Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 61

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 61
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 61
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 61

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. Crary was married in 1834 to Aurelia Morse, a native of Massachusetts and a mem- ber of one of the pioneer families of Ohio. Mrs. Crary died in 1838, leaving three dangh- ters, Marian, Virginia and Octavia, all still living. In 1839 he wedded Nancy Davis, whose death, in 1842, again left him bereft of a loving companion. She left two children, Charles and George, the former a business man in Custer county, South Dakota, and the latter a farmer in Marshall county, Iowa. In 1854 Mr. Crary married Charlotte Ron- ney, his present companion. They have one son, William, a farmer at the old homestead in Kirtland.

In politics, Mr. Crary was for many years a. Whig, and since 1856 has affiliated with the Republican party. He cast his first vote for John Quincy Adams. Hle served as County

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Commissioner two terms of three years each. During the late war he was enrolling officer, and he has also served the public in various other minor capacities. For many years he has been a member of the Congregational Church.

Such is a brief sketch of the life of one of the venerable citizens of northeastern Ohio.

J D. THOMPSON, who is ranked with the successful and prominent farmers of Perry township, Lake county, Ohio, is a native of this place and is deserving of more than a passing notice in the history of his county. Following is a sketch of his life and ancestry: John Thompson, the progen- itor of this family of Thompsons, came from England to Amercia at an early day and set- tled in Massachusetts. Thomas Thompson, grandfather of J. D., was a native of Massa- chusetts, and was a soldier in the Revolution- ary war when he was a boy in his 'teens. He was a farmer by occupation. After his mar- riage, which occurred in Massachusetts, he went to Cornish, New Hampshire, and lived there until 1816, when he with his family re- moved to Stowe, Vermont, where he spent the rest of his life, and died at the age of sixty years. His widow, whose maiden name was Rheuhanna Barrows, survived him many years. She came out to Ohio with her youngest son, Moses, the father of our sub- ject, and died here at the ripe old age of ninety-five years. She reared two sons and three daughters.

Moses Thompson was born in New Hamp- shire, March 15, 1800, and lived in Cornish, that State, until he was sixteen years old, when he went with his father to Stowe, Ver- mont. At the latter place, December 5,

1822, he married Miss Rachel Dutton, and in June, 1831, he emigrated to Ohio with his family, making the journey by wagon and being several weeks on the way. In a few months after his arrival here he bought 160 acres, now owned and occupied by his son, J. D., and moved on it in December, 1831. At that time the cabins of the pioneers and here and there a few acres of cleared land, were the chief improvements to be found in this part of the country. The Thomp- son farm was uninclosed, but a hewed-log house and frame barn had been built and a little of the land cleared. Mr. Thompson was five feet and ten inches tall, was broad- shouldered and strong, and was full of energy. As the years rolled by prosperity attended his earnest efforts. Trees and stumps gave way to well cultivated fields, and the log cab- in was replaced by a modern home. At the time of his death, he and his son, J. D., had 180 acres, nearly all of which he had cleared. He and his first wife had nine children, J. D. being the eighth born and one of the seven- four sons and three daughters-who reached adult years. Of this number only two are living-J. D., and Thomas, both of Perry township. The mother of this family was a member of the Congregational Church and was a most amiable woman. She passed from earth to her reward July 21, 1861. In 1863 Mr. Thompson married Mrs. Arilla Johnson, whose death in 1870 again left him bereaved of a loved companion. Subsequent- ly he married Parmelia C. Crandall, who survives him, his death having occurred November 2, 1891. He was a member of the Congregational Church in Painesville from 1836 to 1863, when he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Perry, of which he remained a consistent member un- til death called him home. In early life he

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

was Whig and Free Soiler. He was a strong Abolitionist, and after the organization of the Republican party identified himself with it.

J. D. Thompson was born on his father's farm, December 27, 1834, and was reared amid the frontier scenes above described. In the fall of 1856 he made a trip to Wright county, Iowa, taking with him a drove of horses. After remaining in Iowa a year, he came back to Ohio, and has since been en- gaged in farming here with the exception of the time he spent in the army.

When the war came on he was among those who responded to the call for troops. He enlisted August 7, 1862, in Battery C, First Ohio Light Artillery, and served until June 15, 1865, when he was mustered out at Cleveland. He joined the army at Louis- ville, Kentucky, and served under Generals Buell, Rosecrans and Sherman, participating in many of the prominent engagements of the war, among which were those of Perry- ville, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge and others. He was on the famous "March to the Sea" and took part in the Grand Review at Washington, after which he returned home, a veteran and a victor.

