Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 32

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 32
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 32
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 32

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In politics Mr. Adams is thoroughly in touch with the Republican party. In relig- ion, the family lean toward the faith of the Baptist Church. In the enjoyment of a com- fortable income, surrounded by an interesting family and many warm friends, Mr. Adams may be said to have gained the highest suc- cess in life, which is not gauged by pecuniary accumulations alone, but by all those ameni- ties which go to satisfy the human soul,

C HARLES STETSON SIMONDS .- As the native forests of Ohio are fast dis- appearing before the ravages of man, so the pioneers of this country are fast pass- ing under the scythe of relentless Time until there are now but few landmarks of the olden days. In the relation of some giant monarch of the forest stood Charles Stetson Simonds, one of the most prominent and worthy pioneers of the Western Reserve. IIe was

born May 1, 1815, in Westminster, Vermont, the second (living) son of Moses Simonds and his wife, Priscilla Cook Stetson. The family removed to Ohio in 1821, making their final stopping place in Saybrook town- ship, Ashtabula county. Here in 1828, the father died, leaving his widow with six minor children. They were poor in worldly goods but rich in the effects of the influence of a good mother. Inspired by her to lives of industry and morality, as well as to the best use of such slender advantages of educa- tion as could then be obtained, they acquired a respectable position among their fellow citizens; and when, full of years, she passed to her reward, "her children's children rose up to call her blessed."

At the age of seventeen, Charles entered upon the duties of a district school teacher; and in 1836, having earned $60 in the vil- lage school of Geneva, he set out with this sum in hand to seek his fortune in the great and unknown West. Reaching St. Louis, his adventurous spirit was somewhat checked by an insight into the barbarous life of the

southwestern frontier, and he turned aside from his original purpose of going to New Mexico, choosing Illinois, instead, as the field of his efforts. After a varied experience of over two years, teaching school, farming or splitting rails as opportunity offered, he was prostrated by a severe attack of chills and fever, from the subsequent effects of which he was a sufferer all the rest of his life. But he had had access to a good private library, and, having found there Blackstone's and Kent's commentaries, he became inter- ested in the study of law and adopted that as his profession.

He returned to Ashtabula county in 1839. and in the following spring entered the office of Wade & Ranney, in Jefferson, as a student.

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In 1842 he was admitted to the bar, and shortly afterward opened an office in Jeffer- son. In 1844 he was married to Louisa Warner, a daughter of Jonathan Warner, of Jefferson. . He acquired a respectable busi- ness, and was elected successively to the offices of Justice of the Peace and Prosecu- ting Attorney.

In 1847 Mr. Wade was elected Judge of the Third Judicial District, and the firm of Wade & Ranney was succeeded by that of Ranney, Simonds & Cadwell, the several members being Rufus P. Ranney, C. S. Simonds and Darius Cadwell. In 1851, Mr. Ranney was elected Judge of the Supreme Court, and the firm of Simonds & Cadwell was formed. This partnership continued for twenty years, until the removal of Mr. Cad- well to Cleveland in 1871. In the following year he entered into partnership with Edward C. Wade, but failing health compelled him to retire from active business in 1879. His death occurred June 22, 1891.

Of his life and influence in this commu- nity it may be briefly said that he was a Re- publican in politics, and active in all patriotic and educational enterprises, though never seeking for himself either the honors or emoluments of office. His intellectual tastes and love of the beautiful in nature and in poetry were marked characteristics to those who knew him best, while his wisdom in counsel and sound judgment in business affairs are also well attested. But above all he was a man of sterling integrity, who hated a lie, and discharged every trust reposed in him with conscientious fidelity.

His children were: Charles II., whose biography follows this; Albert G., now a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he is an inspector of wheat for an elevator com- pany; Maria L., wife of Hon. E. C. Wade, a

prominent attorney of Jefferson; Adaline W., at home with her mother; and Amelia P., wife of B. F. Beardsley, a prosperous citizen of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Charles H. Simonds, a prominent and re- spected citizen of Jefferson, Ohio, was born November 19, 1844, in this city, which has ever since been his home. He received a fair education in the common schools and after- ward learned the tinners' trade. In 1870, he engaged in the tin and stove business on his own account and with his own capital, in Jefferson, continuing successfully in their business for three years. He then became deputy in the office of the Clerk of Common Pleas and Probate Judge's office, in which position he served until the fall of 1878. He was then elected Clerk of the Court of Com- mon Pleas, and re-elected in 1881, and again in 1884, thus holding the office three terms, or nine years, which signifies both prompt- ness and efficiency. Such universal indorse- ment of his public services is but a just re- ward of merit which, it is gratifying to know, is appreciated. Since his retirement he has devoted his attention to his private interests.

