Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 39

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 39
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 39
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 39

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H ARRISON MALTBIE, a well-known farmer and respected citizen of Say- brook township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, is a native son of the Buckeye State, having been born in Trumbull county,

April 7, 1830. He is of good old New En- gland stock, his grandfather, Benjamin Malt- bie, having been a native of that section and for many years a hard-working farmer of Connecticut. He was an historic character, having served in the patriot army during the struggle for American independence. The old flint-lock which he carried, and no doubt used effectively, is carefully preserved by the subject of this sketch as a precious souvenir of both the great cause which it com- memorates and of the noble ancestor who battled for the right. Benjamin Maltbie married Abigail Munger, also of New En- gland birth and a member of an old and honored family. They had eleven children, of whom but two came to Ohio. Abigail Maltbie died in the East, April 14, 1816, while Benjamin survived until January 1, 1847, expiring in Ohio at the home of his son Daniel, father of the subject of this sketch, at the good old age of ninety-seven years, having witnessed nearly a century of America's growth and greatness. Daniel Maltbie, father of Harrison, was born in the great State of Connecticut, April 3, 1793, and obtained such an education as the dis- trict schools of that commonwealth afforded in those primitive times. He adopted his father's occupation of farming, and, not being contented to remain in the worn-out State of his forefathers, while there were other and more fruitful fields in which to labor, he de- cided to cast his lot with Ohio, Trumbull county being his objective point. He moved overland in the customary manner of his day, with a cart drawn by oxen, and unyoked his patient animals at the termination of his journey, some time in the year 1820. He settled in the woods of Trumbull county, ou land which he industriously cleared, build- ing a primitive log house for the shelter of

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himself and family, which consisted of his wife and child and his aged father, the patriot of Revolutionary days. With the fires of patriotism burning within his breast, he started for the place of enlistment during the second war with England, in 1812, but before his arrival at that point peace was de- clared and he returned home after an absence of but three days. He was a worthy citizen, industrious, scrupulous to the last degree, and an ardent lover of liberty. In consequence of this he was an active supporter of aboli- tionism, assisting fugitive slaves to escape from their inhuman masters and encouraging the cause of the Union. He married Esther Tapping, a member of an old and respected family, and they had twelve children: Aman- da, who became Mrs. B. Y. Massenger; Ben- jamin, Hannah and Lorin, the last three de- ceased; Cynthia, wife of John Lightner, of Louisiana; Isaac, deceased; Harrison, whose name heads this sketch; Mary, wife of Aaron Conklin, of Springfield, Missouri; Caroline and Catherine, twins, the former of whom married J. Hayes, now of Iowa, and the lat- ter the wife of J. R. Barnes, a Congrega- tional minister, stationed twenty-six miles from Chicago; Esther, a missionary to Bul- garia, having spent twenty years in her favorite work; Daniel, a respected citizen of Omaha, Nebraska; and Seth, a prominent resident of Des Moines, Iowa. Daniel Malt- bie died as he lived, a consistent Christian, his death occurring October 16, 1886, and he was followed to his last resting place by a host of admiring and sorrowing friends.

Harrison Maltbie, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in his native county and trained to farming and the dairy busi- ness, both of which his father followed quite extensively. In 1864 he removed to Say- brook township, settling on the South Ridge,

afterward removing to his father's place, which has ever since been his home. His prosperity may justly be attributed to his own untiring industry and intelligent man- agement, combined with wise economy and uniform uprightness in business dealings, and he is deserving of the esteem which he so universally enjoys.

April 5, 1855, Mr. Maltbie was married to Arminda Knapp, a woman of rare charms of person and character, and they had one child, Adin, now deceased. In 1859 he had the misfortune to lose his wife, who died, leaving many friends to mourn her untimely demise. He was, one and a half years later, married to his present wife, the ceremony taking place in Portage county, Ohio. Her maiden name was Emily Hough, and she was the daughter of Thomas and Eunice (Hinman) Hough, old and prominent residents of Port- age county, who were the parents of three children. Mr. and Mrs. Maltbie have seven children: Arminda, now Mrs. T. J. Osborn, of Kentucky; Albert; Helen, who married Franklin C. Lewis, a student of Oberlin. Ohio, who died May 27, 1893; Stella, Mary, Benjamin and Ruth. The family are members of the Congregational Church, and . active in all good works. Mr. Maltbie has, by his liberality and public spirit, contributed much toward the general advancement of his community, of which he is justly recognized as a representative citizen.

