Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 124

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 124
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 124
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 124

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).

February 2, 1847, Mr. Hopkins was mar- ried to Miss Lucy Ann Slater, a worthy lady, a native of Chenango county, New York, who came with her parents to Ashtabula county in 1824. Her father, Amos Slater, was a native of Massachusetts, and son of Giles Slater, also born in that State and descended from an old and prominent New England family. Mr. Hopkins' mother, nee Fannie Seymour, was a native of New York State, and daughter of Silas and Sallie (Gilbert) Seymour, also from that State. Mr. Slater was a farmer by occupation and a Whig in politics, later becoming a strong anti-slavery man. Both he and wife were useful members of the Congregational Church. They had twelve children, five sons and seven daugh- ters: Giles; Lucy Ann, wife of the subject of

953

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

this sketch; Cornelius; Emily ; Sallie; Gilbert; Fannie; Addison; Amos; Margaret; Seymour and Ellen. The mother of this family died aged seventy-nine years, and the father, at the advanced age of ninety-one. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins have had six children: Mary E., wife of Dr. L. B. Tuckerman, of Cleve- land, Ohio; Harriet C., who died in 1876, aged twenty-six; Addison U., a physician in Ashtabula; Silas Gilbert, at home; John H., a merchant at West Andover; and Mar- garet L.

Politically, Mr. Hopkins is a Republican, and has represented his party in many re- sponsible official positions. He was appointed Deputy County Surveyor in January, 1852, and elected to that office in January, 1867, serving successfully in that capacity seven full terms, or for twenty-one years. He also served as Township Clerk, Real Estate Asses- sor, Township Trustee and Notary Public, in all of which he displayed uniform ability and trustworthiness of character. Such universal commendation is sufficient guarantee of merit, outweighing any encomiums which might be written of him.

EORGE E. MOORE was born in Mun- son township, Geauga county, June 15, 1839, a son of Edmond Moore, who was born in Seneca county, New York, in 1803. Hutchinson Moore, the grand- father, was a native of Connecticut and a descendant of an old New England fam- ily. He was three times married, the first wife and the third being sisters, named Morse. Hutchinson's father, Sam- uel, was killed in the Revolutionary war. He was the father of nine children, three by the first marriage, three by the second and |

three by the third. Edmond Moore belonged to the family of the first wife. He was a farmer by occupation, and in 1833 removed to Geauga county, Ohio, locating in Munson township, where he bought a tract of land which he cleared and improved with substan- tial buildings. He was Trustee of his town- ship at one time, and had been elected Asses- sor just previous to his death. In his relig- ous faith he was a Methodist. He was mar- ried in Seneca county, New York, to Barbara Fisk, who died at the age of sixty-one years.

George E. Moore, son of the above, is the fifth of a family of nine children, eight of whom are living: James, the eldest, went to California and is living a retired life in Los Angeles; Albert is a farmer of Van Buren county, Michigan; David F. was an extensive merchant in South Haven, Michi- gan, and director of one of the banks there; he was accidentally killed in the fall of 1887; Hiram W. is cashier of the First National Bank of La Fayette, Indiana, a position he has filled for twenty years.

George E., the subject of this notice, was educated in the district schools and at Hiram College. He began teaching at the age of seventeen years, and followed this profession for some years in Geauga, Lake and Scioto counties.

He was among the first to respond to the call for men to go out in defense of the nation, and December 16, 1861, he en- listed in Battery G, First Ohio Light Ar- tillery, and was. in the Fourteenth Army Corps. He veteranized and was mustered out at Camp Chase, August 31, 1865, as Sergeant. He participated in many impor- tant engagements, among them the follow- ing: Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Franklin, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, a second time at Franklin, Pulaski, Spring

969

OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

Hill, a third time at Franklin, and Nash- ville. During the Atlanta campaign his battery was guarding the Nashville railroad. He acted as clerk of his company, making reports to the captain. After the war was over he engaged in the more peaceful occupa- tion of farming in Munson township.

