Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 54

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 54
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 54
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 54

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).

H ENRY L. HOSMER, one of the lead- ing farmers and solid financial men of Geauga connty, Ohio, resides in Troy township. Following is a brief sketch of his life:

Henry L. Hosmer was born in Newbury township, Geauga county, Ohio, September 26, 1824. His father, Benjamin S. Hosmer, and grandfather, Zachariah Hosmer, were natives of Connecticut and descendants of Hollandish ancestry. Zachariah Hosmer emi- grated to Ohio at an early day and settled in Parkinan township, Geauga county, where he spent the residue of his life and where he died at the advanced age of ninety-six. Ben- jamin S. was one of a family of six sons and two daughters. He came to Ohio with his parents, and after working at Avon for some time, went to Detroit, Michigan, and there found employment, subsequently returning to Parkman, Ohio, where he remained a short time, and from there went to Newbury. At the latter place be farmed for several years. After this he purchased 200 acres of land in East Troy, and subsequently bought 200 acres more near the center of Troy township, where he spent about forty years of his life. He

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died there in 1881, aged eighty-six. He was a man of some prominence in his day, hold- ing various local offices, and commanding the respect of all who knew him. His wife pre- ceded him to the other world, her death occur- ring at the age of seventy-four. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had a family of eleven children, four of whom are living.

Henry L. Hosmer first saw the light of day in a log cabin on Ward's Hill in New- bury township, and his education was that received in one of the primitive log school- houses of the period. He remained at home until he reached his majority. In 1845-'46 he was in Indiana, where for eight months he was employed at feeding cattle, at $8 per month. Then he returned to Ohio and worked out for wages for about seven years. During this time he spent one winter, 1847- '48, in the South chopping wood. He and a young friend built a shanty and boarded themselves. In the spring they started home on foot, but bought a horse, and the rest of the journey they took turns in riding. In 1854 Mr. Hosmer located in Troy township, this county, and began farming, in which oc- cupation he has since been engaged. Here he now has 325 acres of choice land, well improved. At one time he owned 550 acres, but has given a farm to each of his children. Mr. Hosmer has been a hard-working man all his life. To the cheerful companionship and timely advice of his good wife he gives much credit for the success he has attained.

Of his marriage we record that this event occurred in March, 1854, the lady of his choice being Lucy Jane Gould, of Ashland · county, Ohio. Her people came to this State from Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Hosmer have two children, Hortense and Eugene. They lost one child in infancy.

Politically, Mr. Hosmer is a Republican. His first vote was cast with the Free Soil party. For several years he has been Ditch Commissioner for Troy and Burton town- ships. He has also served for several years as Township Trustee. Fraternally, he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow.

W ALTER L. MAIN was born in Me- dina county, Ohio, July 13, 1863, a son of William and Mereb (Mi- hills) Main, also natives of the Buckeye State and of Scotch descent. The parent's followed the occupation of farming, and Walter was reared to agricultural pursuits. " As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined," may be a true saying, but the beauties of rural life paled into insignificance before the attractions of- fered by more active business relationships and closer contact with the world. In 1879 he was engaged as bill poster for Burdick & Allen's tent show, and soon became general agent for Hilliard's and several large shows in this country.

Making the most of his opportunities for observation he mastered all the details of the business, and in 1886 became proprietor of his fine exhibit; he has enlarged and increased his attractions as his capital would permit, and now has one of the largest and best ar- ranged circus and menagerie combinations in America. He is one of the youngest mana- gers in the United States, and is to be con- gratulated upon the success he has made of the business. His winter quarters are at Geneva, Ohio.

Mr. Main was united in marriage Decem- ber 31, 1887, to Florence M. Damon of Trum- bull, Ohio. Mrs. Main is a member of the Congregational Church. He belongs to the

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

Masonic order, having attained the rank of Knight Templar, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and Knights of Pythias. Politi- · cally he supports the issues of the Republi- can party.

C HARLES W. DEVOE, the senior mem- ber of the firm of De Voe Bros. & Co., of Orwell, Ohio, was born in Orwell, October 18, 1862. He is the son of Henry A. and Jane B. (Bockover) De Voe.

