Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 58

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 58
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 58
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 58

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).

Young men without means would do well to study Mr. Ward's life with a view to dis- covering the secret of his success, which they will find to consist in indomitable energy and untiring perseverance, honestly and intelli- gently applied.

D AVID M. SPRINGER, a farmer and glass-blower of Lenox township, Ash- tabula county, was born in Greenes- borough, Greene county, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1850, a son of Marshall and Susanna (Schroyer) Springer. The father was born in Uniontown, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, and learned and followed the shoe- maker's trade a number of years. He subse- quently removed to Greensborongh, Pennsyl- vania, was married there in 1840, and later went to Pittsburg, where he began work in a glass factory. He died in 1860, at the age of forty-eight years. The mother of our sub-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

ject was born, reared and educated in Greens- borough, and was married at the age of twenty years. After her husband's death she made her home with her children until her death, in 1891. She united with the Baptist Church early in life, and lived a consistent Christian until her death. Mr. and Mrs. Springer had twelve children, eight of whom still survive.

David M. Springer moved with his parents to Pittsburg at the age of four years. At the age of fourteen years he began work in a glass factory, and became proficient as a gatherer, a term designating one particular branch of the business. He worked in that department six years. He then learned the art of blowing, and has followed that occupa- tion ever since. His business has called him to many of the important cities and towns. In 1889 Mr. Springer bought his present beautiful home, consisting of ninety-five acres of choice agricultural land, known as the old Bancroft place, and is located five miles southeast of Jefferson. The place is equipped with all modern improvements, contains a good residence, a large, commodious barn and an orchard. He works at his trade during the winter, and attends to his farm during the summer months. Mr. Springer is now introducing the underground drainage sys- tem, which will greatly enhance the value of his property.

January 14, 1869, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Lucinda Ensell, a daughter of Edward and Mary J. (Draper) Ensell. Mrs. Springer was born in Pittsburg. Pennsyl- vania, August 19, 1850, and was married at the age of nineteen years. They have ten children, namely: Marshall, born December 9, 1869, is a glass-blower in Gas City, Indi- ana; Mary J., born September 19, 1871, died the same year; Elizabeth S., deceased, was

born May 27, 1873; John C., born August 13, 1875, is employed as gatherer in a glass factory ; William F., born February 29, 1878, is deceased; Lucinda, born May, 31, 1880; Sarah E., deceased, was born July 30, 1882; Grover Cleveland, born in August, 1884; David, July 24, 1887; and Martha, September 24, 1890. Mrs. Springer is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Springer is a stanch Democrat, and is a member of Zeno Lodge, No. 746, I. O. O. F., of Pitts- burg. He is also a member of the Window Glass Workers' Union.

A LEXANDER WILLIAMS, a promi- nent farmer and fruit-grower of Kirt- land, Lake county, Ohio, is one of the most intelligent and enterprising men of the township and is actively identified with the Grange. Of his life we present the following brief sketch:

Alexander Williams was born in Deerfield, Franklin county, Massachusetts, March 11, 1814. The Williams family are of Welsh descent, but emigrated from England to this country about 1634. Thomas Williams, the father of Alexander, was born in Deerfield in the only house that was left standing after the French and Indian raid, in 1703 or 1704. Grandfather Dr. William S. Williams was also a native of Deerfield, Massachusetts, and our subject's great-grandfather was Dr. Thomas Williams. Colonel Ephraim Will- iams, a brother of Dr. Thomas Williams, was the founder of Williams College. He was killed in the French and Indian war, Sep- tember 8, 1775. Dr. William S. Williams practiced medicine in Deerfield all his life, and was prominently known there. He died at the age of sixty-six. Thomas Williams

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was one of a family of six children, and was a farmer by occupation. He emigrated to Lake county, Ohio, in 1838, and died here in 1869, in the eighty.second year of his age. He held various local offices in this county. Of his wife we record that her maiden name was Nancy Hawks, that she was a native of Deerfield, Massachusetts, of English and Irish descent, and that she died in 1869, in her eighty-first year. She was a member of the first Unitarian Church established in western Massachusetts.

