Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 64

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 64
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 64
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 64

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).

In the temperance cause Mr. Emmett is an earnest worker, occupying positions of honor and responsibility. He is Past Grand Patriarch of the Sons of Temperance of West- ern New York, and is Post Grand Chaplain of the I. O. G. T. He is also a member of the K. of P. and Jr. O. U. A. M.

Mr. Emmett devotes considerable time to literary work, his magazine and newspaper articles being in great demand. His article in the Homiletic Review of December, 1892, on "The Indian Problem from an Indian

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Standpoint," has received the highest com- mendation from the press and from the best. scholars of the country.

It is, however, as a lecturer that Mr. Em- mett has gained the greatest distinction. Re- cently he has lectured in Ohio, Indiana, Illi- nois, Michigan, West Virginia, New York and Pennsylvania. Among the subjects on which he speaks we name the following: "The North American Indian," "Somebody's Business," "The Boy of To-day," " Looking Backward," " Hours with Men and Books," "Three Little Indians," "An Appeal to Caesar," " Thou Shalt Not," " Who? Which? When?" " Why Dishonored ?" "The Devil's Auction," and " A Nation's Crime." Through his father he inherits Indian blood, and his lecture on the North American Indian is one in which he has taken particular interest. He spared neither time nor means in its preparation and wherever he has delivered it he has been highly complimented. The editor of the Daily Review, of Alliance, Ohio, says of this lecture, "It was a scholarly address, very instructive and spiced with just enough of humor to be quite entertaining." And from the Gleaner Review, of Shiloh, Ohio, we quote: "Rev. Emmett has a very pleas- ing address and handles his subject in a masterly manner."

Personally, he is a man of fine physique, has jet black hair and eyes, and is a brilliant conversationalist.

His pleasant home is made bright and happy by the presence of his wife and three children: Frank L., Henry H., Jr., and Shel- don S. Mrs. Emmett was, before her mar- riage, Miss Emily Augusta Waugh. Her father, Rev. Lyman G. Waugh, was for fifty years in the itinerancy of the Northern New York Methodist Episcopal Conference. Both he and his wife are deceased. Mrs. Emmett

is a member of the Baptist Church and is in full sympathy with her husband's noble work.

Such is a brief sketch of one of the most popular ministers and eloquent lecturers of his day.

C N. ROYCE .- The lumber industry is well represented in Jefferson, Ohio, by the subject of this sketch, who is largely engaged in the manufacture of all building material, and who by his energetic efforts has done much to advance the interests of the city and county.

Mr. Royce, was born in Lenox townsnip, Ashtabula county, Ohio, May 2, 1848, son of Jasper and Malinda (Chapin) Royce, natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts, respect- ively. His father removed with his first wife from New Jersey to Ohio about 1835, when that State was wild and unsettled, In- dians being plentiful and much game abound- ing. He settled in the woodland of Lenox township, Ashtabula county, where he was deprived by death of his first wife. Some time afterward he married the mother of. the subject of this sketch, who came with her parents to Ashtabula county in the '30s.

C. N. Royce was reared on a farm and re- ceived a common-school education. When sixteen years of age he had the misfortune to lose his mother, and at the age of nineteen was doubly bereft of his father. Thus early deprived of parental care and guidance he soon learned to shift for himself, learning those lessons of self-reliance and persever- ance which have since been of such incalcul- able benefit and have aided in placing him in his present prosperous and honorable position. He was married January 12, 1869, to Miss Rildie E. Dodge, daughter of Edward R. and

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Harriet A. (Groves) Dodge. The father died in 1885; the mother lives with her daughter. They were natives of New York and Ohio, respectively, and they have two daughters, Amy A. and Nellie. After marriage, Mr. Royce and his wife settled in Lenox town- ship on a farm, which he industriously im- proved until 1882, making it one of the best farmns in the county and greatly enhancing its value. In 1885, he removed to Jefferson, where for the last few years he has been ex- tensively engaged in the lumber business, operating both a saw and planing mill, the former with a daily output of 8,000 feet and the latter 3,000. He handles all kinds of building material and for the last few years has dealt largely in carriages, from which varied enterprises he derives a profitable in- come, and is the means of furnishing em- ployment to a large number of people, and has done much toward advancing the interests of the community.