He was educated at Grand River Institute at Austinburgh, Ohio, and was reared to mer- cantile pursuits. After spending some time as clerk in the store of G. B. De Voe & Co., he started in business for himself at Windsor Corners, Ohio, in February, 1882. At the end of three successful years in business there he moved to Orwell, and subsequently to Rock Creek, where he conducted a general store under the name of C. W. De Voe & Co. In 1891 he returned to Orwell, and the firm of DeVoe Bros. & Co. was formed, with Charles W. as general manager and Fred H. De Voe and Ward B. Stone as members of the firm. This association succeeded the old established firm of George B. De Voe & Co., which had done business here since 1875.

De Voe Bros. & Co. occupy the entire lower floor of a fine two-story brick, 40 x 115 feet, corner of Main and West street, and theirs is one of the most convenient and at- tractive store rooms to be seen anywhere out- side of a city. It is tastefully and luxuriously arranged, with each of its several departments crowded with the latest styles and most re- liable fabrics from the English and American looms. This house may claim the title of a great department store. It embraces a diver-

sity of rare and expensive dress goods, silks, velvets, etc., ladies' and gentlemen's furnish- ings, jackets and capes, men's and children's clothing, boots and shoes, carpets, groceries, crockery, etc., etc. The uniform courtesy of both proprietors and clerks, and the excellent quality, good assortment and low prices of their goods, combine to make this the lead- ing and most popular house of the kind in this section of the country.

November 25, 1885, Charles W. De Voe married Miss Lizzie Lane, daughter of Ed- inund and Elizabeth Lane, of Shepton Mallet, Somersetshire, England, her father being a lumber merchant of some note in his locality. Mrs. De Voe came to the United States in 1879 with her aunt, Mrs. Robert Langdon of Bloomfield, with whom she made her home until her marriage to Mr. De Voe. They have one son, Harry L., born November 24, 1886. May 20, 1893, Mrs. De Voe sailed for a visit to her old home in England, accompanied by Miss Florence Rex and the Miss Venns, of Bloomfield, and after a pleasant sojourn there returned, more than ever satisfied with her home in the United States. She has been a .

member of the Presbyterian Church for some time.

Mr. De Voe has always been a Republican. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Presbyterian Church.

EWIS W. SMITH .- If any one could be said to be wedded to the interests of Ashtabula, Ohio, it would be the sub- ject of this sketch, who has watched its growth from a straggling village to a popu- lous city.

L. W. Smith, a prominent and public- spirited citizen of Ashtabula, was born in this

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

city September 23, 1826, a son of James and Laura (Scoville) Smith, esteemed pioneers of this county. His father was a native of New York State, where his ancestors for several generations were born. The mother of the subject of this sketch was a relative of Gen- eral Ward of Revolutionary fame. His father was reared in Saratoga, New York, to early manhood, and while yet unmarried emigrated to Ohio in 1819, settling in Ashtabula county. Here he built and operated a gristmill for a number of years, people coming as far as forty miles to his mill to get their grain ground. He here married Laura Scoville, also a native of the Empire State, who came with her parents to Ashtabula in an early day. They have five children: Elizabeth, de- ceased; Ursula, Lewis W., James and William Ward. The father was accidentally killed in his mill when the subject of this sketch was five years of age. He was an enterprising and upright man and left many friends to mourn his loss. The mother survived him a number of years and was re-married, but had no other children.

Mr. Smith, whose name heads this sketch, was reared in Ashtabula, receiving a fair edu- cation in the schools of this city. He passed his youth on a farm, on which he remained un- til 1850, when he engaged in the merchandise business in Cincinnati. In 1851 he went to New York city and entered the wholesale silk, millinery and shawl business, in which he continued twenty-five years. In 1861, he became a partner in the firm of Andrew, Giles, Sanford & Company, which afterward became Andrews, Sanford & Smith, Mr. Giles retiring. Mr. Smith was thus engaged until 1875, when he sold his interest and re- turned to Ashtabula, and there entered the general dry-goods business, to favor his son, James Smith, in learning the business. In

the meantime, he invested from time to time in Ashtabula real estate, and finally, in 1884, sold his dry-goods business to give his at- tention to his realty interests. He has ma- terially aided in the growth of Ashtabula, which he has seen rise from a village to a city of 12,000 inhabitants, and in which advance- ment he takes a deep interest and a just pride. In politics Mr. Smith is a Republi- can.

