Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 109

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 109
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 109
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 109

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).

In early life Mr. H. N. Havens learned the trade of shoemaker and worked at that trade for five years. Then he began working at the carpenter's trade and has since been en-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

gaged in contracting and building. He is a natural mechanic. Since 1888 he has been identified with the firm of Wright & Havens, which firm has from the beginning done a most successful business, their business amounting the past year to about $50,000.

Mr. Havens was married September 3, 1867, to Miss Mary E. Loucks, daughter of John R. and Eunice Loucks, both of whom are de- ceased. Mrs. Havens was a devoted wife and loving mother and was a member of the Christian Church. Her untimely death oc- curred in 1874, at the age of twenty-six years. She left two children, Eunice and Ralph B. The former died at the age of eleven years. Ralph B. is an expert wood turner, probably not having a superior in the State, and he is in the employ of the Glenville Standard Manufacturing Company. He married Miss Kate Woodbury, daughter of T. W. Wood- bury, of Conneaut, and has one child, Nelson. After the death of his mother, Ralph B. spent six years in the Wade family at Ando- ver, this county, Mr. Wade being a brother of Mrs. Colfax, wife of the vice president. He was educated in the schools of that place, and while he was there the Colfax family visited Mr. Wade and one of the Colfax boys and Ralph became fast friends.

The subject of this sketch, like his father, affiliates with the Republican party.

D R. C. F. RODGERS, a dentist of Con- neaut, Ohio, was born in Hamilton county, this State, June 16, 1863, son of Robert E. and Clara R. (Allison) Rodgers, natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively.

Robert E. Rodgers started out in life as cashier of the First National Bank of Iron- ton, Ohio, of which institution his father,

James Rodgers, was president. James Rod- gers died some time in the early '60s. After leaving the bank Robert E. turned his atten- tion to the wholesale grocery business in Cin- cinnati, in which he was engaged previous to the war. When President Lincoln called for 75,000 soldiers he enlisted as a private for three months, and at the end of that time re- turned and raised a company of his own- Company C, which was a part of the Fourth Ohio Cavalry. With that company he served until late in 1864, when, having contracted chronic diarrhea and being unfitted for service, he returned home on furlough. A few months later he was discharged on ac- count of disability. He participated in numerous engagements, and a braver and truer soldier than he never went into battle. He was promoted to the rank of Major and also served as Colonel, but was discharged be- fore he received his commission as Colonel. Twice he was wounded. After his discharge he went to Minnesota, hoping a change of climate would benefit his health. He, how- ever, received little relief and his disease finally merged into consumption, of which he died in 1872, aged forty-one years. His widow is still living, now a resident of Ithaca, New York. They had a family of four chil- dren, namely: H. O., manager of the Acme Oil Company at Hazleton, Pennsylvania; Dr. C. F., whose name heads this sketch; Mirina H. and Eleanor, who reside with their mother.

Dr. C. F. Rodgers received his education in the public schools of Cincinnati. He spent two years with Dr. Charles Mason, at Wheel- ing, West Virginia, from which place he went to the Philadelphia Dental College, graduating there in 1888. After practicing his profession nearly two years in Philadel- phia, he entered into a partnership with Dr. W. E. Magill & Son in Erie, Pennsylvania,

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and remained there until December, 1891, when he came to Conneant. Here he has built up an excellent practice and is regarded not only as a skillful dentist but also as a most worthy citizen.

He was married July 22, 1891, to Miss Catherine Nellis, of Gerald, Pennsylvania, daughter of P. H. Nellis, a prominent hotel proprietor of that place. They have one child, Geraldine Allison. Both the Doctor and his wife are members of the First Congre- gational Church of Conneaut. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, of which organization he is Vice Chancellor.

A LEXANDER SUTHERLAND, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Denmark township, Ashtabula coun- ty, Ohio, was born in West Kelberg township, Simcoe county, Canada West, on Christmas day, 1827. His parents, William and Margaret (Gunn) Sutherland, were na- tives of Sutherlandshire, Scotland, the for- mer born in 1777, and they grew up and were married in that shire. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Captain of the Forty-second Highlanders, and was one of the survivors of the battle of Waterloo.