D EWITT C. PIERCE, an enterprising farmer whose country home is located in Willoughby township, Lake county, Ohio, was born in Oneida county, New York, September 12, 1835. He is a son of John W. Pierce, also a native of Oneida county,

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New York, and grandson of William Pierce, who was born in Wales.

William Pierce emigrated from his native land to the United States at an early day and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from whence he subsequently removed to Oneida county, New York, and engaged in farming. He died at about the age of eighty years. John W. Pierce was born in 1798, being one of a large family. He became the owner of a large tract of land and was successfully en- gaged in farming in Oneida county, where he died in 1877, at the age of seventy-uine years. His wife, Catherine (Fuller) Pierce, was born in the Empire State in the year 1800, being the daughter of Simeon Fuller. She died in 1886, at the age of eighty-six. They had eleven children, Dewitt C. being the seventh born and one of the four who are still living.

The subject of our sketch was reared on his father's farm, and received his education in the district schools and the college at Carlisle. He remained at home several years after reaching his majority, working at inter- vals in a sawmill, but for the most part be- ing engaged in farming. In 1873 he went to Gilman, Illinois, where he conducted a meat market two years, and from there, in 1875, he came to Ohio and purchased his present farm in Willoughby township, Lake county. This farm comprises sixty-three acres of choice land, well improved. He has six acres in vineyard, and has a fine orchard, in which are 300 peach trees, fifty apple trees, and pears and other fruits.

Mr. Pierce was married in 1861 to Mar- gette Spencer, who was born in Oswego county, New York, daughter of Harvey and Roxana Spencer, both natives of New York. Her father was a farmer, and her parents both lived to an advanced age. Mrs. Pierce

died January 12, 1890, leaving two children, William G. and Hattie I.

Mr. Pierce is another example of the self- made man. He began life with limited means, and to his own energy and judicious management is due the success he has at- tained. Politically, he is a Republican.

J HOMAS BECKWITH TULLER, de- ceased, was born in Geneva, Ohio, Oc- tober 7, 1834, a son of Sylvester S. and Lucretia (Beckwith) Tuller. Sylvester S. Tuller was born at New Lisbon, Otsego county, New York, February 23, 1793; in his younger days he was employed as a clerk in a store at Batavia, New York, where he re- mained until his marriage, March 6, 1814. The day following this event he enlisted in the war of 1812, and served to the end of the conflict. In 1817 he removed to Ohio, and for four years was employed as a clerk in the store of Mr. Mills at Geneva. At the end of this period he purchased the property known as the Tuller hotel and stage house, and after a few years bought a distillery, which he operated for ten years; the last years of his life were spent in farming. He died March 10, 1865, at the age of seventy-two years; his wife survived until October 15, 1880. Thomas Beckwith Tuller finished his literary educa- tion at Oberlin College, and then assisted his father in farming until his marriage. On February 1, 1860, he was united to Jennie Gould, a daughter of George Washington and Betsey (Hubbell) Gould, natives of the State of New York, Mr. Gould was a lumber mer- chant until 1830, when he came to Ohio and purchased a farm in Geneva township, on which he lived to the time of his death; he owned and operated the first threshing

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machine used in northern Ohio, and in 1838 he engaged in buying and shipping produce to Chicago, where there was but one ware- house at that time. He died in the spring of 1883, and his wife passed away in 1881.

After his marriage Mr. Tuller devoted him- self to agriculture until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in the Fifteenth Ohio Battery. He was mustered in at Camp Chase December 12, returning afterward to Geneva to enlist re- cruits. He was taken ill in camp, and came back home unable to continue his service, be- ing honorably discharged June 20, 1862.

In the fall of the same year he started a small livery stable, which won a good patron- age, and from time to time he added to his outfit until he had one of the best equipped stables in northern Ohio. In 1864 he opened his home as a hotel, continuing the livery business. As he was a most genial host, travelers made it a point to stop at this pleas- ant inn, and for fifteen years he gave a cor- dial welcome to the weary wanderers of the earth. In 1879, on the 22d of October, he laid down the burden of life and passed to his reward. Mrs. Tuller managed the hotel until the fire in August, 1892, when her hotel, which had been enlarged and remodeled, was swept away, together with nearly all its con- tents. She is now living a retired life, a resi- dent of Geneva. Mr. and Mrs. Tuller had born to them one child, Jerry; he was born July 24, 1862, and died September 3, 1864.