He was united- in marriage in 1862, to Martha Downing, and to them were born four children: Arthur, deceased; Jessie is a graduate of the Chardon high school and is a teacher; Rodney, attending school at Chardon; and Alvin, an invalid. Arthur received a thorough business education, and was bookkeeper for several large institu- tions; he was elected Secretary of the South Pittsburg Pipe Works and had a very prom- ising future when his work was abruptly ended by his death, May 6, 1891, at the age of twenty-five years. Mr. Moore is a Republican in his politics, and has served the people of his township as Clerk for eight years, and as Assessor five years. He is a member of the G. A. R., Reed Post, No. 387, at Chardon. He owns a finely improved farm of 156 acres, and is num- bered among the leading agriculturists of the community.

E DWIN TUTTLE, a well-known char- acter in the early history of Geauga county, is the subject of the following biographical sketch. He was born at Jeffer- son, Schoharie county, New York, October 23, 1813, a son of Simeon Tuttle, a native of Woodbury, Connecticut. The father emi- grated when a young man to Schoharie county, when that country defined the west- ern frontier, and there cleared up a fine farm on which he lived full fifty years. He was a

strict Presbyterian in his religious faith, and held various local offices of trust and respons- ibility. He died at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife, Betsey Dayton, was born at Watertown, Litchfield county, Connecticut, and died a number of years before he passed away. She, too, was an adherent to the Pres- byterian faith. They had a family of ten children, three of whom survive. Edwin Tut- tle is the youngest of the living children. He was born in the log house built by his father, and grew to manhood amid the scenes of pi- oneer life. His educational advantages were meager, the mental resources of the teachers being not much superior to the material equipment of the house, which was a dilapi- dated building that had been used as a store and was miserably furnished and poorly heated. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, and went to work at farin labor, receiving $10 or $12 a month for seven years. When he became of age he came to Ohio and located in Geauga county, finally purchasing land in Newbury town- ship. He removed to Munson township early in the '50s and has resided upon his present farm for a half century.

Mr. Tuttle was married in 1843, to Miss Maria Davis, a native of Geauga county and a daughter of Asa Davis, one of the pioneers of the county and a man greatly respected for his sterling worth. He died at the age of sixty-seven years, but his wife survived to her eighty-third year. They reared a family of ten children, four of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle have traveled life's pathway side by side for fifty years, lightening each other's burdens, sharing each other's joys and sorrows. They are the parents of two chil- dren: Davis and Willie.

Davis Tuttle married Dillie Bartlette, and they have one daughter, Flossie; Willie Tut-

970

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

tle married Mary Tiffiny, and they are the parents of two children, Lloyd and Belle.

In his political opinions Mr. Tuttle has af- filiated with the Democratic party; he has served as township Trustee, giving excellent satisfaction. He has been very prosperous in his farming operations, and has a landed estate of 600 acres, and choice grades of live- stock. Although he began with no means, energy and perseverauce have accomplished the desired ends and placed him among the prosperous citizens of the county.

M AJOR FRANK VIETS .- No more worthy representative of an old and honored Ohio family is to be found than the subject of this sketch, to whose services in defense of his country is added a long life of usefulness and activity in peaceful affairs, calculated to upbuild and beantify that land which he helped to save to liberty and right.

The founder of the family in America was the great grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who came from Germany and settled in Vermont in an early day, and it is very probable that he spelled his name " Vietz," instead of the manner employed by his de- cendants. His son, Jesse Viets, was born in the Green Mountain State in 1785, and was a farmer and pioneer Methodist minister. When about thirty-two years of age, he con- cluded to try his fortunes west of the Alle- ghany mountains, and accordingly turned his steps toward Ohio, then a new and slightly settled country. He made his way overland by the slow and tedious means of an ox team, consuming as many weeks in the under- taking as it now takes day to cover the same distance. Finally arriving in Ohio, he set-

tled in Amboy, where he passed the remain- der of his days, when not traveling on his ministerial missions. These latter usually took him along the shore of Lake Erie, from Buffalo probably as far as Cleveland, and the greater number of Methodist congregations in that part of the country were organized by him. He was exceedingly enthusiastic in his work and more widely known than any other man in the same district. Highly intellect- ual, probably, possessed of a splendid educa- tion, a fluent speaker, of unexampled energy and perseverance, combined with great per- sonal magnetism, he was well calculated to wage war against the powers of darkness, and used his talents to great effect. This great and good man died in Amboy about 1848, his loss carrying widespread sorrow to many hearts and homes, where he was universally beloved and revered. His six children were as follows: Rodney, born in 1807; Dolly Ann, married Horatio Lovejoy, and they both died in Conneaut; Roland died; Mary Ann, be- came the wife of Henry Benson, and both died in Conneaut; Lucinda married John Watson, and both died in Iowa.