In politics Mr. Simonds is a Republican, and in fraternal relation he is a member of Tuscan Lodge, No. 342, F. & A. M .; of Jefferson Chapter, No. 141, R. A. M .; of Cache Commandery, No. 27, K. T., at Con- neaut; also of the Consistory, A. & A. S. Rite, with the thirty-second degree, and he is president of the Citizens' Library Associa- tion, in which he takes a great interest. In person he is above the medium height, well proportioned and of gentlemanly deportment. He is liberal and charitable, genial and com- panionable, and he is highly esteemed by the community in which he has so long dwelt, being a worthy scion of his distinguished father.

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

D R. WALZO A. WHITE, resident dent- ist of Orwell, Ohio, although recently settled in that city has already built up an extensive practice and acquired a repu- tation for skill and thoroughness in his pro- fession that an older practitioner than him- self might well envy.

He comes of good old American stock, both parents having belonged to ancient and honored families long resident of America. His father, James White. was a native of Ohio, while his mother was before her mar- riage Miss Rosanna Phillips, born December 20, 1823. She married when about eighteen years of age and shortly afterward removed with her husband to Middlefield, Ohio, which continued to be her home until about 1878. The father of the subject of this sketch responded to his country's call at the time of the recent war, enlisting in the Sixty-first Ohio Regiment of Infantry, and dying in a Southern hospital in 1865, from an attack of small-pox. Thus deprived of her natural supporter and protector and with eight children depending upon her, this worthy mother proved herself an able and affectionate parent. She so reared them that not one brought the blush of shame to her cheek, but proved a source of pride and com- fort in her old age. About 1878, she re- moved to Claridon, where she lived one year, when she returned to Middlefield, and four years later went to Hampden, where she died, May 14, 1893, leaving many friends to mourn her loss. She never remarried, find- ing her greatest happiness in the care of her children. She was a consistent, worthy Christian, a kind, sympathetic neighbor and an unselfish, self-sacrificing mother, and en- joyed the affectionate regard of all who knew her. Her funeral took place in Middlefield, which had been her home for so many years,

and the services were held in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which she had been an earnest and efficient worker. Rev. E. O. Mead, of Burton, officiated, preaching a ser- mon full of consolation for those surviving and replete with praise for the noble soul just departed to its reward. Her eight chil- dren were: Elizabeth, wife of A. W. Ham- ilton, of Middlefield; Lucy, whose first husband, B. R. Patchin, died in the army, her present husband being P. N. Fales, of Huntsburg, Ohio; Cordelia married B. F. Bowers, whose death occurred shortly before her own. She expired in 1884, leaving one son, Earnest, who is now a well educated and promising young man of New York city, being a stenographer and typewriter opera- tor. Albert E. is the fourth of the family in order of birth, and resides in Middlefield, Ohio; Alice is the wife of A. G. Atwood, also of Middlefield; Rose married C. L. Whitney, of Warren, Ohio; Emma is the wife of Dr. E. F. Jaques, a prominent dent- ist of Painesville, Ohio; and Walzo A., the youngest, is the subject of this sketch.

Dr. White, whose name heads this biog- raphy, was born in Middlefield, Ohio, Feb- ruary 17, 1861, and was reared on a farm, with only the ordinary advantages for secur- ing an education, such as are afforded by the country schools. What these lacked in vari- ety, however, they made up in thorough- ness, and he became well grounded in the essentials of an English education. Until he was twenty years of age, he followed the occupation of a nurseyman, acquiring in out-door exercise and persistent labor that rugged health and those habits of industry and perseverance, which are now such distinguishing characteristics of his nature. Shortly after he attained that age, he learned telegraphy and entered the employ of the

