Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 121

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 121
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 121
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 121

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).

H ARVEY H. HALL, another one of the well-known farmers of Willoughby township, Lake county, Ohio, was born in a log cabin on the farm on which he now lives, July 11, 1825.

Mr. Hall is a son of Simeon Hall, a native of New York, and a grandson of Hezekiah Hall, who was born in Connecticut, the Hall family having originated in Wales. Grand- father Hall, a wheelwright by trade, and also a Methodist minister, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war seven years. After the war he located in New York, from whence, about 1815, he came to Ohio. Here he died at a ripe old age. His father being an itin- erant preacher, Simeon Hall was reared by a family in New York, having been placed in their care by his father. From this family, however, he ran away when he was seventeen and came to Ohio, arriving here in 1817. He was here variously employed until after his marriage, when he located in Willoughby township and engaged in farming. This country was then in its wild state and game of all kinds was plenty, and here in the midst of the forest he developed a farm. He died in 1839. IIis wife was, before her marriage,

Miss Eunice Brown. She was born in Ver- mont in 1801 and died in 1868. Of their five children the subject of our sketch is the oldest and one of the two who are now living.

Mr. Hall attended school in the primitive log schoolhouse near his home and also had the advantage of seven months' training in the academy at Chester, Geauga county, after which he taught school two winter terms. Since 1850 he has been engaged in agricul- tural pursuits on the farmn on which he now lives. At one time he owned 351 acres here, but, having sold some land, his farm now comprises only 266 acres. He has dealt ex- tensively in sheep, buying and shipping to both eastern and western markets; and in his business undertakings be has been very successful.

Mr. Hall was married in 1854, to Minerva Granger, a native of Auburn, Geauga county, Ohio, and a daughter of Rensselaer and Lo- rana (Smith) Granger, natives of Berkshire county, Massachusetts. Her father drove an ox team from Massachusetts to Ohioin 1817, he being the first to drive a wagon into Au- burn township, Geauga county. The Granger family was the second family that settled in Auburn township. Mr. Granger was twenty years old at that time and was hired out by his father to a man by the name of Jackson, whose team he had driven to Ohio, and with him he remained one year. Then he walked back to Massachusetts and drove another team to Ohio, and on coming back to Ohio settled in Auburn township, where he lived for a number of years. Often when he was at work in the woods there the Indians would go to him and beg for tobacco. Ilis wife died in that township, and after her death he sold out and moved to Michigan, where he again mar- ried, and where he died at the age of seventy- five years. He was the father of six children,

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four of whom are now living. Mrs. Hall, like her husband, was a school teacher before her marriage, she having taught four terms. They have two children: Nellie, wife of Ab- ner Reeve, a farmer, living near her father; and Mira, at home. Nellie was also a suc- cessful teacher for some time.

Mr. Hall affiliates with the Republican party, and has filled various local offices. He and his wife and daughters are active mem- bers of the Christian Church, in which he is an Elder.

Such is a brief sketch of one of the repre- sentative citizens of Lake county.

E LMER H. RAND, a veteran of the late war and a well-known citizen of Madison township, Lake county, Ohio, was born in this township, October 27, 1845, youngest son of Martin and Lucy (Cumings) Rand, early settlers of this place. He was reared and educated here.

When the war came on, young Rand was only a boy in his 'teens, but his ambitious nature was fired with a spirit of patriotism, and February 1, 1862, at the age of sixteen, he enlisted in Company K, First Ohio Light Artillery, and was mustered in at Camp Dennison. In March he was sent to Parkers- burg, Virginia, where he was attached to Mc- Lain's brigade, Robert E. Schenk's division, Eleventh Corps, Army of the Potomac. His first battle was that of Great Flat Top Moun- tain, where the fighting lasted from three o'clock in the afternoon until nine in the even- ing, after which he marched all night. He was at Rappahannock, Culpeper, Cedar Moun- tain, Bull Run, and in various other engage- ments. At Bull Run he was in the hottest of the fight. His battery, having exhausted

its supplies, had to make a retreat. Young Rand went back to get the sponge staff, in do- ing which he was under fire in a run of nearly a mile. In January, 1863, on account of inflammatory rheumatism, he was laid up in Harwood hospital, remaining there until March, 1863, when he was mustered out of the service and returned home. January 1, 1864, he again enlisted in the same company. Going to Nashville, Tennessee, he was there taken with measles and remained in hospital for some weeks. Finally he joined the bat- tery at Bridgeport, Alabama, where he was mounted and put ou scout duty. Afterward he served on picket at Stephenson, Alabama, and was also on raids up and down the river. June 16, 1865, he was mustered out at Camp Dennison, having made an honorable record- during the war.