In 1849, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Mary Gillmore, an estimable lady of Ashta- bula, a daughter of Rev. James and Clarissa (Squires) Gillmore, natives of New York. Mr. Gillmore was an able minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one son, James, a promising young business man of Ashtabula.

Thus briefly are given the leading events of an eminently busy and useful life, whose motives have always been of the highest and which has been justly crowned with success.

F RANK R. LOOMIS, M. D .- Among the successful medical practitioners of Jefferson, Ohio, none is more worthy of mention than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, whose conscientious and energetic efforts have gained for him a worthy position in his profession and the high regard of his fellow men.

Dr. Loomis was born in the city where he now resides, September 7, 1852, and is a son of Harrison and Harriet (Spencer) Loomis, of the same city, natives respectively of New York and Connecticut. The former is the representative of an old and prominent family of Ashtabula county, who were early settlers of this vicinity.

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

The subject of this sketch was reared in his native city, where he attended the common schools, which instruction he supplemented by a course in college at Brooklyn, Michigan. After leaving school, he was variously occu- pied until he reached the age of twenty-five years, at which time he commenced the study of medicine in Ashtabula, Ohio. Two years later, he entered the Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital College, at which institution he was graduated in 1882. He then settled in Jefferson, where he has since enjoyed an act- ive and increasing practice.

October 3, 1883, he married Miss Alice E., daughter of George and Alice E. Ross. She is an educated and energetic lady, a na- tive of Ashtabula county, and for several years previous to her marriage was a popular teacher. After her marriage she commenced the study of medicine under the direction of her husband, and in 1890 gradnated at the Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital College, and since then has been practicing with her husband, making a specialty of gynecology, although she does a general practice.

Dr. Loomis is a member in good standing of the State Medical Society, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Republi- can.

Such a partnership as the foregoing is not yet so common as to have lost its charm of novelty, and does great credit to both parties concerned, justly deserving the encourage- ment and success which it so thoroughly enjoys:

AMES MARVIN, one of the most pros- perous farmers and highly respected citizens of Ashtabula county, Ohio, re- siding near Andover, was born March 16,

1824. He is a representative of one of the oldest and most respected families of the county, both his grandfather and father hav- ing come here among the earliest settlers, when the county was covered with woods and wild game abounded. They descended from hardy, New England ancestors, who were ad- mired alike for their intelligence, industry and high moral character. It is to such set- tlers that Ohio owes its present prominence among the sister States. Sylvanus Marvin, Sr., and his worthy wife, grandparents of the subject of this sketch, died in this county after a long life of usefulness to their fellow men, universally respected and lamented for their many noble qualities. Sylvanus Mar- vin, Jr., their son and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Sandisfield, Massa- chusetts, whence he came with his parents to Ohio in an early day. He early became fa- miliar with frontier life and all its attendant difficulties. He kept a hotel in the pioneer days and was a prominent cattle dealer and general farmer, leaving $60,000 at his death. His wife, Fear Smith, was a native of Massa- chusetts and descended from an old and prominent New England family. They reared three children: James, whose name heads this sketch; Jeannette, now Mrs. Brooks; and Mary J., now Mrs. Sweet. In 1863 the family were called upon to mourn the loss of the devoted wife and mother, who died at the age of sixty-two years, leaving many friends to lament her taking away; the father and husband died at the age of seventy-four, universally regretted. He was an influential Republican and an active, public- spirited man.

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Ashtabula county, being trained to farm work. At the age of twenty three, he went to Espyville, Pennsylvania, where

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

he entered a store and remained for some time, laying the foundation of that practical business education which has contributed to his present success. He then returned to Ashtabula county and resumed farming and now owns one of the best places in the county, including 1,140 acres of choice land, which is cultivated to general farming, besides which he has a dairy of forty-five cows. He has a sugar-tree grove and fruit orchard, both of which render him a profitable income. He has a large and comfortable modern house, three good barns, one of which is 36 x 44, one 30 x 72 and the other 34 x 80, and an excellent granary, besides numerous other modern improvements, and is justly numbered among the most substantial farm- ers of the county.

