Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 113

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 113
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 113
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 113

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).

886

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

He was married in 1856 to Mary Norman, a native of England, who came to America at the age of eleven years and was reared in this county. They have four children: Bes- sie, Sarah, Marion and Samuel.

Mr. and Mrs. Hurlburt are members of the Disciple Church, and, politically, he is a Republican.

F W. TUTTLE, for many years a pros- perous farmer near Painesville, Lake county, Ohio, is a native of this county, having been born in Concord township, November 9, 1833. He comes of an old and respected family, who were pioneers of this section and took a prominent part in its early development. His ancestors were originally from England, from which country they emi- grated to Connecticut in 1635. In this State was born John Tuttle, the great grandfather of the subject. of this sketch, who was a wheelwright and stonemason by trade. In 1659, he removed with his family to Sunder- land, Massachusetts, where he died. He was a brave and efficient soldier in the French and Indian wars and was ever an American patriot in the truest sense of the word. His son, Joseph Tuttle, grandfather of the subject of this notice, was born in Lebanon, Connecti- cut, August 31, 1756, and was thus but three years of age when his parents removed to Massachusetts. He passed his earlier life in the latter State, but on attaining maturity he joined the tide of emigration setting in toward the West, going to Ohio and settling on land near Palmyra, Portage county, where he ar- rived August 12, 1807. His journey was made overland by wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen and consumed forty-eight days, a dis- tance now made in less than that number of hours. He passed through Painesville, which

then comprised two frame houses, where he stopped over night in what was known as the Little Red Tavern. He purchased sixty acres of land, about half of which had been im- proved, which was situated on the road lead- ing from Palmyra to Deerfield. The country was in its primitive wildness, with but few white settlers but plenty of Indians and wild game. Provisions of all kinds were scarce, especially salt, which then brought from $3.50 to $4 a bushel. This was but one of many instances of the privations endured by those early pathfinders. Thus, it is not surprising that Mr. Tuttle should have recalled with homesickness his Eastern home, nor that he should have sold his farm in 1809 and re- turned to New York State, dying in Lowell, Oneida county, May 13, 1816. He was twice married: his first wife, Lovice Mock, was a daughter of an old sea captain of Sunderland, Massachusetts. A sister of hers married Joseph Smith and became the mother of Joseph Smith, the celebrated Mormon proph- et. Mrs. Tuttle died fourteen years after marriage, without children. His second wife, Hannah Messenger, came of an old Revolu- tionary family, whose father with six of his brothers fought for independence, three of whom participated in the memorable battle of Bunker Hill.

The father of the subject of this sketch, also named Joseph Tuttle, was the eldest of nine children, and was born in Bridgewater, Oneida county, New York, May 10, 1796. He accompanied his parents to Ohio in 1807, being at that time eleven years of age, and two years later returned with them to New York State. Being the oldest of a large family and his father in limited circum- stances, he was early thrown on his own re- sources, thus learning those lessons of self- reliance by which so many men have achieved

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

greatness. He lived for a time with his grandfather Messenger, working on the farm and doing odd jobs, until that gentleman's emigration to Ohio, February 13, 1817, with his wife, when young Joseph Tuttle ac- companied his grandparents. The journey was made overland in a sleigh, and they arrived at an uncle's, near Little Mountain, then in Geauga county, March 4. In March, 1818, Joseph Tuttle purchased of Milton Armstrong a contract which he held from Judge Kirtland for 120 acres of land in what is now Concord township, Lake county, Mr. Tuttle making the payment in lumber, with which the land was covered, at $10 a thou- sand feet, and in grain at a moderate price. On this land, young Tuttle and his grand- father Messenger built a log cabin, with a one-sided roof, made of white ash bark, and borrowed lumber for the floor of a neighbor until they could have some sawed. Into this house his grandfather's family moved May 8, 1818. In 1820, Mr. Tuttle built a more pretentious log house, and in 1822 erected a house for his grandfather, a few rods west of his own house. This latter arrangement was in conformity with the proverb that a young man should provide a home for his bride before securing her. June 2, 1823, Mr. Tuttle was married to Mrs. Mary Adams, widow of Martin Adams, Jr., and daughter of Moses and Mary Kibber, of Connecticut. In 1833, he erected another house in which he resided the remainder of his days. He cleared and greatly improved his farm, mak- ing it one of the most valuable in the county, and by industry and economy accumulated a comfortable income for himself and family. He figured prominently in the early affairs of the county, being a man of ability and un- usual energy. He was in politics an old Ilenry Clay Whig, and later a Republican,

