Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 63

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 63
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 63
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 63

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).

buildings on the east side of Erie street was destroyed by fire. Mr. Smart owned the lot at the corner of Erie and Spaulding streets, and here he at once erected a substantial two- story brick building, the corner room of which he fitted up specially for his banking office and counting room. The institution is now known as the Bank of Willoughby: S. W. Smart, banker. He is the owner of valuable real estate at Willoughby, having within the corporate limits a farm upon which is a fine vineyard of ten acres.

Mr. Smart has been twice married-first, in 1856, to Harriet S. Holmes, a native of New York, who died in June, 1870, leaving four children, namely: Samuel H., cashier of his father's bank; Carlos S., engaged in the dry-goods business at Willoughby; Mary, and Frank H., who is interested in mining in Colorado. In September, 1871, Mr. Smart married Apphia G. Harrow, a resident of Mt. Vernon, Indiana, and a native of Winchester, Kentucky. Their children are John H. and James H., the former a college student at Trinity, Connecticut.

Politically, Mr. Smart is identified with the Democratic party. During the war he served as First Lieutenant in a company of Home Guards. For several years he has been a member of the Willoughby Council and has also served as a member of the School Board for a number of years. Fra- ternally, he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. Mrs. Smart is a member of the Episcopal Church.

RA V. NEARPASS .- The subject of this sketch was born in Concord, Jack- son county, Michigan, April 28, 1848, his parents being among the early pioneers of that State. Peter Nearpass, the grand-

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father of the aforesaid, with the father of the last named, Benjamin Nearpass, then a man past middle age, with five girls and one boy, the latter the father of our subject, came from York State by the overland route, pur- chasing Government land on which to settle. The great-grandfather of our subject lived to the ripe old age of 104 years, his occupation in his younger days being that of a physican, he having been for some time connected with George Washington's army as Surgeon. He cast his last vote for John C. Fremont, dying soon after. The forefathers of the subject of this sketch were ever noted for their patriot- ism, being "dyed-in-the-wool" Republicans from the time the party was organized.

In 1862, the young blood began to burn in the bosom of Ira V., and while attending school in the western part of Michigan, he engaged to go to the front as an Orderly on the staff of Colonel E. G. Dunbar, of the Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, and in the spring of 1863 he was wearing the blue. After remaining at the front about six months, he returned to Michigan to employ a company of men to unload cars and steam- boats for the Government at Chattanooga, Tennessee, returning with them and remain- ing eight months, when he came home and enlisted in the First Michigan Cavalry, join- ing the regiment at Chappel Point, Maryland. After the grand review at Washington, May 24, 1865, the brigade to which his regiment was attached, left for the territories, fitting out for the march to the Great Salt Lake at Leavenworth, Kansas. The brigade left Fort Leavenworth in July, 1865, and took up the line of march, following the Platte river trail to Denver, Colorado, after which they took the old trail over the summit of the Rockies. The subject's messmate, Franklin Kirkwood, was killed by the Indians at La Benty Sta-

tion, Dakota, and his captain was massacred near Fort Laramie. The regiment was mus- tered out at Salt Lake City in the spring of 1866, when our subject " whacked " mules back as far as Leavenworth, continuing the journey to Michigan by rail and boat.

In 1867 he entered the Statesman office at Marshall, Michigan, as an apprentice, finish- ing the trade in the same office in 1870, since which time he has been engaged in the printing business most of the time. In 1883 he came to Kingsville, Ohio, and resurrected the Kingsville Tribune, which was theu about six months old and which has since then grown to be a prosperous and paying plant.

Our subject was first married August 8, 1869, to Amelia Green, daughter of Asa and Sarah Green, natives of York State, then residents of Charlotte, Michigan. Amelia was a native of York State. There were three children born to them, viz .: Clyde A., died at the age of two years, in 1872; Purl A. and Winifred, both of whom are composi- tors, and doing good service in the printing office of their father. Fern J. born April 1, 1888, is the only child by our subject's second marriage. Both our subject and wife, also the daughters, are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

Asa Green was born July 19, 1816, and . died in 1885. Mrs. Amelia Nearpass was the elder of a family of two children, Clara, wife of Harry Rogers, now of Charlotte, Michigan, being the younger sister. Amelia was born May 28, 1850, and died August 6, 1880. She was an attendant and ever took an active interest in the Baptist Church.

