Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 52

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 52
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 52
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 52

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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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

inent grocer and baker of Chardon, Ohio; May, the second daughter, married Alton Dewey on May 10, 1893, and resides in Thompson; and Sarah, the "baby, " is at home. The happy parents of this interesting family are yet living on the homestead near Thompson, where, surrounded by all that conduces to earthly comfort, and esteemed by all who know them, they are passing their declining years. Mrs. Henry Quayle is a model wife and mother, and much of the suc- cess of her children may be attributed to her wise and watchful guidance. Henry Quayle is a loving father and husband, an able finan- cier, and progressive, public-spirited citizen, and has done much by his broad views and wise counsel to advance the interests of his community.

Dr. Quayle of this notice, received his pre- liminary education in the district schools of Thompson and enjoyed the benefits of a cul- tured and refined home. Possessing a strong and active intellect he naturally craved for higher knowledge, and after teaching a few terms in the district schools he entered Leba- non University. Here he remained five years, accomplishing a wonderful amount of work. He spent the first year in the business depart- ment, at which he graduated with such high honors that he was immediately tendered the position of head bookkeeper of the Univer- sity, a post of great responsibility, which he held to the satisfaction of the trustees and with profit to himself during the remainder of his stay in the institution. Dr. Quayle next entered the pedagogical department, and so thorough was his preparation for teaching, that, upon receiving his diploma from this department, he was immediately offered a position as teacher, which was ac- cepted. The courses of science, the arts and medicine were next pursued with much inde-

fatigable zeal that notwithstanding the time devoted to teaching and bookkeeping, he was enabled in a comparatively short time to re- ceive the degrees of B. S. and M. D., in ad- dition to those diplomas already secured for teaching and bookkeeping. While thus pur- suing his studies, he not only succeeded in defraying all his expenses but also saved the snug amount of $1,000 with which to con- tinue his studies. As showing his high standing in the estimation of the faculty, may be mentioned the fact that he was the only one chosen from the large class which grad- uated, to assist the physicians, Drs. E. J. Tichener and G. L. Cruger, in conducting the Warren County Infirmary. After six months' experience in this position, Dr. Quayle entered the Western Reserve Medical Col- lege, where he remained three years, receiv- ing his diploma in 1888. Here, his industry as a student, together with his previous ex- perience and the fact of his already holding the degree of M. D., naturally conspired in his favor, and, during the last year of his course, a responsible position in the hospital department was offered to him, and he was thus enabled to combine practical experience with theory during the whole time of his preparation. Nor has he discontinued his studies since graduation; on the contrary he has embraced every opportunity to pursue them to a higher perfection. He has since taken a post-graduate course at the Western Reserve University and has specialized in several departments of medical science, namely: urinal analysis, cancers, typhoid fever, diseases of the throat, lungs and chest, etc., and also intends to take a post-graduate course at the Cleveland Homoeopathic College as soon as practicable. He is also a close pe- ruser of his large and carefully selected li- brary, subscribes liberally for numerous med-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

ical periodicals, for which he occasionally writes, and is otherwise untiring in the study of his chosen profession. He is also a great admirer of general literature and deeply in- terested in scientific matters, is an enthusias- tic geologist and botanist, and has an excellent geological collection of his own gathering.

The Doctor began his practice in Middle- town, Ohio. Being then unmarried and rather portable, after practicing about a month, he was easily induced to remove, by a resident physician who owned property in the town, and who offered a liberal amount of money to secure this result. Thereupon the Doctor immediately came to Dodgeville, where he purchased the beautiful home which he now occupies and where he has continued in constant practice up to the present time. During these four years he has built up a practice which may well seem phenomenal, when it is considered that he frequently drives twenty-five miles on his professional visits, and is often called to distant towns, his annual income being conservatively esti- mated at $3,000. He is also examiner for six old-line insurance companies. Indeed, he seems to have been specially spared for a life of usefulness to his fellows, if some of his hair- breadth escapes from death are counted for anything. When a child, he fell and injured his right arm, from which he has never re- covered. While in Lebanon he narrowly es- caped perishing in a flood caused by the bursting of a reservoir, in which the house where he was staying was carried away. He was in a railroad accident at Collinwood; narrowly escaped drowning in Lake Erie; was once entangled in a rope attached to an in- furiated bull; and has figured in numerous minor casualties, always providentially escap- ing with his life, the Doctor says, because he " was born to be hung. "

