Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 15

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 15
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 15
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 15

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The subject of this brief biography was reared on his father's large farm in Ashta- bula county, where he received the best pos- sible instruction in agriculture and kindred matters, while his knowledge of books was attained in a private school taught by George Hall. When twenty-one years of age he began farming for himself, to which enter- prise he soon added stock-raising, which lat- ter business attained in a few years very considerable proportions. His operations ex- tended to the westward, where he bought

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

much stock, which he brought to this point, where it was fattened and afterward resold or reshipped, as the market warranted. He was for a few years proprietor of a market in Ashtabula, and the older residents well re- member the choice roasts which came from his store. No day or week found him idle when his health permitted him to be up and doing, and it was not until 1886 that the demands of his health forced him to retire from the commercial arena. He is essen- tially a man who has worn out, not rusted out, and his record of untiring industry and progress makes a large balance on the credit side of his journal of life. He is financially well situated, being the owner of the old Harmon homestead of 200 acres, one of the fine places of the county. He also owns val- uable city property, including a beautiful home in East Village. He is a stockholder and director in the Farmers' National Bank of Ashtabula. In 1859 he was elected Justice of the Peace, which position he held for three years. In 1880 he acted as Town Assessor of real estate, being probably the best informed man in the county on realty valuations. Previous to this he had been Assessor of personal property for seven years.

March 3, 1847, Mr. Harmon was married, in Austinburg, by the Rev. A. Williams, to Nancy Belknap, a well-known and highly esteemed lady of that city. Her father, Asa Belknap, a prosperous farmer of this county, was born in 1790, and served as a Captain in the war of 1812, removing from the East to Ohio in 1829. He married Miss Betsy Little, by whom he had seven children: Al- mon J., who married Laura Baker; Martha, who was married to E. H. Willsey; Clarissa B., wife of John Sargent; Nancy P., born March 31, 1827; Asa N., married Ann Char- lotte Gates; Jane, who was married to Cor ..

nelius Baker; Abbie Amelia was twice mar- ried, first to Hamilton Bunce and afterward to Cornelius Baker; and Marcia, now Mrs. H. W. Hacket. Mr. and Mrs. Harmon have had two children: Eugene H., born Septem- ber 9, 1848; and Lizzie A., born November 6, 1860, died August 13, 1865. In politics Mr. Harmon is a Democrat.

In religious faith the family are Episco- palians, and afford material aid to the church and all local charities.

In the enjoyment of ample means and uni- versal confidence and esteem, Mr. Harmon may truly be said to have acquired the high- est and best success in life, and has the best wishes of all for his future prosperity and happiness.

(AMES REED, the present popular Post- master of Ashtabula, Ohio, of which city he has been for many years a prominent and worthy resident, is particu- larly deserving of mention in a history of his county, of which he is a representative man.

Mr. Reed was born in Norwalk, Connecti- cut, September 30, 1851, a son of James Reed, recently deceased, of whom a sketch is elsewhere given. The subject of this sketch was but four years of age when his parents removed from their Connecticut home to Ashtabula. After receiving a good common- school education here, he attended Wilton (Connecticut) Academy two years. On re- turning to Ashtabula he entered the office of his father, who was publishing the Telegraph, and attended to the job department of the printing office. On arriving at age he be- came his father's partner, and so continued until the latter's death, in April, 1889. He then continued alone until July, 1891, when

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he sold his interest to Scott & Remick, who shortly afterward consolidated the paper with the Daily Beacon, and who now publish the Daily Beacon and Weekly Telegraph.

An active Republican in politics, Mr. Reed has been honored by the people with some of the most important offices in their power to bestow. He was elected City Clerk of Ash- tabula, in which capacity he served with efficiency for six years,-1876-1882. Jan- uary 27, 1890, he was appointed Postmaster of the city, his term to continue until Jan- uary 27, 1894. Since his incumbency he has greatly improved its system of service and extended its revenue to such an extent that the inauguration of free mail delivery was justified in December, 1892. In politics Mr. Reed is a Republican, and as an official he has given satisfaction not only to the Govern- ment but also to the people of his commu- nity. Fraternally, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum.

