Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 126

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 126
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 126
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 126

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ness in western Pennsylvania. He after- ward located at Oil City, where he re- mained until his death, in May, 1890. He became a member of the Baptist Church in early life, was one of three who organized the church at his home, and served as Deacon of that church from its organization until his death, at which time he willed the church a parsonage at Oil City. Mrs. Davis now re- sides with her daughter, Mrs. J. H. Fulmer, aged seventy-seven years. She has also been a life-long and devout member of the Bap- tist church. Mr. and Mrs. Davis had two children, and the daughter, Ellen, is now the wife of J. H. Fulmer, a contractor and oil operator.

M. L. Davis, the subject of this sketch, re- ceived good early education advantages, and also completed an academic course. He was afterward engaged in fruit culture in Cort- land county, New York, until 1870, and from that year until 1890 followed the same oc- cupation in Kingsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio. In the latter year he opened a hotel in this city, which he conducted two years, and during that time was, as he now is, spe- cial reporter on the Ashtabula Daily Standard.

In 1862, Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Boynton, a daughter of Rev. A. V. Boynton, of McLean, New York. To this union has been born two children, -- Virginia A. and Nellie A., both at home. The eldest daughter graduated at the Alle- ghany College in the class of 1891, has had five years of successful teaching, and is now preceptress in the high school. She is one of the most successful and cultured teachers of the county, and is worthy the responsible position she now holds. Nellie A. is a teacher in music, and is one of the finest contralto singers in Ashtabula county. Mr. and Mrs. Davis and their youngest daughter are mem-

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bers of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Davis holds the office of Treasurer. He is also a member of the K. of P., and has been Commander of the G. A. R. Post for the past three years. He is one of the pro- gressive and public-spirited citizens of his township, and stands abreast in all enter- prises that favor the welfare of of his vicinity.

E LISHA FARNHAM, deceased, was of Puritan origin. His father and grand- father participated in the Revolution- ary struggle, and he inherited the same spirit of loyalty. He was born in Hampton, Con- necticut, June 8, 1806, and was the sixth in a family of ten children. His parents, Thomas and Abigail Farnham, were by no means wealthy, and his advantages for schooling were limited, yet he acquired a good com- mon-school education. Being the eldest son, he was at an early age obliged to rely on his own resources, and a portion of his wages were also contributed to the support of his father's family. He learned the machinist's trade and was a skillful workman. In the fall of 1830 Mr. Farnham packed his worldly effects in a knapsack and came to Conneaut, Ohio, locating on land still occupied by his heirs. In 1841 he erected the gristmill on the south ridge, still in operation, and at present owned by his son. With good health, strict adherence to his business and a Con- necticut birthright combined, he accumu- lated a competence. His death occurred Oc- tober 4, 1875.

Mr. Farnham was twice married, first to Mary A. Ring, of Conneaut, Ohio, Novem- ber 14, 1833. She died August 11, 1849, and January 30, 1850, he was united in mar- riage with Mrs. Harriet A. Sanborn, who is

still living. The children, who were all born from the first marriage, are as follows: D. Alphonso, born June 5, 1835, married Sophia Brooks, was a soldier in the Union army dur- ing the Rebellion and died in the service; Flora, born June 12, 1837, is the wife of the popular Sheriff, T. S. Young; P. Henry, born November 14, 1838, married Mary Mallory, and lives in Conneaut; Mary, born February 27, 1841, married Martin Reals; Lydia E., born March 30, 1843, married C. L. Fuller, who was drowned in Lake Erie; and Emily, born September 21, 1847, married William G. Buss. Mr. Farnham held many positions of trust, and was for many years a township officer. He was not only a worthy citizen, but an obliging neighbor and an intelligent husband and father.

N OAH PAGE, deceased, was an influ- ential man in the community, belong- ing to the law-abiding element and seeking always to elevate the standard of morality. He was born in Burton town- ship, Geauga county, Ohio, November 13, 1821, a son of Noah Page, a native of Con- necticut, born in New Haven county, March 20, 1772. Noah Page, Sr., emigrated to Geauga county in 1803, and located in Bur- ton township, being one of the first settlers. He took up a tract of land which has been occupied by his descendants since that time. He built a log cabin, put in a crop of wheat and then returned to the East, and while there he procured various seeds of fruits and grains which he planted afterward on his own land. He was united in marriage February 4, 1806, to Jennie Wallace, whose people were among the pioneers of Ohio. They reared a family of eight children, two of

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

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whom survive. Both father and mother died in Geauga county, at a ripe old age. Noah Page, the subject of this notice, received his elementary education in the primitive log schoolhouse, and later entered the Burton Academy. When his school-days were ended, he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, which he followed to the end of his life.