Alexander Williams was the second born and only son in a family of three chilren, and is the only one of the three now living. He was reared on his father's farm and at- tended the district schools, completing his education with an academy course of three terms and a half. He remained at home a few years after reaching his majority. In 1838 he came to Lake county, Ohio, and purchased his present farm in Kirtland town- ship, and here he has lived for fitty-five years. He has 177} acres of land, forty acres of which were improved at the time of purchase. In the improvement and development of this property he has spared neither labor nor means, and now has it under a high state of cultivation. Twenty-two acres are in vine- yard. For twelve years he has given consid- erable attention to fruit culture, having fifty acres in various kinds of fruit-peaches, pears, strawberries, raspberries, etc. Formerly he was extensively engaged in cattle raising. In the carrying on of his farm and fruit busi- ness Mr. Williams has taken as associate his youngest son, Alexander E. Williams, the design being that he shall ultimately suc- ceed his father in the enterprise.

Mr. Williams was married, in 1841, to Martha G. Cummings, a native of New Hampshire, who died December 21, 1857,

leaving six children, Thomas H., William S., Marian, Edward H., Mary E., and Alexander E. In 1878 he married Mrs. Mary (Good- win) Williams, widow of Charles S. Williams who died in December, 1871. She had one daughter, Ellen Goodwin, who died at the age of ten years.

Mr. Williams affiliates with the Republi- can party, and has served the public several years as Trustee and Assessor. He has been prominently identified with the Grange of Lake county. He was instrumental in estab- lishing the Grange in Kirtland township, and was the first Master of the organization. In- deed he has taken an active part in all the farmers' societies in this locality.

Mrs. Williams is a Unitarian.

R OBERT LYON, deceased, was at one time the leading merchant of Con- neaut, Ohio, and was identified with the early history of this town.

Mr. Lyon was born in New Jersey, Sep- tember 27, 1796, son of Moses and Elizabeth (Arnett) Lyon, both natives of New Jersey. Moses Lyon was born at Lyon's Farms, De- cember 21, 1763, and died May 2, 1823; and his wife, born at Elizabethtown, April 24, 1769, died September 7, 1822. Of this worthy couple we have but little knowledge, more than that they had a large family, none of whom are now living. Robert was the only one who ever settled in Ohio. Two daughters married and went with their hus- bands to Michigan, and the others settled in New York.

Robert Lyon came to Ohio some time be- fore 1832, and engaged in the merchandise business in Conneaut, which he followed un- til shortly before his death, when he sold out

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

to Thompson & Rice. He was an enterpris- ing and public-spirited man and during his life was one of the leading citizens of the town. He was a man of intense energy, of quick wit, of positive opinions and decisive action. He died October 5, 1854, at the age of fifty-eight years, his death resulting from accident. While he was standing in an ex- press wagon the horse made- a quick start, from fright, caused by the whistle of a lo- comotive, and he was thrown out. In the fall which he received, his back was injured, causing partial paralysis, and he died in less than a week.

His whole time being devoted to his busi- ness affairs, he gave little attention to polit- ical matters, never seeking or holding office. He was a man much devoted to his family; was an affectionate husband and father, a kind neighbor and a most worthy citizen. He attended the Congregational Church and was a supporter of the same, responding liber- ally to its calls for benevolence and the sup- port of the ministry.

Mr. Lyon was twice married. He first wedded Catherine Bacon in Ogdensburgh, New York. She died October 11, 1840, leaving issue as follows: William B., de- ceased; Lydia Jane Cleveland, widow of George Cleveland, resides in Minneapolis; John B., married and living in Chicago, is a commission merchant and member of the Board of Trade; Helen, wife of C. F. Blakes- lee, resides in Chicago; and Robert, a soldier in the late war, died in Texas, September 16, 1861. June 16, 1841, Mr. Lyon married Clarissa Kellogg, daughter of Amos and Pau- lina A. (Dean) Kellogg, natives of Massachu- setts. Mrs. Lyon was born in Monroe town- ship, Ashtabula county, Ohio, October 12, 1819. They had four children, Catherine, Clara, Paulina and Thomas R. Catherine,

the oldest, has been twice married. By her first husband, Eber B. Ward, she has two children, Eber B. and Clara L., both married and living in Paris, France. She is now the wife of Alexander Cameron and resides in Toronto, Canada. Clara, the second of Mrs. Lyon's children, is the wife of Colonel J. F. Wade, son of Hon. B. F. Wade, her hus- band being Colonel of the Fifth United States Cavalry, stationed at Fort Reno, Oklahoma. Colonel Wade and his wife have three chil- dren: Benjamin F .; John Parsons, a student at West Point Military Academy; and Clara L., wife of Lieutenant J. M. Jenkins, of the Fifth United States Cavalry. Paulina, wife of J. S. Stearns, has one son, Robert L,, who is engaged with his father in the lumber business in Michigan. Thomas R., the youngest of the Lyon family, is a banker in Chicago. He married Harriet Rice, of Lud- ington, Michigan, and has four children, Emily C., John B., Paulina and Harriet.

