USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 28
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 28
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 28
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December 23, 1858, Mr. Cheney was mar- ried, at Ashtabula, to Miss Catherine H. Ben- ham, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Dr. Cole, a prominent minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. She comes of an old and highly respected family, her great grand- father, Thomas Benham, having been born in England. He emigrated to America in ante- Revolutionary days, and married a Miss Bun- nell, and they were the parents of three sons: Thomas, Adney and Samuel. The oldest son, Thomas, married Amanda Chittenden and they had six children: Alonzo, Asahel, Lu- cius and Lewis, twins; Clarissa, who married Lemuel Barber; and John. Asahel Benham, the second in order of birth, was born in Connecticut, March 19, 1813. Ile was a wood workman in early life, but in later years was engaged in farming. Ile was married in 1839 to Esther Ann Fox, daughter of Giles Fox, and they had three children, of whom Catherine, wife of the subject of this sketch, was the oldest. In 1815 the Benham family came from Connecticut to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where they have since taken an active
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part in the development of the country. Amanda, wife of Thomas Benham, was born December 17, 1777, and was married in Oc- tober, 1808. She died February 2, 1874, at the age of ninety-seven years, and fifty-nine years after her advent to Ashtabula county. She united with the church at the age of four- teen, and was ever afterward an earnest and active Christian, exerting an untold influence for good during her long and varied career. Mr. and Mrs. Cheney have four children: Denn S., born April 13, 1867; and Thomas A., born June 4, 1869, proprietors of the ship chandlery and grocery establishment, on Bridge street, in Harbor; Clara, born Sep- tember 26, 1870; and Robert, born January 12, 1876. Mr. Cheney is a member of the Masonic Order, Rising Sun Lodge, No. 22.
Politically, Mr. Cheney is a Republican, with which party he has cast his vote since its organization. He is an honorable and ener- getic business man and a progressive, public- spirited citizen, genial and kind-hearted, and enjoys the esteem of all who know him.
A UGUSTUS HARRINGTON, one of the self-made men of Lake county, Ohio, and for sixty-three years a resi- dent of Mentor, is a native of New York, born at Cincinnatus, December 29, 1809. His father, Nichademus Harrington, emigrated from New York to Ohio, and died near Columbus. His mother, Saloma (Shel- don) Harrington, a native of North Adams, Massachusetts, lived to the age of seventy- five years. Mr. Harrington's grand-parents were over ninety years of age when they died, the grandfather being ninety-six.
Early in life the subject of our sketch was thrown upon his own resources. He is one
of the two left of a family of five sons and one daughter; his sister is now living. When a boy he lived for some time with a lawyer by the name of Putnam, a grandson of old General Putnam, and did chores to pay for his board while he attended school. Subse- quently he became a clerk in a store at North Adams, where he was reared. In 1829 he came to Ohio and located at Mentor, having a brother here at that time. Here he was em- ployed as a carpenter, and, being of a mechan- ical turn of mind, he easily acquired a know- ledge of the trade, and, without having to serve an apprenticeship, he was in time able to start out for himself. Many of the at- tractive old residences in Mentor are speci- inens of his handiwork. As prosperity be- gan to crown his efforts he loaned money from time to time, and by honest toil and careful economy he has acquired a consider- able fortune. He has about 200 acres of land in one body, besides 130 acres in other small tracts. His investments, however, are chiefly in notes and mortgages.
Mr. Harrington has been twice married. In 1844 he married Hannah S. Slocum, who died in April, 1852, leaving three children: Edwin A., Emery S. and Josephine. October 21, 1854, he married Margaret Tear, a native of the Isle of Man and a daughter of Will- iam and Judith (Gown) Tear. She came with her parents to the United States in 1826, and was reared in Leroy township, Lake county, Ohio. Here her father died at the age of eighty-two, and her mother at seventy-five. Mr. Harrington and his pres- ent wife have had two children: John T. and James A., the latter being now deceased.
While Mr. Harrington's political views are in harmony with Republican principles, he does not take an active part in political mat- ters. During the war he was Assessor of
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Mentor township. He was Captain of a company of militia in the days when drilling was in vogue. Mrs. Harrington is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Harrington united with that church while in North Adams, but since coming West has not been a church member.