Rodney Viets, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Vermont, and accom- panied his parents to Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1817, and it was ever afterward his home. He received a good education under the able guidance of his illustrious father, and when a young man was engaged for a time in teach- ing. This he discontinued at the age of twenty-four to enter the ministry of the Disciple Church, preaching his first ser- mon in Ashtabula county, probably at Amboy. He inherited his father's genius and indomit- able spirit for good, and would often ride long distances and encounter the fiercest weather to comfort those needing spiritual aid. He never held a regular appointment, but worked

971

OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

wherever he could do the most good. He was married, in Ashtabula county, to Lucinda Wood, a woman of rare force of intellect and sweetness of character, the youngest in a large family of children of a prominent pioneer of this county. Her father is now buried in Amboy, of which city he was an early settler. They had ten children: Rodney, who died when young; one died in infancy; Amandona, deceased, was the wife of H. A. Walton, of Saybrook; Byron is a farmer of Geauga county ; Melissa A., is the wife of D. H. Gay- lord, of Geneva; Frank is the subject of this sketch; Mary, married, is now deceased; Henry Warren; Celestia, wife of C. E. Cooper, resides in North Dakota; and Durell, where- abouts unknown. The family were called upon to mourn the loss of the father in 1887, who died at a ripe old age, greatly lamented by all who knew him. No one in this vicin- ity, unless it was his father, ever did more to strengthen and advance the moral welfare of the community than he, and he richly de- serves the high regard in which he is uni- versally held.

Major Frank Viets, whose name heads this brief biography, was born in Saybrook, Ash- tabula county, Ohio, March 12, 1839, and re- ceived his education in the common schools of that city. He resided at home until his majority, being employed on the farm in the lumber camp. At the end of this time, the Civil war broke out and he hastened with all the ardor of youthful patriotism to tender his services to his country. He enlisted for four months in Company F, of the State mili- tia, which was a part of the Ohio Volunteer Artillery. This company was at once ordered to the front and fired the first gun at the battle of Philippi, in West Virginia. The battles of Laurel Hill and Carrick's Ford were fought before the expiration of the first

term of enlistment. The company was after- ward ordered to Camp Chase, and there under- went two musters in and out of the Federal service in one day. Major Viets then re- turned home and assisted in raising and or- ganizing Battery C, in which he was com- missioned Second Lieutenant, by Governor Tod. This company was then ordered in Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, Ohio, and on September 9. 1861, they were mustered into the three years' service. Kentucky was the scene of immediate action and the bat- tle of Wild Cat was the first battle, which was followed by that at Mill Springs, where Major Viets was within reach of the rebel general, Zollicoffer, when that officer was killed. Thence the command of Major Viets went to Fort Donelson, whence they pro- ceeded to Nashville and Pittsburg Landing, and subsequently participated in the siege of Corinth. Here the Confederate forces, under General Bragg, gut behind the Federal troops and drove the latter back across Kentucky, engaging them in battle at Perryville, in October, 1862. The Confederates, however, were repulsed, and were forced to retire into the Confederacy, whither Major Viets' com- mand followed them to near Nashville, Ten- nessee. The Major's command then swung off after General Morgan, whom they met at Hartwell's Ferry, and again at Rolling Fork river, at which latter point the Union forces defeated the Confederate troops, whom the Federals followed out of the State to Nash- ville and La Verge. At the latter point, owing to an injury received by Major Viets some time previously, he resigned his commission of First Lieutenant and returned home, hav- ing been in the service just two years.

He then secured a sub-contract in the con- struction of the Jamestown & Franklin Rail- road, which, from the standpoint of finances,

