Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 118

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 118
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 118
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 118

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).

923

OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

Cornet, to Claude Carpenter, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Mr. Parker's racers for 1893 will be Aaron and his son, Harry Parker, a two-year old, in the trotting list, and Cornet in the pacing list. Mr. Parker owns several other standard-bred colts, which he anticipates will do their share of record-making. Probably no man in this vicinity is a more practical horseman, a better judge of horses, or more thoroughly informed as to the rules of breed- ing and of the turf.

September 11, 1859, Mr. Parker was mar- ried to Miss Caroline Winslow, a lady of many worthy qualities and a resident of Hart's Grove, Ohio. Her father, Jonathan Winslow, was for many years a prominent resident of Ashtabula county, having been born in Windsor, October 22, 1815. For more than half a century he lived in Hart's Grove township. He was a Republican of the milder type and filled a number of town- ship offices with credit to himself and satis- faction to the public. He was a great hunter and bore the reputation of being an excep- tionally accurate marksman, having at one time shot a deer at a distance of sixty-two rods by actual measurement; he also killed the last wolf in the county. Mis. Parker's mother was born in Massachusetts, February 22, 1808, and at an early age removed to Windsor, Ohio. Her grandmother rode horseback and carried a child in her arms the entire distance, while the father drove a team of oxen, which transported their household effects. They camped ont nights and endured all the hardships incidental to pioneer trav- eling. They contributed their share toward the development of the county, and were for many years members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, of Hart's Grove. March 13, 1887, the family were called upon to mourn the loss of the wife and mother, and two

years later, in January, 1889, at Ashtabula, Ohio, the devoted father passed into the life eternal.

Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Parker, Emma Jane was born September 3, 1861, married Ward Tracy and had one son, Glenn E., born December 21, 1881. Mrs. Tracy died April 16, 1883. Hattie K., the other daughter of our subject, was born May 17, 1864; married Emory Avery, September 27, 1883, and they have two children, Emma May, born April 2, 1887, and Clayton P., April 21, 1889. Mr. Avery, who is one of the most enterprising farmers and stock- raisers in Hart's Grove township, was born in that township April 12, 1861. He is a Dem- ocrat, but not active in political affairs. The eldest son, Jonathan M., born August 13, 1873, died in infancy, November 22, 1874; the second son, Frank W., born October 9, 1876, an active, industrious and highly esteemed young man, assists his father in the management of the stock farm.

Mr. Parker is also a stanch supporter of Democratic principles, and is numbered among the representative citizens of the county in which he has resided for so many years, and to the advancement of which he has so materially contributed.

OHN FITZMAURICE, railroad engi- neer on the Nickel Plate, is another one of the worthy citizens of Conneaut, Ohio. Mr. Fitzmaurice was born in Niagara coun- ty, New York, June 22, 1856, son of Thomas and Ann Fitzmaurice, natives of Ireland. His father was a slopewall layer on the Erie canal. He located in Mercer county, Penn- sylvania, in 1862, and lived there until the time of his death, July 6, 1873, aged sixty- six years. His wife, still living in Sharps- ville, Pennsylvania, is now seventy years of

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age. She is a member of the Catholic Church, as also was her worthy husband. Following is a brief record of their family of ten children: James, a resident of Chicago; Margaret, who married Dr. Ma- haney, of Erie, Pennsylvania, died at the age of thirty-three years; Thomas, who married Emma Coopenville, resides in Erie, Pennsyl- vania, he having been in the employ of the Erie & Pennsylvania Railroad for the past eighteen years, as conductor the last twelve years; John; Charles, an engineer on the Erie & Pennsylvania Railroad; Anna, wife of John Bogle, Sharon, Pennsylvania; Willie, an engineer on the Erie & Pennsylvania; Ella, wife of Matthew Donahue, Sharpsville, Penn- sylvania; Lizzie, deceased; and Kate, who lives with her mother.

At the age of sixteen John began life on his own responsibility. First, he shoveled ore, then he worked on the section, next at- tended a furnace, and after that was employed as car inspector on the Erie & Pennsylvania. In 1883 he accepted a position as fireman on the Nickel Plate, and after firing three years was given charge of an engine, March 12, 1886. Since that date he has served as engineer on this road. His long continuance with the company is evidence of his competency and faithful work.