He was married February 14, 1855, to Delia Thompson, a native of Middlefield township, Geauga county, Ohio, and a daugh- ter of James and Mercy (Tracy) Thompson. Mrs. Page was one of the pioneer educators, having taught several terms of district school. They had one daughter, Carrie, wife of Perry D. Reed, now residing on the Page home- stead with her mother. She was married August 16, 1892.

Mr. Page answered the call for men in the nation's extremity and enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-first Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, May 2, 1864. He was on guard duty at Johnson's Island and later he was sent to Camp Dennison; he was in pursuit of Mor- gan and was taken prisoner, being paroled at Camp Dennison. He died March 8, 1884, at the age of sixty two years. Politically, he was identified with the Republican party, and held many local offices, discharging his duties with a fidelity that won the respect and con- fidence of the entire community. He was very successful in his farming operations, and at the time of his death had 250 acres in a high state of cultivation.

JOHN B. WAY, a prosperous farmer of section 9, Orwell township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, and a highly respected citizen, was born in Canfield, this State. Owing to the destruction by fire of the fam-

ily residence and family records, the exact date of his birth is unknown, but occurred about 1842. His parents, Prince and Rozella (Burris) Way, were natives of Ohio and Mifflin, Pennsylvania, respectively, the for- mer born in 1803, and the latter in 1810. They had eight children, three of whom are deceased: Sarah; John B., whose name heads this notice; Rhoda; Alfred; Maria; Harriet, deceased at the age of thirty; Olivia, also deceased; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Way's parents resided with him on the part of his present farm which he bought in 1870, until their death-the mother in 1877 and the father in 1888. They were worthy people and left many friends to mourn their loss.

The subject of this sketch, being one of a large family and his father's means being limited, was early inured to labor, thus learning those lessons of self-reliance and perseverance which have been the secret of his present success. He received instruction in the rudimentary branches in the district schools of his vicinity, and was afterward variously employed until 1870, when he bought part of his present farm. He has since devoted his entire attention to the culti- vation and improvement of his land, to which he has since added until he now owns seventy-six acres of as good realty as is to be found in the county. He also has a dairy of a large number of cows, which yields him paying quantities of cream, butter and cheese. He does not sell milk, finding the the other dairy products more profitable. He keeps no help except in haying time, and gives every detail of his farm his careful at- tention, thus greatly increasing its produc- tive capacities. In 1878 he was entirely burned out, losing all his effects, but has since rebuilt on a larger and better scale, his

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

place now presenting a most thrifty appear- ance. He has two residences on his farm, good barns, granaries and other valuable im- provements. All this prosperity has not come by chance, but by steady hard work, good management and perseverance, which has been greatly supplemented by economy and unvarying uprightness in dealing, with his fellow-men.

F RANCIS J. FULLER, owner of one of the finest improved farms of Madi- son township, Lake county, Ohio, was born in Cleveland, this State, in 1858.

Horace Fuller, Dr. Lemuel Fuller and Lemuel Fuller, the father, grandfather and great-grandfather of Francis J., were all born in Attleborough, Massachusetts. The Fuller family are of English descent. They trace their ancestry back to the time when three brothers started to this country with a Hol- land colony that landed at Plymouth in 1626. One of the three died before reaching his destination, and the other two settled with the colony in Massachusetts. The title to the old home in Attleborough, Massachusetts, dates back to 1680, and the house in which the three generations preceding the subject of our sketch were born is still standing, now over 200 years old. The occupation of the members of the Fuller family-now very large-has been varied. Some have been farmers, others mechanics, and quite a large percentage of them professional men.