S AMUEL C. WILSON, a prominent farmer and well known Democratic politician of Windsor, Ohio, was born in Ellery, Chautauqua county, New York, July 21, 1828, son of Leonard and Polly Wil- son. Both his paternal and maternal grand-

fathers served in the Revolutionary war. In his father's family there were thirteen children, twelve of whom reached adult years, and when death visited the circle it was to take the oldest, at the age of fifty-nine.

Samuel C. remained on his father's farm until he was twenty, at which time he began work at the tinner's trade. He spent five years in California. During this time he was engaged in mining speculations and for a year and a half sold supplies to the men who were teaming from Sacramento. He now owns a farm of 272 acres in Windsor town- ship, on which he lives, and another of 232 acres in Mesopotamia, upon which his eldest son resides. He has given considerable at- tention to stock-raising, having his land well stocked with the best breeds of hogs, cattle and horses. He makes a specialty of Durham cattle, keeping a fine dairy of twenty five cows.

Mr. Wilson has been a Democrat all his life, and has always taken an active interest in the political issues of the day. Frequently he has been the nominee of his party for County Commissioner and Representative.

March 15, 1860, Mr. Wilson married Mrs. Rachel McIntosh, widow of James B. Mc- Intosh, by whom she had two sons and two daughters. Mrs. Wilson's parents were Grindal and Maria Rawson, of Lorain county, Ohio. There came little ones to bless the Wilson home-one daughter and three sons, namely: Jane Evelyn, born March 12, 1861; Elverton C., July 1, 1863; Samuel R., De- cember 1, 1865; and Perry A., November 12, 1870. Although little ones of his own came to claim his love and protection, Mr. Wilson never once forgot the children by his wife's former marriage, and was always ready to help them in every way, never showing a partiality between them and his own; and as the Mc-

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Intosh children grew up they had sincere love and respect for the man who took their father's place, and they willingly own that their suc- cess in life is due to his counsels. Of Mr. Wilson's children we make record as follows: Jane E. married John D. Howes, of Meso- potamia, and her untimely death occurred February 17, 1893. She left seven small children, three sons and four daughters, the youngest being only ten weeks old. She was greatly beloved, not only by her immediate family, but also by a large circle of friends, and her death was a source of great bereave- ment to all who knew her. Elverton C. mar- ried May Bundy, of Mesopotamia, Ohio, and they have one son; Samuel R. married Satella Stevens, of Windsor, Ohio; and Perry A. is at home with his father.

Such, in brief, is a sketch of the life of one of Windsor township's best known and most highly respected men.

later became a prominent merchant, and for many years did a thriving business in part- nership with his oldest son, the subject of this sketch, under the firm name of W. H. & J. S. Morley. Originally a Whig and later a Republican in politics, he was a leader in public affairs, serving for a number of years as Justice of the Peace. He was a Colonel in the State militia for a long time, and in various ways figured prominently in the early history of the county. He was the father of five children: J. S., of this notice; C. H .; Mary E., wife of B. Man- ley; E. W., and B. D. The devoted father died at the age of seventy-two, his loss being universally mourned as a public calamity.

The subject of this sketch was seven years of age when his parents came to Andover, where he was reared and educated and has since resided. He completed his education at Kingsville Academy and at Conneaut, Ohio, after which he was engaged in teach- ing for a short time, eventually embarking in the mercantile business, which he followed successfully for twenty-five years. He was for a time engaged in trade in Penn Line, Pennsylvania, after which he was a partner in a cheese factory for a number of years, since which time his efforts have been con- fined to Andover, where he has been a leader in business, materially contributing by his energetic and honorable methods to the ad- vancement of his town and county. He is interested with his brother, B. D., in the ownership of Morley Block, and owns other valuable property, and is recognized as one of the most substantial men of the county. J. S. and B. D. Morley were engaged in the mercantile business for more than twenty years.