Our subject's second marriage occurred July 19, 1884, when he espoused Miss Wi- nona Morris, daughter of Dr. J. L. and E. A. Morris, the wife a native of this county,

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

and the parents natives respectively of New York State and Ohio. The father, Dr. J. L. Morris, was Surgeon in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, the regiment being known as the " Pennsylvania Buck-Tails." He served somewhat over three years in the army of the Potomac, rendered good service, and is draw- ing a pension. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant, and is still living. Was born August 20, 1830. His wife is still living, she being born October 10, 1835.

Mrs. Nearpass is second in a family of three children, the other two being Minda and Pleton, the latter still living with his parents.

Our subject is one of seven children, four of whom are now living. His father was born in Rose, New York, November 11, 1824, his mother in Akron, Ohio, November 8, 1825, and died August 1, 1858.

Our subject, as an Orderly, never carried a gun until he enlisted in the cavalry. During his service in the West, his command en- gaged in several noted battles with the In- dians, especially the Pole Creek fight, Wy- oming, where the command sustained a loss of four killed and eleven wounded, killing forty-five warrior "bucks," and capturing many ponies, camp equipage, squaws and papooses. In the winter of 1865, a detail was made to guard the stage coach contain- ing the United States mail, our subject be- ing one of the detail. Their duty was to guard the mail and passengers from one re- lay or station to another. On one occasion, about 2 A. M., the Indians, with a force of about 400, attacked the detail of eight men. The horses of the advance guard, of which our subject was one, took fright, and his horse leaped over a precipice of eighteen feet. The horse and rider were both seriously in-

jured by contact with the rough boulders, but with the assistance of his comrade he re- gained the road, by which time the coach and balance of the detail came up. A portion of the detail held the Indians in check, while the others turned the coach the way in which it had come. They then fought the Indians a running fight for nine miles, where they received reinforcements. Four of the detail were wounded with arrows, but none received more than flesh wounds. The coach was well decorated with arrows, and most of the horses bore arrow points in their flesh to the camp. The effects of that eighteen-foot fall our subject carries to this day, and will while he lives.

Mr. Nearpass is a member of Webster Post, No. 8, G. A. R.

W ILLIAM WHITON, Superintendent of the Ashtabula County Infirmary, Kingsville, Ohio, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1842.

His parents, Madison and Permelia (Clark) Whiton, natives of Massachusetts and Ver- mont respectively, were married in Spring- field township, Erie county, Pennsylvania. Madison Whiton was a sailor, and was cap- tain of a scow on the lakes for a number of years. He moved with his family to Kings- ville township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1853, and settled on a farm one mile south of Kingsville. This farm is now owned by Royal Smith. Here Mr. Whiton lived until the time of his death, June 22, 1874, hav- ing attained the age of sixty-three years. He was a well-to-do farmer, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. His wife, born November 18, 1824; died June 21, 1880, aged sixty-six. They were the parents

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of seven children, viz .: Madison M., a car- penter, residing in Kansas; Sarah Jane, wife of Joseph Colby, McPherson county, Kansas, has five children; William, whose name heads this article; Rachel, wife of Rev. H. J. Gillett, of the Congregational Church, Hart- ford, Connecticut, has five children; Anto- nette, wife of Leander White, McPherson county, Kansas; Emily, widow of N. S. Whitney, lives at Delaware, Ohio, where she is educating her son and daughter; and Abijah, who died at about the age of six years.

William Whiton had the benefit of good educational advantages in his youth, having attended the Kingsville Academy a number of years. September 6, 1865, he married Miss Kate Van Wagenen, a native of Craw- ford county, Pennsylvania, born December 7, 1844, daughter of James and Alice (Gilson) Van Wagenen. Her father was born in New York State, April 30, 1823; was engaged in farming for many years, but is now retired from active life. Her mother, a native of Pennsylvania, died April 19, 1846, aged twenty-one years, leaving two children, of whom Mrs. Whiton is the older. Her brother, Henry, is now a merchant of Ellenville, New York. He married Mary Hautling. Mr. Van Wagenen subsequently married Eliza Felton, by whom he had three daughters. Elizabeth, Alice and Dora, all of whom married. Alice died April 19, 1891, aged thirty-three years. Dora, wife of Van- esse Wright, resides in New Jersey. Eliza- beth, wife of Benjamin Gilson, lives at Wat- son, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Whiton have had two daughters, Alice Permelia and Mary Louella, both of whom are deceased. Alice P., born in Kingsville, December 13, 1866, was married January 20, 1886, to Oliver E. Brydle, and her untimely death

occurred July 22, 1892. She was a most amiable and accomplished young lady, and her early death was a source of great sorrow to her husband and parents and also to a large circle of friends. The younger daugh- ter, Mary L., born October 3, 1873, died August 13, 1877.