The father was a farmer and gardener by occupation, which he followed for a number of years in his native country, but with a view of availing himself of the enlarged op- portunities afforded by the New World, he and his worthy wife sailed for Canada in 1809, in a colony of eighty persons, sent to Canada by Lord Selkirk. This voyage was accompanied by rough weather, which lasted many weeks, the vessel at last losing its course and the colony being finally landed on

the Pacific coast. The colony secured a French guide and heroically started on foot for Toronto, Canada. The hardships and privations they encountered and endured on this long and perilous journey would make a long story. They were eighteen months on the way and traveled by way of Fort Wayne, Indiana, at that time a military post far out on the frontier, surrounded by a small settlement. The oldest sister of the subject of this sketch was born in the wilder- ness on the way. From Fort Wayne they proceeded to Toronto, Canada, which was then called Little York, and consisted of a small settlement of log huts, but which was very welcome to the weary wayfarers. Here the father worked by the month for three years, and by economy finally accumulated sufficient means to buy a farm, which he did. This was situated in West Simcoe county and consisted of 100 acres of unimproved land. On this he built a log cabin and thus made a start for himself in the New World. This continued his home until the remainder of his life, and by careful cultivation and con- tinued improvements became a valuable farm. His industrious helpmate was an efficient aid in securing their new home, her labors and wise economy contributing in no small measure to their prosperity. She was married at the age of sixteen, and was the mother of four sons and six daughters, all of whom attained maturity. The family were deprived by death of its head and protector on April 1, 1837, and the care and support of its members fell on the bereaved mother. How well she performed her part is attested by the honorable positions held by her chil- dren, and at once mark her as having been a woman of more than ordinary ability and strength of character. This noble woman survived until 1891, dying at the good old

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age of ninety-six, in the enjoyment of the esteem of all who knew her. Both parents were devout members of the Presbyterian Church, in which the father was a Deacon at the time of his death.

The subject of this sketch was but ten years of age when his father died, and owing to that and the newness of the country and lack of educational facilities, received but slight schooling. This, however, was com- pensated for by a naturally quick intellect and a studions disposition, which led him by self-culture to acquire extensive and useful information. He resided at home, contrib- uting his share of labor toward the general support until he was married, at the age of twenty-four, when, with his wife and ox team, he commenced life for himself on 100 acres of unimproved land. He built a log cabin in the midst of the woods, and, com- mencing to fell the trees and burn the brush, in time cleared his farm for cultivation. After this followed a few years of hardy pioneer life, when he sold out in June, 1866, and removed to Ohio. He at first rented a farm near Jefferson, from which he moved the following year to Wayne township. Here he remained until 1870, at which time he bought a farm in Lenox township, and in 1877 purchased 128 acres of his present place. This had a small clearing, and be immediately engaged in removing the rest of the timber, preparatory to the cultivation of the land. He later bought 260 acres more, south of his farm, which was covered with hemlock and hard-wood timber, and which he manufactured into all grades of lumber, realizing from his investment a handsome profit. He lost in the forest fires of 1881 much valuable timber. His farm is now all cleared and under a good state of cultivation, ranking with the best in the county. He is

extensively engaged in the raising of fine horses, which, in connection with his agri- cultural products, brings him in a comfort- able income. He now has a neat and attract- ive house of nine rooms, well equipped with all modern conveniences, and a barn, 24 x 50 feet, also provided with all necessary im- provements, besides out-buildings, sheds, etc. His home occupies a pleasing site and ren- dered attractive by surroundings of trees and shrubbery, all breathing an air of thrift and contentment.

June 5, 1851, Mr. Sutherland was married, in his native county, to Miss Agnes Tanner, a lady of rare worth of character, who was born in London, England, August 11, 1823, and received the best educational advantages. Her father, George Tanner, was a native of Tenterden, county Kent, England, and a graduate of Lind Veterinary College, his occupation being veterinary surgery. In 1831 he also sought a home in the New World, settling in Aurora, Ontario, on Young street, where he practiced his profession for a number of years. He later removed to the vicinity of Essy, where he bought a farm and followed agricultural pursuits in connection with surgery. He subsequently went to En- nisville township, and died in Wellington Square (now called Burlington), Halton county, Ontario, in 1865, regretted by all who knew him. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland have nine children: John, born May 14, 1852, is a prosperous merchant of New Lyme, Ohio; William, born November 5, 1854, is a dealer in real-estate and building interests in Ashtabula Harbor; Hugh, born July 3, 1857, is a veterinary surgeon and resides in Andover; Samuel, born April 23, 1859, is a merchant and the Postmaster of Denmark; Benjamin, born April 14, 1861, is variously engaged in business at Ashtabula Harbor;

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

Ada and Emma, twins, were born June 26, 1868, the former married to Arthur Griffith, of Andover, and the latter the wife of Homer Chapin, of Eagleville; Agnes, born May 24, 1865 (the queen's birthday), now wife of William Morton, of Ashtabula; and Betsey, born June 16, 1867, wife of V. L. Chapin, of Jefferson.

