Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 67

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 67
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 67
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 67

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).

The subject of this sketch received his pre- liminary education in the common and high schools of Hampden and afterward graduated at Kingsville Academy. Owing to lack of means, he did not take a course in college, but taught for two years in the academy, dur- ing which time he gave much attention to the study of languages. Determining upon the practice of law as his life profession he devoted his spare time while teaching to that study, later entering the office of Messrs. Canfield & Canfield, both eminent lawyers of Chardon. In September, 1872, Mr. Osborne was admitted to the bar and at once began to practice in Chardon, in partnership with Tilden W. Porter, with whom he successfully continued until Mr. Porter's retirement on account of ill health. Mr. Osborne then be- came associated with Hon. I. N. Hathaway, an attorney of ability and successful practice, with whom he remained until 1889, when he removed to Painesville, where he now has a large and lucrative clientage.

August 21, 1872, Mr. Osborne was mar- ried to Miss Flora A. Maynard, an estimable lady of Hampden, Ohio, who was for several years a successful teacher of music in that vicinity. Her father, Lewis G. Maynard, was a prominent pioneer of Geauga county, and belonged to an old and respected family in the East. Her mother, nee Elvira Blakes- lee, born in Hartford, Connecticut, was also a pioneer. She came early in life to Claridon,

Geauga county, Ohio, and was a teacher for a number of years before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Osborne have five children: Merton S., Allyn L., Carlotta M., Bessie E. and Car- rie E.

In politics Mr. Osborne upholds the prin- ciples of the Republican party. His father having been an ardent Abolitionist, the sub- ject of this sketch was reared in close sym- pathy with the doctrines of that party and early imbibed its strongest anti-slavery senti- ments. He has taken an active part in local politics since 1868, ably advocating on the stump the principles of his party. He was for five years Prosecuting Attorney of Geauga county, and was for a number of years a member of the Board of Education and of the village Council of Chardon, infusing new life into those offices by his unfaltering energy and business ability. He is fraternally a member of the Masonic order and has held the highest positions in the local bodies of that order. In civil life his conduct has been such that he commands the universal esteem of his fellow men.

HARLES TATGENHORST, foreman of the car department at the Nickel- Plate shops, Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Germany, February 25, 1848, and brought with him to this country the thrift and energy so characteristic of the people of his native land.

His parents, Frederick and Sophia (Hun- terman) Tatgenhorst, both natives of Ger- many, landed in America about 1869, two years after the arrival of their son in this country. Frederick Tatgenhorst did an ex- tensive business as a shoemaker in Germany, and after coming to the United States and

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settling in Steubenville, Ohio, opened a shop for the same business, which he followed up to the time of his death, April 25, 1891, at the age of seventy-four years. His wife died January 16, 1881, at the age of sixty-two. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. In their family were four sons and two daugh- ters, namely: Charles, the subject of this sketch; Didrich, who died in Steubenville, Ohio, at the age of thirty-one years; Chris- topher, a resident of East Liverpool, Ohio; Harmon, of Wichita, Kansas; Kate, wife of Henry Cook, of East Liverpool; and Kazena, who died at the age of twelve years.

Charles Tatgenhorst received his education in his native land. He learned the carpen- ters' trade there, and worked at it from the time he was fourteen until he was nineteen, at which age he came to America. He set sail from . Bremen, April 16, and after a pleasant voyage landed in New York on the 28th of the same month, 1867. Three days after landing in that city he was met by his uncle, William Tatgenhorst, of Albany, New York, to which place they went. After working on the farm with his uncle one month, and feeling the need of learning our language, he obtained employment with eight other men, none of whom could speak German, and he soon learned the English tongue. Next, we find him at Steubenville, Ohio, where he had German acquaintances, and where he worked at his trade fourteen years, his parents in the meantime having settled there. In 1871 he spent five months in Kansas City, Missouri, at the end of which time he returned to Steubenville, and from there went to Dennison, Ohio, where he was employed in the Pan-Handle shops three years and a half. After that he spent five months in East Liverpool, building houses. Then he went to Bridgeport, Ohio,

and built twenty houses for the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Railroad Company, after which he was employed in the same com- pany's shops at Lorain one year. In 1882 he entered the service of the Nickel-Plate Road. In their employ he traveled through the West, going from La Fayette to Chicago, then to Lima, and from there to Conneaut. Since 1882 he has been foreman of the car department of the Nickel-Plate shops at Conneaut. Mr. Tatgenhorst made his own start in the world, and by his honest toil and careful economy has won his way to success. He owns four beautiful houses nicely located on Liberty street.

