USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 40
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 40
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 40
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In 1860 Mr. Calvin was married to Miss Euphemia M. Hogue, an estimable lady of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. They have two daughters: Rose, now Mrs. Walter W. Ennis, and Carrie A. In October, 1892, this little household were called upon to mourn the loss of the devoted wife and mother, whose every thought had been to subserve their welfare.
In politics Mr. Calvin is Republican, but aside from supporting the candidates and issues of his party, has taken no active part in politics. He is an earnest member of the
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Presbyterian Church, with which he has been connected for many years. He is a progress- ive, public-spirited citizen, and takes a deep interest in the material and moral advance- ment of Ashtabula, to both of which he has contributed.
USTIN F. STEVENS is a member of the Board of Trustees of Orwell town- ship, Ashtabula county, Ohio, and ranks as a senior member, having served for two terms of three years each, and in the spring of 1893 was re-elected to the office by a large majority of the votes cast by his fellow townsmen, which fact shows full well the confidence which is placed in him by those who know him best. He owns a good farm of fifty acres on section 11, and one of 142 acres on section 16, both of which are well cultivated and valuable pieces of property.
The birth of Mr. Stevens took place in Montville, Geauga county, Ohio, September 13, 1837. He is a son of Seth and Highley (Hart) Stevens. The father was a represent- ative farmer and reared his son to follow the same vocation. The mother was one of those quiet, home bodies, devoted to her husband and children. The oldest child, Amarette, is now Mrs. Newton Austin, and is a resident of Montville, Ohio. Albert E. wedded Ar- mena Rawden, by whom he had three sons and one daughter. On July 18, 1879, this happy family were deprived of the husband and father, who, in the prime of life, was called to his final rest. His family are now living in the village of Orwell.
Justin F. Stevens was an infant of only two weeks when his mother died, and he knew not the maternal love and care until his father married Miss Emmeline Austin, a native of
Connecticut. In every possible way she was loving and kind to him, and he looks upon her, and has since his earliest recollection, as a mother in all the word implies. Of this second union were born seven children: La- tica, wife of Lewis Higley, of Windsor, Ohio; Nelson, who resides in Montville, Ohio; Catherine, Mrs. Porter Brace, a resident of Montville, Ohio; Zachariah, who lives in Connecticut; Rollin, who makes his home in Montville; Mary, who became the wife of Lewis Elliott and lives in Huntsburg, Ohio; and William, a business man of Warren, Ohio.
The early life of our subject was spent on his father's farm in the usual routine com- mon to farmer lads, and he obtained his edu- cation in the district school. His opportu- nities in this direction were cut short when he was seventeen years old, and from that time he became self-supporting. At first he worked by the month for a farmer, and later was employed in a mill until twenty-five years of age. About that time he engaged in farming on his own account and in time grew to be one of the model agriculturists of the county. His pleasant home is situated on section 11.
Justin F. Stevens and Miss Eunice Gould were pronounced man and wife October 14, 1858. The lady was a daughter of Thomas Gould, formerly an enterprising farmer of Hart's Grove township. The only survivor of his family is Mrs. Sarah Wright, who re- sides in Bloomington, Illinois, and who is a sister of Mrs. Eunice Stevens. Four chil- dren graced the union of our subject and his first wife: Della married Peter Clute, of Wayne township, and is the mother of two children, Eva and Myrl; Luella is now Mrs. Elbert Paine of Warren, Ohio, and she also has two children: Raymond and Sadie. The
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other two children, Fred and Nettie, are still living at home. The birthdays of these four are as follows: Della, born August 24, 1859; Luella, April 22, 1867; Fred, March 26, 1874; and Nettie, January 3, 1876. The last named, who is an amiable and agreeable young lady, is possessed of considerable musical talent. On September 10, 1883, the death angel claimed the wife and mother, who had en- dured a lingering illness of many months. She was an earnest Christian woman and was greatly missed in the home circle, the church of which she was a member, and by all who knew her.
The present wife of Mr. Stevens was form- erly Miss Ruth Gould, and their marriage was celebrated February 11, 1885. Her father, Thomas P. Gould, lived in Green township, Trumbull county, Ohio. Her old- est sister, Mary, married Chancy M. King and lives in Mantua, Ohio; a brother, Lewis, died in infancy ; while her remaining brother, Newell, lives in Farmington, Trum bull county. Julia died at the age of twenty-two years, and Clara, the youngest of the family, became the wife of Richard Coffield, and lives in Green township, Trumbull county.
