Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 38

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 38
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 38
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 38

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).

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

time he was engaged in mining, being very suceessful in his operations. Returning to New York, he passed the remaining years of his life at Westfield, where he died about 1888, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. His venerable widow is still living.

Dr. Ward is the oldest of four children, all of whom are living, two being in Pennsylva- nia and two in Ohio. He was educated at Westfield, in his native county, and there be- gan the study of medicine under the instruc- tions of Dr. John Spencer. He attended the Western Reserve Medical College in Cleve- land, at which institution he graduated in 1861. After his graduation he began the practice of his profession in Monroe, Ashta- bula county, Ohio, where he remained for three years. Then he entered the hospital service of the army, and during the winter of 1864-'65, was at Little Rock, Arkansas. He located at Conneaut in 1865; soon established a large and lucrative practice, and has re- mained here ever since. He is surgeon for the Nickel Plate Railroad Company, and also for several insurance companies, both life and accident.

Dr. Ward was married in December, 1861, to Miss Mary E. Chapin, daughter of Z. Cha- pin, of Painesville, Ohio. They have had six children, one of whom, Charles, died in in- fancy. Those living are as follows: Julia E .; Fred A., chief clerk in the Nickel Plate yard office; Gertrude P., wife of M. Nolan, a resi- dent of Conneaut; Mary E .; and Lizzie A. Mrs. Ward is a member of the Congregation- al Church.

The Doctor is public-spirited and for the past twelve years he has served as a member of the School Board. He is a member of the Ashtabula County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society, the New York Medico- Legal Society, the National Association of

Railway Surgeons and the Ohio Association of Railway Surgeons.

For more than a quarter of a century Dr. Ward has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, and in all that time his interest has not abated. He has taken the higher de- grees of the order, both of the commandery and the consistory, and has filled various of- ficial positions, and is a past officer in all bodies of the so-called York rites. He was on the staff of the Grand officers of the Grand Com- mandery of Knights Templar of Ohio for six years, and is the representative of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia near the Grand Lodge of Ohio.

Such is a brief sketch of one of the promi- nent physicians and highly respected citizens of Conneaut.

(OSEPH H. BOYCE is one of the rep- resentative men of Willoughby, Lake county, Ohio, and stands very high in the estimation of all. He is proprietor of the Willoughby mills, which constitute one of the leading enterprises of the town. He has been connected with the mills since May 1, 1871, when he entered into partnership with J. W. Penfield and purchased the plant. They converted it into a foundry for the manufacture of tile and brick machinery. At the end of six years, however, they dis- solved partnership and our subject embarked in the milling business, his partner continu- ing the manufacture of machinery. The mills have been equipped with full roller proc- ess, and control an extensive local trade.

Our subject is a native of New Brunswick, having been born September 19, 1823, to John and Ellen (Huggart) Boyce, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Ireland.

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

The paternal great-grandfather of our subject was of French birth and a Huguenot, who, during the great French Revolution, left his native land and went to Scotland, where his three sons, Daniel, Ezekiel and William, were born. The first emigrated to America, locat- ing near Boston, William settled in Ireland, and Ezekiel remained in Scotland. The name of the family was originally Du Boise. Our subject's parents were married in Nova Scotia. The father was a weaver by trade, and in 1833 removed to what is now Willoughby town- ship, where he cleared a farm. He worked somewhat at his trade, but mainly devoted his attention to farming after his arrival here. He died at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, who was several years his junior, sur- vived him a number of years.

Joseph Boyce is the third in a family of nine children, four of whom are deceased. He was only ten years old when his parents removed to this county. He attended the common district school and afterward spent a few terms in the Kirtland Academy, when it was conducted by Prof. A. D. Lord. When twenty years old he began teaching, and con- tinued in that vocation for several terms, including in his tutorial work a select school at Willoughby. His brother, William, was also a successful teacher. For three years, our subject clerked in a store at Willoughby, and in 1849 received a commission to act as Postmaster of the village. At the end of four years he resigned and started a mercantile business. He first carried a stock of drugs, later adding groceries, and after a time, dry goods.