Mr. Tatgenhorst was married, January 16, 1868, at Steubenville, Ohio, to Augusta Ohm, daughter of Christian and Hannah Ohm, of Germany. Four of the nine Ohm children grew to maturity, Augusta being the only one who ever came to America. He and his wife have three children: Sophia, Kate and Minnie. Sophia is the wife of William Attwood, a native of Sheffield, Eng- land, who has been in this country seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Attwood have one child, Charley. Mr. Tatgenhorst and his wife and daughters are members of the Con- gregational Church. He is a Mason and an Odd-Fellow, and in politics is a Republican.

H C. WHITTEKIN, civil engineer and surveyor, Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, Au- gust 22, 1851.

His parents, Frank and Martha (Koch) Whittekin, were natives of Germany, and were married in Pennsylvania. IIis father was born in June, 1799, came to America in 1836; settled in Pittsburgh; was a farmer and

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

furnace contractor; was self-made, lived an honorable and upright life, and won the re- spect of all who knew him. He died August 23, 1863. The mother was born in June, 1822; came to America in December, 1835; settled in Cleveland, and a year later moved to Pittsburgh. In 1842 she went with her husband to Venango county, Pennsylvania, where they bought a farm and spent the rest of their lives. Her death occurred in June, 1891. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. Their four children are as follows: Mary; Albert F., who married Edith Moore, of Venango county, is engaged in farming in Pennsylvania; H. C., the subject of our sketch; and Frank F., who learned civil en- gineering with his brother, and who married Addie C. Chadman, resides in Tionesta, Forest county, Pennsylvania, he being chief engineer of the Philadelphia, Honesdale & Albany Railroad.

H. C. Whittekin received his early educa- tion behind the kitchen stove, his mother be- ing the instructor. She was a woman of marked intellect, and had an excellent educa- tion, being a graduate of the school at Erfurt, Germany, and also having had experience as a teacher. She is said to have been better posted in politics than any one else in the county. Her specialty, however, was mathe- matics, in which science she took particular delight. She continued her studies all her life, being as much of a student at sixty as at twenty.

Mr. Whittekin's first business enterprise was in drilling and prospecting for oil in Pennsylvania in 1866. He was successful at this for a time and continued the business until 1872, when he sold his interest and took up civil engineering. Then he spent some time in the Western States and Territories, being in Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Arizona,

Washington, Oregon and California, a portion of the time in the employ of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company. In 1880 he located in Forest county, Pennsylvania, and engaged in the real-estate business and sur- veying, making that place his home until 1891. Then he traveled through Mexico, in the interest of the Mexican National Railroad Company, and afterward in the United States of Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Chili and Pata- gonia, prospecting for railroad enterprises, in the employ of the United States of Colombia. Since locating in Conneaut he has been en- gaged in civil engineering and the real-estate business.

He was married, in 1892, to Miss Alberta E. Lowden, daughter of Rev. E. T. Lowden, of Nebraska, Forest county, Pennsylvania. They have one child, Frank L.

Mr. Whittekin is a member of the Epis- copal Church, and is prominently known in Masonic circles. He is a member of blue lodge, No. 557, Olive, Pennsylvania; Con- neaut Chapter, Conneaut, Ohio; Keystone Council, Pennsylvania; Cache Commandery, Conneaut ; Pittsburgh Grand Consistory, Pennsylvania; and Syria Temple Shrine, Pittsburgh. His political views are in har- mony with Republican principles, and he has always been identified with that party.

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G EORGE W. TRAVER, who is engaged in the real-estate and insurance busi- ness in Conneaut, Ohio, has been iden- tified with the interests of this city since 1883.