Mr. Fitzmaurice is married and has one child, Clara W. Mrs. Fitzmaurice, formerly Miss Emma C. Peters, is a daughter of Charles and Ellen Peters of Sharpsville, Pennsylvania. Her father has been yard- master of the Erie & Pennsylvania for over twenty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Peters' family is composed of the following children : Clara, wife of Dr. T. M. Brown; Joseph B .; Mrs. Fitzmaurice; Cora, wife of C. C. Jones, of Sharpsville, Pennsylvania; Charles, an em- ploye of the Chicago & Alton, was killed

while on the road, in 1885, aged twenty-four years; Edward, a bookkeeper in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania; Willie, who resides in Con- neant, is a conductor on the Nickel Plate. Willie married Jett Hickins.

Mr. Fitzmaurice and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. He belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, of which he is First Engineer. His political *views are in harmony with Democratic prin- ciples.

C ARLOS O. CHILDS is president of the Painesville National Bank in the city of Painesville, Lake county, Ohio, and is one of the honored early settlers of this region. He was born in Hattan, Connecti- cut, in 1830, and is a son of Hezekiah Childs, also born in the Nutmeg State. Our subject's paternal grandfather, James K., is supposed to have been a native of Rhode Island. The family is of Welsh descent, the progenitors of the name in America having settled here in colonial days. Grandfather Childs was a shipbuilder, and constructed the gunboats used in the war with England in 1812, by Commodores Hull and McDonald. He departed this life at the age of seventy- five years. Hezekiah Childs succeeded his father in shipbuilding, and carried the busi- ness on extensively at Higanon, Connecticut, where he died at the age of eighty-five years. He was an active member of the Congrega- tional Church, and in politics was first a Whig and later a Republican. He married Concurrence S. Wilcox, also of Connecticut, and had a family of three children. She was also active in the work of the Congregational denomination, and lived to be seventy six years old. Her father's family settled in Connecticut, in early colonial days.

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

The youth of Carlos O. Childs was spent in his native State. He acquired a fair edu- cation and for a short time attended the Brainerd Academy. He started out to carve his own fortune when only sixteen years old, and with the love of adventure so common to young men he came to the Western Reserve, making the journey mainly by the canal and lakes. He landed in Painesville in 1846, when it was only a small village. For awhile he clerked in a general merchandise store run by Aaron Wilcox. He next went to Mayville, Lodge county, Wisconsin, and there engaged in the furnace business until 1866, when he returned here and established a hardware store, which he has ever since conducted. In 1880 he became interested in the Painesville National Bank, with which he has been since connected officially, either as director, vice president or president.

In the year 1852 a marriage ceremony was performed which united the hearts and hands of Mr. Childs and Mary Gillett, who was born in Painesville. Her parents were Isaac and Julia (Morley) Gillett, both natives of the Bay State. They were married near Albany, New York, and came here in 1823, at which time there were only 300 people in the village, which was nevertheless larger than Cleveland. Mr. Gillett was a merchant in this place during the rest of his life, and accumulated considerable property. He owned and superintended a number of farms, and in 1831 was a member of the Ohio Legislature from this district. For several terms he was served as Mayor of Painesville, and was considered one of the leading citi- zens. In 1847 he suffered from a stroke of paralysis and retired from active business. He died at the age of sixty-one years. His family is of French extraction, the ancestors having settled in the New England States in

early colonial times. His wife, who had long been a member of the Disciple Church, lived to the extreme old age of ninety-two years.

Mr. and Mrs. Childs are the parents of two children living, namely: Mrs. William Knox, of Chicago; and W. A. who makes his home in Toronto, Canada. Their son, Albert Judd, departed this life at the age of sixteen years. The parents are both members of the Episcopal Church, and until two years ago Mr. Childs was a Vestryman.

The cause of education finds a warm friend in Mr. Childs, and he is now secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Lake Seminary of Painesville. · He deposits his ballot in favor of the nominees and principles of the Repub- lican party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent of Odd Fellows. Beginning life with very little means he has steadily and hopefully pressed forward and upward, and his success as a business man has been entirely due to his native characteristics and correct business principles. He is held in the highest respect by all who have the pleas- ure of his acquaintance, and few in this vicinity are more widely and favorably known.