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Pittsburg & Western Railway as ticket agent and telegraph operator, being first stationed at Niles, Ohio, and afterward in Middlefield, the same State. In 1889, Mr. White re- signed his position as railway agent on account of his ill health, and some time later commenced the study of dentistry with his brother-in-law, Dr. Jaques, of Burton, Ohio. After pursuing his studies there two years, Mr. White went to Erie, Pennsylvania, where he became a pupil of Dr. F. H. Law- rence, celebrated for his skill in crown and bridge work and also in porcelain work in dentistry. Dr. White acquired the skill of his instructor in these and other branches of his profession, and is particularly proud of his knowledge and efficiency in that difficult work. On finishing his course in Erie, the Doctor returned to Burton and entered into partnership with his former tutor, Dr. Jaques, with whom he remained until Octo- ber, 1892. He then removed to Orwell, his present home, where he has gained, by care- ful and painstaking work, the confidence of a large patronage, and is now in the enjoy- ment of that success which is the reward of persistent and conscientious effort.

The Doctor was first married, December 11, 1880, to Miss Lillie Hughes, an esti- mable lady, daughter of Israel Hughes, a wealthy farmer of Huntsburg, Ohio, and they had one child, Mabel C., born June 17, 1884. This happy union was terminated by the death, January 26, 1889, of the devoted wife and mother, who expired suddenly and unexpectedly while on a visit with her child at the home of her parents. She was stricken with unconsciousness, and before the Doctor could reach her side she had lost the power to recognize him. She was a woman of the highest Christian character, and died in the hope of a future world. Their daughter still

resides with Mrs. White's parents. Thus bereaved of his wife's society and consola- tion, the Doctor sought diversion in study and change of scene, the few succeeding years of his life being passed in Burton, Ohio, and Erie, Pennsylvania. December 31, 1891, Dr. White was married to Miss Millie Leggett, a lady of domestic tastes, daughter of James Leggett, a prominent citizen of Montville, Ohio, and they have an interesting baby girl, Myrtle B., born Feb- uary 7, 1893. Mrs. White is one of twelve children and has a twin brother, Milton, the date of their birth being November 22, 1866.

Politically, the Doctor is a Republican. He is an active member of the Congregational Church, while his wife belongs to the Meth- odist Episcopal denomination. The Doctor is kindly and obliging, well adapted by skill and social traits to gain prominence as a professional man and citizen, and enjoys the respect of all who know him.

D R. LUMAN P. STURTEVANT, who stands in the front ranks of the medica profession' in Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvannia, March 16, 1846, son of Timothy and Rachel (Fisher) Sturtevant. His father was born in New York, July 19, 1813, and at the age of five years went to Pennsylvania, where he re- mained until 1874. The past nineteen years he has been a resident of Conneaut, Ohio, and now makes his home with the subject of this sketch. A carpenter by trade, he was for many years engaged in contracting and build- ing, his life being one of activity and useful- ness. The Doctor's mother was born in Berk- shire county, Massachusetts, October 8, 1811, and died November 24, 1887. Her father,

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Elezar Fisher, was in the war of 1812, and her grandfather Fisher was a Revolutionary soldier. She was a member of the Christian Church, as also is her husband, and for the past thirty years he has been a Deacon in the church. Mr. and Mrs. Sturtevant had six children, namely: E. F., a resident of Con- neant; Homer, who died at the age of twenty months; Anna M., wife of W. P. Laucks, of Kearney county, Kansas; L. P., the subject of this article; Mary J., wife of W. H. Limb, of Springfield, Ohio; and William H., a resi- dent of Sharpsville, Mercer county, Pennsyl- vania.

Dr. Sturtevant was educated in the common schools and academy and received his medical education in Cleveland, being a graduate of the Homeopathic Hospital College with the class of 1874. While in college he had two years' experience in hospital work, and in June, 1874, immediately after his graduation, he began the practice of his profession in Con- neaut, where he has since remained, meeting with good success. He now has a large and Incrative practice. He is a member of the Homeopathic Medical 'Society of Ohio, the American Institute of Homeopathy, and the Homeopathic Society of Erie county, Penn- sylvania.