Our subject and wife have two sons: Hugh, who was born April 22, 1887; and Harrison, born New Year's Day, 1889. They are both endowed with rare musical talent, and the writer had the pleasure of hearing little Hugh chant the Lord's Prayer, accompanied by the organ played by his sister Nettie. The lit- tle fellow's rendering was beyond criticism, and both boys have remarkable voices. Mrs. Stevens' father was a native of Vermont, but came to Ohio when about fourteen years old. He turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits until shortly before his death, which took place April 19, 1875, when he was fifty- six years of age. His wife bore the maiden
name of Clarissa Smith. She was born near Cazenovia, New York, and died September 14, 1891, aged seventy-five years. Both she and her husband were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The hospitable home of Mr Stevens is al- ways open to all their many friends, and the stranger will there find a cordial welcome. In manners, Mr. Stevens is genial and agree- able, and makes his fortunate guest feel thor- oughly at home. With his wife and chil- dren he is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, in which he is a Class-Leader and Steward.
C APTAIN RICHARD A. BASSETT, of Wickliffe, Lake county, Ohio, is a vet- eran of the late war and a prominent - and highly respected citizen. Of his life we present the following brief review.
Captain Richard A. Bassett was born in Yates county, New York, February 20, 1829, son of Allen Bassett and grandson of Daniel Bassett. The Bassett family in America are descended from Lady Bassett, a wealthy En- glish heiress, who had many suitors, but who refused to accept any one of them unless he would assume her name. Thus the name was perpetuated.
Allen Bassett was a native of North Ha- ven, Connecticut. He moved to New York, and for sixty years lived on the same farm in Yates county. He died there in 1875, at the age of eighty years. He was a musician in the war of 1812. His first wife, a native of New York and of English descent, was by maiden name Miss Drusilla Eddy. She died in 1829. They had five children. By a subsequent marriage Allen Bassett had ten children.
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The subject of our sketch was reared on his father's farm, receiving his education in the district schools and the Dundee Academy. From 1857 until 1860 he was engaged in teaching school in Michigan. Eight of his brothers and sisters were also teachers. It was in 1854 he went to Flint, Michigan, and for one year he kept a hotel there. After that, when not engaged in teaching, he was variously employed until the Civil war came on, when he returned to Yates county, New York.
Upon his return to New York, Mr. Bassett aided in recruiting a company of his old neighbors and schoolmates for service in the war. He enlisted August 8, 1862, in Com- pany B, One Hundred and Twenth-sixth New York Volunteers, going into service as First Lieutenant. He was captured at Harper's Ferry, was paroled and sent to Chicago, and the following December was exchanged. He then went to Centerville, Virginia, where he was on out-post guard duty. In the spring of 1863 he was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and soon afterward went into bat- tle at Gettysburg. In that battle he com- manded Company B of his regiment, and thirty-four out of his forty four men were killed and wounded, one of his brothers being among the killed. Our subject, how- ever, escaped withont a scratch. After the bittle he was promoted to the captaincy of of Company E, same regiment. In the spring of 1864, as soon as General Hancock had recovered from the wounds he had received at Gettysburg, he placed Captain Bassett in command of his headquarter guard, composed of 100 infantry and fifty cavalry. Captain Bassett then took part in all the engagements from the crossing of the Rapidan till the close of the war. He was discharged in the spring of 1865, on account of physical disa-
bility. While a member of Hancock's guards, he became afflicted with hernia and hemor- rhage of the lungs, from which disorder he has suffered more or less ever since. He is now the recipient of a pension of $24 per month.
Since the war Captain Bassett has been lo- cated at various places. He spent two years in Penn Yan, New York; from 1867 to 1868 was in Warsaw, Indiana; lived two years in St. Peters, Minnesota; one year in St. Louis, Missouri; about ten years in Rockford, Illi- nois; in 1880 moved to Cleveland, Ohio; and since 1887 has been a resident of Lake county. While in these various localities he was engaged in the hat, cap and jewelry business. He now has the management of 150 acres of land, upon which are 1,200 fruit trees, and a vineyard covering several acres. In horticultural affairs he takes an active in- terest. He is the auditor of the Euclid Grape Growers' Shipping Association.
