Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 60

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 60
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 60
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 60

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).

Mr. Palmer has been a man of the strictest integrity all his life. During the many years he had dealings with men all over this part of the State he made hosts of warm friends, and few men of Geuaga county were better known than he. He relates many interesting reminiscences connected with his early life here, recalling the time when there was no money in the country and no market for farm products; when postage on a single letter was 25 cents; and when the latchstring hung out at the pioneer's cabin and genial hospitality and good cheer prevailed around

the open fireplace. During the past few years Mr. Palmer has lived retired at Willoughby, enjoying the rest that comes after years of honest toil.

He has been twice married and his sons and daughters have grown up to occupy honorable and useful positions in life. His first wife, Achsah S. Melvin, died March 11, 1848, leaving six children: Harriet, Charles, Melvin, Lucy, Lowell M., and Henry, all still living. In 1851 he married Ann Wise, and they have one daughter, Lura E. The sons are all prominent business men, two of them being residents of New York city.

In early life Mr. Palmer was a Whig, but has been a Republican since the organization of that party. He was commissioned Pay- master of a regiment by Governor Sherman, under the old military law of Ohio, and served as such, but other than this has always refused public office. At the outbreak of the Civil war Governor Todd appointed a county committee to secure volunteers in Geauga county, the subject of this sketch being one of the committee and his associates being Hon. Peter Hitchcock, of Burton; Josiah Til- den, of Parkman, and Colonel Erastus Spen- cer, of Claridon. Under the direction of this committee the One Hundred and Fifth Regi- ment was organized. The incidental expenses of preparing the regiment to go to the front were borne by the committee, who never asked for Government re-imbursement. Both he and his wife are members of the Presby- terian Church, in which he has been an Elder for many years.

HARLES J. FENTON, a venerable pioneer of Conneaut, Ohio, and next to the oldest citizen in the town, was for many years engaged in business here, first

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as a tailor and afterward as a merchant tailor, and is now living retired. The following sketch of his life will be found of interest to many.

C. J. Fenton was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1816. His parents were Dr. Samuel L. and Char- lotte (Jennings) Fenton; the father a native of Ipswich, Northwold, England, and the mother of Norwalk, Connecticut. They were married and settled in New York when both were quite young. Dr. Fenton was educated in Ipswich and New York, having come to America about 1785. He was the first president of the Tailors' Association of New York. Coming West, he settled in Erie first, and in 1826 came to Conneaut. The town was called Salem at that time. Here he took rank with the foremost men of his day. He was an eminent physician, a fine musician and a good conversationalist, and for his true worth he was highly appreciated by his fellow citizens. He died in 1834, in the fifty fourth year of his age. His wife died in 1860, aged seventy-eight. They were the parents of eleven children, only three of whom are now living, viz .: Car- not, a resident of Cleveland; Atkins, residing in Niles, Michigan; and Charles J., whose name heads this article.

C. J. Fenton came to Conneaut in 1832, from Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. At that time there was considerable business in East Conneaut. After being in business some years, he bought a farm, moved to East Conneaut, and has resided here ever since. Financially, he has been successful, and now, in his declining years, is surrounded with all the comforts of life, his one affliction being that of deafness.

In 1831, the year before he came to Con- neaut, he was married in Pennsylvania to

Miss Sarah Montgomery, daughter of John and Jennie (Fulton) Montgomery, of Cum- berland county, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Montgomery owned a large and valuable farm. Her mother died when she was quite young, and she was reared by her grandpar- ents, Mr. and Mrs. Fulton. Following is a record concerning Mr. and Mrs. Fenton's children: William married Evelyn Putney, daughter of Henry Putney, and is a resident of San Francisco, California; Laura, wife of Orson Hewitt, resides at Alton, Illinois; Samuel, who married Louise Van Gorder, lives in East Conneaut; Charlotte, wife of A. E. Keyes, died in October, 1877; Isabella, wife of J. B. Lathy, resides in Alton, Illinois; Lizzie and Nellie are twins; the former mar- ried S. D. Barrett and resides in Chicago; and the latter is the wife of A. O. Payne, of Conneaut; Mr. and Mrs. Payne have two children, Charles and Boyd; Clara is the wife of B. F. Kennedy; Grace died in 1876, at the age of twenty-three years; Jennie is the wife of William P. De Wolfe, East Conneaut; Mr. and Mrs. De Wolfe have two children, Robert F. and George L., Jr.