and was honored by his constituents with various local offices. He was one of the earliest anti-slavery men in his section and belonged to the underground railway, often feeding and aiding fugitive slaves. He died April 20, 1884, aged about eighty-eight years, sincerely lamented by all who knew him.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm, which his father reclaimed from a wilderness, and attended the district school, which was partially conducted on the subscription plan, some wood being furnished for each scholar. Mr. Tuttle began life for himself at the age of twenty-one, but resided at home until ten years after his marriage, during which time he managed the home farm. In the meantime he bought with his brother a farm near Little Mountain, and at the expiration of the time mentioned, they divided the land between them, Mr. Tuttle of this notice taking the north sixty acres. He resided on this five years, building a com- fortable house, good barns for his grain and stock, and making many other valuable im- provements, also planting numerous fruit trees of various varieties and setting out many grape-vines, all of which are now bearing fruit, rendering it one of the most desirable places in the county. On the death of his father, Mr. Tuttle bought the interest of the heirs in the old homestead, and made his home there five years, then renting it to an- other of his brothers, himself settling, in the in the spring of 1889, on his present farm of 200 acres, which he rents and which is pleas- antly situated two miles north of Paines- ville. He is engaged in mixed farming, stock and grain raising, has 120 sheep and keeps ten cows, which furnish a quantity of milk which he sells. His continued industry has been rewarded and he is now numbered among the most substantial farmers of his county.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

In 1867, Mr. Tuttle was married to Miss Henrietta Smith, a lady of many estimable qualities, born in Parkman, Geauga county, Ohio, and they have one child, Roy A., who is now attending Adelbert College and is a very promising scholar.

In politics, Mr. Tuttle follows in the foot- steps of his father, whose influence was al- ways cast in the scale of human liberty and progression. Mr. Tuttle was formerly a Re- publican, then a member of the Greenback party, and is now a Populist. Enterprising, upright and of commendable public spirit, he has done much to advance the interests of his community, of which he is a representative citizen.

OWELL CRAM, one of the oldest set- tlers of Lake county, Ohio, now living retired at Madison, is well known and highly respected here.

Mr. Cram was born in Hillsborough coun- ty, New Hampshire, April 15, 1811, son of Nathan Cram and grandson of Ezekiel Cram, both natives of New Hampshire, descended from English ancestors. Ezekiel Cram was a farmer. He lived in the town of Weare, New Hampshire, where he and his wife reared a family of nine sons and one daugh- ter, and where he died at an advanced age. Nathan Cram was also a farmer by occupa- tion. He moved from his native State to Ohio in 1818. This journey was made by wagon, and Lowell, although at that time a small boy, drove the team the most of the way and his father walked. Landing in Madison township, June 12, 1818, Mr. Cram settled on the Middle Ridge, where he built a log house and log barn, and where, as the years rolled by, he developed a fine farm of 114 acres. At the time he came here there were

only two frame buildings in Madison. Na- than Cram was twice married, and had two children by his first wife and one by the last. Sally Dow, whom he first wedded, was a na- tive of Hillsborough county, New Hampshire. She died November 23, 1826, leaving two children, Lowell and Polly. The latter died in Cleveland in January, 1892. Mr. Cram died at the age of eighty-five.

Lowell Cram, although not eight years of age at the time they emigrated to this State, distinctly remember the journey from New Hampshire, and remembers, too, the nights when, from their cabin in the woods, they could hear the howling of wolves. There were plenty of deer and wild turkeys here then, and also some bears. The first school he at- tended in this township was a summer term of three months, held in a barn. Later, he went to school in a log schoolhouse, which, with its open fireplace, its slab benches with pin legs, and its rate- bill system, was a typical one of that time. After he was twelve years old, Lo- well was permitted to attend school only dur- ing the winter months, having to assist his father on the farm the rest of the time. His father bought the first cook stove Mr. Cram ever saw, buying it second-handed and pay- ing $50 for it.