November 1, 1888, Dr. Quayle was mar- ried to Miss Nellie M. Clough, an educated and accomplished lady, who attended New Lyme Institute, then, as now, under the able guidance of Prof. Tuckerman, and she later engaged in teaching with success. She is also an excellent musician, which art she formerly taught. She is a lady of literary taste and ability, an ideal wife and mother, and universally beloved for her many estima- ble qualities. Her parents, Roswell and Fi- delia Clough, of Footville, Ohio, were pio- neers of the Buckeye State, having accom- panied their parents to the West from Mas- sachusetts, their ancestors having been residents of New England for many years. Roswell Clough is a prominent mill man of Trumbull county, owns extensive property and is a first-class financier. He has seem- ingly conquered fate, having twice erected buildings which were twice destroyed by fire. He has a large acquaintance and a host of friends. He is the father of six sons and four daughters, all living. Dr. and Mrs. Quayle have two interesting children: Florence, born June 29, 1880; and Lucille, born October 12, 1882, of whom the parents are justly proud.

Politically, the Doctor is rather conserva- tive, but may always be relied upon to cast his influence on the side of reform and purity. Fraternally, he is a Free and Accepted Mason and associated with Symbol Lodge, of New Lyme. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Pebble Rock Lodge, at Thompson, Ohio; and is an active member of the Ashtabula County Medical Society. In social and moral reforms, he has always been an effective worker, and while at Warren County Infirmary was chiefly instrumental in establishing a Sunday-school in that insti- tution. Both he and his wife are useful members of the Baptist Church. He is a

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

citizen of whom his town and county may well be proud. Of the highest integrity, broadest culture and kindliest motives, he is fitted to benefit and adorn any society or com- munity in which it may be his pleasure to reside.

H ON. HENRY LAWTON MORRI- SON .- This gentleman is a worthy rep- resentative of a long line of ancestors, his career having been such that his name is synonymous with all that is good and great.

His remote American ancestor, William Morrison, came to North Bridgewater, Mas- sachusetts, in 1740. It is not known where this ancestor was born, but it is quite proba- ble that he was of Scotch-Irish lineage. In 1748 he married Sarah Montgomery, whose ancestry can probably be traced to the Brigend family of Montgomery, Ayrshire, presumably of British origin. William Mor- rison was a brave and efficient soldier in the French and Indian war, in which he was cap- tured by the enemy and removed to a prison in Quebec, where he died. He had the fol- lowing sons: William, Alexander, John, Robert and James.

James Morrison, his youngest son, was born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, in 1757. In 1783 he was married to Hannah Gunn, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and they had five sons and five daughters, the oldest of whom was James Morrison, Jr. June 6, 1806, in company with several other people, James Morrison, Sr., started with teams for the West, arriving in Ashtabula county, Ohio, after six weeks' toilsome and wearisome jour- neying. Shortly after his arrival here, he selected and purchased 400 or 500 acres

of land in the new township of Geneva, to which he removed his family. A rude home was built in the forest, after which the older members set about clearing the land, thus beginning their pioneer experiences in Ashtabula county. The father gave to his sons, James, Jr., William, Strobridge and Riley, who accompanied him, each a tract of land, reserving the old homestead for himself, on which his youngest son was to reside. The father was at first a Universalist, but after coming to Ohio he became a Methodist, being a zealous churchman of sturdy charac- ter. He had been an efficient soldier in the Revolutionary war, for which he drew a pen- sion during the last few years of his life. He died in 1854, at the advanced age of ninety- seven years, leaving many sorrowing friends to mourn his loss.

James Morrison, Jr., his oldest son, was born in 1784, in Blandford, Massachusetts, and in 1805 was married to Susanna MeNutt. In 1806 he came with his wife and oldest son to Ohio, in company with his father, and settled on land in Geneva, Ashtabula county, on which he resided until his death in 1867, at the venerable age of eighty-three years. He was married four times. His first wife died in 1811, by which marriage he had four sons. He then married her sister, Sarah McNutt, and they had five children. She died at the birth of Henry Lawton Morrison, the subject of this sketch, who was born in Geneva, Ohio, August 12, 1820. His father married for a third wife Mrs. Ruth (Ellis) Turner, who died in 1845, leaving four chil- dren. In 1847 he married Mrs. Abigail Palmer, of Massachusetts, who had no chil- dren.

