Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 29

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 29
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 29
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 29

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).

The honor of his life which Mr. Howells best loves to recall is that it was his privilege

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while a Senator, as the life-long slavery-aboli- tionist, to introduce the joint resolution by which his State ratified the thirteenth amend- ment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery in the United States.

June 2, 1874, he was appointed United States Consul to the old Canadian city of Quebec by President Grant. This office he filled with honor to himself and satisfaction to all concerned, for four years. Upon his promotion to the consulship at Toronto, he was the recipient of many marks of flattering respect from the citizens of Quebec, among which was an address signed by several hun- dred citizens, expressing their esteem for him and regret at his departure. In 1883, after five years in Toronto of the faithful discharge of the more onerous duties of this larger con- sulate, he resigned his office, severing for the second time most agreeable relations with the Canadian people, and sought upon a Virginia farm near Richmond the rest and recreation which he began to crave. Here he enjoyed a few years of pleasant leisure until the insidi- ons malaria of that fair land invaded his home, and with regret which was mutual he parted from friends and neighbors, and returned to his old home at Jefferson. But though the return to the North for a time stayed the hand of disease, it was too late to save a life most dear and precious to him. His eldest daugh- ter, who, since her mother's death, had been his affectionate companion as well as dutiful daughter, died a few weeks after reaching Ohio. This daughter, Victoria M., was a bright and winning woman whose fine mind might have achieved much in an intellectual field had it not been ruled by a loving and loyal heart which wrought more unselfishly in a life-long devotion, filial and fraternal. Of his two remaining daughters, Aurelia II., together with his young son, Ilenry I., now

form with him the small home circle in Jef- ferson. Annie T., during the residence of the family in Quebec, was married to M. Achille Frechette, French translator for the Dominion House of Commons, and lives in Ottawa, Canada. Of the five sons the oldest, Joseph A., is now publisher and proprietor of the Sentinel and lives in Jefferson, William Dean is the well-known author, living now in New York. Samuel Dean, also an editor, is at present holding a position in the Govern- ment printing office at Washington, District of Columbia; and John Butler died in 1864, in his eighteenth year, while attending school in Cleveland.

Mr. Howells has just passed his eighty- sixth birthday. With unimpaired faculties, he rests in the affection of his family and friends, and though he takes no active part in politics, he still maintains an interest in all the important questions of the day, and in all that concerns the welfare of the land where he has lived so long, and of the country he has loved so well.

G EORGE WILSON, a prominent and successful farmer on the lake shore in Willoughby township, Lake county, Ohio, was thrown upon his own re- sources at the early age of eleven years, and by patient and honest toil has worked his way up to his present prosperity.

Mr. Wilson was born in Yorkshire, Eng- land, April 26, 1828, son of William and Mary Wilson, both natives of Yorkshire. His father, a farmer by occupation, died in 1875. His mother died in 1885. George is the old- est of their five children and is the only one who came to America. He attended school from the time he was six until he was eleven

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years old. At the age of eleven he began working out, doing farm work, and at first receiving five pounds per year. He continued thus employed for nearly eleven years, his wages being increased from time to time, and the last two years receiving twenty pounds per year. From his meagre earnings he saved a little each year, and in 1850 started for America, sailing from Liverpool April 11, and landing in New York, May 16. He came direct from New York to Cleveland, and thence to Willoughby, Lake county. Here he hired out to a farmer and worked by the month nearly two years. In the spring of 1852 he began farming for himself, hav- ing purchased forty-four acres of land in the northwest part of Willoughby township. This land was partly cleared at the time of purchase. For forty-one years he has made his home here, and during this period he has cleared and developed considerable land, add- ing to his original purchase from time to time as his means allowed. He is now the owner of 272 acres of land, twenty acres of which are in vineyard. He has about 500 peach trees and a variety of plums, pears and other fruits. The buildings on his place are all substantial and in excellent condition. September 23, 1885, he had a fine barn and contents burned, entailing a loss of fully $5,000.

