brother who was resid- ing in Munson township. His opportunities for acquiring an education were meager, as ill health often prevented his attending the short winter sessions of school.

He became a sailor on the lakes, and for two years was on Lake Erie. He then went to St. Louis, where he remained one year, giving his attention to agriculture. Return- ing to Geauga county in 1850, he was mar- ried to Miss Marion Knight, who was born in this county, a daughter of Charles P. and Amanda (Hazen) Knight, who were born in Vermont and came to Ohio as early as 1827.

Mr. Knight was born in 1801 and died in 1877; Mrs. Knight survives, at the age of ninety years, and resides with Mr. Lampman. After his marriage Mr. Lampman engaged in farming in Munson township, but in 1864 joined the emigrant train moving to the West, and went to Marshall county, Iowa, where he

remained one season, during which time he followed farming. Upon his return to Ohio he lived in Ottawa county for a year, and then removed to Parkman township, Geauga county, where he bought a tract of land. Two years afterward he went to Munson township, and in the fall of 1872 he bought his present farm in Chardon township. He has 216 acres of land, eleven acres of which are fine timber land, embracing a fine maple grove of 800 trees, and first-class improve- ments.

Mr. and Mrs. Lampman had born to them five children: Lowen C., Mary A., Frankie M., George, deceased, and James. The mother died in December, 1889. Mr. Lamp- man has represented the people of the town- ship as Trustee for three terms, and has given excellent satisfaction. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, and belongs to the Dis- ciples' Church. In politics he is a Republi- can. Although he began life without means he has accumulated a competence for his de- clining years.

OWELL E. COMAN, a highly respected citizen of Geauga county, is one of the typical pioneers of Ohio, and has braved the dangers, trials and privations of life on the frontier to the end that the frontier might still farther recede toward the setting sun, and the generation of pioneers might be known to the future only in history. He was born in Windham county, Connecticut, No- vember 25, 1825, a son of Uriah Coman, who was born in the same county in 1798. The grandfather, Stephen Coman, was also a na- tive of Connecticut, and his father was a passenger on the Mayflower. Stephen Co- man was a farmer by occupation, and died at the age of eighty-eight years. Uriah Co-

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man, in his youth, was employed in the cotton mills of Killingly, Connecticut, but in 1837 came to Ohio with his wife and six children. They located in Chardon township, Geauga county, where they bought a piece of land, which was improved to the extent of a log cabin. Settlers were few and far between, and deer, bears and wild turkey's abounded. Mr. Coman died at the age of eighty-four years. His wife, whose maiden name was Roxana Chase, was a native of Connecticut; she died in 1891, at the age of eighty-eight years. They had a family of six children, three of whom survive.

Lowell E. is the eldest, and only son living. He was reared amid the wild surroundings of a pioneer settlement, and secured his edu- cation in the little log schoolhouse that was furnished with slab benches and heated with an open fire-place, having a stick-and-mud chimney. He was also a pupil at the Kirt- land Academy when Professor Lord was an instructor there.

He lived at home until he was twenty years of age, and in 1845 he went back to Connec- ticut and found employment in the cotton mills of Killingly. He soon became foreman and had charge of the looms in two rooms. He was married in Connecticut in 1847, to Miss Caroline Brown, of Worcester county, Massachusetts, and in the spring of 1848 he and his wife came to Ohio, settling in Char- don township, Geauga county. Mr. Coman purchased 112 acres of land, which he cleared and improved. At the end of five years he sold this tract and purchased his present farm in Chardon township. He has done a great deal of hard work, and has placed under cul- tivation 100 acres of as fine land as lies within the borders of Geagua county.

Mr. and Mrs. Coman are the parents of four children: Frank, Malissa and Annette

are deceased, while Clara survives. She was married to Alva Welch. They have one child, Katie Emma. Mr. Coman has adopted Albert W., son of James Ferry, deceased. Mr. Coman is a Republican in politics, and has held several local offices. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., of which he is a most worthy member.

HARLES H. KING .- Few residents of Painesville, Ohio, or its vicinity, are more deserving of notice than the sub- ject of this sketch, who, both by birth and ancestry, is irrevocably bound to the place.