Captain Bassett was married in 1852 to Mary Ann Hendrickson, a native of New York. They have had three children: Ed- ward P., George W. and Allen. Edward P. is deceased.
Our subject affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a com- rade of the G. A. R., and a member of the Chosen Friends. Mrs. Bassett is a Presby- terian.
D AVID FORTNEY is a resident of the small village of Windsor Corners, Ash- tabula county, Ohio. He has a pleas- ant residence, and is one of the enterprising business men of the town. He is a self-made man, never having attended school after his twelfth year, and soon after having to begin the battle of life. He has succeeded in mak. ing a place for himself in the world, and by
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his studious habits has become as intellectual and well-posted a man as one will often find. He owns a good farm of sixty-two acres, two and one-half miles southeast of the town. At the present time he is engaged in placing steel roofings on buildings.
The birth of Mr. Fortney occurred August 22, 1843, in the village of Vernon, Trumbull county, Ohio. His father, Christopher Fort- ney, was a shoemaker by occupation and con- sidered one of the best in his day. He was born in the Keystone State, and departed this life July 11, 1888, aged seventy-seven years, ten and one-half months. He was a man of strong character, earnest in his social and re- ligious views and prominent in fraternal and political circles, advocating the principles of the Democratic party ably and unreservedly. In early life he was an earnest worker in the Presbyterian Church, but later adopted the faith of the Methodist denomination. He has five brothers and two sisters. David was killed in the coal mines; Daniel died unmar- ried; Jacob, at last accounts, was living in the far West; Adam is also deceased; John died at the age of twenty five years; Mary, wife of Robert Taylor; and Christina, wife of Henry Miller: both these have passed from this life. The mother of these children lived to the extreme age of ninety-two years.
The mother of David Fortney was a native of Pennsylvania. She is still living, though advanced in years, and is making her home with a son in McClure, Henry courty, Ohio. Our subject worked on a farm until 1861, when he was among the first to respond to the call for troops for the defense of the flag by enlisting for three months' service in Company B, Twenty-first Ohio Infantry. After serving his time he returned home and resumed agricultural pursuits for one year, after which he again enlisted, entering the |is a lady of culture and is blessed with a
Tenth Ohio Cavalry, and served faithfully in the ranks until the close of the war, being discharged at Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. Fortney commenced learning the blacksmiths' trade with his brother after his return from the scenes of conflict, and con- tinued with him until it became evident that he was not of such a robust constitution as was required for that arduous labor. He then returned to a farm, which he has operated up to the present time. He is one of eight children, the others being as follows: Henry, who was a soldier in the army, was taken prisoner in 1864 and confined in Salisbury prison, where he was starved and so cruelly treated that when he was released he died, on his way home, in Baltimore; Benjamin is now proprietor of the leading drug store at Or- well; Mary Ellen became the wife of Isaac McCullough, of Jamestown, Pennsylvania; Charles, Franklin B., Andrew and Milton N. complete the number.
Being of a domestic disposition, and know- ing " it was not good for man to be alone," Mr. Fortney laid siege to the heart of Miss Mary Morris, of Windsor, and at last suc- ceeded in winning the prize he sought. Their marriage was celebrated September 8, 1866. Mrs. Fortney was born in Devonshire, England, and in company with her parents crossed the broad Atlantic to America when she was a child. She is the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Sadley) Morris. They were the parents of six children, Mrs. Fortney being the oldest. William died in Windsor; Eliza is the wife of Benjamin Fortney, of Orwell; Caroline is now Mrs. Seth Hill, of Hartsgrove, Ohio; John is a farmer of Orwell township; and Ellen, now Mrs. Kistler, is engaged in the millinery business in Ashtabula, Ohio. Mrs. Fortney
5
yours Truly
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genial and social disposition. She has special taste and talent for the millinery business, and for the past twenty-six years has success- fully supplied the demands of the public in that line.
Mr. and Mrs. Fortney are the parents of two children, both sons. William L. was born August 29, 1867. On arriving at man's estate he wedded Miss Hattie Brockway, of Windsor, Ohio, and to them has been born a daughter, whom they have named Eva. Her birth occurred December 7, 1891, and she is the pride and delight of her grandparents. Vern L., the second son, who was born Octo- ber 19, 1873, is unmarried and is living with his parents.