Mrs. Lyon is still an honored resident of Conneaut. She is a lady of the highest cul- ture and refinement and is a devoted member of the Congregational Church.

D R. J. C. WINANS, the leading phy- sician of Madison, Lake county, Ohio, has been identified with the medical profession at this place for the past twenty- five years, and is well known and highly re- spected here. A brief sketch of his life reads as follows:

Dr. J. C. Winans was born in Newton township, Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1833, son of Isaac D. Winans, a native of New Jersey, and grandson of Isaac Winans, also of that State. The Winans family is of English descent. Grandfather Winans fol-

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lowed the trade of blacksmith all his life. He was one of the first settlers of Milton township, Trumbull county, Ohio, and died there at the age of over eighty years. The Doctor's father was a farmer by occupation. He was sixteen when he landed in Trumbull county, and in the dense forest of Newton township he developed a farm of 110 acres, his nearest neighbor at the time he settled there being a mile and a half away. It took pluck and energy to come out here and clear up land and live as the early pioneers of Ohio had to, but Mr. Winans was one of the plucky kind. Frequently he walked two miles and worked all day for 50 cents, taking meat, meal or flour in payment, and return- ing home in the evening, not to rest but to chop and work in his clearing until way into the night. Subsequently, however, he moved to Pennsylvania, and on a farm in Crawford county he spent the rest of his life, and died at the age of seventy-four. His wife, Eliza- beth Winans, nee De Long, a native of Penn- sylvania and of French descent, died at the age of eighty-six. Her father, John DeLong, was one of the pioneer farmers of Trumbull county. Mr. and Mrs. Winans had fifteen children, the Doctor being the twelfth born and one of the eleven who reached adult years.

Dr. Winans received his education in the district schools of Ohio and Pennsylvania, he being twelve years old at the time they moved to Crawford county. It was not until he was thirty that he began the study of medicine. After studying some time he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, but before completing his course he left college and engaged in practice, which he continued five years. Returning to col- lege, he completed his studies and graduated in 1868. Since July of that year he has

been engaged in the practice of his profes- sion at Madison and vicinity, where he has a large and lucrative practice, and is well known both as a successful physician and skillful surgeon. He began life without means, and that he has succeeded financially is due to his own honest and earnest efforts. His elegant residence is one of the most attractive homes in this city, and his library is one of the best to be found here.

Dr. Winans married, in 1856, Miss Julia A. Bortner, a native of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and they have had three chil- dren, namely: Evata C., now the wife of Dr. Phillips, of Wilton, Monroe county, Wisconsin; J. Verne Winans, a practicing physician of Fairport, Ohio; and Elba D., who died at the age of eighteen months.

Politically, Dr. Winans is a Republican.

RANCIS M. BUGBEE, Justice of the Peace and a prominent and highly esteemed citizen of Ashtabula county, Ohio, resides on a farm at North Kingsville. He is a native of Kingsville, this county, and a son of Horatio R. and Almira (Hicks) Bugbee, natives of Massachusetts and New Hampshire respectively, the former coming to this country in 1816, and the latter in 1831, and their marriage occurring at Kings- ville. Horatio R. Bugbee was an enterpris- ing and successful farmer and was well and favorably known among the pioneers of this vicinity, where he took an active part in public affairs. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church from his boy- hood days, and held various official positions in the same. In politics he was a Republi- can, becoming identified with the ranks of that party when it was first organized. His

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death occurred in June, 1860, soon after the nomination of Mr. Lincoln. His wife, also a faithful member of the Methodist Church from her youth up, was a woman whose many amiable qualities endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. She died May 18, 1892, at the age of seventy-three years.