December 24, 1872, Dr. Sturtevant married Miss Callie E. Fruit, daughter of William and Sarah Fruit, of Sharpsville, Pennsylvania. Her father, in company with William Scott and James Pierce, developed the first coal mine in Mercer county, Pennsylvania. He died in 1879, aged sixty-seven years. His four children are as follows: Sarah, wife of James Trimble, Philadelphia; Mary, wife of F. Livermore, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, is deceased; Mrs. Sturtevant; William W., who died at the age of thirty-seven years.

Both the Doctor and his wife are members

of the Christian Church. For many years he has been a member of the official board and has also served as Sabbath-school Sperin- tendent a number of years. He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the blue lodge, chapter, council and commandery, having filled the offices of Worshipful Master in the blue lodge and High Priest in the chapter. He is also a member of the Knights of Honor and the Royal Templars of Temperance, and has been presiding officer in these organizations for some years. Politically, he is a Republican.

Dr. Sturtevant is in the prime of an active manhood. He is publie-spirited and gener - ous; believes in keeping pace with the times, and especially does he keep posted in all matter pertaining to his profession. Dr. Miriam and Dr. Ward are the only physicians now living in Conneaut who were here when he located in the city. Both professionally and otherwise, he has the respect and esteem of all who know him.

E ZRA B. TYLER, a widely and favora- bly known farmer of Saybrook town- ship, Ashtabula county, Ohio, was born February 23, 1835, in his present home, where he has ever since resided. The origi- nal head of the Tyler family in Ashtabula county was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Ebenezer Tyler, who was born in New England of Puritan ancestry, and in- herited all the sterling traits of honesty and industry typical of that worthy race. He emigrated from New Hampshire to New York State in an early day, when, about 1816, he followed the western tide of emigration to Ohio, where he passed the remaining years of his life in farming. Hle was a quiet, un-

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assuming man, seeking neither fame nor for- tune, but anxious only to maintain a good name as a heritage for his children. It is very probable that he was a patriotic soldier in the Revolutionary war, and contributed his share toward gaining the birthright of freedom for future generations. Of his chil- dren who accompanied himself and wife to Ashtabula county, Amasa is the one who now claims attention, as having been the fa- ther of the subject of this sketch, and who was born in New Hampshire in 1798. He was mainly engaged in farming, in which he was reasonably successful, being esteemed as an upright and able business man and citizen. He enjoyed the universal good will of his fellow-men, as is evidenced by his constitu- ents conferring on him a number of offices of public trust and responsibility in his town- ship, the duties of which office were efficiently and promptly dispatched by him in his cus- tomary able manner. He married Electa Badger, also a member of an old and influen- tial family of Ashtabula county. She was a native of Connecticut; was reared in Penn- sylvania and was a pioneer of Ohio. Her brothers and sisters were: Lyman, Anson, Alonzo, Harriet, Julia and Almond. Mr. and Mrs. Amasa Tyler had five children: Orin, deceased; Paulina, deceased, was the wife of Liberty Gary; Amos, deceased; Ezra; and Almond, now in the furniture business in Ashtabula.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm and attended the district school. He afterward learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years during his younger life. This he discon- tinned in 1865 and has since given his exclu- sive attention to farming, in which his cus- tomary industry and intelligent management have insured him well-merited success.

December 30, 1863, he was married to Emeline Howard, who was four years his junior. She was a lady of superior intellect and refinement of character, daughter of Ar- thur Howard, who was for many years an influential farmer of Plymouth township. They had three children: Sarah and Fannie, who died in infancy; and Minnie. In 1875, the family were called upon to mourn the loss of the devoted wife and mother, who died as she had lived, a consistent Christian char- acter.

M OSES W. BEEDE, manufacturer of succor rods, and a dealer in hard woods, Lenox township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, has long been identi- fied with the manufacturing interests of northeastern Ohio, and is well known throughout this part of the State. Thus it is appropriate that more than a passing notice of him should be made on the pages of this work. Of his life the following facts have been gleaned;

Moses W. Beede was born in Bristol, Grafton county, New Hampshire, August 28, 1839, son of Caleb and Mary (Worthing) Beede. His father was born in Vermont, July 25, 1805, and was a descendant of an old German family. Great-grandfather Beede, by trade a weaver of silk stockings, came to America in the king's ships at a very early day, paying part of his passage by the mend- ing of a chest of damaged stockings. He settled near Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he bought a tract of land that is still in the family, and is one of the best farms in the State. Caleb Beede was left an orphan at an early age, and was bound out under the blue laws. Being treated with cruelty by the man to whom he was bound, he ran away