Mr. Traver was born in Canada, December 6, 1837, and his parents, Jonathan and Anna (Weeks) Traver, are natives respectively of Kinderhook, New York, and St. Albans, Ver-

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

mont. Jonathan Traver was born March 17, 1801, and is now a venerable citizen of Con- neaut, having resided here since 1889. He is a veteran of the Canada Rebellion, having served on the Reformers' side. Until the early part of the present year (1893) he has never employed the services of a physician, and for a man of his age is remarkably well preserved in both mind and body. He has been an Elder in the Presbyterian Church for more than two generations. His wife was a Presbyterian until quite recently, when she united with the Congregational Church. They have had eight children, as follows: Delia, widow of Peter Yager, resides with her parents in this city; Angeline, widow of Cephas Peterson, is a resident of West Super- ior, Wisconsin; Marshall, a resident of Bridge- man, Michigan; George W .; Rev. Albert Tra- ver, minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Brockville, Canada, died at the age of thirty-six years; Louise, wife of Charles Arthur, of Trenton, Canada, died at the age of twenty-four years; and Edwin and Charles, hardware merchants of Conneaut.

George W. Traver received his education in Canada, and for three years taught school there. In 1857 he engaged in the carriage business in Chicago, Illinois, and was thus employed until the war came on. In October, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Seventeenth Kansas Volunteer Regiment, which company he raised in Leavenworth, Kansas. His first battle was that of Prairie Grove, Missouri. He afterward participated in the battle of Pea Ridge and numerous other engagements.

After the war Mr. Traver returned to Chi- cago and engaged in the stone business in Chicago and Lemont, Illinois, being thus en- gaged until 1876. By the great Chicago fire he lost everything he had except his pluck and energy. Subsequently he was connected

with Kimball & Co. in Alabama, that firm having the contract to build five locks in the Tennessee river. In 1883 he came from Alabama to Conneaut, Ohio, where he has since resided. He was engaged in the hard- ware business here until the spring of 1891, when he sold out to Hubbard & Co. Since that time he has been doing a real-estate and insurance business, and has been very success- ful in his operations. He was elected a mem- ber of the City Council in April, 1891, and is still serving as such.

Mr. Traver was married, in 1880, to Miss Tillie Alexander, daughter of James Alex- ander, of Leighton, Alabama. She is a grad- uate of Tuscumbia college. They have three children: Albert, Velma and Anna. Both he and his wife are members of the Congre- gational Church, of which he is now serving as Deacon, Treasurer and Trustee. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and has been identified with the Masonic fraternity for the past twenty years. Politically, he is a Repub- lican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln.

A. THAYER, who is engaged in the lumber business at Conneaut, Ohio, was born in this county, August 11, 1826, son of Jacob and Harriet (Kent) Thayer, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of Vermont.

Jacob Thayer was one of the earliest pio- neers of Conneaut. He came here in 1812 and settled on the farm now owned by L. A. Thayer and his son, D. C. Thayer. He and his wife had a family of six sons and three daughters, namely: Luke, Lewis, Jacob, An- drew, Galand aud John, and Annis, Sallie and Abigail, most of whom have passed away. Both parents were members of the

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Methodist Episcopal Church and were among the most substantial and highly respected people of the community. The father died in August, 1866, at the age of seventy-six years, and the mother died December 3, 1835, aged thirty-four, consumption being the fatal disease that called her to an early grave. Her parents died at the home of Jacob Thayer many years ago. The Kent family was com- posed of four children: Hiram, Asa, Harriet and Irene, all having passed away except one.

L. A. Thayer, the subject of this sketch, has been engaged in the lumber business for many years, at the same time conducting farming operations on his land. Mr. Thayer was one of the charter members of what is now the First National Bank of Conneaut, having served as a director of the same. He has been a Councilman of Conneaut several terms.

October 15, 1850, Mr. Thayer married Miss Laura M. Haviland, daughter of John and Mary (Hayward) Haviland. John Haviland was born in Danville, Vermont, June 26, 1792; married Mary Hayward in 1814; came out to Conneaut, Ohio, in 1816, when this country was all a wilderness, it being three months before his wife saw another woman here. Mrs. Haviland died in 1847, and a few years later Mr. Haviland married Miss Uranie Spalding, who was born in Chelsea, Vermont, August 11, 1806, and who died March 11, 1892. Her parents settled in the town of Monroe, Ohio, in 1816. She was the youngest in a family of eight, all of whom have passed away. In the Haviland family were eight children, three of whom are living, namely: Mrs. L. A. Thayer, Mrs. Alvin Huntley, and Mrs. Augustus Horton.

Mr. and Mrs. Thayer have five children, as follows: Alice, wife of George W. Miley, Chicago, has two children, Lewis and Fred-

erick G .; Burton E., whose biography follows this sketch; Carlos H., Hinsdale, Illinois, married Amy Slocum, of that place, and has one child, Robert T .; Danford, a resident of the southern part of Conneaut township, married Rosa Krommer; Edson C., of Con- neaut, married Nellie Ford, and has one child, Frank B.