Politically, Mr. Sutherland is a Republi- can, and has been honored by his constitu- ents with various offices of trust. He is now an efficient member of the School Board, and has ably filled the office of Township Super- visor. Mrs. Sutherland is an active member of the Presbyterian Church and prominent in all good works. She is a model house- keeper and good neighbor, and enjoys the esteem of all who know her. Although not belonging to any particular church, Mr. Sutherland is equally interested in the pro- motion of all objects of moral worth, while few, if any, of his fellow-citizens have con- tributed as much to the general material ad- vancement of his community as he has, and he justly deserves the high regard which he so universally enjoys.

AMES B. FRENCH, a farmer of Ash- tabula county, was born in Genesee county, New York, January 6, 1824, a son of William Manley French, who was born near the State line of Maine. The lat- ter was a soldier in the war of 1812, and in 1838 located on a farm in Williamsfield township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he died at the age of sixty- four years. His wife, nee Hannah Beebee, a daughter of a Revo- lutionary soldier, departed this life at the age of seventy-two years. Their children were: Lucia, William, James B., Clarence, Homer,

John, Rachel, Chauncey and Nelson. The father was a farmer and carpenter by occu- pation, and a Jacksonian Democrat in his political views.

James B. French drove to Chicago in 1846, which was then a small village, and later made his way to Marengo, sixty miles west, locating on a farm of 260 acres. On his way there he was compelled to drive through deep water for a distance of six miles. Ow- ing to the wet condition of the country at that time he contracted the ague, and was forced to return to his old home in Ohio. After living in Crawford county, Pennsyl- vania, two years, Mr. French located on his present farm of ninety-six acres, in Ashta- bula county, where he is engaged in general farming and dairying. He owns a fine blooded horse, sired by Gold Leaf, which gives great promise. At four years it made a record of thirty-one and a quarter.

Mr. French was married at the age of twenty-three years, to Louise Veits, a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of Zophar and Tassa (Hillyer) Veits. To this union was born four children: Ellen A., Volney F., Ida W. and Homer D. The wife and mother died April 23, 1857, and February 11, 1858, Mr. French was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Houghton. They had the following children: Clarine M., Florine L., James M., Agnes, Frances, Edith, and two sons and a daughter deceased in infancy. Mrs. French died January 21, 1884. October 28, 1885, our subject married Mrs. Jane Clark, who was born in Andover township, this county, and a daughter of William Smith, an early settler of his locality. By her former hus- band, William Y. Clark, she had two chil- dren: Alda, wife of William Johnson, of Pennsylvania; and Pleyra. Mr. French votes with the Democratic party, and has held the

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position of Township Trustee several terms. During the late war he assisted in raising troops from this township, and he is one of the representative citizens of Ashtabula county.

S R. KINGSLEY, one of the well-known early settlers of Andover township, Ashtabula county, was born at White- hall, Washington county, New York, Janu- ary 29, 1814, a son of William Kingsley, a native of Long Island. The latter's father, Peleg Kingsley, was of English ancestry. William, father of our subject, moved to Washington county, New York, when seven years of age. He married Miss Zorado Norton, a native of Massachusetts, and a daughter of Captain Joseph Norton, who was engaged in sailing whaling vessels. His death occurred at the age of ninety-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley died in this county, the former at the age of seventy-six years, and the latter at the age of eighty-two years. They had eight children: Lucy, Aaron, Samuel R., William, Martha, Ursula, Adeliza and N. C. The father was a farmer by oc- cupation, and a Republican in his political views.

S. R. Kingsley, the subject of this sketch, located in Andover township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1853. In 1871 he came to his present farm of 133 acres, located one and a half miles south of West Andover, all of which is well improved. He is engaged in general farming and dairying.