Lemuel Fuller owned a farm at Attlebor- ough, and also was engaged in the manufac- ture of nails, operating some of the first nail- cutting machines ever in use in this country. Ile died there at the ripe old age of ninety- four years. His wife, who was born in En-

gland, was the daughter of Sir Frankaund, who was an officer in the English army and was at the evacuation of Boston. She lived to be over eighty. Their son, Dr. Lemuel Fuller, was a practicing physician at Attleborough for many years. He died there, at the age of eighty-four. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Franklin, reared twelve chil- dren, and she, too, lived to an advanced age.

Horace Fuller and one of his brothers came West in 1850, and located in Cleveland, where the former was engaged in contracting and building until 1881. Many of the build- ings in that city and also numerous public buildings at various places in the West and South have been erected by him. Since 1881 he has been retired from active work. He now has extensive manufacturing interests in Cleveland, but for the most part makes his home with his son. His wife bore the maiden name of Joanna R. Downing. She was born at Olean, New York, and was reared in Albany, that State. Her father, Jacob Downing, was a native of Long Island, and. of English descent. Henry Downing, the first of that name who came to America, set- tled at Linn Cove, Long Island, in the early part of the seventeenth century. The origi- nal estate there, which comprises a large tract of land, is still kept in the Downing family. With very few exceptions, the Downing; have all been engaged in agricultural pur- suits. Jacob Downing was a leather mer- chant in early life, and later a railroad con- tractor and builder. He was connected with the construction of the Albany & Boston Railroad and many others. He died at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, who be- fore her marriage was Jane Winnie, was born in Albany, New York, of German descent.

Francis J. Fuller is an only child. He was educated in the public schools of Cleveland

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

and in the Trinity and Brooks schools of that city, completing an English course. After leaving school, he was engaged with his father in contracting and building until, on account of failing health, he came to Lake county and bought his present farm. That was in 1886. His farm comprises 165 acres and is situated on the south ridge in West Madison. The large brick residence surrounded with ample shade trees, the commodious frame barn which he built himself, the carriage- house, granaries and other out-buildings, the well-cultivated fields, fine stock and general surroundings-all indicate thrift and plenty.

Mr. Fuller was married, September 1, 1884, to Minnie L. Mason, who was born, reared and educated in Cleveland, and who is a lady of culture and refinement. Her father, Charles Mason, a dentist by profession, turned his attention to a railroad career, hoping the change would be beneficial to his health, but was killed in 1878. He was a veteran of the late war and was a man of sterling qualities. Mrs. Fuller's mother was before her marriage Miss Eva Clark. She was born at Toledo, Ohio, and is still living, being now a resident of Delta, this State. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have three children: Mabel D., Edna M., and an unnamed infant.

Politically, Mr. Fuller is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow and a Mason. Mrs. Fuller is a member of the Methodist Church.

UDGE HAMILTON B. WOODBURY. -- That distinguished philosopher and statesman, Lord Bacon, very truly said that, " Histories set forth rather the pomp of business than its true and inward resorts; but the lives of eminent men, if they be well written, representing individual achievements

in the various spheres of life, in which ac- tions both great and small, public and private, have a commixture, must necessarily contain a more true, natural and lively representa- tion." Hence works of history in which biography forms the main part or is largely interwoven, is the most attractive and instruct- ive, and leaves a greater impress on the mind of the reader. Biographies, to be readable, should be so written that they will impress coming generations with the rewards that follow industry, perseverance and merit, and set forth the value of honest individual exer- tion. Then those who peruse them will try to imitate the virtues therein set forth and will be benefited thereby.

These thoughts are suggested by reviewing the life of the distinguished jurist whose name heads this memoir. Woodbury is an old name, of English origin and very promi- nently associated with the history of this country since the early part of the seventeenth century. It is a name borne by many coun- ties and towns in the different States of the Union. It is a name which fills a large place in the library catalogues and in the diction- aries of authors. It is the name of an ancient numerous and substantial family. The name has been variously spelled,-Woodberi, Wood- berye, Woodberry, Woodburie, Woodburye, Woodbury, etc .; but the pioneer, John Wood- bury, who was called the " Old Planter," preferred the latter spelling.