In politics he affiliates with the Republi- can party. He is a worthy member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ensign Lodge, No. 400. As a business man he is upright and energetic, and as a citizen is pro- gressive and public-spirited, enjoying to a high degree the confidence and esteein of his fellow men.

R EV. BRAINERD MARC BUR- RIDGE, M. D .-- The church militant is ably represented in the subject of this sketel, whose warfare in her canse is incessant and effective.

His father, W. H. Burridge, a well-known attorney of Cleveland, Ohio, and for many years secretary of the Homeopathic College of that city, was born in England, and be-

longs to the Burridge branch of the family of Tiverton in Devonshire. He emigrated to the United States in 1820, settling in Cleve- land. He there married Lucy B. Brainerd, daughter of Jehu Brainerd, M. D., Ph. D., who was one of the founders of the Homeo- pathic College in Cleveland, and who was a professor in the Homeopathic College at Washington City for many years, besides having been Chief Examiner of the United States Patent Office. He married Edith West, who was a lineal descendant of Benja- min West, the celebrated artist, and they had but one child, the mother of the subject of this sketch. The Brainerd family date their advent to the United States in 1640, when they settled in East Haddam, Connecticut.

Rev. Dr. Burridge, of this biography, rec- tor of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, in Ash- tabula, Ohio, occupies a leading position among the clergy of the State as a thinker, orator, anthor and energetic man in the direc- tion of his calling. He was an only child, his birth occurring January 23,1867,in Cleveland, this State, where his early education was re- ceived in a private institution of much merit. When sixteen years of age he sailed for Europe, studying in the University of Stutt- gart and in Florence, Italy, in the latter coun- try perfecting himself in the ancient lan- guages and familiarizing himself with the manners and customs of a race of people who once ruled the world, and who still live in their literature. Two years sufficed to ac- complish this task, which few even of stronger physiqne would have attempted. He then returned home, prosecuting his professional studies in this country, graduating at the Western Theological Seminary in Chicago. lle received the degrees of M. A. and Ph.D. from Alleghany College, at Meadville, Pennsylvania; the degree of M. A. from

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Trinity College, Connecticut; and that of honorary M. D. from the Homeopathic Col- lege, of Cleveland. When fully equipped for his professional duties he was ordained to the diaconate by the Right Rev. William A. Leonard in Grace Church, Cleveland, March 19, 1890. He was installed a Canon of Trinity Cathedral in the same month and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Leonard April 7, 1891, and the same year took charge of St. Peter's Church in Ashta- bula, his present field of labor. In the midst of his other duties, the Doctor finds time to contribute to current literature, and is now having published his work on Robert Brown, as an exponent of the Philosphy of Life.

October 28, 1891, Dr. Burridge was mar- ried to Miss Fannie Burridge, a lady of many social accomplishments and charming personality, who was educated in St. Louis, Missouri. He who officiated at their wed- ding was Rev. W. A. A. Hastings, who is a descendant of the historic Warren Hastings and assistant rector of St. Paul's Church, Detroit, Michigan.

Few ministers are as thoroughly imbued with the Apostolic spirit and love for their calling and zeal in its prosecution as Dr. Burridge, and, unfortunately, few possess the gift of attracting and at the same time forcibly instructing others in matters of moment to their future welfare.

L EWIS HARPER, a real-estate dealer in Conneat, Ohio, is a veteran of the late war and a prominent and highly re- spected citizen of this place. Following is a résumé of his life:

Lewis Harper was born in Perry, Lake county, Ohio, November 30, 1841, son of

Aaron and Sarah (Richardson) Harper, both natives of Ohio. He is the only son and oldest child in a family of three children, his two sisters being Mrs. Laura Ford, of Con- neant, and Mary, wife of Henry Strong, a wholesale merchant of Newark, Ohio. The mother died in 1847, at the age of twenty- four years. The venerable father, now eighty- three years of age, is in the enjoyment of health and strength. His life has been one of honest industry, and by his sterling quali- ties he has gained the respect of all who know him.