He was married in 1876 to Miss Harriet Wells, daughter of S. B. Wells, an old and worthy citizen of Ashtabula, and they have four children: Emma L., James, Jr., Donald W. and Katherine E.

G OVERNOR DAVID TOD, whose honored and cherished name forms the caption of this biographical sketch, was one of the most illustrious of his time. In every generation there arise those who tower above their fellows in intelligence, wisdom, sagacity; men who are endowed with that genius and talent that fit them for leaders, counselors, statesmen; men who draw around them that deference which mankind naturally yield to their superiors; those that are distinguished for their wis-

dom, integrity, purity and nobility, rather than for noise and bombast.

Of such men was Hon. David Tod. He inherited purity, nobility, and the talent of excellent parentage. His father was Hon. George Tod, who is yet held in affectionate remembrance as a pioneer lawyer and early settler of the Western Reserve, as an able jurist and excellent citizen. In the early history of the bench and bar in Northeastern Ohio, but few if any jurists occupied a more conspicuous place than did Judge George Tod. For many years, with marked ability and universal satisfaction to the bar and pub- lic, Judge Tod presided over the court of common pleas. Profound respect is paid him as a judge, and as an evidence of this respect an excellent bust of him has long been retained in the office of the judge of common pleas court at Youngstown. He was born at Suffield, Connecticut, on the 11th day of December, 1773. His parents were David and Rachel (Kent) Tod, of old New England stock. Judge Tod was a graduate of Yale College, graduating in 1795; after- ward he studied law at New Haven, Con- necticut. He was admitted to the bar in Connecticut, but soon afterward it became his plan to seek his fortune in the West. In 1797 he wedded Sally, a daughter of Ralph and Mary Isaacs, and after having visited Ohio in 1800, he returned to his native State, and in the following year returned to Youngs- town, Ohio, with his wife and two children. Governor St. Clair, in the same year, ap- pointed him Secretary for the Territory of Ohio, which became a State in the following year. The first election held at Youngstown after Ohio became a State, was in April, 1802. At that election George Tod was elected clerk for Youngstown township. To this office he was twice elected, first in 1803,

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and again in 1804. The next public capacity in which he served was that of State Senator, being elected from Trumbull county, for the Legislative session of 1804-'05. Again in 1810-'11 he represented this county in the State Senate. In the year 1806 he was elected a Judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, and served in that capacity until 1810. With the coming on of the war of 1812 Judge Tod was commissioned a Major, after- ward Colonel, of the Nineteenth Regiment of Ohio Militia. He participated in the war with honors, gaining distinction at Fort Meigs and at Sackett's Harbor. In the year 1815 Colonel Tod was elected the Presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. This office he held till 1829. A few years later he served one term as Prosecuting Attorney of Trumbull county. This was his last pub- lic office, and afterward he lived somewhat retired from the active practice of his pro- fession. Much of his time in his latter days was spent in looking after the interests of his large farm, known by the name of Brier Hill, so named because of the abundance of wild blackberries that grew upon it. Judge Tod was not a money-maker. His farming was not practical, but theoretical and profit- less. He had but little business tact. His strong hold was at the law, and out of his salary as a public officer came his support of himself and family. He became involved in debt in his latter days, and it is to the credit of his son, David, that his Brier Hill farm was kept from passing into other hands. His son lifted a debt that stood over the farm, and became its owner, but it remained the home of his father and mother, passing into his possession at the death of Judge Tod, which occurred in 1841. His wife survived him some six years. She died at the old home- stead in 1847. It is said that she was a noble

woman; that she was gentle, amiable, lovable; and her noble precepts constituted a rich in- heritance for her distinguished son, to whose career we now turn with pride and admira- tion.