Mr. Kingsley was married at the age of twenty-one years, to Miss Mary Mason, a daughter of Calvin and Polly (Burgess) Mason. The maternal family are of English descent. Our subject and wife have had the following children: George, a florist of

Wooster, Ohio: Algernon, a soldier in the Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the late war, was wounded during his service, and now resides in Andover township; Charley, deceased; Alameda, who married L. R. Bartholomew, died in 1874, leaving three children: S. K., Minnie E. and A. Melvina, the two latter engaged in teaching; Ida, wife of H. A. Lewis, of Andover town- ship; and William Calvin, deceased at the age of thirty-seven years, leaving a widow and one child, Ida. Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley have eleven grandchildren. They celebrated their golden wedding February 27, 1885. Mr. Kingsley is a stanch Republican, and has held the office of Township Trustee. He is a Deacon in the Baptist Church.

SRAEL F. HUGHES, a typical pioneer and a man honored and respected by a wide circle of acquaintances, is worthy of the space that is accorded him in this record of the leading men of Geauga county. Quickly responsive to all calls for church and charity, he has won the deep gratitude of the needy and a warm place in the hearts of those laboring for the uplifting of humanity. He is a native of New York, born in Greene county, March 13, 1826, being a son of Ira Hughes, a New Yorker by birth, born Feb- ruary 22, 1796, and married October 13, 1822, and grandson of Israel Hughes, of Connecticut. The last named was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and died in the service. Ira Hughes was a cooper by trade, and in 1834 he removed to the West, making the journey by the Erie canal and overland by team. From Buffalo he traveled by the lake to Cleveland, reaching that city in its infancy. In Huntsburg township he

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

bought land which constitutes the farm of our subject, only ten acres being cleared at that time, and the only improvement being a log house. With the aid of his sons he placed the land under cultivation. His wife was not idle during this time, but made every effort to bear her share of the burden; she spun and wove all the clothing of the family, and reared eleven of the thirteen children born to her. Her maiden name was Sarah Serrin, and she was a native of New York State, born in Greene county, January 6, 1799. She died at Huntsburg, September 15, 1863, at the age of seventy years. She was a consistent member of the Baptist Church and a most excellent woman. The father lived to the age of eighty-two years, departing this life in January, 1878. His ancestors were Democrats, and in early life he supported that party; but, changing his ideas of government, he joined the Free-soil party, and later gave his vote to the Whigs and then to the Republican party. Three of the sons,-Harrison, Ira and Howard,-took an active part in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting September 10, 1861, in the Forty- first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Harrison was killed by a shell while guarding a battery at Murfreesborough, and was buried on the battle-field; Ira was killed May 7, 1864, near Dallas, at the beginning of the Atlanta cam- paign, and the place of his burial is not known; Howard survived the war.

Israel F. Hughes is the third-born of the family. He attended school in Greene coun- ty, New York, and after coming to the fron- tier was a pupil in the pioneer log school- house of that period. At the age of twenty- one years he began life for himself, although at the age of fourteen he had worked for wages, giving his money to help pay for the farm. He was married March 26, 1851, to

Mary A. Scott, who was born at Rome, Ash- tabula county, Ohio. Her parents, Joseph and Polly (Faunce) Scott, were natives of New York State, and were pioneers of Ash- tabula county. The father was a skillful hunter, and brought down many a bear, deer, wolf and panther. He died at the age of fifty-two years, and his wife lived to the age of sixty-two years. They had six children, four of whom grew to maturity. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes became the parents of seven children: Edgar, deceased; Friend J .; Lil- lian A., deceased; Adelbert; Ina M .; Myrtle, deceased; and Lina B. Mr. Hughes worked at carpentry for a few years, and then bought his father's place, on which he has since re- sided. He has 125 acres, well improved and in a high state of cultivation. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, and has served as Trustee of his township. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. He and his wife and children are worthy and con- sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are highly esteemed in the com- munity.

S IDNEY S. STULTS, senior member of the well-known firm of Stults & Son, proprietors of the flouring mills in East Orwell, Ashtabula county, Ohio, was born in Colebrook township, this county, November 21, 1836. His parents, Peter and Sallie Ann (Jayne) Stults, were natives of New York State, born in 1807 and 1806 respectively, and both were members of old and respected American families. In 1874 Peter Stults died, aged sixty-seven years, leaving his fam- ily and many friends to mourn his loss. He was a hard-working, intelligent, honest farm- er, kindly in disposition and a favorite with

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all who knew him. His worthy widow still survives, in the enjoyment of moderate health and universal esteem, with the prospect of many years of usefulness before her.

