Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 37

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 37
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 37
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 37

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and an infant son born in May, 1893; Jennie L., also a native of Wayne, was born January 19, 1871, and is the wife of Burt Tyler: they have one child, Nellie, born in March, 1893; Ralph H., the youngest son, was born at the same place, September 1, 1875.

ERNON C. SAWYER, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of East Men - tor, Lake county, Ohio, is descended from one of the early New England families.

He was born in Mentor, Ohio, June 16, 1830, son of Isaac Sawyer, a native of Pom- pey, Onondaga county, New York, born July 26, 1805. Isaac Sawyer was a son of Joseph Sawyer and a grandson of Benjamin Sawyer, the former born in Dalton, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, July 30, 1778, and died in Ohio, June 5, 1849, and the latter, also a na- tive of Massachusetts, born June 23, 1750, died October 9, 1805.

Joseph Sawyer went from Massachusetts to New York and for some time lived in On- ondaga county. In 1810 he made the journey on foot to Ohio, and upon his arrival here took up 160 acres of land in what is now East Mentor, Lake county, to which place he brought his family the following year. In the midst of the woods, the Indians and the wild beasts he built his cabin home and be- came one of the first settlers of this vicinity. After he had been here two or three years he bought a tract of 1,000 acres of land, at $2.50 per acre, and on this land his sons subse- quently settled. He was a Justice of the Peace for some years and a prominent man here. He had six sons, all of whom lived to maturity but all of whom are now deceased. Isaac, the father of our subject, was the sec- ond son. He improved a portion of the land

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his father purchased, and passed his life en- gaged in agricultural pursuits here. His death occurred May 17, 1885. He was one of the leading men of the vicinity and was noted for his industry and his integrity. For a number of years he served as a Justice of the Peace. He was a member of the Meth- odist Church. Of his wife we record that she was a native of Allegany county, New York, and that her maiden name was Rachel O. Ferry. She was a popular and successful teacher previous to her marriage, and she, too, was a member of the Methodist Church. Her death occurred August 15, 1879. Isaac and Rachel Sawyer had two children, Vernon C. and Annette R. The latter is deceased.

Vernon C. Sawyer was reared on his father's farm and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. His education was re- ceived in the district schools and at Kirtland. As long as his father lived he was engaged in farming with him, and since his father's death he has continued on the home farm, which comprises eighty-three acres. He also owns other land, having in all 330 acres. He has given considerable attention to the breed- ing of fine horses and, shorthorn cattle, in which lines he has been very successful.

Mr. Sawyer was married January 1, 1862, to Miss Urania A. Clark, a native of Lake county, Ohio, and a daughter of Mr. A. Clark, who came from Connecticut to Ohio at an early day and was engaged in farming here. Mrs. Sawyer died March 5, 1883, leav- ing two children, Irene A. and Eugene V.

Mr. Sawyer is an active member of the Methodist Church and a Steward of the same. Politically, he is a Republican.

In concluding this sketch, we make refer- ence to Benjamin Sawyer, Jr., a brother of our subject's grandfather. This Benjamin Sawyer, Jr., was born August 20, 1776, and

died January 31, 1863. He came to Ohio about the time his brother Joseph did, and settled in this locality. Subsequently he went to Warrenville, Ohio, and joined the Shakers, with whom he spent the residue of his life.

USTUS F. MUNSELL .- The legal fra- ternity of Ashtabula, Ohio, is ably rep- resented by the subject of this sketch, whose acute, comprehensive mind and ener- getic disposition have gained for him, in a comparatively short time, foremost rank in his profession.

Justus F. Munsell, attorney and popular citizen, was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, January 22, 1858. His father, Anson Mun- sell, has been for many years a prominent farmer of Plymouth township, Ashtabula county, and it was on the home place that the subject of this sketch was reared. His mother was Miss Philc Theta Fobes, a na- tive of Ohio, and both parents are living in Plymouth township. His youth was passed in farm work and attending the public schools. When fourteen years of age he attended the public schools of Ashtabula, where he con- tinued for four years, graduating at the high school in 1876. He afterward taught two terms in the district school, and later, in the winter of 1879-'80, began the study of law at home, which study he continued the follow- ing two winters under the instruction of T. E. Hoyt, of Ashtabula. In the fall of 1883, Mr. Munsell entered the Cincinnati Law College, at which he was graduated May 28, 1884, with the degree of LL. B. He was immediately afterward admitted to the bar. and formed a partnership with T. E. Hoyt, his former preceptor, with whom he has since

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1892, he was elected City So- licitor, which position he resigned in April, 1893.