His grandfather, Hezekiah King, was born in Tolland, Connecticut, December 21, 1785, and in the winter of 1807, at the age of twenty-two, he started for the western fron- tier, with a wagon and a span of horses. He was many weeks in reaching Buffalo, New York, whence he came on the ice to Fairport Harbor, Ohio. He first settled in Middle- field, Geauga county, this State, where he re- sided until 1811, at which time he came to Painesville, then consisting of eleven small frame houses. Here Mr. King conducted a hotel, situated opposite C. A. Avery's present residence on State street, and afterward had charge of one on Main street, being in the hotel business for twenty-five years. That being a time of general emigration to the West, and he being on the thoroughfare of travel, he made money, accumulating a com- fortable competence, upon which he retired. He married Ann Wallace, a native of Ac- worth, New Hampshire, where she was born in 1784, being the daughter of James Wal- lace, a well known resident of that place. She was a faithful wife and mother, and a noble representative of the pioneer women of that day, who did their part in reclaiming

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

this country from a wilderness, and helped to plant the seeds of civilization in a new and unimproved vicinity. Indians were plentiful in those days, game of all kinds abounded and the forests stood in their primitive grand-

eur. Here this worthy couple reared six children, all of whom are now deceased. De- cember 23, 1852, the family and numerous friends were called upon to mourn the loss of the wife and mother, whose noble heroism in helping to make a home in this new coun- try can scarcely be appreciated by a later generation. The husband and father sur- vived her loss a little more than ten years, expiring in the midst of his family and friends, May 17, 1863, greatly lamented by all who knew him.

George W. King, father of the subject of this sketch, widely and favorably known in this vicinity as a successful farmer and wor- thy citizen, was born in Acworth, New Hamp- shire, April 1, 1806, and was three years of age when he accompanied his parents to Painesville. His education was secured in the pioneer log schoolhouse of his day. The scho- lastic institution was furnished with slab bench- es with wooden pins for legs, and received its heat from a large, open fireplace. Indians were numerous, frequently calling at the va- rious cabins to make their wants known; deer roamed the country, and the streams abounded in fish. Mr. King was variously employed until 1835, at which time he entered the grocery business in Painesville. This he dis- continued the following year and bought a farm of 107 acres, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for the rest of his days. He commenced life with little means, but by hard work and perseverance successfully cleared, improved and cultivated his land, and by economy secured a competence for his old age. He married Sarah Adams, a

native of Hallowell, Maine, where she was born January 25, 1814, accompanying her parents to Painesville when she was young. Mr. and Mr. George King reared four chil- dren; Harriet A., deceased; Charles H., the subject of this sketch; Benjamin H., and Elizabeth, deceased. The mother, a devout member of the Presbyterian Church, died in that faith at the age of seventy-one years, greatly mourned by all who knew her. The father, who was an ardent Democrat and somewhat radical in his support of those prin- ciples which he considered the mainstay of the country, died in November, 1881, sin- cerely lamented as a man of sterling worth and generous heart.

Charles H. King, of this sketch, was the second child and was born in Painesville, July 5, 1836. He grew up on the home farm and secured his education in the district and high schools of Painesville. On attaining his ma- jority, he went, in September, 1857, to Madison, Wisconsin, where he was for a time in Government employ as a clerk in the State Treasurer's office. He later lived for a year in Green county, the same State, but on the outbreak of the war, he enlisted, April 19, 1861, in Company C, of the Third Wisconsin Infantry, and joined the Army of the Po- tomac, going to Harper's Ferry, where he experienced his first battle. He afterward participated in the battles of Winchester, Banks' retreat, Cedar Mountain, second Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain and Atlanta, and marched with Sherman to the sea. He enlisted in the service three times, and was one of those to participate in the Grand Review at Washing- ton. He was retained in the army with the expectation of being sent to Mexico, but ar- riving at Louisville, Kentucky, was mustered out of the service, in October, 1865.

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

On the close of the war, Mr. King returned to Wisconsin, where he remained a year, after which he went to Miami county, Kansas, where he resided from the fall of 1866 until that of 1872, being engaged in farming and in the grocery business. He then returned to his first love, the home of his birth, and later bought the home farm of 107 acres, which the kindly hands of his father and mother helped to reclaim from a wilderness. It is all now improved, except a small portion yet in timber, and is cultivated to mixed farming.