S. MORLEY, an old settler and the first Mayor of Andover, Ohio, was born in Leicester, Worcester county, Massa- chusetts, July 3, 1827. His grandfather, Walter Morley, was a member of one of the oldest and best known families of the Bay State. W. H. Morley, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts, and married Sybil Watson, a native of the same State and daughter of Robert Watson, born in Leicester, that com- monwealth. In 1834 the father of the sub- ject of this sketch joined the westward emi- gration, coming overland by team to Ohio and settling in Andover. He was a warm friend of B. F. Wade, who came from the same neighborhood in Massachusetts. W. He was married at the age of twenty-two, H. Morley was a blacksmith by trade, but | in Penn Line, Pennsylvania, to Maria Dewey,

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a worthy lady, who was born, reared and educated in the Keystone State. They have had two daughters, one of whom, Addie, died in Penn Line; the other, Maggie B., is the wife of J. B. Tichenor, of Clyde, Ohio.

Mr. Morley is a wheel-horse of the Re- publican party, and has been elected by an admiring constituency to a number of of- ficial positions. He was the first Mayor of the town, served efficiently as Township Clerk and has been Postmaster of Andover for many years, being the most popular offi- cial in that capacity that the town has ever had. Fraternally he is a member of the local lodge No. 728, I. O. O. F. He is one of the most active temperance workers in the county and a generous contributor to all objects tending to advance the interests of his community, of which he is a representa- tive citizen.

It is worthy of note that Mr. Morley was the proprietor and publisher of the first paper published in Andover. This was the Enter- prise, an eight-column folio weekly. The first number was issued in December, 1872, and its publication continued until January, 1874, when the press and general printing outfit were sold and replaced by a new and better plant. The last number of the Enter- prise was issued in June, 1875, when the entire plant and business were sold to parties at Sand Lake, Pennsylvania. Mr. Morley acted as Postmaster of Andover for more than a score of years.

AMES McVITTY, a prominent and wealthy produce dealer of Perry, Lake county, Ohio, was born in county Mon- aghan, North Ireland, in August, 1841. His father, William McVitty, a native of that

same county, was a son of Alexander Mc- Vitty, who was born in Scotland, of Scotch extraction, and who settled in North Ireland and there started the family name. Grand- father Mc Vitty died in Monaghan county, at an advanced age. William McVitty came to America in 1850 on a prospecting tour, and, liking the country, returned and brought his family here in 1854. They settled in Perry township, this county, and here he spent the rest of his life, and died at the age of seventy- eight years. His wife's maiden name was Margaret Gibson, and she, too, was a native of county Monaghan and of Scotch descent. She reared to maturity seven children, of whom James, the subject of this sketch, was the fourth born. She died at the age of seventy-six years. Both she and her worthy husband were consistent members of the Episcopal Church.

James was thirteen years old when the family came to America, and while the rest of them came to Ohio he remained in New Jersey and worked at gardening two years, at the end of which time he joined his parents in Lake county. He had attended school for a time in Ireland, and after coming to Ohio went to school during the winter and did farm work by the month in summer. He lived with one man in Madison township three years, working by the month, and in this way secured his start in life. In 1866 he engaged in the produce business, buying and shipping produce of all kinds, and in this he has con- tinued up to the preset time, being now one of the most extensive buyers and shippers in northeastern Ohio. In 1881, in connection with his other business, he began the raising of onions, and is now probably the largest onion-grower in the State. At this writing he has seventeen acres in onion beds, the annual product from which is 8,000 to

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12,000 bushels. Besides what he raises he also buys and ships many hundred car-loads, shipping to all the large cities of the United States. Mr. McVitty began life without a dollar, and that he has succeeded is due to his own untiring energy and good manage- ment. His career as a money-maker has, in- deed, been a marvelous one.

Mr. McVitty married Olive Kewley, a na- tive of Cleveland, Ohio. She is a lady of much culture and refinement and has traveled extensively, spending her winters in Florida or on the Pacific coast. She is a Methodist and her husband a Congregationalist. Poli- tically, he is a Republican.