October 8, 1891, Mr. Munsell married Mrs. Fannie Harris, nee Seymour, a lady of social accomplishments, and daughter of William Seymour, a prominent resident of Ashtabula. This union has been blessed by one child, Robert Seymour.

In politics Mr. Munsell advocates the prin- ciples of the Democratic party. He and his worthy wife are useful members of the Re- formed Episcopal Church.

Of natural ability, educated and cultured, of an honorable character and energetic, pro- gressive disposition, Mr. Munsell has gained a high position in the regard of his fellow- citizens.

R USSELL CLARK HUMPHREY, conspicuous among the prominent business men of Ashtabula, Ohio, was born March 26, 1851, and is a son of William Humphrey, an old settler of this city. Mr. Humphrey, of this notice, was reared and educated in Ashtabula, remaining under the parental roof until he attained his majority. From that time until 1881, he owned and operated lime kilns at Ashtabula Harbor, in the meantime having charge of the Ashtabula gas works, in which he owned the majority of the stock, and also being in- terested in farming. He early began to buy and sell real estate, an enterprise in which he has been very successful. With limited means, he, with his sisters and brothers, drained 1,000 acres of swamp land back of Ashtabula, in Plymouth township, and the land thus reclaimed is now worth many

thousands of dollars, being as fertile as any in the county. Mr. Humphrey already owns extensive tracts of land and is constantly buy- ing and selling others, and has probably made more transactions in real estate than any other man in the county.

February 18, 1874, Mr. Humphrey was married to Miss May Castle, an accomplished lady, daughter of H. B. Castle, a prominent resident of Ashtabula. They have six chil- dren, four sons and two daughters: Jennett, William, Edwin, Russell C., May E., and Alfred.

The family are useful members of the Con- gregational Church, to which they have ren- dered valuable aid.

Mr. Humphrey has attained his success by thorough knowledge and persistent work, and his ability and enterprise have gained not only a comfortable competence for him- self, but have also aided materially in advanc- ing the interests of this city.

EORGE K. RAYNOLDS, a retired hardware merchant and prominent cit- izen of Painesville, Ohio, was born in Lodi, New Jersey, July 10, 1820. He comes of New England ancestry of English descent, his father, Peter Raynolds, having been born in Connecticut, and having been for several years a merchant in New York city. Peter Raynolds married Miss Caroline Kingsland of New Jersey, a member of a prominent family of that State. Her father owned a large tract of land in New Jersey, about nine miles out from New York city, which was a grant to him from Charles II. of England, and which is still in possession of descendants of the family. The parents of the subject of this sketch had eight chil-

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dren, three of whom are now living. The father died in New York city, aged about sixty years, while the mother survived him several years, expiring at the age of eighty- two.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the old Kingsland homestead in New Jersey. At the age of sixteen he became a clerk in a hardware store in New York, where he con- tinued six years. He then, in 1842, joined the tide of emigration moving westward and came to Painesville, Ohio, where he engaged in the hardware business on his own ac- count, in which he successfully continued eight years. He was then four years in the same business in Warren, this State, after which he removed to Cleveland, where he did an extensive hardware busi- ness at the foot of Superior street until 1882. At this time he once more returned to Painesville, and has not since been en- gaged in any active pursuits, having pro- vided for himself and family by the indus- trious efforts of former years. His pros- perity is wholly due to his own persevering labor and intelligent management, combined with uniform uprightness and business trans- actions, and his career might well serve as an incentive for all young men starting in life.