E DWARD E. GOULD is one of the prominent business men of Paines- ville, Ohio, and a member of the firm of Gould & Clark, hardware dealers. He is a native of Geauga county, Ohio, born Sep- tember 28, 1841, and is a descendant of an old New England family. His father, Harris Gould, was born in Genesee county, New York, as was also his father in turn.
Harris Gould was a farmer by occupation, and when a boy came to Geauga county, locating here at a very early day. In 1887 he removed to Painesville, where he lived a retired life until his death in 1889, at which time he had attained the age of eighty-two years. He owned over one thousand acres of land in Geauga county at one time and was abundantly prosperous. Having commenced his career entirely without means, his suc- cess was the more remarkable. He was an extensive land dealer, buying, selling and trading farms, and in this way acquired his wealth. His wife, whose maiden name was Attaresta Wright, was born in Geauga county and came from a pioneer family of that re- gion, to which her parents removed from Vermont. Mrs. Gould is still living, though she has passed four-score years.
In a family of six children, all surviving, E. E. Gould is the fourth in order of birth. He was brought up on a farm and received a
common-school education. With his parents he removed to Painesville, where he attended the high school. When the war broke out he joined a company of young men who were enlisted as Company G, Second Ohio Cavalry, under Colonel Doubleday. He en- listed early in 1861, and was sent out on the frontier in Kansas and the Indian Territory, where the red men were causing trouble. In 1862 he joined the Army of the Cumberland, being assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps. In 1864, with his company, he was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and was present at Appomattox when Lee sur- rendered. He was at the battles of Win- chester and Cedar Creek and saw General Sheridan as he came from Winchester after his famous ride. Mr. Gould participated in the nine-days Battle of the Wilderness, Petersburg and South Side Railroad. Dur- ing this time he had two horses shot from under him, but never received any personal injury. Although at times he was within the rebel lines, hiding in the mountains, etc., he was never taken prisoner or in the hospi- tal for a day. Going to Washington, he took part in the grand review, after which he was sent to Southwestern Missouri, where he was stationed until October, 1865, then being mustered out at Benton Barracks, near St. Louis.
Returning to Painesville, Mr. Gould em- barked in the hardware business, having associated with him Mr. Henry Holcomb. This partnership existed for one-quarter of a century, Mr. Holcomb then being succeeded by R. H. Clark, who is now the junior mem- ber of the firm. This hardware concern is an extensive one and commands a large share of the trade of this vicinity. Well assorted lines of general hardware, tools, farming im- plements, etc., are carried in stock.
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In 1873 our subject married Sarah L. Chesney, daughter of B. D. Chesney, an early and honored resident of Painesville, who previously lived in Warren, Ohio. For many years he was Auditor of Lake county, and made an efficient officer. He died in 1870, leaving behind him the record of a life well spent. Mr. and Mrs. Gould are the parents of two children: Annie L. and Chesney H.
For sixteen years Mr. Gould was a mem- ber of the City Council with only one inter- mission, a period of two years, when he refused to be a candidate. He has always taken a great interest in local political affairs and is influential in the same. He is active in the support of the Republican party, and for two years discharged the duties of Treas- urer of Lake county to the full satisfaction of all.
D R. CLINTON D. BAKER, Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1859, son of Lewis and Sarah A. (Webb) Baker.