In December, 1867, Mr. King was married in Miami county, Kansas, to Esther Oren- dorff, a native of Waukesha, Wisconsin, whose father was born in Kentucky and set- tled in the Badger State in 1837. Our sub- ject and wife have had eight children, of whom seven are living: Arthur is deceased; the names of the survivors being: Harry, Elizabeth, Lily, Ruth, Sarah, David and Frank.

Politically, Mr. King follows in the foot- steps of his father before him, being a strong advocate of Democracy. He has, like the sun, traveled in a circle of many weary miles, and witnessed many changing scenes, and at last is housed in the home of his youth and amidst the surroundings of his birth.

L ORENZO D. CARVER was born in Chardon township, Geauga county, Ohio, April 18, 1824, a son of Solomon Carver, of Hartford, Connecticut., The latter emigrated to Ohio with his family and set- tled in Chardon township when there were only eight families living within its borders; he became one of the most prominent men of the community, and assisted in cutting out

the road from Painesville to Chardon. His wife died soon after locating here, and he was married to Laura Clough, a member of one of the pioneer families. He was a skillful hunter, and killed much wild game which abounded in this section. Three of his broth- ers were graduates of Oberlin College, and became well-known in their respective call- ings. He died at the age of eighty-four years, and the second wife at the age of sixty-eight years. They reared a family of ten children to maturity, and not one of the six sons ever used tobacco or strong drink. Lorenzo D. received his education in the common schools and in the select academy, which he attended two terms. When he became of age his father gave him sufficient cloth for a new coat, and with this gift he started out to make his way in the world. He worked by the month un- til he accumulated some money, and also hunted and trapped with marked success. When he had means sufficient he bought a farm of 160 acres in Mckean county, Penn- sylvania. Some time afterward he sold this tract at a small profit, and it was subsequently discovered that it contained a rich bed of an- thracite coal.

In 1852, he joined a small party of ac- quaintances and went to California in search of gold; he made the trip via the Isthmus from New York, and spent two years in the mines in the Fremont tract in Mariposa county. He entered into no speculations, but was content with steady earnings. Upon his return to the East he engaged in farm- ing, and later went to Canada, where he went into the lumber business, but the changes in the tariff laws rendered his busi- ness unprofitable there, so he came back to Geauga county. He has owned in Char- don township several farms, which he has improved and sold. Ile has always been an

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

untiring worker, a good manager, and en- thusiastic in the general advancement of the community. He spent several months in 1884, prospecting in Colorado.

Mr. Carver was married in 1848, to Amanda, daughter of Holmes Mahew, of Trumbull county, Ohio. They have a family of five children: Marian, Elgin, Alice, Lil- lian and Belle. Arnold is not living. The daughters are all married and well settled in life. Mr. Carver has a fine farm of 140 acres, which is in a high state of cultiva- tion and well improved with substantial buildings. He has inherited his father's fondness for sports, and his skill as marksman. He belongs to Willoughby Hunting Club, and has in the past six years hunted in five different States of the Union, and killed twenty deer.

In politics he is a Democrat.

M ILFORD B. SMITH, one of the most progressive and intelligent young farmers of Chardon township, was born in Geauga county, Ohio, August 20, 1856, a son of Oliver Smith, also a native of Geauga county, born October 12, 1825. The grandfather, Loren Smith, was a native of Vermont, born October 29, 1795; he emigrated to Geauga county, Ohio, at an early day, bringing his family and mak- ing the trip by team. He took up land on what is now known as King street, Char- don, built a log house, and cleared a farm. His wife, Almeda Canfield, was born De- cember 31, 1800, and died July 6, 1855. They had born to them thirteen children, eleven of whom lived to maturity. Both were consistent members of the Disciples' Church. Mr. Smith died April 15, 1854. Oliver