Both Mr. Thayer and his wife are mem- bers of the Christian Church, of which he is a Deacon and Trustee. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Republican. He and his good wife are highly respected residents of the county. They en- countered many of the deprivations and trials incidental to Ohio pioneer life.

Burton E. Thayer, Cashier of the First National Bank of Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Ashtabula county, this State, January 18, 1855, son of L. A. Thayer. He received his education in Conneaut and Painesville. His first business enterprise was that conducted under the firm name of Guthrie & Thayer, the firm being in the drug business two years. Then for three years he was Deputy Postmaster under M. B. Keyes, after which he was bookkeeper for S. J. Smith until the First National Bank was organized, since which time he has been cashier of the bank. He helped to organize the bank of Lake, Thayer & Smith, and afterward the First National Bank. He has been associated in business with Mr. Smith for the past seven- teen years. In 1887 he established a livery business in Conneaut, and is still interested in the same, having begun on a small scale and from year to year increased his facilities until he now keeps twenty-six horses and a fine assortment of carriages and other vehicles. Since March, 1892, he has had a half interest in the Commercial Hotel of Conneaut; and Conneaut, by the way, boasts of the best hotel

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

accommodations between Buffalo and Cleve- land. Few men of this city have its best in- terests more at heart than he. For the past fifteen years he has served as Township Treas- urer, his continued re-election being ample evidence of the high degree of satisfaction he has rendered.

Mr. Thayer was married September 5, 1878, to Miss Clara Risdon, daughter of E. Risdon, of Conneaut. They have four children: Lee Carl, Alice E., Hazel J. and Harry E.

In fraternal as well as business circles Mr. Thayer is prominently known. He is a mem- ber of Maple Lodge, No. 217, Conneaut, and also the Conneaut Division, No. 145, Uni- form Rank, K. of P .; Evergreen Lodge, No. 222, F. & A. M .; Salem Lodge, No. 1314, K. of H .; Conneaut Council, No. 780, R. A. M., and Conneaut Tent, No. 100, K. O. T. M.

Although not a church member, he attends the Christian Church and is a supporter of the same.

H ON. HENRY MEANS .- The legal profession in Geneva, Ohio, has no more able representative than the sub- ject of this sketch, whose years of ex- perience have but deepened those natural tendencies calculated to win success in this difficult calling.

His parents, John N. and Ellen (Pearson) Means, were both natives of Pennsylvania, his maternal grandparents being Quakers. His father was an extensive farmer, who, in 1864, met with a great misfortune in having both of his hands amputated by a mowing machine, and he lived thirty years in this mained condition. He and his wife were worthy members of the Lutheran Church.

The subject of this sketch was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, September 23, 1849, where his early years were passed. He received his education in the Grand River Institute in Austinburg, Ohio, at which he graduated in 1874. He subsequently taught school for several terms, after which he began the study of law in the office of his brother, L. H. Means, at Jefferson, Ohio. After four years of faithful prosecution of his studies, he was admitted to the bar in December, 1878, and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession in Geneva, which has ever since been his home. By careful attention to business, together with a thorough knowledge of his profession and a reputation for up- rightness, he soon secured foremost rank in his calling and has continued in the confi- dence of the people.

July 2, 1874, Mr. Means was married to Miss Hattie M. Bond, a lady of superior in- telligence, residing in Rock Creek, Ohio, born in 1853. She is a daughter of Henry and Caroline (Hunt) Bond, natives of Chau- tauqua county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Means have four children: William H., born August 6, 1875; Laura, born August 6, 1880; Ralph P., born in August, 1889; and Robert L., born June 19, 1892.

In politics, Mr. Means is a Republican, and was honored by his constituents with election to the office of Mayor of Geneva, in April, 1892, and in the discharge of his du- ties has advocated every measure calculated to advance the interests of his favorite city. He is a director and stockholder in the First National Bank of Geneva, to which institu- tion he has rendered able service by his wise and conservative judgment. He naturally takes a deep interest in educational matters and is a useful member of the School Board of his city.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Mr. Means has shown marked talent as a public speaker and his services have been in demand in the political campaign and on public occasions of varied orders. A broad intelligence and true oratorical ability have given him a wide and popular reputation in this line.