Lewis Baker was born and reared in Buf- falo, New York, the date of his birth being 1812. His father, William Baker, owned the land on which a large part of Buffalo now stands. Lewis Baker moved to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, when a young man, and was married at the age of twenty-three, his bride being " sweet sixteen." His whole life was spent in agricultural pursuits. A true Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, honorable and upright in his dealings with his fellow men, industrious, public-spirited and generous, his life was one worthy of emulation. In his home genial bospitality was dispensed to all, and especially
did the Methodist minister find a warm re- ception there. October 24, 1883, at the age of seventy-one years, he passed from earth to his reward. His widow, born May 10, 1819, is still living. They reared a large family to occupy useful and honorable positions in life, and of them we make the following record: James, who served five years as Drum Major of Company E, One Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, married Miss Laura Alden, and is now a resident of Spring Creek, Warren county, Pennsylvania; Josiah W., First Lieutenant of Company E, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, was detailed as Captain of Company G, and was acting as such in the battle of the Wilderness when he was shot and instantly killed, aged twenty-six and un- married; William, an extensive lumber dealer of Spring Creek, Pennsylvania, married Abi Grant, daughter of Dr. Benjamin Grant; Adelia, wife of William Bates, resides on a farm in Crawford county, Pennsylvania; Agnes and her husband, Dr. John Gray, are both deceased; Mary E. is the wife of L. E. Pearce, a banker and prominent citizen of Morris, Minnesota; Ellen M., wife of J. H. Symons, of Elyria, Ohio; Frances, wife of William Baker, is deceased; Sarah, who died at the age of nine years; Clinton D .; Irvin W., who married Minnie Foreman, is in the lumber business with his brother in Spring Creek:
Dr. Clinton D. Baker received a common and high-school education and then served an ap- prenticeship in pharmacy, under G. W. Clark- son, M. D. After this he became a member of the firm of Weist & Baker in a drug store, and before they had conducted business a year were burned out. This was in 1873. The following seven years he was employed as traveling salesman. Then, in company with
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Dr. W. O. Gilson, he bought a drug store at Spring Creek, and while in this business be- gan the study of medicine. He passed the State examination in pharmacy. Then he took a three years' course at the Western Re- serve Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio, grad- uating with the class of 1892, and after his graduation established himself in the practice of his profession at Conneaut, where he is meeting with excellent success.
Dr. Baker was married June 11, 1885, to Miss Laura B. Calvin, daughter of Atchison and Essie Calvin, of Brookville, Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, her people being of Scotch descent. She is a fine pianist, has a beautiful voice, and is a graduate in music. They have one child, Harold Lewis. Mrs. Baker is a member of the Presbyterian Church. The Doctor is a stanch Republican. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow and is also a member of the Equitable Aid Union.
D AVID HOTCHKISS, a successful farmer and dairyman of Jefferson town- ship, Ashtabula county, Ohio, and re- spected citizen, was born in Steuben county, New York, December 30, 1833. He is of New England stock, his father, Demas Hotch- kiss, having been born in Connecticut in 1798. Demas was educated in the State of his birth, his advantages being somewhat meager. It is said that he was able to attend school only three months in his lifetime. This, however, was more than offset by a quick in- tellect and great force of character. He was naturally a mathematician and elocutionist, in both of which branches he perfected him- self by close application and perseverance, and was deservedly regarded as a man of ability and superior accomplishments. Ilis
character was above reproach and he enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. He was married to Orphia Bryant in the State of New York, where he resided on a farm until 1847, when he removed to Jefferson town- ship, Ashtabula county, where he passed the remainder of his life. He first purchased sixty-four acres of land to which he afterward added thirty-four more, all of which he cleared and of which he made one of the best farms in the county. He was active in all matters tending to advance the interests of his vicinity as well as those of the country at large. He was in politics originally a Whig, afterward a Free Soiler and later a Republican, finally espousing the cause of the Prohibitionists, in which he took a deep interest. He was Town- ship Assessor for some time, discharging his duties with ability and honor. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, being a Class-Leader and Steward and especially active in Sunday-school work. Both his and his wife's names appear on the memorial window of the Jefferson Methodist Episcopal Church, as among those most ac- tive in establishing that institution on a firm basis. These were not the greatest of their benefits bestowed upon society, but rather the flower of a constant Christianity, con- spicuous in daily life and immeasurable in its influence. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in Mount Holly, Vermont, in 1805, and her father, John Bryant, was a Baptist minister, a man of education and ability. Orphia accompanied her sister to New York State in an early day, where she attained her growth and enjoyed moderate school advantages, which she improved. This was then the frontier and she passed most of her life in a wilderness. She was married at the age of twenty and spent the latter part of her days in Ohio, enjoying with her husband
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the universal esteem of their community. She had eight children, four of whom sur- vive. The father of the family died on the Ohio homestead on December 26, 1882, at a good old age, while his worthy wife survived him until July 26, 1883, dying in the midst of her friends, regretted by all who knew her. Few pioneers contributed as much to the general welfare of their vicinity as did these worthy people, and they justly deserve the affectionate remembrance of all future gen- erations.