B F. KENNEDY, dealer in real estate and publisher of marriage certificates and family records, Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Ashtabula county, December 24, 1849. He is a son of Sidney and Mary J. (Lewis) Kennedy, both natives of Con- neaut township, this county. His father is a prominent and highly respected farmer of this county, and is a veteran of the late war, having lost an eye while in the service. Ilis mother, daughter of John and Rhoda Lewis, died in 1884, aged about forty-nine years. They had a family of seven children,

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B. F. being the second born and one of the five who are still living. Two are in this county. Mr. Kennedy was educated in the Conneant schools and the Kingsville Academy, and before he was sixteen years old began teaching school, teaching six terms in Conneaut township. He then began selling family records, was successful in the business, and subsequently bought several designs from Prof. Cooper, of Kingsville, and-in this line is still doing a successful business. In 1888, without his consent and even without his knowledge, he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, and served a term of three years. He began dealing in real estate several years ago, and since 1891 has been in partnership with Mr. Miles Dorman.

Mr. Kennedy was married November 25, 1872, to Clara J. Fenton, daughter of C. J. and Sarah Ann Fenton, old residents of Con- neaut. They have five children: Sherman M., B. F., Jr., Belle, Lottie and Lois. Polit- ically, Mr. Kennedy is a Republican, though he takes little interest in politics.

W ILLIAM SHEPARD, one of the prominent old settlers residing on a farm near Kingsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio, was born in Huntington county, Connecticut, October 28, 1825.

His parents were Rev. William M. and Anna (Griffin) Shepard, both natives of Con- necticut, where they were reared and married. William M. Shepard was by trade a tanner and currier, which occupation he followed in Connecticut and Ohio, having come to Ohio in 1835 and settled at Sheffield. There he bought a small farm, and carried on both tanning and shoemaking. For many years he was a Justice of the Peace. As a local

preacher he was the means of accomplishing much good for the Master. His pure and upright life was in every way above reproach ; to know him was to honor and esteem him. He baptized, married and buried hosts of people. He died at about the age of seventy- two years. William Shepard, his father, a sea captain, died many years ago, and the whole family of three children, of whom William M. was the second born, are de- ceased. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Anna Griffin, was the only daughter of Andrew Griffin, and her only brother's name was Andrew. She died in 1833, at the age of twenty-two, leaving four children, namely: William; Andrew, who died at the age of thirty-four years; Mary, wife of Lyman Boynton, is deceased; and Susan, wife of T. Cunningham, is a resident of Columbus, Ohio.

William Shepard has been a farmer nearly all his life, although at times he has been employed in sawmills and at other occupa- tions. He has been a resident of Ashtabula county ever since he was a boy, with the ex- ception of six years spent in California, where he was engaged in mining and mill- ing, in the latter case as an employee. He made the journey to the Golden State via Nicaranga and returned by the Isthmus route. When about ninety miles below Acapulco, on board the Winfield Scott, the vessel was wrecked, but the passengers and crew were saved. It was in January, 1852, that he went to California.

Mr. Shepard returned from California in 1858 and located in Denmark township, where he engaged in the lumber business and farming until 1875, when he removed to Kingsville, where he has since resided.

Mr. Shepard has a beautiful farm of eighty acres, located southwest of Kingsville, where

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he is engaged in general farming, raising corn, wheat and potatoes, and giving special attention to small fruits.