Mr. Whiton's chief. business has been farming. He still owns a farm of 113 acres in the southeastern part of Kingsville town- ship-all improved land. He was Assessor two years, has been Trustee of the township three years, School Director six years, and has also held other minor offices. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as delegate to county conventions a number of times. Public-spirited and enterprising, he is ever active in advancing the best interests of the community.

He was appointed to his present position as Superintendent of the Infirmary, Septem- ber 1, 1892, since which time he has faith- fully discharged the duties of the same. He is ably assisted by his accomplished wife who seems to be especially adapted for the work. The institution has eleven buildings, four brick and seven frame. The average number of inmates is about 112. Four men and four women are employed as assistants in the buildings. The farm, comprising 210 acres, is beautifully located, one mile west of Kingsville, on the South Ridge road. Grain, vegetables and fruits are raised in abundance, and about five horses, twenty-five cattle and from ten to thirty hogs are kept on the farm. The present location has been occupied by the infirmary for nearly thirty-five years, the various buildings having been erected from time to time as necessity demanded. The old county poorhouse was about twenty rods from the location of the present build- ings. It was a frame structure, and was

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burned down shortly before the erection of the new buildings. The officers of the insti- tution are as follows: T. D. Faulkner, president; William Whiton, Superintendent; G. W. Thompson, clerk; and T. D. Faulkner, G. W. Thompson and W. A. Fuller, direc- tors. They meet in the office of the infirm- ary the third Tuesday in every month.

Mr. Whiton is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the State Police. In politics, he is a Republican. Mrs. Whiton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

R EV. JOSEPH N. McGIFFERT, D.D. the able pastor of the First Presby- terian Church, at Ashtabula, Ohio, is another of those men whose energies are devoted to the progress of humanity and the good of the church. Born of intelligent, cultured and humane parents, he inherited as a birthright those qualities which have been strengthened and wisely directed by excellent training under the most favorable circum- stances. The subject of this sketch was born in New York city, December 8, 1829, son of James and Martha (Nelson) McGiffert, na- tives of Belfast, Ireland, and New York city, respectively, both of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His father came to New York city in early manhood, and there met and married the mother of the subject of this sketch. The fa- ther was a classical teacher of ability, in which occupation he was engaged in New York city, numbering among his students Hamil- ton Fish, William Astor and members of the Schermerhorn and other prominent families. In 1837 he moved to Hudson, in the same State, after which he passed a retired life, be- ing engaged only in looking after property interests in New York city. Both parents

resided there until death, the father dying in 1886, and the mother in 1874. They had six children, four sons and two daughters: John N .; James N .; Joseph N .; Martha; William H. and Mary L.

Joseph N. passed his youth in Hudson, New York, and received under the careful instruction of his father an excellent educa- tion. Subsequently he attended the Auburn Theological Seminary, a Presbyterian insti- tution, in which he graduated in 1853. In September of the same year he was appointed pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Hills- dale, New York, where he remained until April, 1857, at which time he was trans- ferred to Sauquoit, in the same state, remain- ing there until July, 1866. He was then ap- pointed pastor of the church in Ashtabula, Ohio, in which capacity he has faithfully served for twenty-seven years. This church was established in 1810, yet had progressed so slowly that at the time Dr. McGiffert took charge its membership numbered less than 100 individuals. Its present prosperity is a favorable comment on the energy and ability of the Doctor, as the church has now 400 members, and is one of the most prosperous religious institutions in northern Ohio. In 1892 the congregation built a large and hand- some edifice, which is a worthy monument of their zeal. Dr. McGiffert has also been ac- tive in the cause of education, having served for eight years as County Examiner of Schools, and for the last twenty years he has been a Trustee of the Western Reserve Un- iversity at Cleveland, this State. In recogni- tion of his services in the cause of education and religion Marietta College conferred on him, in 1890, the degree of Doctor of Divin- ity. For the past seven or eight years Dr. McGiffert has been Chairman of the Presby- terian Home Missionary Society of Ohio, and

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has otherwise been active in philanthropic movements, doing untold and far-reaching good.