The subject of this sketch, David Hotch- kiss, who is the proprietor of one of the best farms in the county, situated a mile and a half east of Jefferson, was fourteen years of age when his parents removed to Ohio, where he has lived ever since. He was reared on a farm and enjoyed the educational advantages provided by the pioneer schools, where he ap- plied himself diligently to study. In the spring of 1856 he commenced to teach school, his first charge being in a distant and sparsely settled township. He continued this occupa- tion intermittently for twenty years, being some of the time employed in district and high schools. In the meantime, at the age of twenty-one, he learned the trade of car- penter and joiner and later that of a stone and brick mason and plasterer, at which he worked during the summer, teaching school in the winter. In the spring of 1857, he went to Minnesota, where he taught in the district and high schools, employing assist- ants. He afterward returned to Ohio and purchased his present farm, which he has cultivated and improved with a fine residence and good barns, besides other valuable acces- sories, the whole making a comfortable and desirable home for himself and family.
June 19, 1861, Mr. Hotchkiss was married to Miss Rebecca Whaley, a lady of rare per-
sonal and mental charms, who was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in 1843. Her fa- ther, Joseph Whaley, was also a native of the " tight little isle," and removed with his family to America in an early day, coming to Ohio and purchasing a farm in Saybrook township, which was his home for a number of years. He finally went to Iowa, where he died in 1869, greatly regretted. Mrs. Hotch- kiss was four years of age when she came to Ohio, where she was married at the age of eighteen. She had seven children, four sons and three daughters: Eva, born in 1862, wife of John Purdy of Manchester, Virginia; Allen L., born in December, 1864, a plaster contractor, residing in Iowa; Mary L., born in December, 1868, wife of E. E. Graham, a prosperous farmer of Dorset township, Ash- tabula county, Ohio; Norman L., born in December, 1870, unmarried and residing in Iowa, is a prominent clergyman of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church; Vinton R., born in 1875, living in Youngstown; Ruby L., born in 1879; and Floyd B., born in March, 1889. Mr. Hotchkiss is a near relative of William Cullen Bryant. Mrs. Hotchkiss was con- verted young, uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Church, since which time she has been most active in good works. She belongs to the W. C. T. U. and Home Missionary So- ciety, and leads a busy and useful life.
In politics, Mr. Hotchkiss has been a Pro- hibitionist for years, and has done good work in that cause. He has acceptably filled the office of Trustee and other positions of trust, is now the nominee for County Commissioner and has been for several other county offices but prefers attending to home duties. He is a prominent member of the Township and County Grange, to the advancement of which he has materially contributed. He is a de- vout member of and active worker in the
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Methodist Episcopal Church and Sunday- school, exerting a strong influence for good in his community. Such men are the foun- dation of Ohio's greatness and prosperity, adding by their industry to her wealth and by their right living to her honorable posi- tion among the sister States.
H ON. WILLIAM COOPER HOW- ELLS was born May 15, 1807, in the Welsh village of Hay, county of Bre- con, Great Britain. In the following year his father, Joseph Howells, emigrated to the United States, landing at Boston, whence he went to a manufacturing center near Hudson, New York, and in 1810 re- moved to Manhattanville, now a part of the city of New York. He remained there until 1812, when he again moved, this time to Waterford, Loudoun county, Virginia, and soon again to Jefferson county, Ohio. These changes were the result of an effort to settle in manufacturing localities, as Mr. Howells was eminently fitted to take an active interest in them. The capital he had brought with him from England was soon exhausted, but fortunately he had at his command a knowl- edge then exceptionally valuable in our new land. Not only was he conversant with the art of making woolen cloth and able to super- intend its manufacture, but he could also draw plans of the required machinery and take charge of establishing new factories. As these machines could not at that time be imported from England, his skill was often called into requisition.
The record of the trials and hardships of pioneer life is well known to all, and it is needless to say that Mr. Howells and his rapidly growing family did not escape their
full share. To the delicately nurtured wife and mother it was especially hard; but, like so many fine natures tested in the crucible of those hard days, the faithful wife, true mother and dauntless woman came through the fire unscathed, and at the end of her four- score years serenely folded her hands and passed away.