Mr. Wilson was married in 1854 to Lydia Jones, a native of Willoughby township, this county, and a daughter of Ransome and Ann Jones, who came from New York to this State. She died in 1862, leaving five chil- dren, namely: William, deceased; Vine; Esbon; Frank, deceased; and one that died in infancy. In 1868 Mr. Wilson was again married, this time to Emily J. Barnes, a na- tive of this township. Her parents, Parish and Ann Barnes, were natives respectively

of New York and Wales. They were mar- ried in this county and passed their lives and died here, the father dying in 1878, at the age of sixty-one years, and the mother in 1878, at the age of fifty-eight. Five of their eight children are still living. Mr. Wilson and his present wife have five children,-Seth, Mary, Frank, Bertha and Raymond.

He and his wife are members of the Dis- ciple Church.

Since the time of securing the data for this sketch Mr. Wilson has disposed of his fine farmstead, selling the same, on July 10, 1893, to the Shaker society, for a considera- tion of $34,225.

AMES H. TRYON, who resides on Waite Hill, in Kirtland township, Lake county, Ohio, is a pioneer grape-grower in this vicinity, being one of the first to plant a vineyard for commercial purposes in the county. He is well informed on all horti- cultural subjects and has gained a wide prac- tical knowledge from many years of experi- ence. He deals extensively in all kinds of nursery stock and makes a specialty of grapes. For over a quarter of a century he has dealt with one of the standard grape nur- series, and is widely and favorably known.

James H. Tryon was born in the town- ship of Vernon, Oneida county, New York, February 18, 1822, the son of Jesse Tryon, also a native of Oneida county, and grand- son of Thomas Tryon, who was born in Middletown, Connecticut. Thomas Tryon emigrated to Oneida county, New York, in an early day, where he was engaged in farm- ing for some years and where he died at the age of eighty-five. He was a Revolutionary soldier and was taken prisoner by the British

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when they had possession of New York city, and with his comrades was confined in the old Sugar House for a time and then was trans- ferred to the prison ship that lay in the harbor, where he remained until released by exchange of prisoners.

Jesse Tryon was one of a family of twelve children. By occupation he was a farmer. He emigrated to Ohio in 1853, and located in Kirtland township, Lake county, where he died in 1872, at age of seventy-nine years, his death resulting from injuries received from being accidentally thrown out of a wagon. He was a member of the Congrega- tional Church. During the war of 1812 he was in the service of his country a short time before its close. The mother of James H. Tryon was before her marriage Miss Maria Graham, who was a native of New York. Her death occurred in 1876. They had two sons, James H. being the older. The other, Hon. Hosmer G. Tryon, came to Ohio in 1846, and improved a farm on Waite Hill, Lake county, where he spent the rest of his life. He was elected to the State Legislature and had just completed serving his third term as a member of that honorable body when his death occurred.

James H. Tryon spent his boyhood days on the farm and received a district-school and academic education. At the age of eight- een he went to Wampsville, Madison county, New York, where he was employed as clerk in a store for three years. Subsequently he clerked at Oneida and from there went to Rochester, same State, where he made his home for several years while he was engaged as traveling salesman. He came to Lake county, Ohio, in 1855, and settled on Waite Ilill in Kirtland township, where he soon afterward turned his attention to fruit cul- ture. In 1858 he set out a vineyard, it be-

ing one of the first vineyards, if not the first, of any size in the county. In 1862 he com- menced shipping his crop of grapes, and has continued to ship every year since. A few years after he planted the vineyard he also set out a peach and pear orchard. For thirty years he has handled all kinds of fruit trees, buying and selling on orders. He has made a specialty of grapes, not only in raising the fruit but also in selling the vines.

Mr. Tryon was married in 1848 to Louisa Hills, a native of Madison county, New York, and they have had eight children, three of whom died in infancy. Those living are as follows: Louise, wife of H. O. Wells, Kirt- land, Ohio; James H., Jr., married and liv- ing in West Bay City, Michigan; Phoebe I., wife of Frank Hull, Omaha, Nebraska; Ed- mond H., a merchant of Willoughby; and George W., of New York city.

When he reached his majority Mr. Tryon first voted with the Liberty party. He was afterward a Free-Soiler, and is 'now a Repub- lican. He, however, gives little attention to political matters. Mrs. Tryon is a member of the Congregational Church.

C USHMAN W. PELTON, of the firm of C. W. Pelton & Bro., Con- neaut, proprietors of one of the largest general merchandise stores in Ashtabula county, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, January 7, 1847, son of Winthrop F. and Sophronia C. (Beers) Pelton, both natives of this State.