In the year 1852 Mr. Boyce took in a part- ner and continued in business until 1861, when, on account of the uncertain condition of the financial world, he sold out his busi- ness and invested the money in a farm, turn-

ing his attention for a few years to the pur- suit of agriculture. In 1868 he sold his property and engaged with a company in the manufacture of stoves, machines and hard- ware, for the following three years. As stated at the beginning of this sketch, he has been for the past sixteen years, proprietor of the Willoughby Flour Mills.

The marriage of Mr. Boyce to Miss Julia E. French was celebrated December 23, 1856. The lady was born in Perry, Lake county, and is a daughter of Edwin and Nancy French, well-known and prominent old set- tlers, who lived until quite advanced in years. Mrs. Boyce is a twin of Julius E., who is a prominent and wealthy business man of Cleve- land, and is interested in more than a score of business enterprises. He is noted for his philanthrophy and integrity of character. The eldest sister of Mrs. Boyce is Amelia, wife of the Honorable A. J. Williams, a prominent attorney of Cleveland. The next sister, Adelia C., became the wife of George Baldwin, late of Chicago, but now deceased. Hannah, the youngest of the family, now de- ceased, was the wife of L. G. Kies.

Three children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Boyce: Leona is the wife of W. C. Talmage, of Cleveland, Ohio; Anna E. is the wife of J. H. Outhwaite, now of California; and Nancy is at home. Mr. Boyce has held various local township offices, and is a Republican in politics. Both himself and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

D ANIEL B. WALKER, a well-known farmer and Jersey stock breeder of Saybrook township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, is a descendant of one of the oldest

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

and most prominent families of the State. The first member of the family to penetrate the wilds of Ohio were Charles Walker, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and his son, Charles, who settled in Saybrook township in 1821, where the for- mer died about five years later, at the age of seventy years. He was a native of Rhode Island, whence he emigrated to Massachu- setts, coming thence to Ohio. He was twice married, his second wife bearing the name of Edmunds. His only child, Charles, was born in 1778, and was a farmer who held local office in Saybrook, his death taking place in 1847. He was a Methodist with a pro- nounced Quaker style of dress. He was stout and muscular in build, like his ances- tors, and was hard-working and prosperous, owning a farm of some 300 or 400 acres. He married Marcia Arnold and they had six children: Elisha, born in 1802, died in 1884; Lydia, who married Dr. Solomon Jenks, a pioneer physician of Ashtabula county; Ora, an ininerant Methodist clergyman of Princeton, Illinois; Smith, father of the subject of this sketch; Alma, who married Ralph Abel, a prominent citizen of Des Moines, Iowa; and Alden. Smith Walker, father of Daniel Walker of this notice, was born Angust 11, 1809, and was reared on his father's farm, being trained to agricultural pursuits. By industry and perseverance he acquired 200 acres of choice land in Say- brook township, which he carefully culti- vated, becoming in time a prosperous man. He was liberal, and aided materially in the early advancement of the township and county. He was highly honorable in his dealings, a consistent Christian and an officer in the Methodist Church. His wife before marriage was Susan McBain, whose father emigrated with his family from the High-

lands of Scotland about 1828, coming to Saybrook township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he made his permanent home. He had been a Government contractor in Scot- land, but after coming to America devoted his attention to farming. He and his good wife, Margaret, were the parents of five children: Catherine, who married James Mckenzie; John, who omitted the Mc from his name and was for many years a well known Elder and Methodist divine, of north ern Ohio; Margaret, who died unmarried; Susan, born in 1812, mother of the subject of this sketch; and Daniel, formerly a promi- nent attorney of Toledo, Ohio, who served several years in the Ohio State Legislature as the Representative of his district, passing the last year of his life in Chicago. Smith Walker and wife were the parents of three children: William Penn, born in 1834, a prominent resident of Chicago, married Harriet Kellogg; Daniel B., whose name heads this sketch; and Mary, now Mrs. Fairbanks of Cleveland, Ohio. This family was bereft of the loving mother on January 1, 1870, while the devoted father survived her until April 2, 1884, both dying greatly lamented by all who knew them.