972

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

was disastrous to every contractor on the work. This adverse turn in the Major's fortunes caused him to look to the West, as the place best calculated to enable him to re- trieve his finances, and he accordingly estab- lished himself, in 1868, in Kansas City, Mis- souri, where he entered the commission busi- ness, dealing with the commissary of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, then being built. As the road extended from point to point beyond Kansas City, the Major removed his business to each succeeding headquarters as far as Denver. At this time, the Major's attention was attracted to the Red River coun- try in Dakota, by the building of the North - ern Pacific railroad, which he decided was a country of wonderful resources, with a brill- iant future before it. He was so favorably impressed with its prospects that, in the fall of 1870, he removed his family to the Red River valley, 200 miles in advance of any railroad, and established himself in Grand Forks. Here he engaged in the real-estate business, in merchandising and milling and various other profitable ventures, as time and the development of the city warranted. He was half-owner of the town site, and was ex- ceedingly active in all financial enterprises. Mrs. Viets was the first white woman in the village, and it was not until the following fall that another white woman put in an appear- ance. After thirteen years of frontier life, becoming weary of incessant activity, the Major determined to return to Ohio and pro- vide himself with a good home, in which to pass his declining days, still, however, retain- ing his extensive interests in Grand Forks, which city he visits annually. Here, in Ohio, the Major owns a large and well improved farm near Ashtabula, where he makes his home, enjoying in comfort the means accu- mulated by the toil of former years. Besides

his other enterprises, he is largely interested in the Ashtabula Driving Park Association, and is a stockholder in the London Company, of Ashtabula, in which he is also president. In fact, having been a man of activity for so many years, the Major finds it difficult to keep his determination of eschewing all busi- ness pursuits.

On November 30, 1865, Major Viets was married to Miss Nancy L. Dow, a lady of sterling qualities of mind and heart, who is a daughter of John Dow, a well-known pioneer of this county, who married a Miss Butter- field, also a representative of an old and re- spected family. Major and Mrs. Viets have but one child, Gertrude, born March 5, 1866, who was educated in Faribault, Minnesota, and married M. S. Titus, now a banker at Minto, North Dakota. Their marriage oc- curred in July, 1887, and they have two children: Annie, aged four years; and Fran- ces, aged eighteen months.

Politically, Major Viets adheres to the principles of the Republican party, but has not served officially except. as Commissioner of his county in Dakota and as Councilman of Grand Forks, although his financial train- ing and upright character, combined with rare executive ability, amply fit him for the creditable discharge of any important public duties.

W ILLIAM HEATH, of Richmond township, Ashtabula county, was born in Tully, Onondaga county, New York, in April, 1815, a son of Eleazer Heath, a native of Massachusetts. The latter's father, Eleazer Heath, Sr., was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his death oc- curred in 1817, at the age of ninety-seven years. The mother of our subject was Betsey

973

OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

Heath, a native of Massachusetts. Eleazer Heath, Jr., was a farmer by occupation, a Whig in his political views, and a member of the Baptist Church. Both he and his wife died at the age of eighty-two years.

William Heath, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the common schools, and in early life worked at the carpenter's trade several years. He came to Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1835, followed the mercan- tile trade at Richmond Center many years, and in 1863 engaged in the same occupation in this city. He has a fine business build- ing, carries a large stock of goods, and is honored and respected in both business and social circles.

Mr. Heath was married at the age of twenty years, to Lydia Cook, a native of Massachusetts and a daughter of Luke Cook. To this union were born four children: Luther F., Clarissa, Jerome and Philetus. The latter is deceased. Luther F. was a member of the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Regiment during the late war, and he now resides in Pottawatomie county, Kansas. Mrs. Heath died in 1875, and our subject afterward married Emily Belden Bush, widow of Aaron Bush, who was a soldier in the Civil war. She is a daughter of Oliver and Rhoda (Thompson) Belden. Mr. Heath affiliates with the Republican party, has held the position of Postmaster for thirty years, and has also served as Township Clerk. He is a member of the Baptist Church.

G. LELAND, one of the leading phy- sicians and surgeons of Andover, Ash- tabula county, was born in Windsor, Ohio, January 22, 1860, a son of John D. and Amanda M. Leland, the former a native

of New York. In 1864 the parents removed to Iroquois county, Illinois, where our sub- ject grew to years of maturity. He completed his education by graduating at the Western Reserve University, of Ohio, in the class of 1883. Since that time he has been engaged in the practice of medicine. Although but a recent arrival in Andover, he occupies one of the most prominent positions in his pro- fession in the city. Mr. Leland became a member of the Masonic order in Hart's Grove Lodge, in Ohio.

November 24, 1881, at Edinborough, Penn- sylvania, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss M. B. Wood, a member of a highly respected family, and a woman of education and refinement. They have one son, Thayer.