He was married to Sophronia E. Jarvis, now deceased. She was a daughter of Sid- ney and Clarissa Jarvis, of Mckean, Erie county, Pennsylvania. Her father was a farmer there, and subsequently in Ohio, hav- ing moved to this State from Pennsylvania about 1873, and located on a small farm which he bought, near Mr. Shepard's place. His widow is now an honored resident of Kingsville, aged about seventy-eight years. His death occurred soon after he came to Ohio. Mrs. Jarvis has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and of this church her worthy husband was also an honored member. Mrs. Shepard was the oldest of three children, the others being as follows: Sidney W., a resident of Fairview, Pennsylvania; and John Wesley, whose home is in Mckean township, Erie county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Shepard was born in Onondaga county, New York, March 18, 1836, and was a devoted member of the Methodist Church from her girlhood days. Hers was a beautiful character, her many amiable qualities drawing around her a large circle of warm and appreciative friends, to whom her death was a source of great sor- row. Mr. and Mrs. Shepard had five chil- dren: Frankie L., who married G. G. Kings- bury, June 18, 1880, resides in Kingsville, has two children, Paul and Guilford; Emma, born March 9, 1863, was married to Horace Hunter September 29, 1887, and died in 1892, leaving an only child, William Shepard Hunter; Lida V., a graduate of the Kings- ville school, and a teacher for several terms, was taken sick while attending normal school at Ada, Ohio, and there she died June 6, 1888; Nellie G., also a teacher, is at this

writing a student at Wesleyan University, Ohio; and Mary, a member of the home circle. Both Emma and Lida V. had given their hearts to Christ, and were earnest and active workers in the Methodist Church.

Mr. Shepard is an active member of the Masonic lodge, being Treasurer of the order. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a man of sterling qualities, and is ranked with the best citizens of the community.

H ON. THADDEUS E. HOYT, a promi- nent citizen of Ashtabula, Ohio, is found in the subject of this sketch, who, by ancestry and birth, has been connected with the county for many years.

Hon. Thaddeus E. Hoyt, one of the active and successful practitioners of the Ashtabula county bar, and a worthy citizen, was born in Morgan township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, December 17, 1844, and is a son of Benjamin and Emily (Foote) Hoyt. His grandfather, Thaddeus Hoyt, was a native of Connecticut, descended from English ancestors who settled in America in Colonial times. He married a sister of Colonel G. W. St. John, widely and favorably known throughout Ashtabula county, of which he was a pioneer and for many years a prominent character. In 1838 the grandfather joined the westward move- ment of emigration, setting in toward Ohio and settled in Morgan township, Ashtabula county. He here followed farming all the rest of his life, dying on his homestead at the venerable age of about eighty-five years. He was the father of seven children, four sons and three daughters. One of these, Benjamin Hoyt, was the father of the sub- ject of this sketch. He was born in Con-

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necticut where he resided until a youth of fifteen years, at which time he accompanied his parents to Ohio. He was a farmer and contractor by occupation, and was actively identified with the development of Ashtabula county. He was first married to Emily Foote, who later died, leaving two sons and three daughters to his care. He afterward married Miss Brockway. They had three sons and three daughters. After a long and useful life, this worthy pioneer died at his home in Morgan township, this county, in 1891, aged about sixty-eight years. He was a man of great benevolence of character, charitable and generous, and honorable in all his dealings; he enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him, and the love and devotion of his family.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the homestead, and spent his youth in the duties incidental to farm life. He first attended school at Rock Creek, and afterward went to Grand River Institute in Austin- burg. While pursuing these peaceful and congenial occupations, the Civil war broke out in all its fury, and moved by youthful patriotism he hastened to take part in the conflict for the preservation of the Union, and enlisted August 9, 1861, as a private in Company A, Twenty-ninth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which com- pany he continued until the close of the war, being mustered out as First Lieutenant, July 5, 1865. He served three years as a private and carried a musket, in all, about four years.

On his return from the war, he resumed his studies in Grand River Institute, whence he went to Western Reserve College, then situated in Hudson, but since removed to Cleveland, this State, leaving the latter school when in the sophomore class. He

then went at once into the law office of Messrs. Woodbary and Ruggles, of Jeffer- son, Ohio, where he pursued his legal studies until his admission to the bar in the spring of 1870. He celebrated this happy event in July, of that year, by his marriage to Miss Belle M. Shaffer, an estimable lady of Morgan township, Ashtabula county. The issue of this union was two children, Ella M. and Francis A. In the fall of 1870 he went to Kewaunee, Wisconsin, and there entered actively into the practice of law, which he followed until the spring of 1875, when he was elected Mayor of Kewaunee, which he had aided in getting incorporated. Later, he was elected District Attorney for Kewaunee county, in which position he efficiently served two years. All these honors, how- ever, could not estrange him from his first love, and accordingly we find him, on September 16, 1875, taking up his abode in Ashtabula, where he has since continuously resided. He served three successive ferms as City Solicitor, and in September, 1884, was appointed Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas, to fill the unexpired term of Judge Woodbury, who had been elected to the Circuit Court bench. These various duties have not prevented him from taking an active part in the development of the city. He with others bought and improved several important plats of property, and in many of the public improvements he has taken an active part. He is a stockholder and director in the Pittsburg, Youngstown & Ashtabula Railroad, which terminates at the harbor, and in which he has taken a lively interest.