Mr. Walker of this notice, was reared on his father's farm, and secured his education in the common schools of Ashtabula county. He then began the study of dentistry, which he prosecuted for some time in Buffalo, New York, perfecting himself in that profession, which he subsequently practiced for sixteen years, at the same time teaching vocal music. Shortly after the death of his mother, he assumed charge of the home farm, to which he has since devoted his whole attention, together with the breeding and sale of fine cattle and horses. His place is known as the Indian Creek farm, and is a model country

A& French

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

home, with all the modern conveniences of natural gas, water works, a comfortable house with a tastefully arranged and attractive yard and lawn, besides commodious barns and other valuable improvements, being altogether one of the most desirable places in the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Walker have three children: Tibbitts, now twenty-seven years old, is a young man of unusual promise. He com- pleted a four years' course at the Grand River Institute, Austinburg, in three years' time, and was valedictorian of his class. He is also a post graduate of the Wesleyan University of Connecticut, where he won a $300 prize for excellence in Greek, and he graduated from the Albany, New York, law school, in June, 1893. He is a most worthy young man and was Steward of the Ashta- bula Methodist Episcopal Church before he was twenty-one. Georgia, their only daugh- ter, married Frank Piper; and McBain, a lad of fourteen, gives promise of as bright a future as his brother, being an intellectual prodigy.

Thus successful, not only in financial mat- ters, but also in domestic happiness, Mr. Walker has every reason to be thankful for his good fortune, which rests on a surer foundation than riches, which " take to them- selves wings and flee away," being of that higher bliss, whieb, like the imperishable granite, lasts for ever.

H ON. NEWTON E. FRENCH .- The subject of this sketch is peculiarly worthy of mention in a history of Ash . tabula county, Ohio, where he was born and of which his parents were prominent and respected pioneers, who did their part toward

reclaiming the State from its primitive wild- ness, and whose good work in that line their son has continued in various offices of trust.

Newton E. French, President of the First National Bank of Jefferson, Ohio, was born in Lenox township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, January 4, 1824. His parents, Ira and Min- erva W. (Bailey) French, were natives of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and New Hartford, Connecticut, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Joseph French, was also a native of the Bay State, where he lived and died. Ira was reared to the trade of a car- penter and joiner, which trade he followed in the East until he was nearly thirty years of age. He then joined the westward tide of emigration to Ohio, and bought a farm in the wilderness of Lenox township, Ashtabula county, where most of his life was passed in agricultural pursuits. In 1819, he built in this county the first sawmill, which was op- erated by water power. He was married iu this county, to Minerva W. Bailey, related, on her mother's side, to the Allen family of Con- necticut, from which came Colonel Ethan Allen of Revolutionary fame. Her mother was a member of the Watson family, a prom- inent family of that State. Her father, Ben- jamin Bailey, came, in 1808 or 1809, from the East to Morgan township, Ashtabula county, where he was located at the time of the war of 1812, in which he took part. Ira French was in politics originally a Whig and after- ward joined the Republican party. His worthy wifedied in 1850, at the comparatively early age of forty-eight, leaving not only her family but many friends to mourn her loss. He survived his faithful companion until 1871, when he died at the residence of his son, in Jefferson, having attained the ad- vanced age of eighty-two years. This worthy couple had two children: the subject of this

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

sketch; and Mary L., who married and died without children.

The subject of this notice was reared on the home farm in Lenox township and at- tended the common schools in his vicinity, and a select institution at Conneaut, and in the fall of 1844 went for a time to the Grand River Institute at Austinburgh, Ohio. He thus gained a fair academic education and would have completed a college course and prepared for the law, to which his ambition led him had not failing health prevented him. His health made it imperative for him to engage in out-of-door exercise and he con- sequently resided on the farm until he was elected Treasurer of Ashtabula county in 1858, when he removed to Jefferson, which has since been his home. When twenty-one years of age, he was elected to his first official position, that of Treasurer of Lenox township, and a year later became Clerk of the town- ship. He was elected by the Republican party, of which he has always been a strong adherent. In 1857 he was elected Treasurer of the county and assumed the discharge of the duties of that office the following June. On the expiration of his first term of office he was re-elected, serving in all a little more than four years, by reason of the length of term, which the Legislature has since changed. His services in this capacity, as in future positions of responsibility, were character- ized by marked financial and executive abil- ity. As a proof of this may be mentioned the fact that he took possession of an almost empty treasury, and when he went out of office in September, 1862, he turned over to his successor a goodly surplus. He hoarded the gold at the time of the war, and the wis- dom of his policy was shown in the reaction which proved most favorable to the interests of the county.