During the early years of his life, William Cooper Howells was learning the lessons of in- dustry and economy, those proficient teachers in the school of life, which, when heeded, will take one farther in the path of knowledge and progress than would a classical education under other circumstances. His parents were both people of refined tastes, and hence he did not feel greatly the loss of regular schools, since in his home an atmosphere of cultiva- tion always prevailed. It was the pride of his mother that she had taught him to read before he was quite four years old. The home training inspired him with a love of books, and especially poetry, which led him into useful studies and established a taste that was in itself the best of schoolmasters.
Young Howells was approaching his major- ity when his family, which up to this time lived in Jefferson and Harrison counties, re- moved to Wheeling, West Virginia. Here he availed himself of the first opportunity to learn the art of printing, then the important avenue to a literary life. At this place he was tempted to start a printing office without sufficient support, and from it he issued for one year a monthly paper called The Gleaner. This was followed by the Eclectic Observer, a weekly sheet, independent and free from any party in politics or religion. It was very radical withal, and did not succeed, and was abandoned at the end of six months. The printing of a book that was never paid for closed this first enterprise.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
But all the world knows that it is very difficult to wash printers' ink from one's hands if it once gets there, and fortunately for the history of the press in Ohio, Mr. Howells never removed the dingy traces, nor did he try to do it. He was one of the newspaper men who loved their profession and elevated it, and wherever his career is known it is easy to point to an honorable, consistent and quietly able course.
In Wheeling, on the 10th of July, 1831, he married Mary Dean, a native of New Lisbon, Ohio, a woman of exceptionally fine mind, who brought into his life the most enduring and beautiful traits, faithfully and cheerfully sharing his varied fortunes until October 10, 1868, when her earthly life ended, though not its influence and lessons, for with her hus- band, children and friends they will ever remain.
After leaving Wheeling Mr. Howells was employed on various papers in St. Clairs- ville, Mount Pleasant and Chillicothe until 1840, when, upon the nomination of General Harrison, he bought the Hamilton Intelli- gencer, the Whig paper of Butler county, Ohio, and entered upon the campaign with great spirit, with difficulties to encounter, which only those who know what were the narrow prejudices of that time and that part of Ohio will realize. From his early youth he was strongly anti-slavery in his attitude, so much so that at times he found it difficult to harmonize with his party; and in 1848, when General Taylor was nominated by the Whigs, he refused to support him, and joined his interests with the Free Soil organization then formed. This step obliged him to sell the Intelligencer, when he bought the Dayton Transcript, a paper not strongly Whig. But ever ahead of his party in radical spirit, this change proved for him a most disastrous one
financially; and the failure which followed swept away the labor of years. But, halting not to rest from the political battle in which he had enlisted all his energies, he was soon upon his feet again. His next move was to Columbus, where he remained for a time upon the Ohio State Journal, reporting and preparing legislative matters. While living in Columbus he made the acquaintance of Hon. Laban S. Sherman, then in the Senate, who recommended him to join Mr. Fassett, on the Ashtabula Sentinel. Acting upon this advice, after a visit to Mr. Fassett, at Ashta- bula, he became his partner, and assumed charge of the Sentinel May 15, 1852, the day he was forty-five years of age. This partner- ship continued until the following Jannary, when Mr. Howells and James L. Oliver bought the Sentinel and moved it to Jeffer- son, where Mr. Joseph A. Howells soon en- tered Mr. Oliver's place, as his father's part- ner in the ownership of the paper, which con- tinued to be under the editorial management of Mr. Howells, Sr., until about 1878.
From 1840 Mr. Howells' life has been political, and from 1855 until 1867 he almost constantly occupied a legislative office, first as Journal Clerk and afterward as Official Re- porter. In 1863 he received the Republican nomination for the Senate from this the twenty-fourth district. This nomination was endorsed by a majority of 11,000 votes, the largest ever given in the State for a district office,-" a figure which showed the strength of the party at that time," Mr. Howells mod- estly says, when the fact is alluded to. It did show the strength in the ranks, but it showed also the esteem in which he was held by the party he had always labored so faithfully to sustain.
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