Returning home, he engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, and has continued the same up to the present time. After his marriage, which occurred in 1870, he settled on his pres- ent farm, fifty-one acres, all of which is well improved.

Mr. Rand is a Republican in politics, is public-spirited and generous, and has long been prominently identified with the best interests of Madison, having served as a mem- ber of the Town Council and the School Board and as one of the cemetery trustees. He is an active worker in the G. A. R., be- ing a member of Burnham Post, No. 358, of which he has been Commander. He attended the G. A. R. Encampment at Washington. When the home for nurses of soldiers during the war was erected, north of Madison, he was elected its first treasurer.

Mr. Rand was married, March 23, 1870, to Ida Carr, a native of Otsego, New York, and a daughter of David and Hannah (Burnside) Carr. Her father lived near Petersburg,

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Virginia, during the war. He was a strong Union man, and was surrounded on all sides by sympathizers of the Southern cause. On one occasion the rebels made an attempt to shoot him, but the bullet passed through his hatin- stead of his head. At another time he was put in prison for telling the rebels he would rather have a bushel of corn than a bushel of Con- federate scrip. While he was in prison the rebels used his house for a hospital. Several battles were fought on his farm After the war he served his district two terms as State Senator, and soon after was appointed Col- lector of Customs at Petersburg, which office he held up to the time of his death. He died in Petersburg, Virginia, aged over seventy years.

Mr. and Mrs. Rand have three daughters: Eva M., Grace L. and Winifred E., all of whom are graduates of Madison high school. Miss Winifred is a teacher. He and his family are members of the Baptist Church.

A BRAM H. STAFFORD, a well-known farmer of Chardon township, was born in Geauga county, Ohio, March 31, 1841. His father, Reuben Stafford, was born near Palmyra, New York, in 1812, and his grandfather, Gadius Stafford, was also a native of New York State. The latter emigrated to Ohio and settled at Auburn, Geauga county, in 1824. He took up land there, but afterward came to Chardon town- ship and bought land on which he lived sev- eral years, removing to Michigan, where he died at the age of seventy-five years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Reuben Stafford was one of a family of nine children, and was twelve years old when he came to Ohio. He was reared to the life of a farmer

and followed agricultural pursuits all his life, his death occurring in 1881. His wife was Almira Robinson, a daughter of Timothy Robinson, who emigrated from New York State, and was one of the earliest settlers of Chardon township; he died at the age of ninety-three years. Mrs. Stafford is still living and makes her home with her son. Abram H. Stafford is the only child of his parents. He was reared on the old home- stead, where he has ever since resided.

He was married, in 1865, to Miss Mary Churchill, and four children have been born of the union: Vielda, Reuben R., Fred L. and Sadie. Reared under a most favorable en- vironment, they have had good opportunities for acquiring an education, and are well fitted for useful positions in life.

Mr. Stafford enlisted August 9, 1862, in Company E, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but was subsequently transferred to the One Hundred and Third regiment. He first went to Covington, Ken- tucky, thence to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he took part in the siege of that place. He was through the Atlanta campaign, and was at Nashville and Franklin. The left wing of his regiment was taken for a guard at head- quarters, and he was sent to Washington with General Schofield; then he was sent to Fort Fisher, North Carolina, and later he was with his division when they captured Fort Ander- son. He was at Wilmington, North Caro- lina, and at New Berne and Raleigh. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865; he was never confined to the hospital excepting for a single day. Returning to his home he re- sumed his former occupation of farming. He has 260 acres of fine land in a high state of cultivation, has been very successful in busi- ness, and as his means increased he invested in stock in the Citizens' Bank of Chardon.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Politically, he supports the Republican party, and has served as Justice of the Peace several terms. He belongs to the Masonic order, and is a worthy member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

E DWARD . C. SAWDEY, of Perry township, Lake county, Ohio, is one of the leading farmers and most pop- ular citizens of the community in which he lives. Of his life and ancestry we make rec- ord as follows:

Job Sawdey, grandfather of Edward C., was a native of New York, and was a farmer by occupation. In 1820 he came from the Empire State to Ohio, making the journey by wagon, and settling in Harpersfield town- ship, Ashtabula county. He spent the rest of his life there and died at the advanced age of eighty-five years. His son, Isaac S. Saw- dey, the father of our subject, was born in New York State in 1817, and was quite small when his parents came to Ohio. He was married in Madison, Lake county, this State, and in 1847 settled in Perry township of the same county, where he developed a farm. In 1887 he moved to Madison township, of which place he is still a resident. He married Amanda Cunningham, a native of this county, daughter of Cyrus Cunningham, a native of Connecticut, and one of the promi- nent early pioneers of Lake county, Ohio, he having settled in Madison township about 1820. At an early day Mr. Cunningham served as Assessor of the entire county, and for many years was a Justice of the Peace in Madison township. His life was spent on the farm, and he died at the age of seventy years. Mrs. Sawdey died at the age of fifty-

four. She was a member of the Congrega- tional Church and was a most estimable wo- man.

Edward C. Sawdey was the third born in a family of seven children, his birth occurring in Perry township, this county, February 25, 1848. At the age of seventeen he began teaching school. He taught three terms here and two terms in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 1870 he married and settled down to farm- ing, and has since been engaged in agricult- ural pursuits at his present location, his farm being composed of 129 acres, all well improved. His large red barn he built in 1874, and his fine frame residence in 1879. The land is composed of a variety of soil and is well adapted to general farming, for which purpose it is utilized. He has five acres of fine onion land and eight acres and a half in grapes.

Mr. Sawdey was married November 23, 1870, to Elsie D. Hamlin, who was born in Youngsville, Warren county, Pennsylvania, and who came to Lake county, Ohio, when a girl. They have three children living: Fred E., Frank H., and Blanch. Clyde E., died at the age of eight years. The entire family are members of the Methodist Church, Mr. Sawdey being a Steward and Class-leader in the Church and Superintendent of the Sab- bath-school.

Politically, he is a Republican. He has served as Township Trustee two years and for a number of years has been a member of the School Board.

W. TITUS, a well-known farmer of Mentor township, Lake county, Ohio, was born in Cuyahoga county, this State, November 26, 1838, a descendant of

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English ancestry. The progenitor of the Titus family in America came to this country from England and settled on Leroy Island in New York. John H. Titus and Benjamin Titus, father and grandfather of J. W., were both born in New York, the former in Mon- roe county. Benjamin Titus emigrated to Ohio about 1845,and settled in Cuyahoga county, from whence he subsequently moved to Lake county, where he died at a ripe old age. He was a Quaker and a man of many estimable traits of character, honored and re- spected by all who knew him. By trade he was a blacksmith, which trade his son, John H., also learned when young. It was about 1835 that John H. Titus landed in Ohio, and he, too, settled in Cuyahoga county, where he bought a sawmill and operated the same a number of years. In 1848 he removed to Lake county and settled in Mentor township. Here he built a sawmill and continued the milling business until about 1861. That year he removed to Buchanan county, Iowa, pur- chased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits, remaining on the farm up to the time of his death in 1889, at the age of eighty-one years. For many years he was a Justice of the Peace in Lake county, and after going West filled the same office in Iowa. The mother of J. W. Titus died two years after the family settled in Iowa. Her maiden name was Angeline Miller, and she was a na- tive of New York. Her twelve children are all living, the youngest being thirty-four years of age. J. W. was the third born in the family.

Mr. Titus received a common-school educa- tion and for a time attended high school, and for several years after he reached his majority continued in the employ of his father, going with him to Iowa and farming there five years. Returning to Ohio in 1866, he located

on his present farm, forty-five acres, on the lake shore in Mentor township. His wife owns a farm of eighty acres. To the cultiva- tion and improvement of this land he has devoted his attention since settling here, and is ranked with the prosperous farmers of his community. The Painesville waterworks are located on his farm.

Mr. Titus was married, in 1864, to Miss Rebecca Brooks, - a native of Lake county, Ohio. Her father, Hugh Brooks, of New York, emigrated with his parents from Dela- ware county, that State, to Ohio, when he was five years old, settling in Painesville town- ship, this county. When he grew up he en- gaged in farming in Mentor township and continued here until the time of his death in 1889, at the age of seventy-seven years. He was a man of many sterling qualities, rather reserved in manner, and was well known and highly esteemed. Mr. and Mrs. Titus have had four children: Bessie (deceased); Mills B .; John H. (deceased); and Bessie (2d).