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and was secreted and aided by friends. When he reached his majority he and a number of other young men clubbed together to educate themselves, and after he had com- pleted his education he entered the ministry, in which for a number of years he was an efficient worker. He was compelled, how- ever, to abandon the work of the ministry on account of the failure of his voice. He then learned the trade of ship carpenter, and after- ward that of carpenter and joiner, and did an extensive business in contracting and build- ing. During eight years he erected sixteen large churches besides various other build- ings. Later he purchased a large farm and mill. In this enterprise he had a partner, who proved himself a rascal by running away with all available funds and leaving Mr. Beede in debt. Mr. Beede, however, paid off the debt. After that, in 1850, he emigrated to Ohio with his family and settled on a rented farm in Morgan township. The following spring he bought a mill, which was lost by fire in 1852. He then moved to Lenox and built a mill, turning his attention to manu- facturing interests here, and continuing the same until the outbreak of the Civil war. He and one of his sons enlisted in the Twenty- ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. While in the service he met with an accident which resulted in blood-poisoning, and later in paralysis, which finally terminated his life in 1877, in the seventy-second year of his age. He was a self-made man, a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a man whose life was worthy of emula- tion.

The mother of our subject was born in New Hampton, New Hampshire, May 6, 1809, and in that State, at the age of twenty, she was married to Mr. Beede. In time she became the mother of nine children, seven of

whom are still living. She united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in her early life and remained in loving communion with it until the time of her death, June 2, 1889, at the age of eighty years.

It was in 1852 Moses W. Beede came to Lenox, Ohio, he being at that time a lad of thirteen years. Here he grew up on his father's farm and in the mill, receiving his education in a log schoolhouse. When the war came on he enlisted in the three months' service, as a member of the Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and took part in the West Virginia campaign under General George B. McClellan. After his discharge he enlisted in the Seventh Kansas Volunteer Infantry, under John Brown, Jr., son of the distinguished John Brown. He accompanied his regiment to Chicago, where, after an ex- amination, he was rejected on account of his physical condition. Upon being rejected from the service, and having only $2 in cash, he looked about him for something to do, and soon found employment near the city, engaging to run a steam engine for a farmer at a salary of $18 per month. Here he re- mained until spring, when he went home and took charge of his father's mill. The mill was encumbered at this time, and to his credit be it said that he not only paid off the debt, but that he also educated his sisters. He manufactured nearly all the boat oars used by the Union army on the Mississippi river during the war.

June 1, 1863, he married Miss Eliza Hen- derson, daughter of Grove Henderson: She was born in Austinburgh township, this county, July 31, 1835, and previous to her marriage was engaged in teaching. She had two children: George O., born February 28, 1865, and now a promising young business man in the Northwest, where Mr. Beede has

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extensive iron interests; and Bernice G., born June 14, 1868, wife of Leonard Worcester, residing in Leadville, Colorado. Mrs. Beede was a faithful member of the Congregational Church all her life. She passed to her re- ward in 1874. In 1876 Mr. Beede married Mrs. Frances L. (Curtis) Watson, widow of Harlow Watson and daughter of Amos Cur- tis. Her father was born in 1817, and was one of the pioneers of Illinois, having located in Camden, Schuyler county, in the fall of 1837. Mrs. Beede was born February 27, 1843, and was reared in Angusta, Illinois. When in her seventeenth year she was mar- ried to Mr. Watson, by whom she had one child, Nettie L., now the wife of B. A. French, of Lenox, Ohio. Mr. Watson died of a fever, in Alabama, in 1862, while in the service of his country. By his present wife Mr. Beede has two children: M. Frances, a student in the Jefferson Educational Insti- tute; and Lulu E., also attending school.

Mr. Beede continued to run the mill until 1877, when, while he was sojourning in Colo- rado for the benefit of his health, the whole plant was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $4,000. Since then he has been variously occupied, and for the past twelve years has been engaged in the manufacture of succor rods, used in oil wells, in which enterprise he has met with eminent success, having gained an enviable reputation as an honor- able and upright business man.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 32

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