From the history of Trumbull county we learn that he is a descendant of John Pelton, who came from county Essex, England, to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1634. Josiah Pelton of Granby, Connecticut, traded a mill

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

property for what is now the north half of the township of Gustavus, Trumbull county, and came out here on horseback in the summer of 1800 to locate bis land in the un- broken wilderness. Upon his return the same season he announced that he would give 100 acres of land to the woman who would first make her home on his tract. His son Jesse quickly accepted the offer in behalf of Ruhanna De Wolf, also of Granby, being as- sured that she was willing to undertake with him the hardships of pioneer life. They made the long and fatiguing journey in the spring of 1801, and on the 4th of June they "raised " their log house-the first in the township. Another brother soon followed Jesse, and in the spring of 1802 Josiah Pelton came out with the rest of the family, eight children in all, the seventh of whom- Julius-was the grandfather of C. W. Pelton.

Winthrop Folsome Pelton, the father of our subject, was born at Gustavus, this State, June 30, 1818, and his wife, also a native of Ohio, was born in 1823. They were married by Rev. E. B. Chamberlain, September 3, 1836, and for near half a century their lives were blended in happy union. After a long life, full of activity and replete with good works, he was called to his reward above, his death occurring March 1, 1893. His widow and five sons survive. Mr. Pelton was a member of the Presbyterian Church and an active worker in the same for many years. At the time when our country was in danger of dissolution, he proved his devotion to the flag by uniting his fortunes with those of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry as veterinary surgeon, in December, 1861, and serving during the war. The greater part of his active life was spent in Wayne, this county. He came to Conneaut in 1884, and filled for some years a responsi- ble position in the store of his son, C. W.

Pelton, failing health compelling his retire- ment. Here, by his affability as well as his inclination to sociability in society and church, he won the high esteem of all. Mrs. Pelton is also a member of the Presbyterian Church. Following is a brief record in regard to their six children: C. W., whose name stands at the head of this article, is the oldest of the family ; Chapin B., the second, is married and resides at Plattville, Wisconsin; Judd is married and settled at Auburn, New York; Arvine W. married Miss Eva L. Rowe of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and is a resident of Conneaut, a member of the firm of C. W. Pelton & Brother; Ells- worth, in the store with his brothers, married Sadie Reed, daughter of Robert M. Reed, and has three children: Robert; and John W., who was married in 1888 to Miss Linna Phillips, had two children,-Sophronia and Delphine. John Pelton died of black diph- theria February 8, 1893, and his little daugh- ter Delphine, aged a year and a half, died the following day of the same disease.

C. W. Pelton was a mere lad when the war broke out, but in February, 1864, young as he was, he enlisted in the army, becoming a member of Company D, Second Ohio Vol- unteer Cavalry, in the First Brigade of the Third Division of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac, General Custer being the division commander. Young Pelton was taken prisoner at Ream's Station, Vir- ginia, June 29, 1864, and was confined in Libby prison five months, his health being greatly impaired at the end of that time. His treatment while at Libby was brutal in the extreme. No picture of prison life there was ever overdrawn. After his parole Mr. Pelton was taken to Annapolis, where after regaining sufficient health he was detailed as clerk at headquarters, in which capacity he served un- til he was mustered ont in August, 1865. It

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was four or five years after the war before he regained his health; indeed, he has never been perfectly well since, but has never ap- plied for a pension.

In the spring of 1866, Mr. Pelton went to Oberlin, Ohio, and took a commercial course at the Calkins & Griffin Commercial Institute.

As a business man, C. W. Pelton, the head of the firm mentioned at the beginning of this article, is well and favorably known through- out northeastern Ohio. He has been in the dry-goods trade ever since he was a small boy, beginning as clerk and afterward serving as traveling salesman. For eleven years before establishing his present business he was con- nected with the old firm of Alcott, Horton & Co. at Cleveland, Ohio. In August, 1882, he came to Conneaut and embarked in trade on his own account, beginning on a small scale, and from time to time increasing his facilities. His annual business has increased from $20,000 in 1882 to $103,000 in the past year, and he is now doing the largest business in the county. The firm occupy commodious quarters in the Stanley block. They have sixty feet frontage on Main street, 100 feet deep, with an L 40 x 44 feet, fronting on Washington street. Few stores of any class present a brighter and more impressive appearance, and it would be a difficult under- taking to plan an interior more in harmony with metropolitan designs. They carry a general stock of merchandise, divided into five departments, with a responsible head in each department. Mr. Pelton is, indeed, one of the most public-spirited and enterprising men of this place. He is a stockholder and director in the Conneaut Mutual Loan As- sociation, and the Conneaut Electric Lighting Company.