John Woodbury, according to the best in- formation, was a native of Devonshire, re- moving from there to Somersetshire, and from the latter place, according to the dispo- sition of his son Humphrey, he removed. in 1624, to America, settling at Cape Ann, where he was known as the " Pioneer." His farm lay across from what is now Salemn. There were no roads or bridges in those days,

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

but there were water ways and canoes in plenty, and it was a familiar sight to see the Old Planter on his way to and from his farm, tending his sail or plying his paddle, and oc- casionally taking a shot at a duck, brant or goose. He was a man of considerable parts and something of a leader. He became the first Constable of Salem, and the first "en- voy," as they were pleased to call him, sent by the settlement to the mother country. He accomplished his mission successfully. Sup- plies were shipped and the vessel ready. Then, taking his son Humphrey, a lad of twenty years, he bade adieu to old England, and, following the sun, started homeward for the New World. landing at Nahumkeik, in June, 1628. His younger brother, William, followed him as early as 1631, with his family, settling at Salem. John and William had each secured a good education for the day and region, John having received sufficient train- ing in trigonometry and other branches of higher mathematics to qualify him for land surveying. He was married in England, in 1596, to Joan Humphrey.

By the best authority it is recorded that the first official elected in America was a Woodbury. This was done by the governor and his eleven assistante, which included six justices of the peace, at a court holden at Charlton, September 28, 1630, at which sit- ting John Woodbury was chosen Constable. He was also an original member of the first church in Salem. Quite a settlement formed around the "Old Planter." William Wood- bury had forty acres there; so also did Las- kins, Patch, King, Hardy, Richard and William Dodge, Roger Conant and John Dalch. In 1636, he received a grant of 200 acres from the crown.

Upon his arrival in America William en- gaged in agriculture and other pursuits. His

lands and town lots are referred to in 1635 and 1636. He was born in 1589, and de- parted this life in 1677, surviving his brother John by many years, the latter having died in 1641. He left a large family of children, whose descendants, scattered in the different States of the Union, filled from time to time high and honorable positions. But the world has moved since the seventeenth century, and the Woodbury brothers and their descendants have moved with it.

Judge Woodbury, the subject of this memoir, is a direct descendant of William Woodbury. He was born in Kelloggsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio, November 27, 1831, and is the son of Ebenezer B. and Silva (Ben- son) Woodbury. Ebenezer was the second son of Wheeler Woodbury, a native of New Hampshire, who removed to Ohio in 1812, settling in Ashtabula county, where he was engaged in farming, suffering all the hard- ships and deprivations incident to pioneer life. His wife, Maria, was a relative of the distinguished Pease family of New Hamp- shire, and a cousin of General Putnam, of Revolutionary fame. They were the parents of three sons and five daughters. Of the sons there were Nathan, who was a farmer in Hu- ron county, Ohio, where he finally died; Ebenezer B., and Wheeler P., a farmer who lived in Monroe township, Ashtabula county, where he died a few years since.

Ebenezer, the father of the subject of this biography, was born at Acworth, New Hamp- shire, August 5, 1805, and died in Jefferson, Ohio, August 12, 1870. At one time he was a distiller, and later a merchant; was success- ful in his business operations and accumu- lated quite a fortune. He resided for many years in Kelloggsville. Rather late in life he began the study of law at Conneaut, Ohio, under the distinguished jurist, the late Hor-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

ace Wilder, and was admitted to the bar at Jefferson. Subsequently he formed a part- nership with Judge Chaffee, and the firm became one of the leading ones of the county, securing a large portion of the legal business. The partnership continued for about twenty years. Mr. Woodbury was elected to the Constitutional Convention of 1850, and dis- tinguished himself for his efficient service. Politically, he was originally a Whig, later a Free Soiler, and was among the first to give his support to the Republican party.

By his wife, Sylvia, who was a descendant of an old and prominent family of New York, he had six children: Hamilton B., our sub- ject; Almira, now the wife of James A. Da- vidson, of Jefferson; Edward B .; Silva M., wife of F. W. McEntyre; Delia, who died when about twelve years of age; and Lu- cius K.