Soon after the war, Septemter 26, 1865, Mr. Thompson married Miss Mary J. Tyler, a native of Mayfield, Cuyahoga county, Ohio. Their only child died in infancy. Mrs. Thompson's father. Ralph Tyler, settled in Lake county in 1850, first at Willoughby, and the following year in the Perry township.

Mr. Thompson's farm comprises 180 acres, all well improved and devoted to general farming. He runs a dairy, taking his milk through the summer to the cheese factory, in which he is a stockholder, and in winter shipping to Cleveland. He has a commodi- ous brick residence, built in 1852, a comfort- able tenant house, and several large frame

barns. In 1874 one of his barns was struck by lightning and two were burned down.

Mr. Thompson is a Republican and a member of the O. H. Haskell Post, No. 462, G. A. R., of Perry. He is now serving as one of the Township Trustees of Perry town- ship. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a Steward and Trustee.

D AVID L. BAILEY is one of the most successful farmers in Madison town- ship, Lake county, Ohio, and, as one of the representative citizens of his county, it is appropriate that some personal mention be made of him in its history.

Mr. Bailey is a native of the township in which he lives, born April 3, 1828. His father, David Bailey, a native of Connecticut, came to Ohio with his family in 1818, mak- ing the journey with a team of horses and wagon, and upon his arrival here buying land south of the village of Madison, and in a log cabin establishing his home. Very little of the land had been cleared at that time and the woods abounded in game of all kinds. Mr. Bailey owned 360 acres of land, the most of which he cleared. He was an industrious man and a good manager; politically, first a Whig and later a Republican. During the days of slavery he was a strong Abolitionist. He died at the age of seventy-four, having more than lived out the allotted three-score years and ten. Of his life companion we re- cord that her maiden name was Maria Latham and that she was a native of Con- necticut. Her father, George Latham, was born in New London county, Connecticut, and was engaged in farming in that State, where he died at an advanced age. Mr. and

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Mrs. Bailey reared five children: Maria, Francis R., David L., Hannah E., and Julia C., the subject of this sketch being the only one now living. Mrs. Bailey died Septem- ber 23, 1891, aged ninety-two.

David L. Bailey received his education in the early schools of this township, when the children sat on slab benches before an open fireplace, each pupil furnishing his share of the wood, and the teacher " boarded around." His father being in poor health, David took charge of the home farm when he was eight- een, and upon reaching his majority he launched out for himself. All his life he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. At this writing he owns 216 acres of land, having recently sold 115 acres. He has a commodious frame residence and two large barns, one of which is a bank barn, and he has everything conveniently arranged for suc- cessfully carrying on general farming and stock-raising. He keeps a large number of sheep and cattle. Nearly all the substantial improvements on his farm have been made by himself.

Mr. Bailey's wife is also a native of Madi- son township. Her maiden name was Phrocine R. Benjamin. Her parents, Levi and Rebecca (Emmerson) Benjamin, came from their native State, Massachusetts, to Lake county, Ohio, in 1821, making the journey with ox teams and being forty-one days en route. They settled on a farm in Madison township, and here passed the rest of their lives, the father dying at the age of fifty six, and the mother at sixty-eight. Both were members of the Congregational Church. Their four children are Foster E., Newton J., Phrocine R. and Mark P. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey were married October 9, 1861, and have two children: Newton D. and Russell L.

Mr. Bailey is a Republican. He has wit-

nessed most of the changes which have brought about the development of this part of the county, and has kept pace with the general progress. Mrs. Bailey is a member of the Congregational Church, as are also her sons.

HADDEUS WRIGHT, deceased, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1809, son of Emins and Speedy (Rice) Wright. His parents had a family of thirteen children, only one of whom is now living, Jane, wife of Emerson Baker, a farmer of Ashtabula county, Ohio.

Thaddeus Wright was a farmer and was well known and highly respected in this county. He served for some time as Justice of the Peace and as Tax Collector. He was twice married. By his first wife, nee Mary Ann Fairbrothers, he had two children, Celestia and Jane, both of whom are deceased. His second marriage was consummated Jan- uary 18, 1854, with Mrs. Lydia (Holcomb) Colson. She is still living, and to her we are indebted for the information given in this sketch. Their only child, H. J. Wright, is a prominent business man of Conneaut, and of him more extended mention will be found in the article following this. Thaddeus Wright departed this life July 10, 1873, aged sixty- four years. While he was not a member of any church or a professor of religion, his life was in many ways worthy of emulation. He was strictly temperate in his habits and lived up to his high ideas of morality. He was the personification of unselfishness and was never happier than when doing a kindness for some needy friend or neighbor.