David Tod was born at Youngstown, Ohio, on the 21st day of February, 1805. To him the privileges of a college education was not extended. He gained only a fair academical education. Predilection led him to the study of law, and in 1827 he was admitted to the bar. At once he took up the practice of his profession at Warren, Ohio. At that time he was but twenty-two years of age, but not- withstanding his youthfulness he soon gained a respectable and remunerative clientage. His success in gaining a clientage was due to his dignified bearing, his sincerity, his frankness and integrity. He was far from being im- petuous; on the contrary he was always calm, clear-headed and deliberative. He looked to the practical side of every question. His success at the bar was, in the main, due to his unsurpassed ability in the examination of witnesses and to his power in gaining and holding the confidence of the jury, which he did by a manifest frankness, fairness and earnestness, together with his clear state- ments of argument. He was of force in ar- gument, of quick wit, of a genial, happy spirit and temperament. The period of bis active practice of his profession covered about fifteen years. Upon the death of his father, in 1841, he took possession of Brier Hill farm, which has since become celebrated for its rich deposit of mineral coal, which Mr. Tod developed by placing it upon the market. Later its rich deposit of coal invited indus- tries to its proximity, and it thus became the starting point of great and profitable indus- tries which have rendered the Mahoning one of the most wealthy of Ohio valleys, and

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placed Youngstown in a proud position among leading manufacturing cities. Much credit for all this is due to the energy and enterprise of Mr. Tod. As a business man he was far- seeing, an accurate calculator, and of great confidence, always sanguine of success. His friends shared his confidence; they trusted him and sought his advice. He was instru- mental in originating the company that built the Cleveland & Mahoning Railroad, and he served as President of the company until his death.

In his business efforts he was not only suc- cessful in amassing a large estate, but he also contributed materially to the growth and de- velopment of his county and city, in which he always took great pride and interest. Having reviewed his career as a lawyer and. then as a business man, we now pass with much interest to his political life.

When not twenty-one years of age he fell in with the Democratic, then the popular political party, its leader being Andrew Jack- son, whose brilliant military career had ren- dered him a hero and a popular leader. Young Tod was prompted by his admiration for a great leader, and actuated by his in- herent love of politics, and became an ardent, energetic partisan of the Democratic faith in the campaign of 1824. Four years later he was pronounced in his faith in the principles of the Democratic party, and thereafter he remained earnest, zealous, steadfast and faith- ful to the party until the secession movement of 1861.

He opposed the election of General Harri- son to the presidency in 1840, and made powerful speeches throughout the State. It is said that his father was very much grieved over the political course his son took against General Harrison, whom he so greatly ad- mired and with whom he had served in the

war of 1812; but the son believed he was right, and when convinced that he was right it was his disposition throughout his life to never yield, but to resolutely contend for what he conceived to be the right principle.

The first political office to which David Tod was elected was that of State Senator, to which office he was elected in 1838. He grew in popular favor, and, in 1844, he was unanimously chosen by his party as its can- didate for Governor. He was defeated for this office by Honorable Mordecai Bartley, the Whig candidate, whose majority was about 1,000, while a month later Clay, the Whig candidate for the presidency, carried the State by 6,000.

In 1847, Mr. Tod was appointed by Presi - dent Polk, Minister to Brazil, which position he held for five years, during which time he resided in Brazil. As minister to Brazil, he negotiated several very important commercial and other treaties, some of which involved Government claims of over thirty years' standing. Upon his departure from Brazil, the Emperor, in a farewell address, spoke of him in terms of highest praise, both as an official and individual.

Returning home he remained active in business. In politics he lost no interest. He never appeared in politics with any promi- nence for a period of nearly ten years. He was first Vice-President of the National Democratic Convention that met at Charles- ton in April, 1860; and in that convention he played a bold part. The convention was about to end in great confusion, the chairman had left the chair, and all was wild discord. Mr. Tod, grasping the situation, rushed to the abandoned chair and called the convention to order, but it is remembered that the conven- tion adjorned to meet in Baltimore. In the Baltimore convention that nominated Stephen

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A. Douglas, Mr. Tod appeared as a stanch supporter of Douglas, whom he gave his warm and unqualified support in the heated campaign that followed.

He was recognized as one of that class of Northern Democrats who opposed the South in their determination to shape the policy of the Democratic party, and to secession Mr. Tod was resolutely opposed. He was of that class of Northern Democrats who, no doubt, preferred the election of Lincoln, rather than that of Breckenridge, the leader of the South- ern Democrats.