Henry Lawton Morrison, whose name heads this notice, on account of his mother dying at his birth, was given to an uncle named

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Lawton, whose wife, Sarah, was a sister of James Morrison, Jr. These relatives be- stowed upon him all the care and affection the kindest parents could give, and in their quiet, humble home on the farm he grew to boyhood with such advantages of schooling as the common schools of his day afforded. When Henry was fifteen years of age, his uncle sold the farm and Henry became a clerk in a store in the then village of Ashtabula, thus beginning what has been a long, active and successful business career. He has since lived continuously in this place, which he has seen grow from a village of 500 to a flourishing city of 10,000 inhabitants, during which time he has been actively identified with the best interests of his chosen home. In 1848 Mr. Morrison was admitted as a part- ner into the establishment in which he had worked so long as a clerk. The death of his partner in 1861 left him sole proprietor of the business. He occupied the same place of business for more than forty-five years, con- ducting for the greater portion of the time a general merchandise trade. He recently built an excellent business block in another part of the city, and took his two sons into partnership with him. These are active and promising young men, the firm of H. L. Mor- rison & Sons now conducting a large trade in dry goods, notions, millinery and carpets, being a leading business firm of the city. Besides his other interests, Mr. Morrison has been for more than twenty years a director in the Pittsburg, Youngstown & Ashtabula Railroad Company.

Politically, Mr. Morrison is a Republican, although he has been conservative and some- what independent. He was for ten years an active member of the School Board; was Mayor several terms; County Commissioner three years; and has held other minor posi-

tions of honor and trust in the gift of an admiring people. He manifests much inter- est in history, and has been for some time president of the Ashtabula County Pioneer Society.

In 1846 Mr. Morrison was married to Miss Nancy Pamelia Castle, of Ashtabula, and they have had four children: Katherine Ame- lia, Mary Watrous, Williard Henry and Fred- erick Root.

Mr. Morrison, wife and daughters are communicants of the Baptist Church. The family hold high social rank in Ashtabula, and Mr. Morrison enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

AN RENSELAER T. JOINER, a farmer and stock-raiser of Jefferson township, Ashtabula county, was born at Conneaut, this county, December 12, 1838, a son of Irwin and Phema (Moore) Joiner. The father was born in Vermont, in 1795, and when a youth participated in the war of 1812, as Aid-de-camp to his uncle, General Erastus Joiner. Mr. Joiner was afterward engaged in farming in New York, next worked as a farm hand in Erie county, Penn- sylvania, and in 1828 located in Conneaut, Ohio. He was married in that city in 1837. After following the cooper's trade a number of years, he engaged in shoemaking, but subsequently was employed as a brick and stone mason. In 1840 he purchased a tim- ber farm in Sheffield township, Ashtabula county, cleared the same and erected a cabin, and was engaged at his trade and farming. In 1855 he sold his land and purchased an- other small tract of timber, which he also cleared. Mr. Joiner eventually made his home with his children, and he died July 26,

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

1891, at the age of ninety-six years. He was a member of the Universalist Church, was a good and useful man and honest citi- zen. The mother of our subject was born in Canada, May 20, 1816, came with her par- ents to Conneaut, Ohio, at the age of sixteen years, and was married two years later. She was well versed in the use of the wheel and loom, and, although not a member of any church, was a noble and self-sacrificing wo- man. Her death occurred in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Joiner had six children, all of whom now reside in Ashtabula county.

VanRensaeler T. Joiner, the subject of this sketch, was early taught the value of indus- try, and when young engaged with his father at the stone mason's trade. He afterward worked as a farm laborer six years. In 1864 he became partner in a milling enterprise, manufacturing all kinds of lumber, including oak, ash and whitewood, and this' venture proved quite successful. In 1866 Mr. Joiner bought 154 acres of land, and later, in com- pany with his partner, they purchased 307 acres of timber land; and also owned a port- able mill, cleared the land, sawed all the available timber into lumber, and increased their annual business to $10,000. Mr. Joiner's home is located about three and a half miles east of Jefferson. He has all the barns and sheds necessary for his stock and grain, has been engaged in the dairy business since 1870, has a fine herd of sheep and horses, and is interested in fruit-growing. In politi- cal matters he affiliates with the Republican party, has served as Township Trustee, School Director, and filled many other offices of trust. Our subject has kept a correct diary of the events of his daily life and transactions, and in this record he takes a just pride.