Mr. Harper was engaged in farming in Ashtabula county until the breaking out of the Civil war. In September, 1861, he ten- dered his services to the Union cause, becom- ing a member of Company E, Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, First Brigade, Second Division, Twelfth Army Corps, in the Army of the Potomac. After the battle of Winchester, in the spring of 1862, he was taken sick and was sent to the hospital at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, where he remained a month and then rejoined his regiment. Among the important engagements in which he took part were those of Cedar Mountain, second Bull Run, Chancellorsville and Get- tysburg. After the battle of Gettysburg the Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps were transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, where they were consolidated, forming the Twentieth Army Corps and rendering valiant service. To give an account of all the en- gagements in which they participated would be to write a history of the war. Suffice it to say that Mr. Harper was among the vic- torious soldiers who saw the stars and stripes floating on Lookout Mountain after the bat- tle; took part in nearly all the battles in the Atlanta campaign; that he was with Sher- man's forces on that memorable " march to

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

the sea;" that he was in the march northward through the Carolinas, and that he witnessed the Grand Review at Washington. He had a furlough of thirty days, beginning Decem- ber 2, 1863, and with this exception and the one above referred to, he was in the service until the war closed, being mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, and discharged at Cleve- land, Ohio, July 13, 1865. And during all this time, although he was often in the thick- est of the fight and in close quarters, he never received a wound nor was he ever taken pris- oner. At one time he had a lock of hair shot off just above his ear, and in two different battles had bullet holes cut through his coat. Mr. Harper has a valuable relic of the late war, an English-make Enfield rifle, which he captured on Culp's Hill at Gettysburg, and which he carried from that time until the close of bis service. Both his paternal and maternal grandfather were in the army of 1812. All honor to these brave, loyal sol- diers who without flinching went into the heat of battle, faced the cannon's mouth, en- dured privation and exposure, and often sub. sisted on short rations-all for the love of country and the protection of the Old Flag.

The war over, Mr. Harper turned his at- tention to the business of ship carpentry, which he followed for sixteen years, and afterward for three years was foreman me- chanic in the shop of G. J. Record's butter-tub factory. Since then he has been engaged in the real-estate business at Conneant. He platted the Marshall Capron place, and has been successful in his business operations. Mr. Harper was a member of the City Coun- cil for two years, from 1890 to 1892.

He was married December 26, 1865, to Miss Augusta Dodge, daughter of James and Susan (Culver) Dodge, of Conneaut. They have four children, namely: Carrie, wife of

James C. Tyler, Conneaut; Ann M., Wallace M. and Sadie O., these three being of the home circle.

Mr. Harper and his wife are members of the Christian Church. He is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, hav- ing taken the degrees in the blue lodge, chapter, council and Cache Commandery. He is also an active member of Custer Post, No. 9, G. A. R., and has filled nearly all its offices. Politically, he is a Republican.

E R. CLEVELAND, a prominent and wealthy farmer and a highly respected citizen of Madison township, Lake county, Ohio, was born in Washington county, New York, October 17, 1829, a son of Daniel R. Cleveland, a native of Rhode Island.

The Clevelands are of English descent and can trace their ancestry back a number of generations. Benjamin Cleveland, the grand- father of our subject, was born in Exeter, Rhode Island, in 1744, son of Deliverance Cleveland, who was born in North Kingston, Rhode Island, in 1720. Deliverance Cleve- land was a son of Palmer Cleveland, who was a son of Edward Cleveland, who was born in Woburn, Massachusetts, May 20, 1663, son of Moses Cleveland, the first of the family who came to America, the date of his arrival here from England being 1635. Moses Cleveland was married in Woburn, Massa- chusetts, September 26, 1648, to Ann Weim, who came to America from England with her father, Edward Weim, in 1634.

While some of the Clevelands have been professional men and others engaged in busi- ness lines, most of them have been farmers.

Daniel R. Cleveland went from Rhode Is- land to New York State at an early day, and

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was there engaged in farming, being the owner of 300 acres of land. In later life he disposed of his farming interests and turned his attention to the railroad business. While helping to construct a line of railroad at Macon, Georgia, he died at that place, in 1836, at the age of fifty-two years. He was twice married, and had three children by his first wife, two sons and a daughter; and two by the second, E. R. being the only one now living. The second wife, nee Ester Monroe, was the mother of E. R. She died at the age of forty-seven years. Both parents were members of the Presbyterian Church, and the father was in politics a Whig.