May 5, 1855, Mr. Marvin was married, in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, to Mary E. Linn, an estimable lady, born and reared in that county. Her parents, Joseph and Lydia (Wilson) Linn, were natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively. Her father was a successful hotel man and died at the age of fifty-six years, greatly mourned by all who knew him. Her mother survived him many years, is now living in Denmark, Lee county, Iowa, aged eighty-six, and has many sincere friends. Their children were: Joseph A .; Mary E., wife of the subject of this sketch; Esther J .; Hannah A .; Margaret Z., a successful school-teacher; and Eupha L. Mr. and Mrs. Marvin have four children : Sylvana, wife of. W. H. Brown; Edna M., wife of H. D. French; Clinton J., engaged in mercantile business at Espyville, Pennsyl- vania; and George L., dealer in farm imple- ments.

Politically, Mr. Marvin is a Republican, as his father was before him. He affiliates with the I. O. O. F. Like his father, also,

he takes an active interest in the welfare of his community, to the material and moral advancement of which he has greatly con- tributed, being justly numbered among his county's representative citizens.

SAAÓ B. REED .- As Shakespeare makes one of his characters remark that it is not the fault of the stars, but of ourselves, that we are underlings, so the subject of this sketch has demonstrated what determined energy and intelligent effort can accomplish in the way of advancement.

I. B. Reed, a successful merchant and popular citizen of Jefferson, Ohio, was born in Aberdeen, Ohio county, Indiana, April 1, 1844. His parents, James K. and Sarah (Easton) Reed, were both natives of Ken- tucky, the former born in Lexington and the latter in Cynthiana. Both were of Scotch lineage, their respective parents having re- moved from Maryland to Kentucky in an early day, when the latter State was wild and but slightly settled. The mother of the sub- ject of this sketch was a daughter of Colonel Easton, of Revolutionary fame, and one of her sisters was the mother of Hon. William H. English, of Indianapolis, Indiana, a law- yer of national repute and Democratic can- didate for vice-president with Winfield Scott Hancock, in 1880. The devoted mother was called to her reward about twenty five years ago. The father still survives, at the age of ninety-eight years, in the enjoyment of good health, and resides in Mason, Illinois. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom survive.

The subject of this sketch resided under the parental roof until he was twenty years of age, and received a common-school educa-

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

tion. The parents were in limited circum- stances, with a large family to provide for, and the sons were early obliged to shift for themselves, learning in this manner those lessons of self-reliance and determination which have proved of such incalculable benefit to them in after life, and have con- tributed to raise them to positions of pros- perity and honor. In 1863 the subject of this notice went to Effingham county, Illi- nois, then on the frontier and but slightly settled, taking with him no money, but a strong determination to succeed by means of industry. He there took up railroad land on credit and at once began an active and suc- cessful career in farming, stock-raising, and in buying and selling stock and grain. He took up his residence in Mason, that State, where, in 1866, he was married to Anna Vista Donaldson, daughter of William Don- aldson, a prominent resident of that city. They had three children, two daughters and one son: Adora, now the wife of E. S. Jor- dan; Louise and Charles C., who were de- prived by death of the mother's care at a ten- der age, she dying in 1874. The following year Mr. Reed removed to Indianapolis, In- diana, where he entered business, and was there married in 1877, to Mrs. Susan F. Coffman, nee Chalacomb, a worthy lady, for- merly of Wellington, Ohio. Shortly after- ward Mr. Reed left Indianapolis and returned to the Prairie State, settling in Effingham, where he entered the mercantile business and looked after his farming interests in that county. He continued to be thus employed until 1881, at which time he became con- nected with the business of the White Sew- ing Machine Company, with headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1887 he bought the general merchandise store of Colonel Wind- ship, in Pierpont, that State, where he settled

and successfully conducted that business until his removal to Jefferson in 1890, which has since been his home. He here engaged in the same business, at the same time opening a store in Andover, in the same county. On coming to this county, Mr. Reed originated and built a telephone line connecting the im- portant towns of the county. After bringing this enterprise to a successful termination, he sold to a telephone company of Chicago.

Socially, Mr. Reed affiliates with the Knights Templar Masons, the 1. O. O. F., the Knights of Pythias and the Farmers' Grange of Ashtabula county. He has been Lecturer of this grange for two years, and was recently installed Master of the associa- tion. He takes a deep interest in farming, which was his first occupation, and is de- votedly attached to the cause of the hus- bandman. In politics he is a Republican.