Smith, the father of Milford B., was the fourth-born and second son. Albert Smith, a son, went to California during the gold ex- citement of 1849, and finally became editor of a Monticello (Iowa) newspaper. Oliver Smith was a farmer by occupation, but in later life engaged in mercantile pursuits at Chardon. The failure of his parents' health necessitated his return to the old homestead, where he cared for them during the remain- der of their lives and there also passed his declining years. He died July 9, 1882. He was a prominent member of the communi- ty, active in public and religious movements. He was an honored member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities. He married Jane Randall, who was born in Geauga county, Ohio, October 4, 1829, a daughter of Jason Randall, a pioneer of Geauga county. Their union occurred January 1, 1850, and the wife survived to March 12, 1865, leav- ing a family of three children: Alice M., born September 23, 1853, is the wife of Henry E. Branch; Milford B. and Emma J., born September 22, 1860; two children died in infancy. Mr. Smith was married a second time November 12, 1865, to Nancy E. Little, who is yet living; no children were born of this union. Oliver Smith was a life-long member of the Disciple Church, and held the position of financial Deacon for twenty years. During the last few years of his life his time was devoted almost entirely to the settlement of estates, as executor or administrator, and when he died he left a large amount of this business for his son to close up. He was a Trustee of the township for more than fif- teen years.

Mr. Smith, the subject of this sketch, passed an uneventful youth, attending the district schools until the age of fourteen years, when he entered the village school at

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

Chardon, and at the age of twenty years began teaching. Although he pursued this calling only two terms he earned an enviable repu- tation as an educator, having conducted one of the best schools ever taught in Munson township. Abandoning his profession on account of his father's ill health, he returned to the farm to take charge of the business there.

He was married September 26, 1878, to Huldie A. Lacey, a native of Portage county, Ohio, and a daughter of Ralph and Achsah (Little) Lacey, whose families emigrated from Massachusetts to the West in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of three children: Birdie A., born June 4, 1880; Mertie A., born August 4, 1882; and Kittie M., born September 10, 1884. They are members of the Disciple Church, taking an active part in its various work. Mr. Smith has been Superintendent of the Sunday- school for six years, and conducts a large bi- ble class.

He has been very successful in his farm- ing, and has a finely improved place, consist- ing of 110 acres with good farm buildings. He has 500 sugar-trees and a vineyard and orchard, and carries on a general agricultural business after the most approved methods. In politics Mr. Smith is a Republican.

H ON. LESTER TAYLOR, the oldest living resident of northeastern Ohio, was born at Hartland, Hartford county, Connecticut, August 5, 1798, a son of Childs Taylor, a native of Connec- ticut; Prince Taylor, the grandfather of Lester Taylor, was also born in Connecticut, a son of Prince Taylor, Sr., who emigrated from Taylor's Wells, county Kent, England,

to America. Childs Taylor was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, stationed at Ticonde- roga, New York, and Montreal, Canada; he was also in the service in the South, participating in the engagements at Princeton and Ger- mantown. He married Rhoda Bates. daughter of Captain Oliver Bates, of Durham, Con- necticut, whose ancestors were of Welsh descent, tracing their lineage to Colonel Hinsdale, for whom the town of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, is named. Lester Taylor received an ordinary education, as his father was unable to send him to an academy. It was the hope and ambition of his youth to gain a superior education, but his aid was needed on the farm, and after he was ten years of age he did not attend the summer sessions of school. At the age of seventeen he began to teach, and two years later he joined his brother Horace in Claridon town- ship, Geauga county, Ohio. Although of slight build physically, the gigantic task of subduing the wild land, felling the timbers and establishing a home in the wilderness did not appall him. He built a cabin under the shadow of the towering trees, planted rose bushes about it and made it as attractive as possible for the bride who was to occupy it. He returned to Connecticut in 1821, and was there married to Miss Mary L. Wilder May 2, same year. They came to their home in the West on their wedding journey and began the toils and struggles of life that have ended in honor and victory.

His home farm of 105 acres, which he cleared, was, at the time he settled thereon, somewhat isolated, there being no neighbors to the north within a distance of three miles. In 1832 he erected the house which he now occupies.

During the winter season Judge Taylor taught school, and a few years ago the sur-

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viving pupils of the session taught in Men- tor in 1819 held a re-union, which was a not- able gathering. The Fourth of July, 1821, he delivered the first address in Claridon celebrating our Independence Day. At an early day he organized a literary and debat- ing society in Claridon, which continued for many years, and doubtless had a wide in- fluence in the development and expression of thought upon the leading topics of the time.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 101

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1094

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1094