When the First National Bank of Jefferson was organized in 1864, Mr. French became its cashier, which position he efficiently filled ten years, when he was forced to resign in 1874 on account of ill health. Having recuper- ated, he was elected by the directors, at their annual meeting in 18~6, to the position of president, which he has since retained. Hav- ing thus proved his efficiency as a business man, as well as his worth as a citizen, his ser- vices were in demand by his constituents, who desired to benefit of his ability. Con- sequently, in 1879, he became the Represent- ative of Ashtabula county in the Sixty- fourth Assembly, in which position he thor- oughly satisfied the wishes of his countrymen. Ile was elected Mayor of Jefferson and served as chief executive for a short time, but the duties detracted too much of his time from the bank, and he was forced to resign. He was for a number of years, while residing on the farm and for a short time after removing to Jefferson, Secretary and Treasurer of the Ashtabula County Agricultural Society, in which he took an active interest. He has been a prominent member of the town coun- cil and of the school board for many years, ably exerting his influence for the advance- ment of his city's interests.

In 1852, a semi-monthly paper was estab- lished in Jefferson by G. B. Miller, by whom it was successfully conducted for a year un- der the title of "The Western Reserve Far- mer and Dairyman." This was sold the fol- lowing year to Thomas Brown, the proprietor of the Ohio Farmer, under which title it was continued, with Mr. French, of this notice, as editor. Under his able direction the period- ical flourished, and is still remembered on ac- count of its vigorous and spicy editorials and general excellence. Mr. French has those copies which he published bound in a neat

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volume, which afford most interesting read- ing.

October 18, 1848, Mr. French was married to Miss Sarah Bailey, an estimable lady of Ashtabula county, whither she had come, when a young girl, from her native city of Lenox, Massachusetts, in company with her parents. To our subject and his wife four children were born, and of these two are now living: Fannie L. and Kate A.

Mr. French has done much to forward the material and moral interests of his commun- ity, with whose development he has been closely identified, and he richly merits that high regard which is so willingly accorded him.

EFFERSON I. CLAY, one of the enter- prising farmers of Russell township, Geauga county, Ohio, is a relative of the distinguished statesman, Henry Clay. Our subject was born near Massillon, Stark county, Ohio, July 10, 1845. His grand- father, Isaac Clay, emigrated from Scotland to America when a young man and settled in Stark county, Ohio, where he owned a large tract of land and where he became a prom- inent and wealthy man. He was a cousin of the famous statesman above alluded to, He died in Stark county, at a ripe old age. John Clay, the father of Jefferson I., was born near Massillon, Ohio, in 1810. He, too, became a wealthy farmer, owning about 500 acres of well improved land. He was a quiet, un- assuming man, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died near Massillon in 1886, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Susan Smith. She was born in Stark county, Ohio, daughter of Jacob

Smith, a native of Pennsylvania. Her father emigrated to Stark county at an early day, became the owner of a large tract of land, owned and operated a flaxseed oil mill for several years, and was ranked with the wealthy men of the county. He died there in 1864, at an advanced age, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. John and Susan Clay reared seven children, of whom Jefferson I, was the third born.

At the age of eighteen, having completed his studies in the district school, young Clay entered Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio, where he remained a student two years. He began life as a farmer near Massillon, where he resided until 1879. That year he came to Russell township, Geauga county, and pur- chased his present fine farm of 180 acres, all of which he has under a high state of cultiva- tion. He is one of the most progressive farmers of the vicinity, giving special atten- tion to the dairy business, in which he has been very successful. Besides his farm here, he has valuable real-estate interests in and around Canton, Ohio,

Mr.Clay was married in 1868, to Hermance Du Mont, a native of Stark county, Ohio. Her father, John Du Mont, emigrated from Paris, France, to Stark county. Mr. and Mrs. Clay have two sons, Cassius M. and Edward H.

In politics, Mr. Clay takes an active in- terest, being a stanch Republican. He also takes a deep interest in educational matters. At this writing he is Trustee of Russell township.