The subject of this review was afforded excellent educational advantages. His father, who had necessarily been deprived of the means of securing a liberal education, real- ized the practical value of such training, and was solicitous that his son should be thus fortified for the work of life. Our subject was given an opportunity to attend the home schools, and subsequently rounded up his educational training by attending Hillsdale (Michigan) College for two terms and Ober- lin (Ohio) College for one year. He also enjoyed the added advantage of a cultured and refined home, where he was trained to habits of industry, honesty and economy,- themselves an education of the highest im- portance. By close application to the prac- tical affairs of life, Mr. Stults became in time a thorough business man. After a few years at farming he engaged in the milling business, purchasing a flouring mill in Rome, making extensive repairs upon the same, and operating it successfully for fourteen years. He then sold his property there and removed to East Orwell, where, in 1884, in partner- ship with Salem Kile, he erected the Orwell Flouring Mills. After four years Mr. Kile's interest in the business was purchased by Mr. Stults, who then admitted to partner- ship his son, Elwin M., and the business has since been conducted under the firm name of S. S. Stults & Son. Since the building of their plant they have greatly remodeled and improved their mill, placing in it a complete roller process and other modern machinery, until they now have as thoroughly equipped a plant as is to be found in the country. Its capacity is eighty barrels daily and its prod-

uct is unexcelled, finding a ready and prof- itable market. In connection with their milling interests, this firm is largely engaged in shipping all kinds of grain, besides which they also have a coal yard, from which they supply their numerous patrons. This pros- perity is not by any means a matter of chance, but is entirely due to thorough busi- ness principles, perseverance, industry and close attention to details, success following as day the night.

Mr. Stults was first married to Miss Emily Martin, a lady of estimable worth of char- acter, and they had four children: Elta M .; Elwin M., who married Miss Nettie Bab- cock, daughter of Charles Babcock, a pioneer of Orwell township; Helen A .; and Bernice A., a musician of talent and note. The fam- ily were deprived by death, in September, 1877, of the loving wife and mother, whose interests had ever been subservient to their welfare. She was a devout member of the Baptist Church at Colebrook, and an active worker in that and all worthy causes. June 10, 1878, Mr. Stults was married to Miss Mary J. Bassett, an intelligent and refined lady of engaging disposition and manner. They have no children. Mrs. Stults is a member of the Baptist Church.

In politics Mr. Stults strongly supports the principles of the Republican party. IIe is, fraternally, a member of the Masonic order and also the I. O. O. F. His enterprise has materially aided his community, and he justly ranks as one of its best citizens.

J B. MILLER .-- Among the enterpris- ing business men of Jefferson, Ohio, the subject of this sketch holds first rank as being a man of energy and thoroughly alive to the needs of the public in his line.

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

T. B. Miller, a prominent grocer and re- spected citizen of Jefferson, was born in Austinburg, Ohio, August 3, 1858. His parents, Benneville and Elizabeth (Poorman) Miller, were natives of Pennsylvania and New York State, respectively, the former born near Meadville. Grandfather Daniel Miller was a native of Holland, who settled in Meadville, Pennsylvania, in an early day, where he was a merchant until his death. Benneville Miller was reared in his native county, spending most of his life in the man- ufacture of cigars, but later engaging in farm- ing. He was married in New York to Elizabeth Poorman and they lived in several places in the Empire State, until, in 1848, shortly after their marriage, they moved to Austinburg, Ashtabula county, Ohio, where they spent the rest of their lives. The father engaged in farming on coming to this State, which vocation he afterward successfully fol- lowed. He enlisted in the Federal army at the time of the Civil war, serving as a private three years, his eldest son also serving with him. This worthy couple had five children, three sons and two daughters: C. V .; E. O .; Clayton H., deceased; R. E .; and T. B. It is a singular coincidence that the parents died within an hour of each other one night in 1880, the father at the age of sixty one and the mother a few months older. They were well and favorably known throughout the community, where their loss was generally mourned.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 109

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