In 1847 Mr. Raynolds was married to Miss Catherine Cooke Mathews, of Paines- ville, a lady of superior attainments. Her father, Stephen Mathews, will be remem -. bered as one of the most able and success- ful lawyers in northeastern Ohio. He was a graduate of Harvard University, and studied law under the celebrated Judge Cady, of Johnstown, New York. He came to Painesville at a very early day, where he was actively engaged in the practice of law for many years, dying in 1884, in his eighty-

eighth year. His wife, nee Caroline Cooke, a beautiful and accomplished woman, was a daughter of Dr. Lyman Cooke, a prominent physician of West Chester on the Hudson. She survived her husband, living to the ad- vanced age of ninety years, while her mother lived to the even more remarkable age of ninety-nine. Mrs. Raynolds was one of seven children, four of whom are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Raynolds have had three chil- dren: John Henry, residing in Minnesota; William Mathews, a graduate of Kenyon College, Ohio, now a successful lawyer of Cleveland; and Catherine Kingsland, who died at the age of seven.

Politically, Mr. Raynolds is a Republican, but personally has taken no active part in public affairs, his private interests having absorbed his whole time and attention. Both he and his wife are useful members of the Episcopal Church, in which he has been a Vestryman and Senior Warden for a number of years. Such men give stability and worth to a community, their influence for good being immeasurable and far reaching in its effects.

J HEODORE HALL .- The legal pro- fession of Ashtabula, Ohio, possesses some of the ablest minds and the most upright characters to be found in the country, a conspicuous figure being the sub- ject of this sketch.

Theodore Hall was born in this city, Au- gust 29, 1838, son of Stephen and Ruth Booth) Hall. Great-grandfather Stephen Hall was a Captain in the Revolutionary war and his son Friend Hall was a brave soldier in the war of 1812. Stephen Hall, father of Mr. Hall of this notice, was born in New

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

York, whither he and his widowed mother came to Ashtabula county, Ohio, about 1830, when this country was new and slightly set- tled. Stephen Hall was for a few years a journeyman hatter, traveling throughout this country, but he later entered the general mer- chandise business in Ashtabula, in which he continued for years. He was first married in this county, to Ruth Booth, and they had two sons: the subject of this sketch; and Edgar, born in 1841. The devoted wife and mother was spared to her family but a few short years, her death occurring when Theodore was about six years of age. Some time afterward his father married again, his second wife being Rachel Pierce, and they had two children. In 1864 the father died, at the age of sixty years, greatly lamented by all who knew him.

Mr. Hall, whose name heads this notice, was reared in Ashtabula where he received his preliminary education, which instruction was supplemented by a course at the Alle- gheny College, in Meadville, Pennsylvania. In 1860 he began the study of law in his na- tive city, under the supervision of Judge L. S. Sherman, and the following year was admitted to the bar, and at once entered upon the prac- tice of his profession. He formed a partner- ship in 1867 with his previous preceptor, Mr. Sherman, and they successfully practiced law together for eight years. Mr. Hall was ap- pointed Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue in 1862, serving from November of that year until November, 1863. He afterward served five successive years as City Solicitor of Ash- tabula, until he refused to retain the office longer, being supported by both political parties in the nomination for the second term for this position. He has taken an active part in the development of this city, and since the or- ganization of the Ashtabula Water Supply Company he has acted as president, greatly

aiding it by his legal and financial ability. He is local attorney for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and the Nickel Plate Rail- road Companies.

December 25, 1862, Mr. Hall was married to Lucy M. Pierce, an estimable lady of this city, who departed this life September 29, 1889, leaving two children: Edward Pierce Hall and Ruth Booth Hall. January 28, 1893, he married Miss Nellie Ketcham, a lady of many excellent qualities.

Politically, Mr. Hall supports the princi- ples of the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a Knight Templar Mason. As a lawyer he is able, faithful, honest and energetic, while as a citizen he is enterprising and pro- gressive, with a genial personality which has gained for him great popularity among his associates.

A LBERT FIELD .- Ashtabula, Ohio, has no more representativecitizen than the subject of this sketch, who, by an- cestry and residence, has been con- nected with the city since its foundation.

The earliest ancestor of the family in this country, William Field, was from Wales and was residing in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1636, in which city he died in 1665. He died childless, but designated as his heir his nephew, Thomas Field, who was in Provi- dence at the time of his uncle's death. In 1667, this uephew took the oath of allegiance to this country, where he afterward lived. He had three children: Thomas, William and Elizabeth. Nehemiah Field, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, descended from this remote ancestor, and was born in Rhode Island, May 15, 1757. He married Sarah Whitman and they had six children: William

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Whitman, Arthur F., Aaron Lealand, A. Wait, Nehemiah and Sarah. The father of this family died in Adams, Massachusetts, June 14, 1815.