H ENRY C. HOPWOOD, a farmer and dairyman of Lenox township, Ashtabula county, was born in Lorain county, Ohio, April 20, 1844, a son of Thomas and Mary (Blanter) Hopwood, na- tives of England, the father born in 1806, and the mother in 1807. They came to America in 1830, locating in Lorain county, Ohio, where the father worked at miscellane- ous occupations for a number of years. He subsequently bought a farm in Grafton township, Lorain county, where he spent the

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

remainder of his life, dying in 18 -. He was a member of the Baptist Church. The mother of our subject, aged eighty-three years, now finds a comfortable home with her children, and is also a member of the Bap- tist Church.

Henry C. Hopwood, our subject, enlisted in the United States service September 10, 1861, entering the One Hundred and Twen- ty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but was discharged one month later. In the spring of 1863 he entered the Twelfth Ohio Volun- teer Cavalry, was mustered into service at Johnstown's Island, and assigned to the Army of the Potomac, under General Stone- man, in the Twenty-third Corp's. He took part in many skirmishes and regular engage- ments, among them the battle of Mount Sterling, Kentucky, Abington, Bristol, Ab- ingdon, Saltville, etc. Mr. Hopwood was discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, Novem- ber 23, 1865, after which he returned home, and for the following three years was en- gaged in the manufacture of salt. In 1878 he bought and moved to his present farm of 150 acres, which contains a beautiful resi- dence, of sixteen rooms, and all the necessary farm conveniences. He has a good dairy, keeping the Durham and Ayrshire cattle. In political matters, Mr. Hopwood affiliates with the Republican party, having cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln, and his last for Benjamin Harrison. He has served as School Director for a number of years, was Township Trustee four years, School Clerk many years, and is now President of the Educational Board. He has also been appointed as a delegate to State and county conventions many times.

Mr. Hopwood was married in 1871, to Miss Emily Cook, a daughter of Charles and Eliza (Webster) Cook. She was born

in Bangor township, Franklin county, New York, in 1837, came with her parents to Ohio when young, and grew to years of ma- turity in Geauga county. Mr. and Mrs. Hopwood have two children: Benton C., born July 11, 1872, graduated at the Jefferson Educational Institute in the class of 1891; and Erie C., born February 7, 1877, is now attending that college. Mr. Hopwood was made a Mason in 1873, and is now a member of Tuscan Lodge, No. 342, has served as Master Mason of the Jefferson Chapter, No. 141, for a number of years, and is a member of Giddings Post, No. 7, G. A. R.

RA F. CASE, yard master of the Nickel Plate Railroad at Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsyl- vania, November 15, 1862.

His parents were Orson and Rhoda A. (Wilmarth) Case, both natives of Pennsyl- vania. His father was a soldier in the Army of the Potomac during the late war, serving several years. Previous to the war he con- ducted farming operations, and afterward was engaged in railroading, beginning as yard master and subsequently serving as baggage master. He continued as baggage- master up to the time of his death, April 24, 1891, aged sixty-eight years. From his boyhood up he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his whole life being char- acterized by honesty and industry. His widow is a resident of Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Universalist Church. Of their three children we make record as fol- lows: Orney E., the oldest is a conductor on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Rail- · road, having been on the road for nine years; Ira F., the subject of this sketch; and

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OF NORTHIEASTERN OHIO.

George M., a farmer in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, has a large stone quarry on his farm, to which he gives considerable attention and which affords him a handsome income.

Ira F. Case was reared on a farm in his native county. At the age of fifteen he be- gan learning telegraphy at Foster, Pennsyl- vania, and remained there six months. Then he had charge of different offices along the line until he obtained a steady situation at Homer, New York, remaining at that place a year and a half. After this he served as station agent on the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad for three years. Then he served as brakeman on the same road, and subsequently as conductor on the Buffalo & Southwest. Since 1888 he has been in the employ of the Nickel Plate at Conneaut, first as yard conductor and then as yard mas- ter, his present position.

Mr. Case was married in New York, Oc- tober 8, 1884, to Mrs. Sarah J. Thompson daughter of Samuel Peacock, native of Can- ada. They have one child, Myrtle E. Mrs. Case is a member of the Christian Church.

He affiliates with the Democratic party, and is a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen of Conneaut.

