Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 62

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 62
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 62
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 62

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).

Pizarro Bissell was born in Portage county, Ohio, in 1816, and his early life was spent in Geauga county. In the early '50s he lo- cated in Dorset, this county, was for many years engaged in farming, and is now living retired. During the days of slavery he served as conductor on the "Underground Railroad," and assisted many a slave on his way from the South to Canada and freedom. Mrs. Bissell died in 1874, at the age of thirty-eight years. She was a member of the Disciple Church, as were many of the Collins family. Justin Bissell was one of the original members of that church.

At the time of his mother's death P. E. Bissell was only ten years old, and was then practically thrown upon his own resources. He inherits his literary talents from his ma- ternal ancestry, many of the Collins family being literary characters, -ministers, poets, anthors, teachers, etc. His mother's sister, Marion, was well known throughout north- eastern Ohio as a writer of poetry. Young Bissell early developed a taste for writing. He was a newspaper correspondent during his school days. After leaving school he worked into the newspaper business, and has since been engaged in almost every depart-

ment of this field of labor. He has served on the staff of the leading newspapers of Chicago and Cleveland. In 1892 he came to Conneaut and established the Conneaut Evening Post, the first daily ever published in this city. Within eight months from its inception he had it on a money-paying basis; and, with his experience in journalism and his enterprise and energy at its head, this publication has bright prospects for con- tinued success. Politically, Mr. Bissell has always been an ardent Republican.

He was married September 2, 1890, to Miss Clara, eldest daughter of J. H. Scrivens, publisher of the Ashtabula Beacon. They have one child, Howard, born November 23, 1892.

M AHLON E. SWEET, a progressive farmer and fruit-grower of Kirtland township, Lake county, Ohio, takes a deep interest in agricultural and horticultural matters and keeps well abreast with the times.

He was born in Kirtland, Ohio, November 16, 1836, son of John H. Sweet, who was born in Wayne county, New York, October. 17, 1805. Grandfather Benjamin Sweet is supposed to have been a native of New York. He emigrated to Michigan and lived near. Blisstield, where he died at a ripe old age. John H. Sweet was one of a large family. He came to Ohio in 1830 or '32 and settled in Kirtland township, Lake county, where he cleared and improved a farm and where he lived in a log house for some years. From here he moved to Mentor, making his home in Mentor six years. He died March 11, 1863. For many years he was identified with the Baptist Church. The mother of our

510

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

subject was before her marriage Miss Harriet Harris. She was a native of New York, the date of her birth being 1811. Her parents, Preserved and Nancy Harris, both natives of the Empire State, emigrated to Ohio about 1830 and settled in Mentor, where they died at advanced ages. Mrs. Sweet died in 1863, eight weeks after the death of her husband. They had eleven children, eight of whom lived to maturity. Nancy, the oldest, is the wife of Nelson Wilkins and resides in Oakland county, Michigan; Preserved H., is married and a resident of Chicago; Mahlon E. is the next in order of birth; Amos is married and lives in Kirtland, Ohio; Benjamin F. is married and settled at Western Springs, a suburb of Chicago; Job E. is married and a resident of Mentor, this State; Matilda, wife of J. W. Lang, Newton Falls, Trumbull county, Ohio; and Richward W., also mar- ried and a resident of Western Springs, Illinois. Two of the sons served in the late war. Benjamin F., a member of the One Hundred and Fffth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was honorably discharged on account of phys- ical disability. Job E., enlisted in a com- pany of heavy artillery in 1863 and served until the close of the war.

Mahlon E. was reared on his father's farm, and engaged in farming on his own account when he reached his majority. For six years he cultivated the home farm, and in June, 1863, he moved to his present property. Here he has 106 acres of fine land, well im- proved with good frame house and barn, etc., all the substantial improvements on the place having been put there by him. He has thirty acres devoted to a variety of fruits, in- cluding four acres in vineyard and fifteen acres in pears and various other fruits.

Mr. Sweet was married September 1, 1857, to Miss Ellen S. Campbell, a native of Ohio.

She was a teacher previous to their marriage. They have no children.

As has already been stated, Mr. Sweet has for many years taken an active interest in agricultural and horticultural matters. For seventeen years he has been a member of the Grange, and has been Master of both the local and county Grange. At this writing he is serving his second termn as Township Trustee. He affiliates with the Republican party.