E IDWARD GRIFFIN HURLBURT, is a well-known and universally respected citizen of Ashtabula county, Ohio. He was born March 12, 1824, the seventh child of Erastus Grant and Clarissa (Goodwin) Hurlburt of Goshen, Litchfield county, Con- necticut. May 13, 1842, when he was eigh- teen years of age, his parents with a large family and all their belongings reached Hart's Grove township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, and located on parts of lots 96 and 106 therein, property since owned by Nelson Griswold. The children who reached any considerable age are: Clarissa A., Elizabeth, Louisa, Belden G., Erastus G., Edward G., Russell H., Jehiel B., Henry C., Ruth M., and David E. Shortly after a settlement had been effected the husband and father died; this sad event occured September 4, 1845. The wife and mother survived him until December 13, 1856. Edward G. was just past his majority when by the death of

974

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

the father the affairs of the family were thrown into confusion. With characteristic energy he took charge of the business, kept the family together and succeeded in making a satisfactory settlement of the estate. Every member of this family has successfully dem- onstrated that the heritage of blood is all that can be desired for each has made a career worthy of his noble and - self-sacrificing an-

cestors. Clarissa A. became the wife of Ben Norris; Elizabeth married Mr. Hudson; Lonisa married S. C. Green, a minister of note, who was in active service for more than forty years; Belden G. went to California, became State Senator and District Judge; J. B. settled in Iowa and became Treasurer and Sheriff successively of Boone county; Henry C. located in Kansas and is a prosperous farmer there; Ruth resides in Iowa; Russell G. was for many years a leading member of the Erie Conference of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, a preacher of note, who died in Iowa a few years ago; Erastus died in early manhood, while the youngest, David E., is a leading citizen of Hart's Grove, and one of the most successful farmers of the county.

On December 31, 1851, Edward G. Hurl- burt was united in marriage to Jane Babcock, daughter of John and Lydia Babcock, of Or- well; eight children have been born to them; Frank Lincoln, whose birth occurred Decem- ber 17, 1852; Mary Luella, born April 5, 1855; Martha Jane, born January 31, 1857; Clara M., born September 2, 1862; John Erastus, born July 29, 1864; Edward G., Jr., born August 18, 1867; Lucy Jane, born Sep- tember 29, 1868; and Ward, born October 8, 1872. The oldest son, Frank Lincoln, met his end in Denver, Colorado, whither he had gone in search of health in 1890; he grew worse suddenly, but, his father responding

immediately to a telegram, reached him be- fore he expired, the eighth day of May; he left a wife and two children to mourn his loss. Mary Luella is the wife of Hon. E. L. Lampson, of Jefferson, Ohio, who became prominent a few years ago by reason of the gallant fight he made for the office of Lieutenant Governor; the circumstances are familiar to all readers of current political history; he is at present a member of the Ohio Senate. Martha Jane died at the age of five years, September 30, 1862. Clara M. is the wife of F. H. Davis, of Lynn county, Iowa; John E. is a bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Jefferson, Ohio; Edward G., Jr., died June 5, 1868; Lucy Jane died September 6, 1869; Ward E. married Miss Ruth Ellis, of Orwell, and now resides at Mesopotamia, Ohio, engaged in the manu- facture of cheese; he has one child. Mrs. Hurlburt, the mother of this family, is a woman of superior attainments, and to her credit is due much of the success that has crowned the labors of herself and husband. She was born November 23, 1830, and is one of the following named children: John W., Charles W., James, William R., Juliette, Angeniette, Fayette, Albertus, Lucy, Par- minio, Hortoville, and Solon.

Mr. Hurlburt has been all his life an act- ive, enterprising business man; he owns 1,500 acres of choice land, and is extensively engaged in raising live-stock; his operations have not been confined to narrow limits, his sales of stock raised in Iowa aggregat- ing $20,000 one year. For a short period he was engaged in mercantile business at Hart's Grove, selling his interests at the end of two years to his partner, H. H. Grover. To his church work he has brought the same zeal that characterizes his secular labors; an untiring worker in the cause of

975

OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

his Master, his loss will be keenly felt when the burdens of years necessitates retirement. He is a member of Hart's Grove Lodge, No. 394, F & A. M., and also belongs to the I. O. O. F. He has been a Republican since the organization of the party, and has held the township offices with the possible excep- tion of that of Clerk. He was elected to the responsible position of County Commissioner in the fall of 1871, and was re-elected until he had served twelve years, a most faithful and efficient official.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 124

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