F. M. Bugbee is one of a family of three children. Henry W., the oldest, a farmer, mechanic and inventor, was born in 1841 and died in 1887. He married Miss Laura Whitney, who survives him and who now resides with her daughter, Stella N., wife of Fred Bliss, at Saginaw, Michigan. Professor Fred Bliss is proprietor of the Saginaw In- ternational Business College, and his wife is also a teacher in the same institution. Oliver S., the youngest of the Bugbee family, re- sides at the old homestead at Kingsville.

The subject of this sketch attended the common schools and the Kingsville Academy, and spent two years at Alleghany College in Meadville. After leaving college he went to Cleveland and entered the office of an archi- tect to study drafting, and about a month later the proprietor of the office gave him "the slip." Returning home, he settled down on a farm, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since. He owns eighty-seven acres of land, all under cultiva- tion, on which he raises a variety of cereals, and in fact almost everything that can be grown in this latitude. In public affairs he has taken a commendable interest, holding various positions of local prominence and trust, and ever discharging with the strictest fidelity the duties devolving upon him. In 1886 he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the school board, and later was elected a member of the board for a term of three years. He was elected a Justice of the

Peace in 1891 for a term of three years, and as the incumbent of that office is rendering a high degree of satisfaction.

Mr. Bugbee was married September 28, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth J. Wheaton, daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth Wheaton, residents of Ashtabula county. She was born in Mill Creek, Pennsylvania, January 29, 1840, and and came with her parents to northeastern Ohio in 1852. She died February 16, 1893, at the age of fifty-three years. She was one of a family of thirteen children, three of whom are still living: Hannah, wife of George Lyon, North Kingsville; John, also of North Kingsville; and Wilson, of Girard, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Bugbee left a family of four children, as follows: Bertel W., an ornamental painter, occupying a responsible and lucrative position with the firm of Miller & Knoblock at South Bend; Harry, who is rendering good service as his father's assist- ant on the farm; and Walter and Wendel, twins, at this writing nine years of age and attending school.

Mrs. Bugbee was a woman in praise of whom too much could not be said. No eulogy could do her justice. Her pure, un- selfish, Christian life was an inspiration to all about her. By education, natural ability and taste she was especially titted for a teacher, and had she adopted the profession would have made her mark in that direction. Home duties and the objection of her parents kept her from the school room, but as a Sabbath-school teacher and as an organizer of, and active worker in, literary circles in her community she found a field of labor in which she was the means of accomplishing great good. In her last talk before the lit- erary society of the high school she gave most excellent advice, and since her death it seems as if she had that in view, realizing

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

its near approach and the importance of the necessary preparation for the great change. For a quarter of a century she was an active and efficient worker in both church and Sab- bath-school, having united with the Method- ist Episcopal Church in 1867. Mr. Bugbee has also been a member of this church for many years, and they had the pleasure of seeing their children unite with the church and become Christians. Mrs. Bugbee was also a member of the Eastern Star, and ex- emplified in her life the many beautiful teachings of the order. Over the closing hours of her life and the scene at her death- bed we draw a curtain. Her last words are too sacred for others than those dear ones who took note of the flitting breath and fluttering pulse until her spirit took its flight. She is at rest with her God. Long will her memory be cherished, not only by the home circle, but also by the entire com- munity.

APTAIN SAMUEL HAYWARD, de- ceased, for many years prominently identified with the banking and other interests of Conneaut, and at the time of his death Mayor of the city, was a native of New York, and came to this place with his parents when he was six years old.

He was the second born in the family of twelve children of Samuel and Elizabeth (Campbell) Harvard, natives of Vermont. Samuel Hayward, Sr., came with his family to Ohio in 1833 and settled on a farm in Monroe township, Ashtabula county, where he passed the rest of his life, honored and re- spected by all who knew him. He was not only one of the leading farmers of his day, but also served the public as a Justice of the

Peace, and filled other minor offices. Po- litically he was a Whig. He died in 1851, aged fifty-four years. His wife survived him until August 25, 1891, when she passed away at the advanced age of eighty eight. She was a Universalist. Grandfather Campbell, a venerable citizen of Conneaut, was accidental- ly drowned at Conneaut Harbor when he was over seventy years old. Samuel and Eliza- beth Hayward reared a large family of chil- dren, three of whom, Samuel, George and Charles, served in the late war. George was a First Lieutenant, and was acting as com- mander of his company - Company E, Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry-in the battle of Gettysburg when he was in- stantly killed, July 3, 1863, aged twenty years. His remains rest in the National Cemetery at Gettysburg.