B ENJAMIN M. BLOOD, who is en- gaged in farming at Kingsville, Ohio, was born in Cornplanter township, Venango county, Pennsylvania, August 10, 1848.

His parents, John and Caroline (August) Blood, were both natives of Venango county, Pennsylvania, the former born January 4, 1807, and the latter September 23, 1812. They were reared and married in their native county and resided there until the spring of 1861, when they removed to Richmond town- ship, Ashtabula county, Ohio. In the spring of 1863 they took up their abode in Kingsville, where they continued to reside. Here John Blood died December 31, 1892. His widow is still living at the old homestead, an honored resident of Kingsville, being now in feeble health and well advanced in years. Of the sterling qualities and Christian character of these good people too much cannot be said. For more than half a century John Blood was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he acceptably filled all the offices of the layman; and for over fifty years he took the Pittsburgh Christian Advocate. He was in sympathy with the Abolition movement of the Giddings type. While a resident of Pennsylvania he served in various

511

OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

local offices, but after coming to Ohio would never accept official position. He served seven years as Captain of militia in his State. Among his papers after his death was found the enrollment, rules and regulations govern- ing the militiamen. Among his equipments were a gun, powder horn, a bullet pouch, scalping knife and tomahawk. His discharge was made out in proper form and signed by the lieutenant who was the acting captain, the captain being dead. Mr. Blood was a man of brilliant parts, of literary culture, and of genial and generous disposition. He was eminently qualified for intelligent citizen-

ship. Financially, he was successful. At one time he owned 400 acres of land in the oil belt of Pennsylvania, where he operated successfully for a number of years. Selling out in 1864, he centered his interests in Ohio. Little is known of Mr. Blood's ancestors, as he was left an orphan in infancy. He was adopted and reared by Francis Buchanan. Andrew Curtin, ex-Governor of Pennsylva- nia, was the only relative outside the immedi- ate family that Mr. Blood knew at the time of his death. Mrs. Caroline Blood is one of a family of eleven children. Her father, Benjamin August, met his death by an ac- cident, in 1848, at the age of seventy six years. Her mother died in 1875, at the age of eighty-seven. The August family were noted for patriotism. Benjamin August was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his son Ben- jamin and a number of his grandsons were among the Union ranks during the Civil war. For over sixty years Mrs. Blood has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and her whole life has been adorned by Chris- tian graces. She and her worthy husband had a family of thirteen children, as follows: Mary, wife of William Pierson, North Rich- mond, Ohio; Francis B., who resides near

Conneaut; Nancy A., wife of James Pearson, Bradford, Pennsylvania; Margaret S., wife of Lewis T. Brooks, Elizabeth, Colorado; Hiram A., who married Isabel Reed, resides in Jamestown, North Dakota; Caroline, wife of Addison Bugbee, died in 1887, at the age of forty-two years; John C., who was a mem- ber of Company G, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the late war, married Sarah Baker and is now a resident of Denver, Colorado; William, who married Lucy Root, resides in Kingsville, Ashtabula county; Benjamin M .; Julia A., who died at the age of seven years; Almira, widow of William Lilley, of Ashtabula; Jennie F., wife of Jerry Donovan, Montana; and Hattie, wife of Charles Shirey, South Haven, Mich- igan.

Benjamin M. Blood has been a student all his life and keeps well posted on the general topics of the day. In his youth, however, he had only ordinary educational advantages, but he has always made the best of his opportuni- ties. He clerked at Conneaut, Ohio, for his two brothers, Hiram, a hardware merchant, and John, who kept a clothing store, remaining there three years. Upon reaching his major- ity, in 1869, his ambitious and adventurous nature led him to make a tour of the West. He spent about four years in Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Montana, and during that time had many thrilling experi- ences and met with many narrow escapes, a detailed account of which would be most in- teresting here had we space to publish it. Suffice it to say that while he and his party, about a dozen men, were prospecting, they fell in with a company of Northern Pacific engineers who were escorted by United States soldiers, under command of General Baker. Being in the Sioux Reservation, they remained with this company for protection.

512

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

They were at one time attacked by the In- dians, and an engagement ensued in which five whites were killed and wounded, among the number being his partner, Dave Roberts, who died of his wounds. The Indian loss was 100. This was in 1872, and in the win- ter of 1873 Mr. Blood returned to Ohio, covering 600 miles of the journey by stage.