Of his private life we record that Mr. Pelton has been twice married. lle first

wedded Miss Carolina Gifford, daughter of David S. Gifford of Conneaut, and they had two children, Barbara B. and Julius. Some time after the death of his first wife he mar- ried Miss Rhoda Baughton, daughter of Sey- mour A. Baughton, also of Conneaut. Their children are Albert and Charlotte. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a Trustee. He has served as Sabbath-school Superintend- ent for three years. He is a prominent Mason, being Past Eminent Commander of the Commandery.

Such, in brief, is a sketch of the life of one of Conneaut's most successful business men and highly esteemed citizens.

C LAYTON H. REEVES, of Orwell, Ohio, popular in the mercantile world as a traveling salesman and rep- resentative of the Broadhead Worsted Mills Company, of Jamestown, New York, through- out Iowa and other western territory since 1887, was born in the city where he now resides, January 17, 1867. He is of English ancestry and comes of an old and prominent Ohio family. George F. Reeves, his great grandfather, was a life resident of Edington, Somersetshire, England, where William, the originator of the family in America, was born. William remained in his native country until he reached manhood, when, in 1830, he emigrated to America, set- tling first in Pompeii, now called Cardiff, New York, and later, in 1835, removing to Orwell, Ohio, where his death occurred January 6, 1872, to the regret of many friends. He was the father of nine children, eight sons and one daughter, of whom Calvin, father of the subject of this sketch, was the

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eldest. He was born in Gaines, New York, March 26, 1834, and thus was only about a year old when his parents settled in Orwell, Ohio. Calvin was reared and educated in Or- well and taught school for some time. He served efficiently in the late war, retiring with the commission of Captain. He was after- ward in the mercantile business in Orwell for some time, when, in 1881, he became traveling salesman for the Broadhead Worsted Mills, of Jamestown, New York, which position he has ever since retained, meeting with eminent success, the result of his energetic and capa- ble exertions. He was married, April 2, 1863, to Miss Caroline Baker, born in Or- well, April 20, 1840, and educated at Orwell Academy and the Painesville Seminary. They had four children : Fannie M., now Mrs. Runner, of Canal Dover, Ohio; Clayton H., whose name heads this sketch; Julia M. and John B., at home.

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his native city, receiving liberal advantages and enjoying the cultured influ- ence of a refined home. When twenty years of age he entered the employ as traveling salesman, of the Broadhead Worsted Mills Company, with whom he has since remained, his field of operations now covering the State of Iowa and other western territory. He is an efficient and upright business man, a cour- teous, genial gentleman, and esteemed alike by his employers and patrons.

May 22, 1889, Mr. Reeves was married to Miss Cora B. Hunt, an accomplished lady, born January 15, 1871, only daughter of Wilburn and Mary Ellen (Welsh) Hunt. Her parents died in 1874, when she was about three years old, both expiring within three months of each other. They left one son, Charles C., born in 1868 by a former marri- age of Mr. Hunt; and Cora B., wife of the

subject of this sketch. The maternal grand- parents of Mrs. Reeves, Samuel H. and Mary Sophronia Welsh, of Bloomfield, Ohio, im- mediately adopted her as their own, provid- ing for her with more than parental affection. From them she learned all she knows of her parents, learning to love and reverence their memories. She was carefully reared and liberally educated, her kindly disposition, in- telligent conversation and the neatness and order prevalent in her home, are all convine- ing evidences of her early training. Her grandfather, Samuel Welsh, is one of the old- est settlers of Ohio. He was born in Cum- berland county, New Jersey, April 6, 1811, and when but five years of age, came, in 1816, with his parents to Warren, Ohio, the family traveling the entire way overland by team. Owing to the lack of schools on the frontier, he received no education except such as was taught him at home by his father, who was a well educated man and a Baptist minister. In early life, Samuel learned the tailor's trade, which he followed through life, or as long as health and age would permit. He was twice married, first to Matilda Flower, of Bloom- field, and they had five children, three of whom survive: Matilda J., wife of Rev .. Charles Foote: Edward H., a prosperous gro- cer of Cumberland, Maryland; and Marian L., wife of Harry S. Pickands, of Chicago, Illinois, senior member of the Pickands- Brown Iron Ore Company, with office in the Rookery building, and also head of the Pick- ands-Mather Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, and interested in other enterprises. His first wife died in 1846, leaving a number of chil- dren to his care. In 1848 he was again married, his second wife being Sopronia King, and they had six children, of whom three survive: Samuel H., a prominent hardware merchant of Milford, Nebraska; George K.,