H J. FORD, a prominent and wealthy pioneer, settler of Parkman, Geauga county, Ohio, was born in Troy town- ship, this county, February 5, 1817. Elijah Ford, his father, was born in Massa- chusetts. Grandfather Ford, a farmer by occupation, was one of the early settlers of Madison, Lake county, Ohio, where he died at an advanced age. His wife was eighty- nine when she passed away. The father of our subject journeyed on foot from Lake to Geauga county, in 1812, being at that time a single man, and upon his arrival in Troy township bought 100 acres of land and built a log house. He lived there two years and then moved to Parkman township. Deer, bears and wolves abounded in this part of the country at this time, and Mr. Ford had to guard his sheep to keep them from the wolves. He killed some deer. In Parkman township he cleared 123 acres of land, passed the rest of his life on this farm, and died here, at the age of sixty-five years. Of his wife, we re- cord that her maiden name was Esther

Johnson, that she was a native of Connecticut, and that she came here with her parents in 1808. Her father, Benjamin Johnson, was a member of General Washington's body- guard all through the Revolutionary war. He was one of the first settlers of Burton township. Mrs. Ford died at the age of fifty-eight. She was the mother of four children, of whom H. J. was the second born. Mr. Ford was a member of the Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Ford was a Congregation- alist. In politics he was a Whig.

H. J. Ford was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the pioneer schools of his native county. In his youth he enjoyed the sport of hunting, and relates that he once killed a deer. After he reached his majority he worked for his father for some time by the month. September 21, 1843, he married Julia A. Bailey, with whom the joys and sorrows of his life have since been blended. She was born in Connecticut, and in June, 1830, came to Ohio, being at that time seven years of age. They have two children: Julia, wife of J. L. Thresher, of Troy township, this county; and Maria, wife of G. W. Fram, of Parkman township.

After his marriage, Mr. Ford settled on the old homestead, where he has since resided. Here he owns 500 acres of land in one body, nearly all of which is improved. He has spent much time in the work of clearing and developing, and now has one of the finest farms in this section of the country. In connection with his farming operations he has also dealt largely in stock, buying and selling. He has been interested in the dairy business to some extent. Mr. Ford's whole life has been characterized by honest industry. Whatever he has undertaken he has carried forward to success. Beginning life a poor boy, he worked his way on and up to his

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present prosperity, and to-day he is ranked with the wealthiest farmers of the county. He has witnessed nearly all the development of his county, has a fund of reminiscences connected with his early life, and as he is one of the oldest settlers here, these remin- iscences are not only interesting but are valuable as well. From 1871 to 1877, Mr. Ford served as County Commissioner, ren- dering efficient service as such. He has been identified with the Republican party ever since its organization. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church at Parkman, where they hold a high place in the esteem of all who know them.

Such, in brief, is a sketch of one of the most prominent men of Geauga county.

R OBERT W. CALVIN, a representa- tive attorney and highly respected citizen of Ashtabula, Ohio, was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, November 30, 1840. His parents, Matthew and Rebecca (Kelley) Calvin, were born and reared in the Keystone State, where they passed their entire lives. Matthew was a son of John Calvin, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, of French lineage, and his wife was of Scotch origin. Rebecca Kel- ley, mother of the subject of this sketch, was a daughter of John Kelley, of Irish descent. Matthew Calvin was a successful farmer of Pennsylvania, and highly esteemed as a man of industry and integrity. This worthy couple had ten children, all of whom were reared to habits of frugality and self-reliance, calculated to make them noble men and women.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and attained a fair academical education in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He boarded

with a brother who was a shoemaker by trade, and paid for his board by working in his brother's shop, thus learning the shoe- maker's trade. When he was nineteen years of age his father died, and he was thrown upon his own resources, beginning to teach school in his seventeenth year, after which he taught for about seven winters, attending school in the spring and summer. In 1873 Mr. Calvin began to manufacture and deal in boots and shoes at Jamestown, Pennsylvania, which business he continued two years, when, in 1875, he discontinued this occupation and commenced the study of law in that city. In 1876 he removed with his family to Ash- tabula, Ohio, where he began making and repairing shoes, in which occupation he was engaged until 1878, in the meantime study- ing law under Judge L. S. Sherman, of that city. In March, 1878, he was admitted to the bar, whereupon he, at once and without a partner, commenced the practice of his pro- fession, in which he has been creditably suc- cessful. His reputation for uprightness and trustworthiness has gained for him the confi- dence of all who know him, while his uniform courtesy, the expression of a kindly disposi- tion, has served to strengthen this favorable impression.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 39

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