P HILANDER T. THOMPSON, who has been for many years identified with some of the leading industries of Middle- field, was born in Geauga county, Ohio, March 3, 1820. His father, James Thompson, was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, in 1778; and the grandfather, Isaac Thomp- son, was a native of the same place, being of Scotch- Welsh descent. The latter removed to Charleston, Virginia, where he lived a few

years, and in 1797 emigrated to Lake county (then Geauga county), Ohio. After a year he came to Middlefield township, which was then a wilderness, and erected one of the first cabins for a dwelling. This was then a fa- vorite hunting-ground of the Indians, and the family were on very friendly terms with the savages, although they never lost a fear of their treachery. Isaac Thompson was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, having run away from home in his youth to join the army. He was disabled after about a year's service and on this account he came home, but later on he raised a company at his own expense, and was elected Captain of the same. For a time he served as a member of Wash- ington's body-guard and was with him in his marches and other military movements. He was also in the expedition against Quebec, and after the close of the Revolutionary war he located in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, where he remained a few years, and then, on account of the unhealthful character of the. section, he removed to Ohio. His life was an eventful one and he died, at the age of seventy-three years, at the place where he located in Ohio. It is a noteworthy fact that there is still on the farm an apple tree, which was set out by him and which still continues to yield its fruit in season. He died at the age of seventy-three years. James Thomp- son, his son, was a youth of eighteen years when he came to Geauga county. He was called out in the State militia in the war of 1812, and served as Captain of a company placed in defense of Cleveland when that post was attacked by the British. He was an expert marksman, and brought down many a deer, wolf and bear, supplying the table with wild meat. Domestic animals could not be raised in those days on account of the danger from attacks by their more ferocious rela-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

tives. Pittsburg was the nearest trading point, and their first grinding was done in a mortar burned in the top of a stump; later a mill was built on the branch of a stream, which Mr. Thompson had to swim with a bushel of grain on his back. He was twice married, having six children by his first wife and eight by the second. The children of the second marriage were as follows: Philander T., our subject; Mary E., deceased; Clarinda, now Mrs. Talls; Delia, now Mrs. Noah Page; Susan, now Mrs. David Squibb, has one child; Eugenia, now Mrs. Henry Thompson ; Maria, who married J. T. Elliott and who is now de- ceased; Paulina, who married Warren Bishop and is now deceased; and Robert, deceased. He placed 300 acres of land under cultiva- tion, and lived to the ripe old age of ninety- eight years. The mother of our subject was a native of New York State, and her maiden name was Mercy Tracy; she came to the West with her brother in 1816, and died at the age of sixty-six years. She and her husband were members of the Episcopal Church, and po- litically he adhered to the principles of the Whig party. He served as County Commis- sioner and was well known throughout this section of country as a man of sterling worth.

P. T. Thompson is the oldest of a family of eight children, and grew to manhood sur- rounded by the wild scenes of pioneer life, experiencing all the hardships and privations incident thereto. At the age of twenty-one years he began life for himself, although he has never left the home place and has never been married. He is now the owner of the old homestead, 150 acres of which remain in farm land, some of it having been sold for village lots. In connection with general farming he keeps a dairy, and for the past six years has managed the brick and tile factory at Middlefield, the same having an annual

capacity of 100,000 brick and 125,000 tile. A man of unusual business ability, he has made a success of every undertaking; he has been a leader in many enterprises having for their object the development of the com- munity, and gave liberally of his means to bring the railroad to this point. Politically he votes the Republican ticket, but is strongly in favor of the prohibition movement.

D R. ALBERT W. THOMPSON, a lead- ing physician of Bristol, Ohio, and a popular citizen, was born in the town in which he now resides. On September 4, 1846, and with the exception of a brief, period of time, has lived there ever since. His parents, Joseph C. and Nancy (Downs) Thompson, were natives of New England, of Scotch-Irish descent, who, shortly after mar- riage, emigrated, like many others, to what was then the El Dorado of the West, known in Eastern parlance as the "Connecticut Western Reserve." Before reaching Bristol, however, they resided for a short time in Pennsylvania. The father of the subject of this sketch was twice married. His first wife died within a year after marriage, leav- ing an infant son, Malan, who found in his stepmother an affectionate and careful guard- ian, who gave to him every attention enjoyed by her own children. He is now (1893) a prosperous farmer near Johnstown, Ohio. Both parents are now deceased. Their children are: Frances, widow of John T. Mathary; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Jacob Saegar; Albert W., whose name heads this sketch; Emmogene, now Mrs. Tipps; Frank, who married Miss Hattie Ulrich and resides in Bristol; and Rhoda Ann, deceased at the age of five. Joseph C.