Samnel learned the tanuer's trade when a boy and worked at it until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in the army, and was made Captain of a company. Through the influ- ence of Ben. Wade, who was a warm friend of his father, he received the appointment of Captain in the regular army. He served as recruiting officer three years, being sta- tioned at Toledo, where he rendered most efficient service. At the close of the war he resigned his position.

After the war Captain Hayward began speculating in wool and provisions, and subse- quently turned his attention to the oil busi- ness in Pennsylvania, where he was engaged several years. In 1872 he moved to Con- neant and engaged in banking, which business he followed the rest of his life. He was president and one of the charter members of the Mutual Loan Association of Conneaut, being president of that institution at the time of his death. In 1886 he was elected Mayor of Conneaut to fill the unexpired term of Mr.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Burgiss, but met the council only a few times, his death occurring six weeks after his elec- tion. He died December 30, 1886, aged fifty-eight years. Few men were better or more favorably known in Conneaut than he. Indeed, he was one of the leading citizens of the town. Generous to a fault, public-spirited and enterprising, he could always be depended upon to support any movement which had for its object the best interests of the city. Per- sonally he was a man of fine appearance and his conduct was such that he commanded re- spect in whatever position he was placed. Few men here had more friends than he.

Captain Hayward was married, April 1, 1848, to Miss Edna Dean, and had four chil- dren, as follows: Kate, wife of James T. Parmer; Mrs. Minnie H. Burington, who has two children: Edna and Ruth; Abner K., who married Mrs. Kate Demon, resides in Find- lay, Ohio; and Collin D., engaged in the lumber business with his brother, Abner, at Findlay.

Mrs. Edna Hayward is a native of Ohio, and the youngest of the eleven children of Harvey and Phoebe (Kellogg) Dean, natives of Massachusetts. She has two brothers and two sisters living. Harvey Dean was one of the seven children of Captain Walter and Abigail Dean. The former was born in New Lisbon, Connecticut, September 5, 1751, and died January 19, 1814, aged sixty-two years, and the latter died April 11, 1811, at the age of fifty-seven. Captain Walter Dean enlisted at Roxbury, Massachusetts, in the Tenth Massachusetts Regiment of Infantry, and served seven years in the Revolutionary war, participating in the battles of Monmouth, White Plains, Brandywine, Valley Forge, Trenton, Saratoga, and others. At the close of the war he received a certificate, commend- ing him highly as an officer, and signed by

General George Washington. This document is now in the possession of Mrs. Hayward's family, and is highly treasured. Mrs. Hay- ward is a woman of wide general information, skilled in the duties of home and possessing unusual business tact. She and Mrs. Lyon, another of Conneaut's estimable ladies, are double cousins, Mrs. Lyon's father being a brother of Mrs. Dean and Mr. Dean and Mrs. Lyon's mother being brother and sister.

F RANKLIN H. CHAPIN, a farmer and stock-raiser of Lenox township, Ashtabula county, was born in Berk- shire county, Massachusetts, December 7, 1820, a son of Amos and Rebecca A. (Shel- dor.) Chapin. The father was born in Marl- borough, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in 1777, in early life learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, later the brick and stone mason's trade, and was also proficient at farm work. In the spring of 1835 he started for the West, going first to Albany, thence by canal to Buffalo, and by lake to Ashtabula, landing at his destination June 1, 1835. He purchased sixty acres of timber land near where he now lives, and began the sturdy life of a pioneer farmer. Mr. Chapin was accom- panied to this State by his wife and ten chil- dren. This section of the State was then a wilderness, the only evidence of improve- ment being a roadway cut through the forest. The country abounded in bear, deer and wild turkey, and the frontiersman had little trouble in obtaining meat. Mr. Chapin departed this life April 18, 1867, at the advanced age of ninety years. The mother of our subject was born in 1799, at Marlborough, Massa- chusetts, where she was subsequently mar- ried. She united with the Presbyterian Church

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

in early life, and lived a consistent Christian until her death, which occurred in 1875. She had attained the venerable age of ninety-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Chapin lived to see the wilderness disappear, and improved farms and commodious residences take the place of forests and log cabins. They were the parents of fifteen children.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 58

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