At the age of twenty-one Mr. Cram began on his own responsibility. He still, however, continued to work on the home farm, his fa- ther being in poor health, and he remained at home until he was twenty-eight. At that time he bought ninety-six acres of wild land near the lake, which he cleared up and upon which he erected buildings. There he made his home from 1840 until 1850, when he sold out and bought a farm near Middle Ridge. He sold the latter farm in 1882, and has since lived in Madison, having bought the com- modious frame residence in which he lives.

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

He started out in life without means. That he has succeeded in acquiring a competency and is surrounded with all the comforts of life in his declining years, is due to his own well directed efforts.

Early in life he was a Whig, but since the organization of the Republican party he has cast his vote and influence with it.

Mr. Cram has been married three times. In 1842 he wedded Martha Butterfield, who died in 1846, leaving two children: Sallie, who subsequently became Mrs. Blood, and who died in 1892; and Walter, now a resi- dent of Saginaw, Michigan. His second wife, whose maiden name was Mary A. Ford, and who was a native of Herkimer county, New York, died in 1887, without issue. His pres- ent companion, who before her marriage was Miss Louise Barney, is a native of Madison township, this county.

R OBERT KILE, one of the best known mechanics of Andover, was born at Lake Champlain, Essex county, New York, December 29, 1829, a son of Leonard and Susan (Thompson) Kile,

a that the father native of Lewis,

county, and the mother of Hebron, Ver- mont, but reared in Essex county. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Robert Kile. Leonard Kile and family sub- sequently moved to Canada, where they re- mained until 1846, and in that year came to Andover, Ohio. The father followed black- smithing most of his life, and his death oc- curred at Johnson, Trumbull county, Ohio, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife survived him a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Kile had eleven children, viz. : Hannah, deceased; Juliet, deceased; Robert, our sub-

ject; L. W., who served in the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Ohio Infantry, during the late war; J. T .; Hiram, also a soldier in the late war; Susan, deceased; Salem; Eliz- abeth: Mary and Edson. Hiram was Orderly Sergeant of the Tenth Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, Company I, was wounded at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862, and afterward died. The G. A. R. post, of Warren, was named in his honor.

Robert Kile, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Essex county, New York, and in Canada. He learned the blacksmith's trade from his father, and followed that occu- pation forty-five years. He came to Ashta- bula county, Ohio, in 1847, and is now one of the finest mechanics of his community. He has spent one year at Tuscola, Michigan. Mr. Kile was married February 1, 1855, at Espyville, Pennsylvania, to Matilda Wilson, a native of Crawford county, that State, and a daughter of Hugh and Ann (Wells) Wilson. To this union was born one daughter, Ma- tilda A. The wife and mother died at Tus- cola, Michigan, April 4, 1857, and September 12, 1858, Mr. Kile was united in marriage with V. L. Rose, a native of this county, and a daughter of Abner and Cynthia Rose. Our subject affiliates with the Republican party, and has served as Township Trustee. So- cially, he is a member of the Masonic order, No. 506, and of the Royal Templars.

E D. KEENER, a prominent furniture dealer and undertaker of Painesville, Ohio, a young, intelligent and enter- prising business man and esteemed citizen, was born in this city, July 25, 1854. His father, Charles L. Keener, was born in Ger-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

many, July 25, 1827, where he learned the cabinet-maker's trade. In 1847 he accom- panied his parents to America, landing in New York city, whence they came to Paines- ville, Ohio. Here the father of the subject of this sketch worked at his trade five years. In September, 1854, he was married in Madi- son, Lake county, to Miss Elizabeth Burkor- hardt, a native of Germany, who came with her parents to America in 1833. Her father served for ten years in the army under the great Napoleon. He settled on a farm near Madison, Ohio, where he died at the vener- able age of 104 years. He was a man of sterling worth of character, and enjoyed the esteem of all who knew him. After mar- riage, Charles L. Keener settled in Madison, where he engaged in the cabinet-making business, which he has successfully conducted ever since, and is now a prominent and well- to-do citizen of that place. This worthy couple were the parents of five children, all of whom survive.

The subject of this sketch was the only son, and was reared in Madison, where he attended the common schools. He learned his father's business, which he managed from 1873 to 1878. In June of the latter year Mr. E. D. Keener removed to Painesville, where he has since been successfully engaged in the general furniture and undertaking business. He has eight floors of furniture, and enjoys a large and lucrative trade, while his care and general discrimination commend him to all requiring the services of an under- taker.