E. R. Cleveland went with his parents from Washington county to Chautauqua county, New York, when he was eight years old, and when he was twelve came with his mother to Ohio and settled in Harpersfield township, Ashtabula county. He received his education in the district schools. After the death of his mother he lived with an elder brother until he was twenty-two years old. After his marriage, in 1851, he settled in Trumbull township, Ashtabula county, and a year and a half later moved to Union- ville, where he clerked in a store for several years. In 1857 he went to Steamboat Rock, Hardin county, Iowa, and for three years conducted a grocery business at that place. Returning to Ohio, he engaged in the prod- uce business, buying potatoes, fruits, etc., and shipping to the large cities. He retired from that occupation in 1870. Then he oper- ated a cider mill and manufactured jelly, syrups, etc., until 1890, when he turned the business over to his son. In 1882 he settled on his present farm of 120 acres, all im- proved and devoted to general farming and stock-raising. He has given considerable attention to the raising of fine shorthorn

cattle, and also raises a large number of hogs. His bank barn, the largest one in the township, he built in 1891, after his own plan. This barn is 44 x 88 feet, with three additions, one 40 x 60 feet, another 30 x 40 feet, and the third 24 x 70 feet.

Mr. Cleveland was married, October 16, 1851, to Miss A. M. Archer, of Macedon, Wayne county, New York, where she lived until her marriage. They have two children, Arthur B. and Leila E.

He and his wife are both members of the Congregational Church, and in politics he affiliates with the Republican party. Mr. Cleveland started out in life dependent up- on his own resources, and the success he has attained he attributes to hard work and good management.

R USSELL M. SKEELS, one of the most prominent citizens of Cherry Valley township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, an ex-soldier and a man who has served his county in many official capacities, was born in Rutland, Vermont, December 4, 1830. He descends from a prominent New England family, his grandfather, Russell Skeels, having been born in that, section, while Lyman Skeels, father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of the same county as his son. Lyman married Sally Mason, who was born at Fort Ann, near Whitehall, New York, and they later removed to Frank- lin county, the Empire State, and subse- quently to New Richmond, Pennsylvania. Here the father died in December, 1837, leaving a widow and two children: Harriet Burlingham; and Russell M., whose name heads this sketch. The mother subsequently married Charles Spellman, and they emigrated

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

to Ohio, settling in Ashtabula county. They had two children: Elsine Beals and Leland. The mother died in Williamsfield, aged eighty years, sincerely regretted by many friends.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received his education in the dis- trict schools. He learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for many years. He was thus engaged at the time of the war, when, in August, 1864, he enlisted in Com- pany D, of the One Hundred and Seventy- seventh Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infan- try and served until the close of hostilities, receiving his discharge at Greensborough, North Carolina. He then returned to Ash- tabula county, settling in Cherry Valley, where he worked at his trade until 1884, at which time he bought of Dr. Lawyer his present farm of 121 acres, sitnated in An- dover. This Mr. Skeels has carefully culti vated and greatly improved, having a com- fortable residence, two good barns for his grain and stock, besides other conveniences. This prosperity is due entirely to his con- tinued industry and intelligence, economical management of his means, and he justly de- serves his good fortune.

At the age of twenty-two, Mr. Skeels was married at Espyville, Pennsylvania, to Eliza Houlton, an intelligent and worthy lady, a native of Trambull county, Ohio, who has assisted her husband in attaining his present success. They have one son, Lyman W., who married Mary Stillman, a deserving lady, daughter of Olson Stillman, an old settler of Ashtabula county, and they have one daugh- ter, Katy. Although having but one child of their own, the kind heart of Mr. and Mrs. Skeels have led them to befriend many chil- dren, whom they have reared with the great- est care. One of these, Ella Bell, married C. D. Mason, a well-to-do resident of this

county, but she has since died. Katy Hart, another charge of theirs, died of scarlet fever at the age of three years. Gussie Fesler mar- ried O. H. Wibert, a prosperous farmer of Ashtabula county.

In politics, Mr. Skeels is a Republican and a prominent representative of his party. He has served his township in many capacities of honor and trust, having been Postmaster of Cherry Valley twelve years, Justice of the Peace nine years and Associate Justice for one year. He is a member of the School Board and has done much to advance the edu- eational interests of his township. He be- longs to the Hiram Kile Post of the G. A. R. Although not a member of any church, he contributes to that and all worthy objects. His wife belongs to the Free-will Baptist Church. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 506, also of the Golden Rule Society of Cherry Valley, of which lodge he has been Master for some time. He is a man of intelligence and integrity, frank and jovial, free-hearted and kind, and is a favorite with all who know him.