November 12, 18 he was united in mar- riage to Miss Dell C. Thompson, a daughter of

Oral Thompson, a prominent merchant of Con- neaut. Mrs. Joiner was born in that city Sep- tember 29, 1846, received her education in the Kingsville school, and was engaged in teach- ing for a number of years. She was married at the age of twenty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Joiner have two children,-Linas E., born November 17, 1870, received a good educa- tion in the Jefferson Educational Institute, and is now engaged in farming at home; and Bernice C., born October 16, 1879, has also received good educational advantages. Mr. Joiner was early thrown upon his own re- sources, having begun work for himself at the age of sixteen years, and by steady appli- cation to business, well directed efforts and honorable methods has gained what he now owns. His wife has been his faithful guide and counseler throughout their marriage life, and both occupy a high position in the hearts of the citizens of Ashtabula county.

A BEL G. RATHBONE, M. D., one of the oldest and most successful physi- cians and surgeons in Ashtabula county, Ohio, has practiced medicine continu- ously in New Lyme since 1852, and won golden opinions from all who know him.

He comes of hardy New England stock and inherits much of the indomitable courage and perseverance so characteristic of that race. His parents were members of that daring company of pioneers who traveled toilsomely over hill and dale from New England to Ohio in an early day, settling on the present site of New Lyme, which they transformed from a forest to a beautiful village. The father of the subject of this sketch was born in Salem, Connecticut, in 1800, and made his home in that city until 1830, when he removed to New

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BIOGRAPHIICAL HISTORY

Lyme. Alice (Latimer) Rathbone, mother of Dr. Rathbone of this notice, is the youngest of a remarkably long-lived family, four of whom survive, all being octogenarians. One, Eliza (Latimer) Reeves, now dead, was also an octogenarian. Those surviving are: Mrs. Rathbone, now eighty-four years of age; Al- bert Latimer, aged eighty-five, resides in New Lyme; Lucy Douglas, aged eighty-seven, lives in Rome, Ohio; and John Latimer, of Delaware, Ohio, lacks but eight years of a century. Dr. Rathbone of this notice was one of six children, four of whom survive. Albert L. died in California; Edwin lives in Rome, Ohio; Abel G., of this notice; John, Jeanette; and Leonora, who died in Rock Creek, Ohio.

The subject of this sketch was born on a farm near New Lyme, August 12, 1837. His early educational advantages were se- cured in the district schools of his vicinity and supplemented by a few terms at Orwell Academy. He then taught for several win- ters, at the same time carrying on farming. In order to institute preparation for that work to which he had determined to devote his life, he commenced the study of medicine under the direction of an able preceptor, Dr. Porter Kee, and continued this preparatory study until 1859, when he removed to Ken- tucky, where he engaged in teaching. In the winter of 1860-'61 he attended medical lec- tures in Cincinnati, and, in the spring of 1861, returned to his home, by reason of the breaking out of the Civil war. His intention had been to remain in Kentucky and to give his attention to teaching until he had been able to complete his medical course at Cin- cinnati, but the war compelled him to alter his plans. Notwithstanding the fact that he enjoyed teaching and was extremely success- ful in that line of work-as is witnessed by

the commendation of his contemporaries-he early chose medicine as his profession and lost no opportunity for applying himself to the necessary work of preparation. In the winter of 1861-'62 he attended lectures at the University of Buffalo, New York, and, upon the completion of the prescribed course, graduated from that institution.

He then returned to New Lyme, his early home, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession. There, by careful and con- scientious work, he succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice, and he now en- joys a handsome income and, what is more to be prized, the universal good will of his fel- low men. Although well fortified by expe- rience and years of study, his habits of re- search and investigation are as strong as ever, and his large, well-filled library and numerous medical periodicals are constantly and care- fully perused to his continual edification and satisfaction. He is not, however, incapable of enjoying the beauties of general literature; on the contrary he is a man of broad and generous culture and a devoted student of all that is good and beautiful in science, litera- ture and art.