Secession was inaugurated in 1860, and at once Mr. Tod appeared in strong defense of the Union. He urged every measure possi- ble to restore peace, and, when he saw that a civil conflict only could settle the stupen- dous question at this critical point, he dis- cerned but one course that a loyal man could take. Scarcely had the firing on Fort Sum- ter ceased when Mr. Tod began to warn his neighbors of the nation's peril and to stir them to patriotic action.

At his instance and largely at his expense the first troops to volunteer from Youngs- town were organized into a part of the Nine- teenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Upon the departure of these troops for the seat of war he gave to each soldier an army overcoat. These coats were known as " Tod coats," and some of them were brought back home by the soldiers on the close of war. Through- out the State Mr. Tod was known as a war Democrat, and as being in favor of a vigor- ous prosecution of the war. There were cer- tain Democrats who, with the Republicans throughout the State, sought to elect a gov- ernor who would carry out just such a policy, and in order to harmonize the two parties and to bring in line all good and loyal citi- zens who loved their country more than party,

it was thought best to bring forward a war Democrat for governor. The Republicans suggested Mr. Tod for a candidate. The suggestion was received with great favor and enthusiasm throughout the State. He re- ceived a unanimous nomination and was elected by a majority of over 55,000. He was elected to succeed Governor William Dennison, upon whom was placed the duty of inaugurating war measures and setting them in operation in 1861. To Governor Dennison is credit due for placing Ohio in the front rank of loyal States that patriot- ically responded to President Lincoln's call for troops in 1861. But, it must be remem- bered, that a more difficult and important work fell upon Governor Tod. In 1861 the trials and hardships of the soldiers were not so well foreseen and the situation in the be- ginning was not so discouraging to volun- teers, who at first went to the seat of war with buoyant cheer. Later a time came when enlistments were procured with more diffi- culty, on account of the reaction of several signal defeats of the Union forces, which made it difficult to recruit the depleted ranks of regiments in the field, especially after the State had contributed its bravest and most loyal and ardent citizens. Then there was another obstacle to overcome, namely, sedi- tious political influences. It is easy to see the difficult and important work that lay be- fore Governor Tod upon going into office. It was a time that tried men's souls. The State was in danger of invasion, and at all times a wakeful eye must rest upon the situation. Frequent emergencies presented themselves, requiring prompt and vigorous action. Gov- ernor Tod, being a man of a calm and clear head, a cool temperament, of wisdom and sagacity, and having had a training that well qualified him to properly judge men, was

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well fitted for the responsible position to which he was called. His administration as governor places his name among the most illustrious of executive rulers of State, and among the most distinguished in military affairs. He was always equal to the emer- gency; he was prompt, firm and courteous, though independent at all times. Brave and courageous, he never feared to do his duty. He loved the brave boys on the battle-field, and was always watchful over their welfare. He was true' to the soldiers of his State, and sought to maintain their honor, as well as to secure food and clothing for them while in the field of action.

It was he who proposed permitting the soldiers, while in the field, to vote, holding that there was no reason why a man should be disfranchised because he was brave enough to fight the battles of his country. He punished, justly and severely, those of the anti-war party for their seditious utterances, and was known to countenance the arrest of Vallandingham in 1863. This and the vig- orous war measures he was forced to inau- gurate and carry out no doubt entailed to him many enemies, especially among the Democrats of the State. Notwithstanding this it was thought best to renominate him in 1863 for a second term. The State Re- publican Central Committee waited upon him, asking him to make the race. He re- fused, saying that another term as governor would land him in his grave, because of the many and arduous duties to be placed upon him. His attention was called to the fact that thousands were sacrificing daily their lives upon the battle-field for the country, whereupon he said: "Then, looking at it in that light, I am also willing to sacrifice my life," and thus gave his consent to enter the race for a renomination. The delegates from

eighty counties to the nominating convention had been instructed to vote for his nomina- tion. A few days before the convention Honorable John Brough made a strong war speech at Marietta, and those who opposed the renomination of Governor Tod came into the convention with a storm, presenting the name of Brough for nomination, and to the great surprise of all secured the nomination of Brough, to whom Governor Tod gave his cordial and enthusiastic support.