Young Hamilton was reared at home, se- curing his education at the commercial and high schools of his native county. He se- lected law as his profession, and at the age of seventeen entered his father's office and began his studies. At the age of twenty-one he was admitted to the bar at Jefferson, and in 1857, became the junior member of the law firm of Chaffee, Woodbury & Woodbury. Thus the subject of this biography was hap- pily launched in the profession of which he was destined to be a bright ornament. Upon the election of Mr. Chaffee to the bench in February, 1862, the firm became Woodbury, Woodbury & Ruggles. Not long after he settled in Jefferson, Mr. Woodbury was elected to the office of Mayor, which position he ably filled, inaugurating during his term many reforms and materially advancing the municipality. In 1872 he was elected by the Republicans a member of the State Constitu- tional Convention, and was an able second to

the work his father had begun. In 1875 he was chosen Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, the duties of which he discharged with marked ability until 1885, when he was elected Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, to which position he was re-elected in 1891, for the second term of six years.

Judge Woodbury was united in marriage, at Jefferson, October 24, 1854, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Peter and Sallie (Wellington) Hervey, a native of New York, and an accom- plished lady. They have four children: Fred H .; Jennie, now the wife of Ralph Stone, a prominent farmer of the county; Hamilton B., Jr. and Walter W.

A few thoughts in regard to Judge Wood- bury as lawyer, judge and man, will close this biographical sketch. From the time he adopted law as his occupation he has been devoted to it, and his chief aim in life has been to be useful and to adorn the profession. He has always been a close and deliberate reader of the law, going into wide research for authorities. He is careful and pains- taking, and masters his cases as far as possi- ble before going into court, when he brings out their full strength. His briefs are clear, sound and to the point. He is a good advo- cate, but his great power is in examining and bringing into bold relief intricate points of a canse, and in his analyzation of every feature pertaining to it. In the trial of cases he was never known to resort to petty tricks or take any undue advantage of a brother attorney, or to oppress a client. As a judge he is quick to detect the strong or weak points of a case, every feature of which is brought before his analytical mind as the trial proceeds. His decisions are rendered with clearness, force and impartiality, and rarely if ever are they reversed by the higher courts. He is a great favorite with the members of the bar, as he

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always treats them with uniform kindness and courtesy. These qualities, added to the confidence which the public has in him, attest that he is an ideal jurist, one of the best and ablest that ever presided over the Seventh Judicial Circuit.

In personal appearance the Judge is of medium height, well and compactly formed and of attractive presence. His face, which is full and bearded, is expressive of intellect- uality and firmness, and is made addition- ally attractive by bright brown eyes that beam with kindness and sympathy.

In private life Judge Woodbury is domes- tic, and his character is pure and unsullied. He is a kind, devoted, indulgent and affection- ate father. He is a firm friend, a good neigh- bor and a charitable citizen.

丁 IMOTHY C. JEROME, who is a prom- inent farmer and stock-raiser of Jeffer- son township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, was born in that township in 1835, being the son of Merrit and Eunice (Loomis) Jerome. Our subject grew up on the farm, and received such educational discipline as was afforded by the schools of the rural dis- tricts, also attending the graded school for two terms. Early in life he gave evidence of that business tact and discernment which have stood him so well in hand through all the later years. In 1861 he purchased his first piece of land, the same comprising thirty. two acres, and being yet unreclaimed from its dense growth of timber. Nothing daunted, Mr. Jerome went to work and his sturdy efforts in due time brought about a notable metamorphosis, the patriarchal trees resigning the dominion and giving place to well culti- vated and productive fields. This farm he

finally sold at advantageous terms and then. purchased another, of fifty-seven acres located in Plymouth township and well improved. Assuming possession of this farm he devoted himself assiduously to its cultivation and there remained for twenty-eight consecutive years. Within this time he had made no- table improvements about the place, having equipped with commodious and substantial buildings and otherwise enhanced its value. In 1880 he purchased the fine farm which he' now occupies, the same being located near the north line of Jefferson township. Here, animated with that same spirit of thrift and enterprise which is so characteristic of the man, he instituted numerous substantial im- provements. In 1888 he began the erection of a new house, the same being a fine brick structure of pleasing architectural design, of spacious apartments and convenient interior arrangement. This model farmhouse occupies a sightly position and is an evidence that farming will yield consistent returns if car- ried on carefully and under capable directions. The house is furnished in comfortable and tasteful style, and is a home in the truest sense. Mr. Jerome has made the equipment of the farm symmetrical in the way of buildings by the erection of a good barn and several other outbuildings, so that all stock and farm- ing implements may be properly cared for and preserved.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 126

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