S D. ASHLEY, an attorney at law and Notary Public of North Richmond, Ohio, was born in Richmond township, Ashtabula county, March 27, 1832, a son of

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Salmon Ashley, a native of Oneida county, New York. The latter was a son of Jonas Ashley, also a native of New York, and his father, Elkanah Ashley, was born in Connecti- cut, and was a Revolutionary soldier. The Ashley family came to Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1820, and were among the pioneer settlers of Richmond township. The mother of our subject, nee Lucena Lamphear, was born in Bennington, Vermont, a daughter of Chandler Lamphear, a native also of that State, and of Scotch descent. Salmon Ashley departed this life at the age of sixty-two years, and his wife at the age of ninety two years. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, viz .: Alonzo, Lovina, Elkanah, Harriet, Jonas, S. D., Deliah and Helen. The father voted with the Democratic party, was a charter member of the Masonic order of Pierpont, and was also a member of the I. O. O. F.

S. D. Ashley, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the Kingsville Academy, and was a successful teacher for about eighteen terms. He subsequently be- gan the study of law, was admitted to the bar in 1859, practiced his profession two and a half years at Pierpont, one year at Geneva Lake, Wisconsin, and since that time he re- sided at North Richmond, Ashtabula county. Mr. Ashley also owns a fine farm of 101 acres in this township, which contains all the necessary improvements.

In 1854 our subject was united in marriage to Eliza Stanford, a native of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of James and Martha (Logan) Stanford. Mr. and Mrs. Ashley have six children: Alonzo E., Alice, William S. D., Albert C., Fred J. and Frank B. All have been successful teachers excepting one. One child, George B., died at the age of three years. Mr. Ashley affiliates with the Democratic party,

has served as Justice of the Peace six years, and has also held the positions of Assessor and is President of the School Board. He was made a Mason in 1856, is a member of Relief Lodge, No. 284, of Pierpont, of the A. O. U. W., No. 177, and of the State Police. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

G EORGE W. JEROME, a farmer and stock-raiser of Jefferson township, Ashtabula county, was born July 19, 1835, a son of Merrit and Eunice (Loomis) Jerome. The father was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1804, where he re- ceived such school advantages as the country afforded at that time. At the age of twenty- one years he started for the West, made his way to Ohio, began work in Ashtabula county, and in 1830 bought a farm and made a per- manent settlement here. He figured in the early history of Jefferson township, and spent the remainder of his life as a farmer and stock- raiser. In early life Mr. Jerome united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, was a Demo- crat in his political views, and his death oc- curred in this county, in 1881. He was one of the many who hewed out a home from the dense forests of the Western Reserve, and his opinions were much valned in his commun- ity. Mr. Jerome was married in Jefferson township to Mrs. Eunice (Loomis) Sykes, widow of Benjamin F. Sykes. She was born in 1802, at Springfield, Massachusetts, where she grew to years of maturity. At the age of nineteen years she married Benjamin F. Sykes, and they had one son, Amos F., who still survives. Mr. Sykes died in 1827, and his widow afterward married Merrit Jerome. They had eight children, seven of whom grew

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to years of maturity. The mother died March 15, 1874, having been a member of the Methodist Church from childhood.

George W. Jerome, the subject of this sketch, spent his early life on the farm, work- ing at home during the summer months, and attending the village school in the winter. After reaching a suitable age he purchased a small tract of land, and afterward bought his father's old farm, upon which he still resides. The place is located one mile from Jefferson, is under a high state of cultivation, and con- tains all the necessary farm buildings and conveniences.

Mr. Jerome was married, in 1859, to Miss Jane M. Green, a daughter of Asa Green, a pioneer farmer of Jefferson township. His deatb occurred in Illinois, while he was there on a visit. Mrs. Jerome was born in 1837, in Colebrook township, Ashtabula county, where she grew to womanhood. She was married at the age of twenty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Jerome have had five children, namely: Charles M., who died February 6, 1892; Almond A. married Miss Eliza Priest, and resides in Kansas; Monta A. married Miss Emily Hicok, and lives in Ashtabula county; Mary, deceased February 20, 1892, was the wife of Winn Loomis; and Eugene E., at home. Mrs. Jerome is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In poli- tical matters, our subject affiliates with the Republican party, and has held the offices of School Director and Postmaster.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 38

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