Fraternally, he affiliates with the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. In religion, both he and his worthy wife are active members of the Con- gregational Church. A genial and unosten- tatious gentleman, able business man and lawyer, and progressive citizen, he enjoys the esteem of the community to the advancement of which he has devoted the best years of his life.

AMES B. McINTOSH, a prosperous farmer, residing one mile south of Windsor, Ohio, and a representative of an old and respected pioneer family of Ash- tabula county, was born in Windsor town- ship, this county. His father, James B. McIntosh, was also a native of Ohio and of good old New England ancestry, he having been identified with Windsor township from its earliest settlement. It was then covered with a primeval forest, the land which he purchased being overgrown with dense woods, which he assiduously cleared away and fin- ally erected a good residence and barns, be- sides other buildings, cultivating a large and productive farm, which his descendants now enjoy. He married Rachel Rawson, also a member of a prominent pioneer family, who settled in Lorain county, Ohio, in an early day. There she was born. They had four children: George D., a commercial traveler, residing in Akron, Ohio; Frances, wife of

M. M. Goddard, a respected citizen of Or- well, this State; Adelaide, wife of L. B. Bower, of Windsor; and James B., whose name heads this sketch. Thus happily placed, this worthy couple were separated by the death of the husband and father, who in the prime of manhood, at the age of thirty-three, succumbed to sickness, expiring December 15, 1855, leaving his wife, four children and many friends to mourn his loss. He was an able business man, a good neighbor, honor- able, progressive citizen and faithful friend, and was greatly lamented by all who knew him. Thus left with the care of four chil- dren and the management of her farm, Mrs. McIntosh conclusively demonstrated her abil- ity as a business woman and a worthy mother. Four years after the death of her husband she married Samuel C. Wilson, a prominent and respected citizen of Ashtabula county, who proved a most affectionate and kind father to the four children of his wife. In- deed, the subject of this sketch testifies in most glowing terms to the goodness of this worthy man. He says: "To my stepfather's early teaching, and paternal advice and watch- fulness, I owe my manhood and financial suc- cess in life." Could a greater tribute be paid to any one? By her second marriage, Mrs. Wilson had four children: Elverton C., a well-to-do citizen of Mesopotamia; Samuel R. and Perry A., both at home and unmar- ried; and Eva, an estimable lady, who mar- ried J. D. Howes, a respected citizen of Mesopotamia, and died in early womanhood, leaving seven children.

James B. McIntosh, whose name heads this sketch, was reared on the home farm and received his primary education in the schools of his town, later going to Orwell Academy and Grand River Institute. He subsequently became a teacher in the district and graded

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

schools, in which profession he was eminently successful. With an earnest desire to travel and learn more of the world than could be acquired at home, he entered the employ of the Cleveland Lightning Rod Company, whom he served faithfully and efficiently for three consecutive years. At the end of this time, he severed his engagement with them and entered the employ of Sells Brothers Circus Company in the advance brigade, which responsible position he held satisfac- torily for two years. He then accepted a similar position with O'Brien's Circus Com- pany, with whom he continued a year. Hav- ing by this time sufficiently satisfied his curi- osity for sight-seeing, he left the road and settled down to the solid comforts of home and the substantial enjoyments of farm life. He is to-day, by reason of his frugality and industry-qualities which he owes to the teachings of his stepfather-the owner of 107 acres of fine land, well adapted to tilling and stock-raising. The farm lies on either side of the public highway, and on the place are a comfortable farm residence, good barns and other buildings, all remodeled by Mr. McIntosh, and presenting a neat, thrifty, and homelike appearance.

December 15, 1888, Mr. McIntosh was married to Miss Ellen Callender, an educated and accomplished lady, daughter of Robert Callender, deceased, who was a prominent resident of Hart's Grove, Ohio, and member of a family closely connected with the early history of that county. Mrs. McIntosh was one of ten children, three of whom died at an early age. Those living are here men- tioned in the order of their birth: John; Ellen, wife of the subject of this sketch; D EREATH R. HOLCOMB, a well- known farmer of Perry township, Lake county, Ohio, and a native of Florence, now Mrs. John Hall of Cortland, Ohio; Wesley; Jennie, wife of H. W. Raw- don, of Windsor, same State; Guy S., a | this county, was born in Leroy township,

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 67

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