Aaron Lealand Field, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Chester, Vermont, October 14, 1787, and grew to manhood in his native State. He first married Anna Os- trander, who died, leaving three children. He was afterward married to Diana Mowry, born in Smithville, Rhode Island, in 1794, and in 1818 he and his family joined the westward tide of emigration to Ohio, at that time defining the frontier of civilization, where Indians and wild game roamed at will amid the primitive forests. Four years after coming to the State, the family settled near Ashtabula, in Ashtabula county, where the father passed his life in farming and stock- raising. He was prospered in his efforts and at the time of his death was the owner of 320 acres, including the present site of the town of Sweden. He was an active politician and stanchly Democratic, but never sought office. By his second marriage there were four chil- dren: George, Eliza Jane, Albert and Arthur. The family were called upon to mourn the loss of the devoted and loving father on March 22, 1860. He died in Ashtabula, at the age of seventy-three years. He was a man of energy and ability and was largely instru- mental in starting Ashtabula on that path which has culminated in its present pros- perity.

Albert Field, whose name heads this sketch, is the able and popular proprietor and mana- ger of the Fisk House, in Ashtabula. He was born on his father's homestead near this city, February 20, 1826, and remained on the farm until twenty years of age when he began boating on the great lakes, an occupation in which he was engaged for twenty years. He

followed this calling in various positions, much of the time being a mate on some of the larger boats. In 1861 he varied his oc- cupation by purchasing two sleeping cars, which he operated for a year on the Cincin- nati, Chicago & Air Line Railroad, after which he sold them to the railroad company. He then bought the parental homestead, on which he was engaged in farming for five years. In the meantime he bought the Fisk House, the oldest hotel in Ashtabula, of which he took charge in 1868 and which he has since suc- cessfully conducted, adding largely to its pa- tronage and making it a credit to the city.

In 1853 Mr. Field was married to Miss Mary Leafy Cheney, and they have one daugh- ter, unmarried.

In politics, Mr. Field follows in the foot- steps of his illustrious father, stanchly advo- cating the principles of the Democratic party.

Of extensive experience, executive ability and genial personality, Mr. Field is amply equipped for attaining success in life, and a host of friends maintain a hearty interest in his welfare.

IRAM BOHILL, an old settler of Lake county, Ohio, and a well-known nur- seryman, residing two miles east of Painesville, was born in Chautauqua county, New York, in 1819. His grand- father, Casper Bohill, was a native of Ger- many, where he was educated for a Roman Catholic priest. He came to America at the time of the Revolutionary war, in which he was a soldier. He afterward settled on a farm in St. Lawrence county, New York, where he died in middle life. His son, John Bohill, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in that county and there reared to

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

manhood. He learned cabinet making and was one of the pioneers of Chautauqua county, New York, where he followed his trade. He married Margaret Klumph, a na- tive of Otsego county, New York, and they reared eleven out of twelve children, ten of whom now survive. Her father, Jeremiah Klumph, was born near Albany, in the Empire State, and was a farmer by occupation. His father was born in Germany, where he was for many years the Emperor's Treasurer. After his emigration to America, he resided for some time in New York State, where he followed farming, later removing to Michi- gan, then on the extreme frontier of civiliza- tion, where he died at the age of more than a hundred years. About 1845, the parents of the subject of this sketch came to Paines- ville, Ohio, where the father worked at his trade. Both parents died here, the mother aged about sixty years and the father aged eighty-eight. The latter was an ardent Whig in politics, and both were devoted members of the Methodist Church.