Mrs. Wright is a daughter of Jabez and Nancy (Fish) Holcomb. Her parents were

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born, reared and married in Hartford, Con- necticut, each being twenty years old at the time of marriage, and in July, 1820, they moved to Penn Line, Crawford county, Penn- sylvania. Jabez Holcomb was the first Postmaster of Penn Line, and served as such for thirty years. He was a Methodist and his wife belonged to the Christian Church. Both lived to a good old age. He died Feb- ruary 28, 1882, at the age of eighty-two years, and his widow entered into rest Sep- tember 6, 1888, aged ninety. They had nine children, five of whom died in infancy. The others are: Augustus, the oldest of the family, who married Elvira Hatch, who is still living in Conneantville, Pennsylvania; Augustus, died July 6, 1882, aged sixty-one years; Frank B., a farmer in Crawford county, Penn- sylvania, has been twice married, first to Harriet Lord, and after her death to Arvilla Allen; Mrs. Wright; and Mary Edna, living at the old home in Penn Line, Pennsylvania.

By her marriage to Melvin Colson, Mrs. Wright had three children, namely: Carlia L., wife of Nathan Guman; W. B. Colson, who married Sarepta Williams; and Frank M. Colson, who married Louisa Young-all of Conneaut.

Herbert J. Wright, a member of the firm of Wright & Havens, contractors and build- ers, manufacturers of and dealers in lumber, shingles, mouldings, brackets, sash, doors, blinds, etc., with office and mill located on Nickel Plate avenue, east of Harbor street, Conneaut, Ohio, is ranked with the enterpris- ing business men of this county.

Mr. Wright was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, December 18, 1857, son of Thaddeus Wright, whose sketch precedes this. He is a natural mechanic, from early boyhood having shown a liking for tools. He received his education in the public schools of Garretts-

ville, Ohio, and after finishing his studies went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he learned his trade. His first step in the busi- ness world was made practically without any capital, and what he has accomplished in the great field of commerce is due to the brains and sterling character that make up his nature. He has been engaged in contracting in Con- neaut for nine years. The mill was estab- lished by the firm of Wright & Havens about five years ago. Since that time it has grown from almost nothing to be one of the best concerns of its kind in northeastern Ohio. The building, which consists of two stories, is 50 x 70 feet in dimensions, besides which there is an abundant ground space and store- room. The mill is equipped with the most modern mechanical devices and turns out the most approved class of work. The firm do not depend entirely upon Conneant for the maintenance of their work, but in a prompt, liberal and efficient manner they cater to the requirements of a territory extending many miles around, and give employment to a large force of men.

Besides their extensive mill operations they rank with the leading contractors and build- ers in northeastern Ohio, and during their residence here have done their full share in erecting beautiful cottages, fine residences and business blocks.

Mr. Wright was married January 2, 1876, to Dalia Baker. Their marriage was to have occurred on the very day of the great Ashta- bula wreck, and Mr. Wright was supposed by his friends to have been on that fatal train; and, indeed, it was by mere accident that he was not, having reached Conneaut from Pier- pont in time to take the preceding train. Thus he reached his destination in safety. Mrs. Wright is a daughter of Newell and Harriet Baker, of Jefferson, Ohio. Her

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father died in the army, and her mother is now living with them. Mrs. Wright and her brother, Everett Baker, of Michigan, are the only children of the Baker family. Mr. Wright and his wife have four children: Karl E., Bessie A., Fred W. and Grace Ester.

Politically, Mr. Wright is a Republican. He has taken the higher degrees in Masonry and is an officer in Cache Commandery. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. Mrs. Wright is a Baptist.

H ENRY SHAFFER, Train Master of the Eastern Division of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, and a highly esteemed citizen of Conneant, Ohio, was born in Washtenaw county, Michi- gan, April 4, 1851.

His parents were S. W. and Elizabeth (Sellers) Shaffer, both natives of Michigan. Absalom Shaffer, his grandfather, established a foundry at Ypsilanti when Michigan was a Territory, and his son Aaron W., succeeded him in the business, continuing the same as long as he lived. S. W. Shaffer was well and favorably known as a useful and honor- able citizen. He died in 1882, aged fifty- five years, his death resulting from accident. His widow is still living, an honored resident of Conneaut, making her home with her son Henry.