P ERRY A. TOWNSEND, a promi- nent merchant and progressive, pub- lic-spirited citizen of Windsor, Ohio, was born in the same place, April 10, 1848. He comes of good old patriotic New England and New York stock, his paternal grandparents, Henry K. and Laura (Graves) Townsend, having been born in Fairfield, New York, and Rupert, Vermont, respect- ively, the former April 13, 1798, and the latter October 17, 1799, their marriage tak- ing place in Champion, New York, July 21, 1817. They had six children: Allen G .; Baxter; IIenry, father of the subject of this

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

sketch; Eliza G .; Zilphia A .; and Simeon, a resident of Chicago, Illinois. Of these Henry was born in Grovener, St. Lawrence county, New York, March 16, 1824, and came in an early day to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he met and married Ursula Hig- ley, also born in 1824, and a native of the Buckeye State. This worthy couple began life in a modest way and have been so greatly prospered that the father is now numbered among the representative farmers of the county. Henry Townsend responded to the call of his country in its hour of need, enlist- ing in August, 1864, in Company C, of the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Regi- ment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and serv- ing until his honorable discharge in June, 1865, with the exception of four months spent in a Southern hospital. He and his wife were the parents of three sons: Perry A., whose name heads this sketch; Freeland H., born September 22, 1850, now residing in Orwell; and Henry B., born March 11, 1867, a musician of talent and celebrity and a manufacturer of violins. The father still survives, in the enjoyment of universal re- spect and esteem.

The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm and attended the district school of his vicinity. He worked on the farm as much as his not very rugged consti- tution would permit, when, fearing that his health would not admit of his following agri- cultural pursuits, be early began to turn his mechanical ability to practical account by learning the jeweler's business, soon becom- ing an expert in repairing watches, clocks and jewelry. In 1877 Mr. Townsend, as- sisted by his father, who placed $1,100 cap- ital against his son's knowledge, opened up a stock of goods consisting of drugs, groceries, watches, jewelry, stationery, etc., under the

firm name of H. Townsend & Son, the estab- lishment being managed by the subject of this sketch. By close attention to business, uprightness in dealing and uniform courtesy, Mr. Townsend acquired a profitable trade. April 6, 1882, the firm dissolved, the senior member retiring and the son assuming full ownership and management. He has yearly been increasing his stock, both in variety and quantity, until his commodious and well ap- pointed store-room contains a well selected supply of drugs, groceries, jewelry, musical instruments, stationery, tinware, farming implements, heavy and shelf hardware, cut- lery, etc., all of which are offered to the trade at prices to compete with any similar stock in the county. Mr. Townsend's me- chanical skill is a source of much conveni- ence to himself and patrons .. He holds a license to practice dentistry and has a set of dental tools made by himself, which same cannot be excelled by those of any dentist in the country. He also exhibits much ingen- uity in making violins and other musical instruments. He is a registered pharmacist and an excellent photographer, and is alto- together a most clever gentleman and fully deserving of his present prosperity.

October 26, 1891, Mr. Townsend was mar- ried to Miss Ida Bell, a cultured and refined lady of Middlefield, Ohio, who was for some time previous to her marriage a successful teacher in Windsor, this State. Mrs. Town- send is a woman of business ability and thor- ough devotion to her home and husband, as is shown by her investing all her means acquired in teaching in Mr. Townsend's busi- ness, realizing that their interests were iden- tical. Her parents, Reuben and Flavilla (Roberts) Bell, were early settlers of Middle- field, Ohio, and both descended from old New England families. Reuben Bell, born March

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

6, 1822, accompanied his parents to Windsor, Ohio, in 1831, and November 19, 1849, was married to Sarah Ellis, whose parents also came to the State in an early day. They had two children: Olney, born September 10, 1850; and Ossa J., born July 29, 1852. Mrs. Bell died April, 1855, leaving many friends to mourn her loss. May 7, 1856, Mr. Bell married Fiavilla Roberts, who was born May 27, 1834, and they had six children: Sarah E., now Mrs. E. L. F. Phelps; Ida H., wife of the subject of this sketch; Henry R: Creighton C .; Albert J., who married Emma Goldner; and Jessie M. Mr. Bell died Jan- uary 20, 1892, greatly lamented by all who knew him and appreciated his many worthy qualities. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend have one child, a daughter, born September 22, 1892.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 64

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