Upon his return home he assisted his fa- ther on the farm until the following year. Then he went back to Colorado and engaged in the real-estate business, in which he con- tinned a short time. After his marriage he bought property at Kingsville, where he has since resided, and where, in addition to his farming operations, he also does a real-es- tate business. Every fall he spends some time hunting in Michigan and Canada, in which sport he takes great delight. He has shot as high as seven deer in a single day, and one day he killed eleven elk.

December 31, 1874, Mr. Blood married Miss Alice J. Ashley, a lady of many excel- lent qualities of both mind and heart. She is a daughter of S. D. and Eliza F. (Stanford) Ashley, highly respected citizens of North Richmond, Ohio, where her father is engaged in the practice of law. He was born March 28, 1831, and his wife September 24, 1835. Following are the names of the Ashley chil- dren: Eugene, Alice J., William S., Albert C., George, Fred J. and Frank B., all living except George, who died in infancy. Mrs. Blood's grandfather, Salmon Ashley, was the third settler in Richmond township. Grand- mother Ashley lived to be ninety-two years old and died in 1891. They had eight chil- dren, of whom Salmon D., the father of Mrs. Blood, is now the only one living, and he is sixty-two years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Blood have two children, viz .: Montana B. and Arlie May, the former

a graduate of the Kingsville HighSchool.

He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a Trustee. He has also been Superintendent of the Sunday-school for many years. Fra- ternally, he is a Knight of Pythias; politi- cally, an ardent Republican. Mr. Blood is also Township Trustee, and was elected in 1892 to fill an unexpired term, and in the spring of 1893 was re-elected for a term of three years.

UDGE ARLINGTON G. REYNOLDS, the youngest elected and ablest Judge of the Probate Court of Lake county, Ohio, belongs to one of the oldest and most prominent families of the State. His great- grandfather, Judge John Reynolds, came from Schoharie county, New York, to Ohio about 1818 and settled on a farm near Men- tor, where he died some years later. His son, Gurdon Reynolds, a native of Schoharie county, New York, and a merchant in early life, settled near Little Mountain, his brother, Simeon Reynolds, being the first to purchase the now famous summer resort and erect a hotel there. At this point (Little Mount- ain), near Mentor, Ohio, he erected a build- ing in what was then practically a wilderness, and here he developed a farm, on which he died, at the age of seventy years. His son, George W. Reynolds, father of the subject of this sketch, was also a native of Schoharie county, New York, whither he came to Ohio in an early day. He was in the war of the rebellion for three years. He followed farm- ing in Ohio until 1877, when he removed to St. Johns, Michigan, where he now resides. He married Honor S. Nowlen, a native of Mentor, Ohio, where her father, Dudley Nowlen, settled in 1816, when there was but

513

OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

one store on the present site of Painesville, the county seat. He followed farming in that vicinity, where he died, at the age of eighty-four years. The parents of the sub- ject of this sketch reared two children: Ar- lington G., of this notice; and Elsie J. Rapp, now a matron in the Institute for Feeble- Minded Children, at Columbus, Ohio. Both parents are active members of the Methodist Church.

The subject of this sketch was born in Mentor, Ohio, November 24, 1849, and passed his earlier years on the home farm. He attended, for several years each, the col- leges at Willoughby and Oberlin, Ohio, pur- suing the classical course. He began the study of law in 1880, under the instruction of Judge G. N. Tuttle, of Painesville, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1882. He then spent a year in traveling throughout the western part of the United States, going first to Des Moines, Iowa. In 1884 he returned to Painesville and settled down to the prac- tice of his profession, for the successful prose- cution of which he was amply qualified, both by natural inclination and thorough course of training. His election, in the fall of 1890, to the office of Probate Jndge was purely a case of the office seeking the man, as he had never aspired to public trust, although pos- sessing all the qualifications of good citizen- ship and the necessary ability to fill such a position with credit to himself and to the benefit of the people. He took charge of his office February 9, 1891, and is the present incumbent (1893), discharging his duties with that thoroughness and impartiality which is so striking a feature of his char- acter.

October 19, 1883, he was married to Miss Nellie E. Whitney, a lady of social accom- plishments, and they have one child, Luella V.

In politics Judge Reynolds upholds the principles of the Republican party. in the furthering of whose policy he has taken an active part. He was at one time secretary of the county central committee of this organi- zation, in the interest of which he has de- livered numerous addresses during campaigns and on other occasions of national importance. He is gifted with natural oratorical powers, which he has been enabled to use to the un- mistakable advantage of his party.