A. R. Backwith

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also a successful hardware dealer, residing in New Castle, Pennsylvania; and John J., a railway fireman, living in Mahoning, Penn- sylvania; the first born died in infancy; J. Albert passed away in early manhood; and the only daughter, Mrs. Hunt, died in the flush of womanhood. His second wife died May 7, 1878, greatly regretted by her family and many friends. Mr. Welsh now resides with the subject of this sketch, where all that thoughtful care can do to brighten his life is cheerfully done. He is commendably inter- ested in public affairs, having cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay, and is now (1893) a firm supporter of Republican prin- ciples. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves haveone child, an interesting little daughter, by the name of Marian, born August 20, 1890. She is a vivacious, intelligent little creature, whose discernment exceeds that of others of her years.

In politics, Mr. Reeves advocates the prin- ciples of the Republican party. He belongs to several fraternal societies, being a member of Symbol Lodge, No. 452, F. & A. M., of New Lyme; also Chapter Master of Rock Creek Lodge of the same order; also affiliat- ing with the Knights of Pythias, of Orwell, and the I. O. (). F. of the same place. He is progressive and public-spirited, a man of the highest integrity and moral character, and is a credit to his community.

A LVA R. BECKWITH .- As some rug- ged monarch of the forest lifts its head above its fellows, thus in a newer civilization stands an early pioneer, who has witnessed the necromancy of time transform wood and plain into the harvest

field and populous city. In this connection may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, whose experience covers much of the richest era of the world's great history.

A. R. Beckwith, an old and esteemed resi- dent of Jefferson, Ohio, was born in Ashta- bula county, July 14, 1825, and is a son of Elijah and Sallie (Patridge) Beckwith, both natives of Connecticut. The parents of the mother were early settlers of Trumbull county, Ohio; and Perry Green Beckwith, father of Elijah, who was also a native of Connecticut, came to Ohio in 1811. He and his family made the journey overland from his native State in wagons drawn by oxen, being six weeks on the way. They settled in New Lyme, in the southern part of Ashta- bula county, where the father acquired large landed interests. When his children attained their majority he divided his property among them, giving them each fifty acres and they all settled in Ashtabula county. The father lived a long and useful life, dying at an ad- vanced age, lamented by all who knew him. Elijah, father of the subject of this sketch, was fourteen years of age when his father re- moved to Ohio. On becoming of age he also settled in Ashtabula county, where his life was passed in farming. Here his devoted wife died, at the age of sixty-four years, and he survived to the advanced age of ninety-one, dying great in years and in the respect of his fellow-men. Elijah Beckwith and wife had eight children, five sons and three daughters, all of whom attained maturity. All of the sons settled in Ashtabula county, and some of the younger ones are now residents of Cleveland.

Mr. Beckwith of this notice, was reared on the home farm and secured a fair educa- tion for his day. At about the age of twen- ty-two years, he entered the mercantile busi-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

ness in New Lyme, in his native county, where he continued for ten or twelve years. He then removed to Jefferson, where he has since resided, and where he followed the same business for about twenty-eight years. He was appointed Postmaster by President Cleve- land, in which capacity he served until 1889, since which time he has retired from active business pursuits. He owns a large amount of land in Jefferson, Cleveland and else- where, and most of his time during the past few years has been devoted to these real-es- tate interests. He recently erected in Jeffer- son a large three-story brick block, which proves an acquisition and ornament to the city. He was recognized as one of the most active and enterprising merchants of Jeffer- son and as an able financier. For many years he was a leader in the commercial circles of the city and contributed largely to its devel- opment.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 29

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