Politically, Mr. Titus affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as Trustee of his township for ten years, and has also filled other local offices. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

S AMUEL W. BROWN, of Willoughby township, is one of the solid farmers of Lake county, Ohio. His splendid farm bordering on the lake is a model one in every respect, and is well equipped with good farm buildings, fences, etc. There is a five peach orchard on the place, which is consid- ered one of the best in this locality. There are 280 acres of land in the homestead and some six acres of it are planted in vineyards. Mr. Brown has of late years made a spe-

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cialty of growing fruit, and has met with good success in this direction. In addition to general farming, he keeps good stock, and has some fine English shire sheep.

Our subject is a native son of this town- ship, where his birth occurred December 29, 1836. His grandfather, Major Brown, who was born in the Empire State, emigrated to Ohio in 1814, and was one of the first set- tlers of Willoughby township. He rose to the rank of Colonel in the war of the Revo- tion. He cleared and improved a farm, where he lived until his death at a ripe old age. Curtis Brown, our subject's father, was also born in New York State, the date of that event being the year 1805. Like his father before him, he was a farmer and passed al- most his entire life in this locality. He was an active and energetic man, and became quite prosperous. For a great many years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and at various times was Class-leader and Steward. His death occurred in 1878. Mrs. Curtis Brown, nee Lydia Stephens, was like- wise a native of New York, and a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was the mother of three children: Arthur, who lived in Willoughby until 1893, when he removed to Nebraska; Orrin, who resides in Mentor township, and Samuel W.

The birth of the gentleman of whom we write occurred in a log cabin, which his father had erected, after coming to this township. His education was that afforded by the dis- trict school, supplemented by a few terms at the University of Berea, Ohio. He assisted his father until he was twenty-five years of age, when he took charge of the old home- stead, relieving him of the care and anxiety incident to farm life. He was a dutiful son and tenderly cared for his parents until their death. In 1862, he married Miss

Hannah Mclaughlin, a native of Ohio and of Scotch-Irish extraction. She died five years afterward, leaving one child, Etta, who is the wife of Albert Herman, a druggist in Val- paraiso, Indiana. In 1868, Mr. Brown mar- ried Miss Eliza Mclaughlin, a sister of his first wife. Three children have been born of this union: Ella G., Samuel G. and Lila M. They have supplemented their district school education by a course in the high school at Willoughby, and Samuel, is now attending college.

Our subject is a Republican, but is not an office-seeker, and though he has been appointed to serve in various official capacities, has steadily declined the honor. He and his wife are considered pillars of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mrs. Brown is a graduate of the University at Berea, and was a teacher for several years, as was also our subject's first wife. Their parents were George and Cath- erine (Lynch) Mclaughlin, both natives of Ireland. They both died at an advanced age. The father was a local minister and in early manhood was a teacher. Becoming interested in the Lake Shore Railroad, he assisted in building the same. His four sons and three daughters were very well educated, and three of the farmer became ministers of the Gospel. The other son is a well-known lawyer in New York State.

S ELAH DANIELS, a prominent and enterprising farmer of Montville town- ship, Geauga county, is the subject of the following biographical sketch. He is a native of Ohio, born at Montville, January 9, 1845, a son of Selah Daniels, Sr., who was born in Connecticut, June 1, 1798; the father removed to Ohio at an early day, and settled

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

in Portage county, where he operated a grist- mill for a number of years; later he came to Montville and purchased land at a time when the country was thinly settled and little land was under cultivation. He died in 1880, aged eighty-two years. His wife's maiden name was Mary Ann Newman; she died in 1882, at the age of eighty-four years. They had a family of six children, four of whom are living: Luther P., Katherine, Rufus and the subject of this sketch. Selah Dan- iels is the youngest born; he remained at home and cared for his parents through their declining years, ministering to their wants with loving fidelity.

He enlisted in August, 1864, a member of Company F, Twenty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but later was transferred to Com- pany A. He joined his regiment at San- dusky, Ohio, and for a year did guard duty on Johnson's Island. He was mustered out at Camp Chase in July, 1865. Peace having been declared he returned to his home, and embarked in the milling business. He built a sawmill in 1867, and until 1892 was suc- cessfully engaged in the lumber trade, sell- ing out at that time.