February 21, 1878, Mr. Keener was mar- ried to Miss Carrie C. Ellsworth, a native of Lake county, Ohio, of which her parents were early and respected residents. They have one child, Charline. Mr. Keener and family reside in their comfortable and pleas-

ant home on St. Clair street, No. 122, sur- rounded by all that makes life enjoyable.

He has been a worthy member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows for twenty years, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. His enterprise in business is only exceeded by his worth and public spirit as a citizen, by which he has contributed to the general advancement of the community and enhancement of the public welfare.

H IAL ANDREWS, a farmer of Cherry Valley township, Ashtabula county, was born in Wayne township, this county, April 17, 1826, a son of Benoni Andrews, a native of Chautauqua county, New York. The latter's father, Samuel An- drews, came to Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1814, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Wayne township. His death occurred here in 1843. He was three times married, and Benoni was a son by the first marriage. The latter came to this county with his parents at the age of seventeen years, and in 1864 re- moved to where he died, at the age of sixty- eight years. He was married at the age of twenty years, to Betsy Parmentrel, a native of Chautauqua county, New York. Her father died at the age of ninety-seven years, and her mother was formerly a Miss Swift. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews had ten children, nine of whom grew to years of maturity: Hial; Sally; Philo, deceased; Candace; Oli- ver, of Conneant, Ashtabula county; Sylvia; Harrison, born in 1840; Sabra, of California; and Edd, deceased at the age of nineteen years. The father was a farmer by occupa- tion, and a Republican in his political views. The mother, a member of the Baptist Church, died at the age of eighty-four years.

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

Hial Andrews, our subject, came to his present place about forty years ago, then known as the J. H. Giddings farm, and con- sists of 135 acres of well-improved land. He has 1,000 rock maple trees, and manufac- tures the best sugar in Ashtabula county. He also has a good dairy, and a number of fine horses He was married in Trumbull county, Ohio, at the age of twenty-four years, to Sophronia Von, who was born and reared at Fowler, that county, a daughter ot John and Betsy (Burr) Von, natives of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and both deceased in Trumbull county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have one daughter, Stella A., now the wife of + James Tangdon. They also have one daugh- ter, Myrtle. Our subject affiliates with the Republican party, and has served as Town- ship Trustee, and as Assessor three years. Socially, he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Golden Rule Lodge, No. 331.

E B. GRISWOLD, a prominent farmer and ex-County Commissioner of Lake. county, Ohio, residing in Concord township, this county, is a member of a pio- neer family and has an ancestry of which he may justly be proud, his father being a direct descendant of Governor Griswold of Con- necticut, and his mother a descendant of Governor Trumbull of that State. Follow- ing is a review of his life:

E. B. Griswold was born in Groton, Tomp- kins county, New York, April 22, 1832, son of Homer F. Griswold, and grandson of Franklin Griswold, both natives of Vermont. The Griswolds are of English descent. Three brothers of that name came over to America in colonial times, and from one of them is descended the Griswold family now under

consideration. Franklin Griswold was a farmer by occupation. He died in Vermont in mid- dle life. Homer F. Griswold was a cloth- maker. Early in life he settled in Tompkins county, New York, where he followed his trade until 1827. That year he came to Ohio, making the journey by canal to Buf- falo, and thence across the lake to Lake county. His father-in-law, Colonel Luther Trumbull, had - come here in 1823, and had started a cloth mill on the Grand river, and in this mill Mr. Griswold worked until 1840, when he settled on a farm and devoted his attention to the work of its improvement. Of his wife we record that her maiden name was Laura Trumbull, and that she was a native of Connecticut. Her father was a Colonel in the war of 1812. Besides the mill before referred to, he was the owner of nearly 800 acres of land in this county. He died here in 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Griswold had three children: Ellen, who died at the age of twenty years; Edwin, who died when he was twenty-two; and E. B., the subject of this article. Both parents lived to an ad- vanced age, Mr. Griswold dying March 28, 1891, at the age of eighty-four and a half years, and Mrs. Griswold March 1, 1893, aged eighty-two. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and their home was the stopping place of the Meth- odist preachers, who were always sure of a cordial welcome there. Mr. Griswold was the last survivor of the original organizers of the Methodist Church of this community. He served as County Commissioner of Lake county for twelve years, and for a number of years was Trustee of his township.