In January, 1864, Governor Tod retired from office, and in fact from public life. How- ever he was tendered the portfolio of Secre- tary of the Treasury, by President Lincoln, being called into the cabinet to fill the va- cancy occasioned by the President appointing Secretary of the Treasury Chase to the posi- tion of Chief Justice. Governor Tod de- clined the appointment on account of his fail- ing health. The duties placed upon him as Governor had broken his physical constitu- tion and his health was failing fast. He re- tired to his Brier Hill farm and there death came rather suddenly to him, on November 13, 1868. The news of his death was received with great sorrow throughout the State, and at his home his neighbors mourned as one common household.

Governor Tod was married at Warren, Ohio, July 24, 1832, to Miss Maria Smith, of that place. Her parents were early settlers of Trumbull county. She survives him. She bore her husband seven children, three daughters and four sons, namely: Charlotte, who was wedded by General A. V. Couch of the United States Army. She died in Mis- sissippi in the spring of 1868; John Tod, now a prominent citizen of Cleveland, Ohio; Henry Tod, President of the Second National Bank of Youngstown; George Tod, Vice- President of the Mahoning National Bank of

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Youngstown; William Tod, a prominent manufacturer of Youngstown; Grace, the wife of Hon. George F. Arrel, attorney at law at Youngstown; Sally, the youngest daughter and child, is unmarried and lives with her mother in Youngstown.

E ZRA R. METCALF .-- Few men in Ash- tabula county, Ohio, have contributed as much to her material and moral advancement as the subject of this sketch, who has greatly aided, by his energy and ability, in pushing her car of progress along the road leading to the point of high eminence now attained.

He inherits his sturdy qualities from bardy New England ancestors, who have been in this county since early Colonial times. His grandfather, Ezra Metcalf, was born in New Hampshire about the middle of the eighteenth century, and spent his life in the Granite State. John Metcalf, his son, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in that com- monwealth in the latter part of the same century, and was reared and educated there. When he had attained the age of manhood, he went to Canandaigua, New York, where he secured the contract for carrying mail from that point to Niagara, the same State, his route being afterward extended as the road was opened up to Buffalo, to which lat- ter city he was the first man to carry a mail bag. From that city he pushed his way westward on foot, with a mail bag on his back, blazing a path through the untraveled wilderness, his course afterward becoming a beaten track, over which many hundreds passed to the promised land of the West. Later on, he settled in Ashtabula, Ohio, where he · established a small mercantile,

business in East Village, resigning to the Government his commission as mail-carrier. The desire for his old occupation, however, grew upon him, until he shortly afterward secured another mail contract from the Gov- ernment, this time for the route west of Ashtabula to Cleveland, his familiar face be- ing again seen in Uncle Sam's service as far toward the setting sun as Fort Meigs, Defi- ance and other distant points. He visited Washington on horseback as many as four- teen times to renew his contrret with the Government, when, becoming by this time aged, and being a cripple from youth, he surrendered his commission, after a service in the mail department of the Government for more than thirty years. His remaining years were spent in retirement, and he died in Ashta- bula, August 20, 1853, aged seventy years. He thus passed from the midst of his family and many admiring friends, to whom his many sterling qualities of mind and heart had great- ly endeared him. His wife. mother of the sub- ject of this sketch, was a daughter of Peleg Sweet, Sr., a prominent character of Ashta- bula county, of which he was a pioneer. He was a native of Connecticut and a shoemaker by trade, an occupation he followed in earlier life, but which he abandoned after coming to this county. He traded his old home in New England for 800 acres in Ashtabula county, to which he removed, and on which he made his home until death, cultivating and improving his land until it became a valuable piece of property. He donated several pieces of land to Ashtabula,-a ceme- tery plat, a tract for a park in East Village and an eighty-foot street, -- which are lasting monuments to his liberality, as well as his devotion to the interests of his adopted city. He is deserving of the regard of all patriots, having sealed his devotion to his

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 15

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