Socially our subject is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; and also was active in the organization of the post of the Grand Army of the Republic in this place. He has not followed his father's ex- ample in regard to politics, but is an enthu- siastic supporter of the Republican party. The family move in the best social circles of this locality, and are very hospitable and pleasant people to meet.
C APTAIN SIDNEY HARRIS COOK. The subject of this sketch is doubly deserving of notice, as having helping to preserve the Union and as now belonging to that class on which the stability and pros- perity of the Union depends, the farmer.
Captain Cook, a successful farmer and es- teemed citizen of Jefferson, Ohio, was born at Newton Falls, Trumbull county, this State, August 11, 1838. His parents, Car- los P. and Alzina (Barden) Cook, were both natives of New York, in which State they
were married in 1834. They shortly after- ward turned their faces westward, journey- ing to Ohio and settling in Trumbull county, of which they were pioneers. Their home was on wooded land, where the father began to clear off the forest and industriously to cultivate the soil. About seven years later, in 1844, the father was killed by the fall of a tree, leaving several children to the care of the bereaved mother. She subse- quently married Mr. David Webster, who died in 1865. She is now living, at the age of seventy-eight years. She has resided in Ashtabula county since 1849, having re- moved to Lenox township from Geauga county shortly after her second marriage. There were seven children by her first mar- riage: Emily; Charles P .; Sidney Harris, the subject of this sketch; Cornelia, deceased; Harriet L., once a successful teacher in the Jefferson schools, who died in 1865; and two sons who died when very young.
After the death of his father, the subject of this notice made his home with his uncle for a time. He was subjected to many changes, and circumstances were such that he was afforded but limited educational ad- vantages; but, gifted with quick observation, good judgment and retentiveness of mem- ory, he has worked out his walk in life to honor and success. On attaining the age of four- teen years, he worked at the carpenters' trade four or five years, under the instruction of his stepfather. At the age of eighteen he went to Illinois and was there employed at his trade a year and half. Next he went to Wisconsin, where he followed his trade until 1860, when he returned to Ashtabula county.
When the Rebellion broke out he felt that it was his duty as a patriot to do what he could for the preservation of the Union, and accordingly, in August, 1861, he joined an
24
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
independent company of sharpshooters, which however, was not long afterward disbanded. In October following he enlisted in what was known as "Lane's Brigade Band," under the command of Captain W. R. Allen, of Jefferson. His service in that connection also was of short duration, as the company was by general order soon disbanded.
Young Cook was not a little discouraged by these failures to get to the front, where the enemy was. However, he concluded to make one more effort, which met with suc- cess, and August 16, 1862, he became a member of Company A, Fifth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry. The first important battle in which he engaged was that at Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, in which he was wounded in the right shoulder and ankle. He however refused to go to the hospital, but marched with his company, using his mus- ket for a crutch.
After this battle he was appointed Cor- poral. October 15, 1862, he was promoted Assistant Quartermaster, and November 16, following, Assistant Brigade Quartermaster. March 15, 1863, he was raised to the rank of Sergeant Major, in which position he served twelve months.
May 9, 1864, at the beginning of the move- ment toward Atlanta, Mr. Cook was pro- moted as Second Lieutenant of Company E, which he most gallantly commanded during that remarkable campaign, his regiment be- ing in General Schofield's corps. Almost at the beginning of this campaign, at Dalton, he was wounded in the left arm, but contin- ned with his company. Twice he was taken prisoner before Atlanta and each time made his escape. After the fall of Atlanta, his corps was attached to General Thomas' army, which followed Hood on his march on Nash- ville. In this last campaign, Mr. Cook
fought in the battles of Columbia, Franklin, Nashville and Spring Hill, in all of which engagements he, with his company, was most of the time at the front and in the hottest of the fight. At the battle of Spring Hill, he was taken prisoner during the night, but made his escape before morning. He never seemed to like the idea of being a prisoner. After the battle of Spring Hill, December 20, 1864, and the total defeat of Hood, his command followed the fleeing enemy as far as Columbia, almost destroying the late opposing forces. December 24, Captain Cook was transferred to Company G. At Clifton, his command embarked on transports going down the Tennessee, then up the Ohio to Cin- cinnati, from which place they were ordered by rail to Washington, and went into camp at Alexandria for a time. In February, 1865, Captain Cook was appointed Provost-Mar- shal of the Third Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Corps, and in March following, was promoted to the position of Division Provost-Marshal on General McLean's staff, same division. In April, 1865, he was still further advanced to an important position by the appointment to the place of Field Ordnance Officer on General Schofield's staff. His first and most important service while holding this important position was that ac- complished when General Schofield detailed him with a thousand men, to rebuild the rail- road which the rebels had torn up from New Berne to Kingston, North Carolina, a distance of sixteen miles. The rapidity with which Captain Cook accomplished this work astonished his superior officers and brought him the highest commendations.