Mr. Daniels was married in 1868, on the 20th day of June, to Jane A. Tucker, a native of Geauga county, Ohio, her parents having emigrated from England to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Daniels became the parents of the following children: Curtis G .; Ernest, deceased; Plinney ; Henry ; Vernie and Max. Politically our subject affiliates with the Re- publican party, and has filled the offices of Land Appraiser and Trustee. He is a mem- ber of I. N. Legget Post, No. 336, G. A. R., at Montville, and has been Commander and Adjustant since its organization. He was nominated at the Republican County Con- vention in 1893, for County Commissioner.

He is now the owner of ninety-nine acres in his home farm, seventy-five acres in another tract, and 115 in another. Untiring indus- try, good management and economy have been the mainsprings of his success, and in all his transactions he has preserved his repu- tation for strict integrity and honorable dealing.

R ANSOM MASON, a well-to-do and respected citizen of Andover, Ohio, engaged in the carpenter and joiner business, was born at Fort Ann, Washington county, New York, February 21, 1808. He is of New England descent, his parents, Calvin and Polly (Buschet) Ma- son, having both been born in Connecticut. They came to Ohio in 1835 and took land near Andover on the old State road, where they passed the remainder of their lives, be- coming prosperous and influential residents of their community. They had twelve chil- dren: Ransom, whose name heads this notice; Roswell; George; Samantha; Mary; Merrill; Franklin; Sally; Hiram; Ambrose; Barney and Olive. The worthy father died aged eighty years and his devoted wife survived him a short time, expiring at the age of eighty-five. Both were much esteemed for their many excellent qualities and were fol- lowed by the regrets of all who knew them.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and attended the district schools, his early life having been passed in New York State. He came to Andover in 1840, and by steady industry at his trade of carpentry and joinery has been steadily prospered, until he is now in comfortable circumstances, all due to his own unaided efforts, careful economy and intelligent management.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Mr. Mason was married at the age of twen- ty-one, in New York State, to Miss Saman- tha Kingsley, a worthy lady, a native of Fort Ann, New York, a daughter of Supply and Avis (Mason) Kingsley, old and highly re- spected residents of the Empire State. Mr. and Mrs. Mason have had six children, three of whom survive: Myron, Justin K. and Parcelous. Those whom they lost are: El- lery, died aged nine years; Allen, a member of the Twenty-ninth Ohio Infantry, was shot at Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia, when twenty- four years of age; and Marion died aged eight. January, 1888, the family were called upon to mourn the death of the devoted wife and mother, who died at the age of seventy- five years. She had long been a useful mem- ber of the Baptist Church and enjoyed the es- teem of all who knew her. Mr. Mason is also a worthy member of the same denomina- tion and a contributor to all objects tending "to advance the material or moral interests of his community.

D AVID G. PROCTOR, M. D., has been prominently identified with the medical profession of Geauga county. for the past thirty-seven years, and has won an enviable reputation as a successful practi- tioner of the old-school system. He was born in the State of New Hampshire, June 8, 1827, a son of Aaron Proctor, a native of Hollis, New Haven, and a grandson of Moses Proctor, a native of New Hampshire, and a great grandson of Moses Proctor, Sr., also a native of New Hampshire. Moses Proctor, Sr., was killed by the bite of a rattlesnake, and his wife was gored to death by an infuriated bull. The Proctor family emigrated from county Kent, England, and

settled in the United States at an early day. Moses Proctor, Jr., was a cooper by trade, and removed from Massachusetts to New Hampshire, where hedied, on Proctor Hill, at the age of ninety years. Aaron Proctor is one of a family of four children, and was a cooper by trade. In 1834 he removed with his family to Ohio, and settled in Thompson township, Geauga county; he worked at his trade until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-six years. He was one of the pioneers of this locality, and was deeply respected for his sterling worth. His wife, Hannah Davis, was born in New Hampshire, February 15, 1791, a daughter of Silas Davis, a native of Massachusetts, born April 16, 1749. Four brothers of Silas Davis were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. The family is descended from Dolor Davis, who emigrated to America from county Kent, England, in 1634, and settled at Cambridge, Massachusetts. Hannah Davis Proctor died February 4, 1870, aged seventy- eight years. She and her husband were con- sistent members of the Congregational Church.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 121

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