Mr. Shaffer is the older of two children; his brother George is a locomotive engineer, and both are in the employ of the same com- pany. George married Miss Kittie Axe of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Henry received his education in the public schools of Battle Creek and Ypsilanti, and at an early age en- tered upon a railroad career. He began as fireman, afterward serving as brakeman and

conductor, and for the past nine years has been train master. His present position is one of great responsibility, and his long con- tinuance in the same office is ample proof of his efficiency. He served one term as Councilman of Conneaut, in 1887-'88.

Mr. Shaffer was married December 23, 1873, to. Miss Elizabeth Brown, of Detroit, Michigan. Her father, J. B. Brown, a mem- ber of the Board of Public Works in Detroit, has held that position for the past eight- een years. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer have two children, Walter P. and Grace, and their pleasant home gives every indication of cul- ture and refinement. Both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church, of which he is a Trustee. He is also a mem- ber of the blue lodge, chapter, command- ery and Mystic Shrine A. F. & A. M. He takes little interest in politics. As a citizen he is held in high esteem for his many estim- able qualities, both in business and social life.

S AMUEL SHERMAN, a miller of Kingsville, and one of the prominent business men of the place, was born in Oneida county, New York, March 1, 1827. He comes from an ancestry in which he may justly take pride, and concerning whom the following facts have been gleaned:

Harley Sherman, his father, was born in the German Flats of Herkimer county, New York, June 6, 1803, and died in July, 1879. He was a son of Samuel Sherman, Jr., born at Williamstown, Massachusetts, January 2, 1775, and grandson of Samuel Sherman, Sr., born at Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1730. Samuel Sherman, Sr., removed from Con- necticut to Massachusetts about 1770, and in 1790 emigrated with all his family to Herki-

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

mer county, New York. He had four sons and three daughters, the former being as fol- lows: Amos Plumb, born in 1758; Lemuel, in 1759; Stiles, in 1762; Samuel, Jr., in 1775. The daughters were Sarah, Parthena and Mabel. Samuel, Jr., was married in 1799, to Miss Mercy Hopkins, daughter of William Hopkins, a native of Exeter, Rhode Island, who went to Herkimer county in 1788, and who died there in 1812. This William Hopkins was a lineal descendant of Stephen Hopkins, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Samuel and Mercy Sherman had twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Following are the names of the sons: Harley, the father of our sub- ject, was the oldest; William, born in 1804; James, in 1808; Charles, in 1810; Samuel, born in 1815, died in 1817; and Alonzo, in 1825. Of the daughters we record that Re- becca was born in 1800, and died in 1857; Mary Ann, born in 1812, died in 1844; Eliza, born in 1813, died in 1817; Louisa, born in 1818, died in 1859; Sarah, born in 1820, died in 1849; and Harriet, born in 1822. died in 1850. Harley Sherman was married April 18, 1826, to Miss Achsa Wil- son, a native of Massachusetts, and a daugh- ter of James Wilson, late of Tyringham, that State. Their family embraced seven children, viz .: Samuel, born in 1827; Wallace, born in 1829; Mercy, born in 1832, died in 1864; Harley, Jr., born in 1834; Arbella, born in 1837, died in 1861; Julia, born in 1840; and Achsa, born in 1844. The father of this family went to Elk Creek, Erie county, Penn- sylvania, in 1832, and his brothers and sisters, some of whom were married, also went to that place about the same time. There the sur- vivors and most of their descendants are now living. We are indebted to the Rev. David Sherman, of Boston, for some particulars in

relation to the history of the Sherman family. Writing to the subject of this sketch in re- gard to the matter, he says:

"You descend from Hon. Samuel Sherman, who was born in Dedham, England, in 1618; emigrated to America in 1634, and settled at Bridgeport, Connecticut. He had a brother, Captain John Sherman, born in 1604, who came to America and settled at Watertown, Massachusetts. From him descended Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declara- tion of Independence. The youngest son of Hon. Samuel Sherman was Benjamin, born in 1692, who had a son Enos, your great- great-great-grandfather. John, one of Ben- jamin's sons, settled in Woodbury, Connecti- cut. From him descended Senator John and General W. T. Sherman, of Ohio."