To return to his command: Leaving Al- exandria, they embarked for Fort Fisher; from there they went to Wilmington, North Carolina, thence marched to Goldsboro, where
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they again joined Shreman's army, after a separation of almost six months. The two armies then operated together until the sur- render at Appomattox. After General Jo- seph E. Johnston's surrender at Greensboro, North Carolina, Captain Cook was with a detail of eight officers sent under a flag of truce, to receive the ordance stores in behalf of the United States. Later his command went into camp at Salisbury, North Carolina, where he with his regiment was mustered out, June 26, 1865. His old company (A) had been left without a captain, and Captain Cook was ordered to take command of it on the homeward journey. They embarked for Baltimore, thence via Pittsburg to Cleveland, remaining there two weeks, then took the cars for Camp Dennison, Ohio, where they were paid off and finally discharged, July 26, 1865. The Captain then returned to his home.
Thus briefly is given the military career of one of Ohio's bravest soldiers. He was always ready for duty, even though wounded. He was a special favorite of his superior of- ficers, and particularly was this so with Gen- eral Schofield. When that general desired any service done that required judgment, dispatch and bravery he would send for Cap- tain Cook, and the work was generally ac- complished, and satisfactorily so.
After he returned home, Captain Cook engaged in mercantile business in Lenox, Ashtabula county, where he continued for thirteen years. He was brought out for County Treasurer by the Republicans in 1877, and was elected. His administration of the office was so satisfactory to the people that he was re-elected, his second term end- ing in 1882, when he retired to private life on his beautiful farm in the suburbs of Jef- ferson.
Captain Cook was married November 1, 1865, to Miss Laura C., daughter of Rev. Rufus R. Clark, a prominent citizen of Con- neaut, Ohio. They have two children: Hat- tie, now a popular teacher in the public schools; and Carlos C., at home, attending school.
Captain Cook is a member of the Masonic order and of Giddings Post, No. 7, G. A. R., and is a pensioner. For the last five years he has been Trustee of Jefferson township, and three years member of the Board of Edu- cation, two years of which he has been president of the same.
As a citizen Captain Cook is much re- spected, having the confidence of all who know him. He is public-spirited, laboring for the welfare of the people. At present he is talked of by many as the Re- publican candidate for Representative for Ashtabula county. He is a man of pure character and domestic habits, and has an interesting family, to whom he is much de- voted.
W BENJAMIN, a farmer of Cherry Valley township, Ashtabula county, is a son of Wooster B. Benjamin, who was born in Litchfield county, Connecti- cut, in 1800. . He was married at the age of twenty-four years to Loretta Johnson, a na- tive of Franklin county, Vermont, and a daughter of Nathan and Lucy (Joy) Johnson, natives also of Vermont. The father came to Lake county, Ohio, in 1814. Mr. and Mrs. Wooster B. Benjamin had four chil- dren: Alma F., now Mrs. Yeates; William C., deceased at the age of fifty-seven years; Lucy A., at the old home farm ; and Wooster, the subject of this sketch. The mother died
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at the age of eighty-eight years. The father was drowned by the bursting of the head gate of his mill. He owned one of the first sawmills in this township.
Wooster Benjamin, our subject, now owns 125 acres of the old home farm, where he has all the conveniences necessary for a well regulated place. He was married in this township, December 26, 1861, to Helen L. Snow, a native of Ashtabula county, and a daughter of Azro and Vienna (Tourgee) Snow. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin have two children: Arthur, who married Sarah L. Miller, of Crawford county, Pennsylvania; and Birney R. In his political relations our subject affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as Justice of the Peace four- teen years, and is now serving his fifth term. He was Town Assessor two terms, was Cen- sus Enumerator in 1891. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order, Andover Lodge, No. 506, and Jefferson Chapter, No. 241.
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