In politics, Mr. Hoyt was a Republican until 1872, since which time he has advocated the principles of the Democratic party.

He is naturally deeply interested in educa-

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tional affairs, especially those pertaining to his alma mater, and keenly alive to the wel- fare of his former comrades in arms. Hence we find him a trustee in the Grand River Institute and an active member of the Board of Soldiers' Relief Commission for Ashtabula county. He was Junior Vice Commander of the G. A. R., Department of Ohio, in 1886. Judge Hoyt, unaided by wealth or family influences, has carved out his own success, which is due to his indomitable energy, per- severance, strict adherence to business and professional methods and integrity of pur- pose. He stands high with the bar, with the court and the people.

A RTHUR E. FENTON, for many years a representative citizen of Painesville, Ohio, and a member of an old and respected family of the State, was born in Bristol, Ohio, August 21, 1843. Aaron Fenton, his grandfather, was a native of New Jersey and emigrated with his family to Bris- tol, Ohio, in 1803, near which place he took a tract of wild land, which he cleared and industriously improved. He was among the very first white settlers, his home being amongst the primeval woods, which were un- disturbed save by the call and cry of wild animals and birds or that of the equally wild Indians. The farm which he thus reclaimed from the wilderness is still in possession of his descendants, and is numbered among the most valuable places in the county. This brave and good pioneer died in 1820, aged thirty-nine, sincerely mourned by all who knew him. His son, Aaron Fenton, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on the farm near Bristol, Ohio, June 26, 1812, and grew up, lived and died on the same place. He was never off the homestead but

five years in his life and always followed farming. He was a man of ability and de- served prominence in his vicinity, and at one time held a local office, always lending his influence to advance the interests of his com- munity. He married Lydia Lambert, a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, and they had four children, all of whom are living. Both par- ents were devout members of the Disciple Church. The first to pass away was the father, who died in 1882, leaving many friends to mourn his loss. The devoted mother survived him a year, expiring in 1883.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm, on which his father and grandfather had lived and died. He attended the district schools, and was reared to agri- cultural pursuits, laying the foundation in open-air exercise of that rugged health which was to distinguish him in after life, and learn- ing those lessons of industry and persever- ance which were to contribute to his future success. In these peaceful and congenial pursuits his earlier years were passed, until the outbreak of the Civil war. October 14, 1861, he enlisted in Company A of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry, under command of Col- onel William Lloyd, in which he served three years and a half. He was with General Fre- mont in the Shenandoah valley from May, 1862, and later with Sigel, Kilpatrick and Sherman, participating in the battles of Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain and the Maryland campaign. In 1863 Mr. Fenton took part in the Gettysburg campaign under General Meade, after which he was confined in the hospital at Washington for a year. He then re-enlisted on the expiration of his three years' service, and was stationed in the quar- termaster's department at Cedar Point, Ohio, until the close of the war.

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On the close of hostilities, he was for sev- eral years engaged in traveling for a inercan- tile house, after which he married and settled on a farm in Bristol, his birth-place. In 1877 he removed to Painesville, Ohio, where he pursued farming until 1881, when he visited the northwest, which was then being opened up and toward which many were attracted by the abundance and cheapness of excellent farming land. Mr. Fenton purchased a large tract in the Red River valley in North Dakota, and has since given his attention to farming in that vicinity, passing his summers there and his winters in Painesville. He raises large quantities of wheat in Dakota, and has greatly improved his farm there, being one of the most successful and extensive agricul- turists in that country, his farm aggregating about 1,400 acres. In 1878 Mr. Fenton erected his present handsome residence on Mentor avenue, in Painesville, where himself and family are surrounded with all the com- forts and many of the luxuries of life.