These few meager facts of an eminently busy and useful life sufficiently demonstrate the indomitable energy and sterling worth of the man, whose motto has been honorable ad- vancement for himself and assistance to his fellow-men.

G ROVE A. STREETER .- Among those who contributed to the early develop- ment of Ashtabula county, Ohio, and who, though now passed from the scene of their labors, are still cherished in the memories of those who survive and who par- ticipate in the benefits derived from the for- mer's industry and ability, the subject of this sketch holds a prominent place.

His father, Anson Streeter, was a native of New England, and came to Ashtabula county, Ohio, in an early day, where he was

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

well and favorably known. He reared seven sons: William, Hiram, Avery, Ruxton, Frank, Homer and Grove A.

The subject of this sketch was born in Lake county, Ohio, March 29, 1833, and in the district schools obtained his education, which, combined with his natural endow- ments, produced a combination of good busi- ness qualities. He early learned the carpen- ter and joiner's trade, which he followed uninterruptedly for a decade and a half, most of the time in Ashtabula county. In 1855, induced by the greater opportunities of the Northwest, he decided to go to that section, and accordingly settled in Superior, Wiscon- sin, at that time just springing into life as an ore-shipping point. Wages were higher there, and mechanics were able to see their earnings accumulate more rapidly than in the slower-going East. The following year Mr. Streeter returned temporarily to Ashtabula for his bride, with whom he again moved to the new country of the Northwest, which was their home until 1858, when they once more came back to their old home, where they were destined to pass their remaining days. He was for a few years engaged at his trade, after which he began the manufacture of shafts and poles, which he successfully prosecuted for some time, subsequently dis- posing of the business advantageously and entering the employ of Mr. Snyder, who was then conducting a similar business. He con- tinued to work on a salary until 1883, at which time, in partnership with his son, he started a grocery on Main street, an enter- prise in which he was engaged until his death, May 7, 1892. The firm enjoyed a large and lucrative trade, gained by customary upright- ness in dealing and courtesy of treatment. Mr. Streeter's life was an excellent illustra- tion of what industry and natural intelligence

can accomplish, unaided and alone. Be- ginning life a poor boy, he accumulated during his active career a comfortable com- petency for his family. Among other monu- ments of his industry may be mentioned the large, three-story brick building at No. 135 Main street, which is now owned by Mr. Gray. Owing to some slight disability, Mr. Streeter was rejected by the examining com- mittee at the time of the late war, although he patriotically tendered his services to his country and had been elected Captain of a militia company which he was instrumental in organizing.

June 30, 1856, Mr. Streeter was married in Ashtabula, by the Rev. Dr. Radcliff, to Miss Frances A. Shaylor, a lady of domestic and social accomplishments, and sister of L. K. Shaylor, a biography of whom appears in this history. Their only child, Horace S., was born March 24, 1859, and on August 18, 1885, was married to Miss Etta M. Husted. They have two children: Zoe F., born No- vember 28, 1886; and Lee H., born January 1,1889.

Mrs. Streeter is a member of the Presby- terian Church. Her mother, Mrs. Shaylor, resides with her, which makes her life less lonely. Mrs. Shaylor is now in her seventy- fifth year, fine looking and well preserved. She has sixteen great-grandchildren. Mr. Streeter was a man well thought of by the people among whom he dwelt.

H ON. FRANK C. MOORE .- As an example of merit receiving its reward, the life of Mr. Moore is conspicuous, his prosperity and honorable attain- ments having been secured through his own unaided efforts.

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

The subject of this sketch, a prominent business man and worthy citizen of Ashta- bula, Ohio, was born in Jefferson, this State, February 5, 1851, son of Monroe and Isa- belle (Warner) Moore. His father was born in Andover, Ohio, and was a son of Harley Moore, a native of Massachusetts, who emi- grated to Ashtabula county, Ohio, about 1815, settling in Andover, where he became a pioneer farmer. The father of the subject of this sketch grew to manhood in that section and obtained a limited education in the pio- neer schools, but, self-educated, gained a knowledge of law under the instruction of Hon. Benjamin F. Wade, of Jeffers on. On being admitted to the bar, the father went to Greenville, Pennsylvania, where he at- tained eminence in his profession, although his life was cut short in early manhood at the age of twenty-nine years. His widow, who now resides in Ashtabula, was subse- quently married to John Ducro, a prominent furniture dealer of this city.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 54

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