The subject of this sketch was the oldest child and was reared at Fredonia, Chautau- qua county, New York. When eighteen years of age, he started out for himself, work- ing at his trade of cabinet making, traveling throughout the South and Canada, and in course of time accumulating some money. He afterward married and settled in Detroit, Michigan, where he opened a cabinet-making shop, which he conducted successfully and profitably for three years, when he was burned out, losing everything, with no insur- ance indemnity. The citizens afterward loaned him money for a year, without interest, and Mr. Bohill resumed business for eleven months, when he sold out, and, paying up his indebtedness, came to Painesville, in 1848. He worked in the latter city by the year for

seven years, after which he worked in Cleve- land for a time. The present site of the court-house in the latter city was at that time a corn field. He then returned to Con- cord township, Lake county, and in 1866 started his present nursery, on a small scale. He now has forty acres of land, specially adapted to the nursery business, which returns him a handsome profit annually, his stock be- ing sold at wholesale and retail. He formerly rented considerable land, but now owns his entire place, thus exemplifying what may be accomplished by industry and perseverance. Of all those who settled there when he did, he is the only one now remaining in the vi- cinity, and is justly looked upon as a pioneer of pioneers.

In 1844 he was married to Caroline Guth- erie, a native of Scottsville, New York, whose grandfather came from Scotland to America in an early day. They have nine children living: Tressie, Mary, Carlton, Clara, Har- vey, Nettie, Ella, Ida, and Grant.

In politics, Mr. Bohill is a Republican with strong independent proclivities, and was County Supervisor for many years. He and his family are worthy members of the Meth- odist Church and are numbered among the best people in the county.

S® TEPHEN B. ATWOOD, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, and an insur- ance representative, is one of the most highly respected citizens of Conneaut, Ohio. Following is a brief sketch of his life:

S. B. Atwood was born in Cortland county, New York, February 27, 1820, son of Mills and Charlotte (Day) Atwood, both natives of the Empire State. The father, a weaver by trade, passed his life and died in Columbia

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county, New York, at the age of eighty-three years. The mother died in 1823. She was a member of the Friends Church. They had four children: David, Gideon, Stephen B., and Jane, all of whom have passed away save the subject of this sketch.

Mr. Atwood was educated in Onondaga county, New York, and in Erie county, Penn- sylvania, having resided at the latter place from 1837 until 1843. The last named year he came to Conneaut and engaged in the har- ness and carriage business, continuing the same until 1878. That year he turned his attention to the granite business, and as trav- eling agent for the Ryegate Granite Works of Vermont, was on the road for five years. In 1887 he was appointed Postmaster of Con- neaut, which position he filled until 1891, when his commission expired. As the incum- bent of that office he rendered excellent ser- vice, giving entire satisfaction to all. Since 1891 he has been engaged in the insurance business, and since 1892 has been a Justice of the Peace.

He was married in Conneaut, January 15, 1843, to Miss Charlotte E. Phillips, daughter of Gardner Phillips of Perrington, Monroe county, New York. They had three children : Edwin Gardner, Minnie C., and Lee C.

Edwin G. Atwood was associated with his father in the carriage business for many years, and was afterward and up to the time of his death in the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company, as freight agent, being a man of excellent busi- ness qualifications. He was a member of the Masonic Order and also of the I. O. O. F. Of the last named lodge he was elected Noble Grand and his death occurred the very eve- ning he would have been installed in office- January 21, 1891. He died at the age of forty-three years. His wife, nee Marion

Brown, a native of Scotland, is also deceased. They left three children: Charlotte D .; Will- iam S., who is in the office of E. A. Miller, master mechanic of the Nickel Plate Railroad Company, at Conneaut; and Burt.

Minnie C., the daughter of our subject, was engaged in teaching in Conneaut for several years, but at present presides over her fa- ther's home.

Lee C .; is Deputy Postmaster of Conneaut, having occupied this position for nearly ten years, which circumstance in itself speaks well for his ability.

S. B. Atwood has taken a deep interest in the moral and educational development of Conneaut. He has served as Mayor of the city, for twenty-five years has been a member of the School Board, and has also held other minor offices in the city. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., having filled all the chairs in the subordinate lodge. He takes little active interest in politics, but votes with the Demo- cratic party.

D R. W. A. WARD, a prominent citizen of Conneaut, and one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Eastern Ohio, was born in Chautauqua, Chautauqua county, New York, son of Arvin and Plooma (Preston) Ward, both natives of the Empire State.

Arvin Ward was by trade a tanner and cur- rier, but for many years was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. IIe held numerous minor offices. For a number of years he was In- spector of Militia, filling the position until the law was changed. He was well and fa- vorably known over southwestern New York. During the gold excitement of 1849, Mr. Ward went to California, where for some

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 37

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