Both himself and wife are useful members of the Methodist Church, and are prominent in the assistance of all charitable and worthy objects, particularly those calculated to ad- vance the welfare of Painesville and con- tribute to the happiness of the people.

HESTER OATMAN, a farmer of Ash- tabula county, was born in this county April 12, 1819, a son of Andrew and Phoebe Oatman, natives. of Vermont. The parents came to Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1815, where they were among the pioneer settlers, and remained here until their death, the father dying at the age of fifty years and the mother at eighty-five years of age. They had eleven children, viz .: Spencer, Safford, Dianna, Jane, Maryette, Arnold, Chester, Electa, Lorenzo, Lucinda and Phoebe. The father was a farmer by occupation, was identified with the Democratic party, and a member of the Methodist Church.

Chester Oatman, our subject, now owns 233 acres of well-improved land in Wayne township, and has all the necessary farm conveniences. He was married, at the age of twenty-four years, to Miss M. E. Platt, a native of this township, and a daughter of Hezekiah and Permelia J. (Segar) Platt.

514

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

They have three living children. The eldest, Spencer H., was born August 24, 1848, was educated at Austinburgh, and has lived for the past eight years in Ottawa county, Michi- igan, engaged in the manufacture of cheese. He was married, at the age of twenty-four years, to R. A. Slabough, now deceased. In January, 1893, he was united in marriage with Amelia J. Chambers, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Chambers. The sec- ond child, Julia C., is the wife of S. J. Gil- lette, of this township. Etta E. married R. P. Miner, also of Wayne township, and they have two children: Fanny and Fred. Mr. and Mrs. Oatman lost two children: Sheldon C., deceased at the age of five years; and Edgar, who died at the same age. Mr. Oat- man affiliates with the Republican party, and has served as Township Trustee, Asses- sor, and as a member of the School Board for twenty years.

OHN A. HERVEY, dealer in musical instruments at Jefferson, was born in Thompson, Windham county, Connecti- cut, August 22, 1828. When young he moved with his parents to Rexford Flats, New York, and at the age of fourteen years located in Or- well Township, Ashtabula county, Ohio. While there he worked at farm labor during the summer months, and attended school in the winter. In 1847 he was apprenticed at the harness-maker's trade in Jefferson; next worked as a journeyman two years, and in the fall of 1850 engaged in the harness business in Jefferson on his own account. In 1853 Mr. Hervey erected a substantial business block, which still stands. During the late war he served as Deputy Provost-Marshal and in other capacities. After the close of

the struggle Mr. Hervey resumed the manu- facture of harness, and gradually merged his business into the handling of buggies and carriages. Since 1873 he has been engaged in the sale of musical instruments.

In December, 1856, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Nancy J. Strong, a daughter of Walter and Sarah (Devoe) Strong. The father was born in Cayuga county, New York, January 12, 1797, and was a son of a prominent hotel man in that State. Walter Strong received a good education, and in early life worked at farm labor and assisted his father in the hotel. He was married in 1820, to Miss Sarah Devoe, an accomplished young lady of that time. Mr. Strong then turned his attention to the management of the large tracts of land owned by his father, and was also elected Colonel of the State Cavalry, serving in that capacity for a num- ber of years. In 1835 he traded his property in New York for large tracts of land in Craw- ford county, Pennsylvania, but in 1844 traded a part of his land in the latter State for the hotel in Jefferson now known as the Ameri- can House. Mr. Strong continued the popu- lar landlord of that hotel, then known as the Strong House, ten years. In 1848 he traded the remainder of his land in Pennsylvania for a part of the farm which his son, Edwin T. Strong, still owns. He then abandoned the hotel business, and turned his attention to the improving of his farm, where he died January 8, 1861. He held the office of Jus- tice of the Peace in Pennsylvania many years, was an old-time Whig, and served as Grand Marshal at the celebrated Joint Convention held at Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1840. Mr. Strong was a consistent member of the Con- gregational Church. The mother of Mrs. Her- vey was born in Dutchess county, New York, December 23, 1796, and was married in 1820,

515

OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

at the age of twenty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Strong had eight children, four sons and four daughters, all of whom grew to years of ma- turity, and six are now living. One son is a physician at Fishkill, on the Hudson River, another is Justice of the Peace at Plymouth . Township, Richland county, Ohio, and the third, a banker by occupation, died in Michi- gan. A daughter, now Mrs. C. Adelia Fas- sett, wife of S. M. Fassett, of Washington, D. C., is an artist of note. She painted the famous picture entitled "The Electoral Com- mission," which sold at Washington for $7,- 500. She has just completed a life- size portrait of General Grant for the Woman's Columbian Club of Galena, Illinois, for the World's Fair. Mrs. Strong united with the Congregational Church in early life, and lived a consistent Christian until death, which occurred in 1875.