E. B. Griswold attended the district school and spent several terms in the Madison Semi- nary. Being their only child living, he re- mained with his parents and cared for them

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

in their old age. His whole life has been spent on the home farm, with the exception of two years when he was in California. He now owns 240 acres, in two farms, nearly all improved. His well-cultivated fields, his fine sheep and cattle, and the general thrifty ap- pearance of his premises, all show the atten- tion of a careful farmer.

Mr. Griswold's California trip, above re- ferred to, was made in 1861. He went overland in company with others, taking a large number of horses, being four months en route, and meeting with many hardships. At a point near Soda Springs the Indians stole all their horses, and shot Mr. Griswold's brother-in-law, breaking his leg. Thus they were left with nine wagons and not a horse. Mr. Griswold and James Hogan started on foot to get help, and after walking 100 miles met a train of emigrants who let them have eighteen horses. With these they proceeded on their journey. After carrying the brother- in-law on a litter for some time, they fixed a swing for him in a covered wagon, and thus they hauled him for 1,000 miles, all finally landing safe in California. Mr. Griswold spent two years in mining, at the end of which time he returned via water to Ohio.

He was married in 1856, to Marian Hogan, a native of Vermont, who came to Trumbull county, Ohio, when young. She died in 1870, leaving three children: Edward, Fred and Carl. In 1873 Mr. Griswold married Maria Wheeler, who was born in Concord township, this county. Her father, Luman Wheeler, a native of Swanzey, New Hamp- shire, came on foot to Ohio in 1813, in com- pany with William Long. At that time there was but one house south of the river here. He was subsequently married to Anna Sherer, a native of Deerfield, Massachusetts, and eight of their ten children grew to adult years. The

father died at the age of eighty-four years, and the mother at seventy-two. Mr. and Mrs. Griswold have three children: Glen, Grace and Lucy.

Politically, Mr. Griswold has been a Re- publican all his life, having cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. He has held all the township offices, and served as County Com- missioner from 1879 until 1885. Mrs. Gris- wold is a member of the Methodist Church.

R ICHMOND E. STONE .- Among the prominent and influential citizens of Orwell, Ohio, the subject of this sketch deservedly holds a high place as a man of superior energy, ability and worth of char- acter.

His father, Stukley Stone, was born in New York State, July 4, 1801, and was reared to farming, which vocation many of his ances - tors had followed, and like them he enjoyed the reputation of being a man of judgment and integrity. He was married in that State and at an early day removed to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he settled on a farm and became one of the leading men in the county. He died in Orwell, October 15, 1882. of heart tronble superinduced by old age. His wife, mother of the subject of this sketch, was also a native of the Empire State, where she was born December 19, 1803. Her father, Rev. Edmund Richmond, was a noted pioneer minister of northeastern Ohio, who settled in Rome township, Ashtabula county, more than half a century ago. Here, he at once com- menced to make a home for himself and family, which eventually numbered eight sons and four daughters. He was industrious and en- terprising and was prospered in his efforts, accumulating a comfortable income. He was

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

not forgetful of his duty as a minister, but simultaneously with his settlement in the county organized a little group of worship- ers, ten in number, which in a few years in- creased to fifty. He afterward removed to Sheffield, near which he bought land, that became in time a valuable farm. He was a moving spirit in all enterprises of a beneficial nature and labored energetically in his Mas- ter's cause. Besides caring for his large family, he erected a comfortable church edi- fice on his own land and donated the build- ing and site to the regular Baptist Church, of which he was a minister. Three of his sons were ministers of the gospel and are notable for their able and earnest efforts in the cause of the church. Judah L. was a graduate of Hamilton College, New York; Charles M., also a graduate of Hamilton Col- lege, practiced medicine for the last twenty years of his life, but never entirely gave up his ministerial duties; Cyrus R. was ordained a Baptist minister; Horace was insane for forty years; John L., a leading pioneer poli- tician of Democratic principles, was a mem- ber of the Kansas Legislature; and D. T. is Mayor of Breckenridge, Missouri. Mrs. Stone, mother of the subject of this sketch, is still living (1893) in Orwell, in the enjoyment of excellent health. Her children were evenly divided between sons and daughters, five of each, of whom but tive are now living: the subject of this sketch, the oldest of those surviving; Homer J., of Orwell; C. R., of Kansas; Marietta, wife of Charles Babcock, of Orwell; and Susan, wife of Mr. A. Lamb of Rome.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 113

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