In 1853 Dr. McGiffert was married to Miss Harriet W. Cushman, a highly cultivated lady of Manlius, New York. She was the daughter of Rev. Ralph and Sophia (Mose- ley) Cushman, the former having been a prom- inent Presbyterian divine. Both parents were natives of Massachusetts, to which State their ancestors came at an early day. Mr. Cush- man's ancestor embarked from England in the ship that followed in the wake of the famed Mayflower. Of the five children born to Dr. and Mrs. McGiffert, Prof. Arthur Cushman McGiffert occupies the chair of Church His- tory in Union Theological Seminary at New York city. Sophia M., the wife of M. E. Scofield of Lincoln, Nebraska, died in June, 1893; the remaining three are James H., Joseph C. and Agnes R.,-the last named being the widow of Rev. E. H. Pound of Cal- ifornia. Under the broad and efficient tute- lage and direction of their honored parents, the children have grown to be educated and valued members of society, qualified to fill any position in life to which they may be called.

With an inherited character of symmetrical proportions, Dr. MeGiffert has grown by work to approximate the spirit of the great Teach- er, who labored and endured all things for the good of the world.

M ARSHALL WILLIAMS WRIGHT, a resident of Kingsville, Ohio, has for years been prominently identified with the affairs of Ashtabula county, having served at various times as Sheriff, County Commissioner, Infirmary Director

and Justice of the Peace, and always exerting his influence to promote the best interests of the people. Without extended mention of him a history of Ashtabula county would be incomplete.

Marshall Williams Wright was born in Conneaut township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, August 27, 1818, son of Sherman and Fanny (Howes) Wright, the former born in Wilbra- ham, Massachusetts, January 19, 1784, and the latter in Windham county, Connecticut, March 16, 1790. They were married in Connecticut, September 1, 1811, and a few days later, in company with several families, came to Ohio, making the journey with ox- teams, and landing at Conneaut (then called Salem) after being six weeks en route. Sher- man Wright and three brothers, Diocletian, Ralph and George, had exchanged property in Massachusetts for land in the Western Reserve, between Cleveland and the Pennsyl- vania line, and all came out here together. Their two sisters were also members of the party; Betsey, wife of Lemuel Jones, and Marcia, who subsequently became the wife of Obed Edwards. All of them settled on farms in Conneaut township, except Mr. Jones, who gave his attention to milling and the hotel business. Sherman Wright and his wife spent the rest of their lives in Conneaut, and died there, his death occurring January 3, 1847, and hers January 15, 1872. They had eleven children, of whom we make the fol- lowing record:

Zenis H., born June 24, 1812, died August 18, 1815. Elizabeth H., born June 18, 1814, is now the widow of Albert Clark; has been almost a helpless invalid for over twelve years; in her active life was an earnest. church worker, and now, having the use of only one hand, passes her time in reading; Eunice, born June 18, 1816, died April 20,

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1844; M. W., whose name heads this article, was the fourth born; Fanny, born September 14, 1820, is the widow of Hiram Lake, and resides in Conneaut; Zenis (2d), born March 25, 1823, died August 20, 1877; Edward Lee, born June 6, 1825, resides in California; Alfred H., born June 30, 1827, died March 6, 1878; Junius F. is a resident of Dodge county, Minnesota; Emily C., born October 9, 1832, is the wife of John B. Lyon; Mar- ther G., born April 2, 1834, died May 28, 1874.

The father of our subject was by occupation a farmer, tanner and shoemaker, and was ably assisted by his son M. W., who remained a member of the home circle until after the father's death, and who still continued to care for his mother and the rest of the family. M. W. Wright was married March 27, 1844, to Sarah Ann Jacobs, daughter of Rev. Asa and Sarah (Saxton) Jacobs, her father being a Baptist minister of Conneaut for many years. Some years later he bought a farm in Dorset township, and was living on it at the time he was elected Sheriff in 1853. He then dis- posed of his farm and moved to Jefferson, where he lived during his two terms of office, having been re-elected by a large majority of votes. At the expiration of his term, he moved to Kingsville.