Mrs. Hervey, wife of our subject, and the youngest in a family of eight children, came to Jefferson, Ohio, at the age of eight years, and was married at the age of twenty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Hervey have three chil- dren; Charles S., at home; S. Adele, wife of W. B. Mennieley and a resident of Rochester, New York; and Florence S., now Mrs. Charles A. Wessell, of New York city. Adele is a graduate of the J. E. Institute; afterward took a special course in instrumental music, and has become a noted pianist. Mrs. Wes- sell also graduated at the J. E. Institute, developed a special vocal talent early in life, spent .one year in training under the best vocal artists of Washington, and three years studying in New York city, and was a mem- ber of the St. Mark's Episcopal Church choir in New York. She also sang in the Bloom . ingdale Dutch Reform Church, for two years. Mrs. Hervey is also a graduate in music, having begun teaching music at the age of fifteen years, and has devoted most of her life

to that occupation. She is a member of the W. C. T. U., of the Woman's Relief Corps, and has taken the Rebekah degree, I. O. O. F. Mr. Hervey is also a musician, having begun the cultivation of his voice early in life, and became a proficient tenor of local reputa- tion. He has been a member of church choirs until recently. Socially, he is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., Ensign Lodge, No. 401.

S AMUEL W. SMART, a banker of Willoughby, Ohio, was born in London, England, January 26, 1830; and al- though an Englishman by birth has been a resident of this country from his infancy up, and is a thorough American.

Samuel Smart, his father, was born in Devizes, England, in 1800, and was engaged in mercantile business there. In 1830 he emigrated to America with his family, being thirteen weeks in making the voyage to New York city, and upon his arrival in New York secured a position as bookkeeper in a crockery store, remaining there one year. In 1831 he came to Ohio and located in Cleveland, where for several years he was engaged in the grocery business. Then he purchased land at Orange, Ohio, where he followed agri- cultural pursuits and also ran a country store for two years, at the end of which time he returned to Cleveland, moving the store with him. In the spring of 1836 he moved to Willoughby. Here he was engaged in mer- cantile business until 1854, when he retired from active business cares, and from that date until the time of his death, in 1882, he lived in quiet retirement in this beautiful little town. Upon his arrival in this country he started at the bottom of the ladder, finan- cially, and by honest toil worked his way up

516

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

to success. He was a man of prominence in his day. For one term he was Mayor of Willoughby. He was well informed on all general topics and was a fluent and entertain- ing converser, having had excellent educa- tional advantages in his youth, as his father kept a boarding school. While he was reared a close-communion Baptist, he was a firm believer in Spiritualism. His wife, Mary (Welch) Smart, was born at Bath, England, in 1798. She died in 1872. They had nine children, Samuel W. being the fourth born and only son, and one of the five who are now living.

Samuel W. Smart attended the common schools and spent one year as a student in the Kirtland Academy. When a boy he assisted his father in the store, and thus early in life secured that valuable information in regard to business which proved of practical benefit to him in later years. In 1850 he went to Ottawa, Illinois, where he clerked a short time, the following year coming back to Ohio and clerking at Norwalk, and subse- quently at Cleveland. In March, 1854, he came to Willoughby and purchased his father's stock of goods and began business for himself. In 1860 his brother-in-law, S. V. Wilson, became a partner in the business and remained a member of the firm until 1870. From 1870 until 1873 Mr. Smart was engaged in the insurance business, not, how- ever, very extensively; and ever since that time he has had more or less to do with in- surance. In 1873 he resumed mercantile pursuits, continuing the same until he turned the business over to his son Carlos in 1887. In 1880 be purchased the banking interests of E. W. Bond, who had established a bank here a few months before, and after securing possession he conducted the institution under his own name. In 1885 the row of frame

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 62

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