During the past ten years, the Doctor has profitably conducted a first-class drug and grocery store, which in appearance and com- pleteness of stock is one of the best business houses in New Lyme. Here is always a full line of drugs, groceries and notions, seldom to be found in a village of its size. Here, also, several young men of special fitness and ability have prepared themselves for the drug business and the medical profession, an indi- rect contribution by Dr. Rathbone to the good of society.

In 1857, Dr. Rathbone was married to Fi- nette P. Watson, a worthy lady, daughter of Harvey Watson, an esteemed citizen of Rock

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Creek, Ohio. They have three daughters: Alice J., born August 19, 1860, married Alexander Switzer, a prominent cattle dealer of Butler, Richland county, Ohio; Anna Belle, born February 9, 1876; and May Belle, born May 12, 1878, are at home and pursu- ing courses of study at the celebrated New Lyme Institute, which is presided over by the distinguised educator, Prof. Jacob Tucker- man, A. M., Ph. D.

Politically, Dr. Rathbone firmly advocates the principles of the Republican party, al- though not an active politician. Fraternally, he is allied with the Masonic order and the Ashtabula Medical Society. As a business man, practitioner and citizen, the Doctor has ever been characterized by broad views and unswerving integrity, and is justly held in high esteem by his community.

R OBERT BLAIR, deceased, one of the prominent pioneers of Lake county, Ohio, whose enterprise contributed much to the general advancement and development of the surrounding country, and whose memory is venerated by all who knew him and appreciated his worth, was born in West Brookfield, Worcester county, Massachusetts, March 8, 1792. He was of hardy Scotch ancestry, his grandfather, Rob- ert Blair, having been born in Scotland in 1706, whence he emigrated to America in 1725.

Reuben Blair, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Worcester county, Massa- chusetts, in the early part of the eighteenth century. He was reared to farming, which he successfully followed during many years of his life. He married Susan Shepherd, also a native of Massachusetts and a descendant of

an estimable family. Both died in the State of their birth at a good old age and in the full enjoyment of the highest regard of their fel- low citizens, among whom they had lived so long and so honorably.

Robert Blair, their son, whose name heads this sketch, was reared in a home of comfort and thrift, and early developed a self-reliance and ability rare in one of his age. When quite a young man, he became an agent for a woolen manufactory in Brookfield, Massa- chusetts, and after the war of 1812, business becoming much depressed in the East, he was sent by his company to the West, to dis- pose of goods. He made the trip via the lakes to Mackinaw in 1816, and sold his sup- ply of goods, and, in the same year, visited on his return the small settlement distin- guished as Painesville, Ohio. He found lit- tle in that place to encourage him to remain for any length of time, provisions being scarce and the country wild. He was, however, much impressed with the future possibilities of the section. He made another trip to Ohio before finally taking up his abode in the western wilds. On February 5, 1818, he started for Kirtland, Lake county, making the journey overland with a sled drawn by oxen, passing through Painesville, March 8, 1818. He purchased land in Kirtland, pay- ing about $4.50 an acre, all being heavily timbered. On this place he built a log house in which the family lived seven years. Wild game abounded, such as elk, deer, turkey, and their enemy, the wolf, but the Indians had mostly followed the course of the setting sun. In 1824, while residing on his farm, Mr. Blair erected the first courthouse in his county, which was all called Geaugi county. This structure was made of brick, which ma- terial he made and burned. The building served the purpose for which it was erected

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

for many years and was finally destroyed by fire in 1873. Mr. Blair cleared about 100 acres of his land, which he cultivated and on which he later built a substantial residence. In the second year, he put up eight barrels of fine pork, which he could not dispose of for enough to pay for the salt used in its curing, The latter product was $5 a barrel at Fairport, all other imported commodities costing in proportion. It was about this time that a man endeavored to exchange some wheat for a pound of tea with a mer- chant in Painesville, when the storekeeper said that he had all the wheat he wanted, but if the man would bring him eight bushels of wheat, he might have the tea. It was in the midst of such hardships that the pioneers of this country lived and planted in the western wilds the flower of civilization to blossom like a rose for the future generations.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 52

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