In 1868 Mr. Fenton was married to Miss Justina C. Chaffee, a cultured lady, a native of Bristol, Ohio. Her father, Henry Chaffee, was born in Becket, Massachusetts, and be- longed to an old and respected New England family. He emigratad with his family to Trumbull county, Ohio, in an early day, where he farmed quite extensively, his death occurring in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Fenton have one child, E. La Verne.

In politics Mr. Fenton was originally a Republican, but now advocates the principles of the Populists as best calculated to advance the interests of the country. He is quite active in political affairs in North Dakota, and has been Chairman of the County Central Committee and delegate to the State Conven- tion, besides holding other positions of public trust and responsibility. He is fraternally a

member of the G. A. R. Both himself and wife are useful members of the Christian Church, and are liberal contributors to all worthy objects, tending to advance the ma- terial and moral welfare of humanity.

C HRISTOPHER G. CRARY, one of the oldest settlers of northeastern Ohio, and an honored resident of Kirtland township, Lake county, has resided here for eighty-two years, being now eighty-seven, and still very active for one of his age. He is familiar with every phase of pioneer life and has kept pace with the progress of later years. Recently he published a pamphlet. contain- ing over a hundred pages, on reminiscences of his life, covering a period of four-score years. In it he has clearly pictured pioneer life in nothern Ohio, and his little book will be read with interest long after he has passed away. More than a passing notice is due him on the pages of the work now under con- sideration. Therefore it is with pleasure we present the following sketch of his life:

Christopher G. Crary was born in Berk- shire county, Massachusetts, January 22, 1806, son of Christopher Crary, who was born in New London, Connecticut, in 1759, and grandson of Oliver Crary, also a native of Connecticut. Great-grandfather Robert Crary was a son of Peter Crary, who emigrated from England to America when Charles II. was restored to the throne.

The father of our subject was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was twice taken prisoner. The first time he made his escape from the prison at Halifax, and after his second imprisonment he was liberated from a British ship at New York. He was in the marine service. After the war he was a mer-

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chant at Becket, Berkshire county, Massa- chusetts, for some time but later became a farmer. He exchanged his farm with Joshua Stow, of Middletown, Connecticut, in 1811, for 680 acres of land in Lake county, Ohio, and that same year moved with his family to this State, coming with ox teams, and at once taking up his abode on his land in Kirtland township. He was the first actual settler in the township; was then seven miles away from his nearest neighbor, and it was not un- til after the war of 1812 that emigrants began to locate here. Only two miles from where he built his cabin there was a camp of Indians, and for many years the forest abounded in game of all kinds. He, however, cared lit- tle for hunting. In 1837 he moved to Union county, this State, where he passed the rest of his life and where he died at the age of eighty-nine years, in 1858. His wife, whose maiden name was Polly Winter, was born in Connecticut in 1765, and died in 1869, aged ninety-three. Both were members of the Congregational Church, and for many years he was a magistrate in Lake county. They had a family of nine children, the subject of our sketch being the eighth born, and he and his sister, Mrs. Nancy Whelpley, being the only ones now living.

Being five years old when the family moved to Ohio, Christopher Crary has a vivid recollection of the journey to their frontier home and of the many hardships and priva- tions they endured for several years after set- tling here. He had learned to read before they left Massachusetts, but it was some time after they came West before he had the opportunity to attend school here. The first school he did attend was one taught by Miss Metcalf,-a subscription school in her own home. Teachers' wages here were then less than a dollar per week. All the

the schooling he ever received was a few win- ter terms of three months each, but he ap- plied himself closely to his studies, always making the best of his opportunities. He taught school a part of one winter. In 1825 Mr. Crary went to Kentucky, remaining there several years. For six years he traveled nearly all over the State, selling clocks, and two years he was engaged in the mercantile business at Richmond. The first political speech he ever heard was made in Kentucky by Henry Clay. Coming back to Ohio, he began clearing land in Kirtland township, and here he has since lived. After his mar- riage, which occurred in 1834, he settled on land which he cleared and on which he en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. He was well acquainted with the Mormon prophet, Joseph Smith, frequently having dealings with him. He furnished nearly $200 worth of lumber for the Mormon Temple, which was erected at Kirtland in 1834, and which is still stand- ing.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 60

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