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

Thompson, father of the subject of this sketch, was for a long time one of the most prominent citizens of Bristol. He was also well known at the county seat where he held the office of Justice of the Peace for a great many years, his decisions being characterized by impartiality and wisdom. By experience and self-culture, combined with a naturally incisive and comprehensive mind, he became well versed in the law, and was frequently an arbiter between his neighbors, and was widely sought for advice. He was also a mill owner, and had at various times large prop- erty in flouring and other mills. The history of Bristol would be incomplete with- out a notice of Joseph C. Thompson occupy- ing conspicuous rank, commensurate with his prominence in the community of which he was for so many years an honored citizen, and to the material and moral advancement of which he gave the best energies and years of his life.

Dr. Thompson, whose name heads this sketch, was reared in Bristol, receiving his early education in the common schools of that town. He afterward attended Western Reserve College, and subsequently com- menced the study of medicine in the office and under the supervision of Dr. A. J. Brock- ett, an able practitioner of Bristol. Fol- lowing this, young Thompson entered the Western Reserve Medical College, at Cleve- land, at which he graduated with honor in February, 1873. He then began the practice of medicine with his old preceptor, Dr. Brockett, with whom he continued two years or more. At the end of that time, in 1875, Dr. Thompson removed to Cortland, Ohio, where he opened an office alone, but after five years he returned, in July, 1880, to Bristol, where he will probably remain the rest of his life. He here enjoys a large and

lucrative practice, the result of skillful and conscientious work, and has a social prestige vouchsafed to his merit as a man and citizen.

August 13, 1874, Dr. Thompson was mar- ried to Miss Caroline J. Moffet, a lady of sterling qualities, daughter of Chauncey and Lizzie Moffet, old and esteemed residents of Orangeville, Ohio. Mrs. Thompson has been a helpmeet in every sense of the word, and by her industry and thrifty management has contributed in no small measure to her hus- band's prosperity. They have five sons: Jesse E., born January 27, 1876; Albert W., born November 30, 1878; Clifford A., born August 12, 1879; Lee R., April 3, 1882; and Wells, born August 26, 1884.

Politically, the Doctor supports the prin- ciples of the Republican party, and affiliates, fraternally, with the Odd Fellows and Masons. In his home life, as well as in his professional and civic career, Dr. Thompson is characterized by integrity of purpose and kindness of heart, thus chaining to him by his genial traits those whom his intellectual gifts attract to his standard.

R EUBEN P. HARMON, an old and re- spected pioneer of Lake county, Ohio, was born in Licking county, Ohio, December 31, 1815. His great grand- father, Reuben Harmon, was a prominent man in public affairs in the State of Vermont and was one of three men chosen by the peo- ple of the Territory of Vermont to act in the place of a Governor. He was authorized to coin copper money, some of which has been preserved to the present time. The grand- father, Oliver Harmon, was named for the illustrious Oliver Cromwell. He was a na- tive of Massachusetts, and removed to Ver-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

mont, when a youth, with his father who took up his abode in the Green Mountain Territory. The grandmother, whose maiden name was Mary Plum, was born in Connecti- cut; she died at Kirtland, Lake county, Ohio, in June, 1824, and the grandfather died in the same place June 9, 1843. The maternal grandfather of Reuben P. Harmon was Sim- eon Wright, who was also from Vermont and an early settler of Licking county, Ohio: he died in Delaware county, Ohio, at the ad- vanced age of 103 years.

Although reared in the western frontier Mr. Harmon received superior education and was for a time professor in a Southern col- lege. Possessed of extraordinary ability that has been quickened by thorough mental dis- cipline, he is recognized as one of the most intelligent meu in this section. He is well read upon the leading topics of the day, and has been a frequent contributor to the local press. He had a little of this world's goods with which to begin the struggle of life, but his efforts have been more than suc- cessful, and he has accumulated a handsome estate, consisting of 500 acres of fine farming land.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 118

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