Previous to his election to the Sheriff's office he served one term as Justice of the Peace, and since that date has been an incum- bent of that office for a number of years, al- together about fourteen. At the time the war broke out he was Postmaster of Kingsville, having been appointed to that position by President Lincoln. He was an active Aboli- tionist and kept an underground railway sta- tion. When the Republican party was or- ganized he joined its ranks, and has ever since been a stalwart Republican.

Angust 1, 1862, Mr. Wright entered the volunteer service of the United States in the capacity of Quartermaster of the One Hun- dredth and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, his regiment being a part of the Fourteenth Army Corps, under General Thomas; he served until April, 1864, at which time he was compelled by failing health to resign. Among the prominent engagements in which he took part were those of Perryville, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. He left his command at Ringgold, just as the army started to Atlanta, and three months before this time he was un- able to discharge the duties of his office. He consequently resigned on account of his dis- ability, and was very much broken down in health. In his army service, however, he was never wounded.

In 1869, Mr. Wright was elected County Commissioner, and served three years. He has also served three years as Infirmary Director. He has always taken a deep inter- est in educational affairs, and until recently has in various ways been more or less closely connected with the schools. He is a mem- ber of the G. A. R., Webster Post, No. 8, and has filled nearly all of its official positions.

Mr. Wright's marriage has already been referred to. Following are the names of his children: (1) Elizabeth, wife of Levi T. Sco- field, of Cleveland, Ohio, has five children, William M., Donald Cleveland, Sherman, Harriet Elizabeth and Douglas Franklin. Mr. Scofield is an architect and sculptor. He made and designed the Cuyahoga County Soldiers' and Sailors' monument and has been the architect of many of the State buildings of Ohio. (2) Lydia, wife of Conrad J. Brown, Erie, Pennsylvania, has four children: Marshall W., a graduate of the Folytechnical School, of Troy, New York, and Kate D., Jessie and Conrad. (3) Alta, wife of Rev.

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J. Phillips, of the Free-will Baptist Church; the names of their children are Sarah, Alta Elizabeth, John Howard, Alice and Thomas Guthrie. (4) Sherman, unmarried, resides with his father. (5) Nellie, wife of William McCallep, Columbus, Ohio, has four children : Emily L., Wright, Mabel and Carrington Albert.

Mr. and Mrs. Wright and all their chil- dren, with one exception, are church mem- bers, Mrs. Wright being a regular and her husband a Free will Baptist.

Of Mrs. Wright's family we further record that her father and mother have both passed away, and that of her four brothers and six sisters only two are now living: Cynthia, wife of Harry Hubbard, of Conneant township, and Esther, widow of La Fayette Sawtell, Conneaut.

R EV. HENRY H. EMMETT, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Con- neaut, Ohio, was born in Maine, January 31, 1853.

His parents were Peter J. and Catherine J. (Lombard) Emmett, both natives of Maine. His father was born in 1808, was for many years in the employ of the Hudson Bay Com- pany, and is still hale and hearty. His mother was born in 1819, daughter of Rev. Richard and Eunice (Sawyer) Lombard, her father being the youngest son of the youngest son of the Earl of Lombard. Richard Lombard was for fifty years in the itinerancy of the East Maine Methodist Episcopal Conference, being for several years the pastor of Pine street and Cedar street churches in Portland, Maine. Ile died at the age of seventy-six years on the Great Chebeaque island in Casco bay. His wife died on the same is-

land, aged seventy years. She was a mem- ber of the Methodist Church from her girl- hood. Mrs. Peter J. Emmett was a popular and successful teacher for many years, and is a woman of rare intelligence and culture. The three children composing their family are Gordon, a contractor and builder in New York; Arietta, wife of Henry Williams, of New York; and Henry H.

Mr. Emmett had excellent educational ad- vantages in his youth. His early training was received chiefly in private schools. After leaving school he was employed as clerk in Scranton, Pennsylvania, for more than a year. Then he entered the ministry. This was in 1877, and he has devoted his time to the spread of the gospel ever since. He was licensed to preach at La Fargeville, New York, in 1878, and was ordained pastor of the Baptist Church at Sandy creek, New York, January 12, 1881. Since that time he has been pastor of several churches in New York, namely, Gaines, Murray, Carl- ton and Warsaw, then coming to Conneaut and taking charge of the Baptist Church. Conneaut is his first Ohio charge. During his pastorate here his work has been of the most substantial character, both the church and Sunday-school having increased very materially.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 63

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