Harley Sherman had a deed, given him by his grandfather, Enos Sherman, to a piece of land in Stratford, Fairfield county, "in ye colony of Connecticut," and dated "October 29th, in ye sixth year of ye reign of our sovereign Lord, George the Third of Great Britain, A. D. 1765." This same document was shown the writer of this article, it being now in the hands of Samuel Sherman, of Kingsville.

Samuel Sherman began life on his own re- sponsibility at the age of sixteen, his capital at that time being a five-franc piece. Going to Canada, he was employed as collector for Alfred Wilbar, starting with a salary of $8 per month, which amount was soon raised to $75 per month, and one year his monthly earnings were $100. Subsequently he was for several years in the employ of Branner, of Pittsburgh, a wholesale jobber of fancy goods. He went to New York in 1859 and engaged with a wholesale jobbing house, at a salary of $12,000 a year, selling goods from a wagon during the dull seasons. He re-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

mained in New York until 1869, all this time in the employ of Lathrop, Luddington & Co.

In 1869 Mr. Sherman came to Ohio and bought the mill he now operates at Kings- ville. This mill was built in 1812, and is one of the oldest landmarks in the county. In 1870 he sold out to a Mr. Rhen, but in 1882 again became its owner, and from that date has continued to operate it. In the meantime he was engaged in farming in Erie county, Pennsylvania, where he still owns land. As a farmer, however, he does not claim to have been a success. In 1883 he put a roller process in the mill, and from time to time made other improvements until it is now well equipped throughout. He has an eighty-three-horse power water wheel and a seventy-five-horse-power engine. The build- ing has three stories and a basement, its dimen- sions being 50 x 60 feet. Mr. Sherman, being a practical miller, does his own grinding. He buys grain every day, sometimes by the car- load, and always pays cash upon delivery. His product finds a ready home market and is also sold extensively in New York city and along the Hudson river. His two leading brands of flour are known as "Sherman's Ex- tra American Crown " and "Willow Mills."

Mr. Sherman was married in 1871, to Miss Adelaid L. Green, daughter of James A. Green, of Nyack, on the west shore of the Hudson river. Their only child, Miss Esther, a native of Elk Creek township, Erie county, Pennsylvania, is now rendering efficient service as her father's bookkeeper.

Mrs. Sherman's parents, James A. and Ruth T. (Smith) Green, were natives of the Empire State. Her father was born in Greene county in 1814. In early life he was engaged in 1.ercantile pursuits, and later was a farmer ; died March 7, 1889. Her mother, Ruth T., daughter of Jacob and Mary Smith, was born

February 22, 1813, and died October 13, 1884. She was of Quaker parentage and was reared in that faith. Mrs. Sherman was the third born in a family of five children, the names of her brothers and sisters being Arietta, Albert S., Charles D. and Helen M.

In politics, Mr. Sherman is a Democrat. The first presidential candidate he remembers hurrahing for was Andrew Jackson, and he has ever since followed the lines of political policy advocated by this leader, only once failing to vote for the Democratic nominee, and that was when Horace Greeley was a candidate.

He has absolute faith in a supreme, over- ruling power, and that he will have an exist- ence hereafter; that power is capable of perpetuating life. He respects all religious beliefs, and does not care to antagonize any.

P URDY E. BISSELL, publisher and proprietor of the Conneaut Evening Post, Conneant, Ohio, was born at Dorset, Ashtabula county, this State, April 29, 1864. He is the youngest of a family of eight children, four of whom are living in diverse sections of the Union. His eldest brother, Collins J., a soldier in the late war, was sent home on a sick furlough, and died soon afterward of hasty consump- tion, in 1865, aged nineteen years. The other children were: Lucy J., died in 1886; Fred G .; Wilburt P., died in 1875; Anna K .; Albert H., died in 1884; and Frank L.

Mr. Bissell's parents, Pizarro and Ann E. (Collins) Bissell, were born in Ohio. Both the Collins and Bissell families have been in America for six generations. The postoffice in Bambridge, a town in Geauga county, Ohio, was named Bissell's, in honor of Justin

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

Bissell, grandfather of our subject, who kept Bissell's Tavern, on the Pittsburgh & Cleve- land stage line. This tavern was the first building in the town, and is still standing. Justin Bissell was the first postmaster there, and his son Pizarro was assistant postmaster for many years. Grandfather Bissell was one of the most enterprising pioneers of northeastern Ohio, and as the genial pro- prietor of the above mentioned tavern he made many friends among the traveling pub- lic of that day. He died in 1873, at the advanced age of ninety-four years, his wife having passed away many years before.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 61

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