Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 68

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 68
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 68
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 68

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graduate of Oberlin College and now (1893) a member of the graduating class at Harvard University ; and Sherman, a graduate of New Lyme Institute and the present principal of the Mesopotamia (Ohio) schools. Great praise is due these two brothers for their personal efforts in obtaining an education qualifying them for professional lives. De- pendent on their own resources to obtain the necessary means, they did any and every kind of work, no matter how menial, to earn an honest dollar, and have been fully rewarded. Mrs. McIntosh also enjoyed superior educa- tional advantages, her natural ability and taste leading her to select the art of dress- making as a profession, a business which she still follows.

Mrs. McIntosh and her husband lose no opportunity to see and enjoy the attractions of life, abroad and at home. Their hospital- ity is proverbial, the stranger ever finding a warm welcome. They are generous neigh- bors, sympathetic friends, and whole-souled hosts. They have one bright, vivacious lit- tle boy, Robert J., an only child, born Oc- tober 7, 1886.

Politically, Mr. McIntosh strongly advo- cates the principles of Democracy, thus fol- lowing the life-long teachings of his step- father, one of the most prominent Democrats of the county. Mr. McIntosh takes an active interest in the material, educational and moral advancement of his community, ever lending his influence and aid whenever occa- sion requires,

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

December 18, 1845. Of his life and ances- try the following facts have been gleaned :

The Holcomb family are descended from English ancestors. Three brothers of that name came from England to America at an early day, one settling in Virginia, one in Canada, and the other in Connecticut. The one who settled in Connecticut was the pro- genitor of the family to which the subject of our sketch belongs.

Joel Holcomb, the grandfather of Dereath R., was a native of Connecticut. He moved with his family to New York and settled near Syracuse, from whence, in 1824, he made the journey with ox teams to Lake county, Ohio, and took up his abode in Le- roy township. There he built his cabin in the forest, and amid pioneer scenes passed the residue of his life, dying at the age of nearly ninety years. He was a veteran of the Revolutionary war, had fought at Stony Point and West Point and in other battles. along the Hudson river, and when his life work was ended he was buried in Leroy township with military honors.

Marcus Holcomb, son of Joel and father of Dereath R., was born in Granby, Con- necticut, April 20, 1807, and was eighteen years old when he landed with his father's family in Lake county, Ohio. He was mar- ried here to Lovisa Brooks, a native of Ben- nington, Vermont, born May, 1807. In 1815, when she was seven years old, she came to this county with her father, David Brooks, who settled on the South Ridge. After her marriage to Mr. Holcomb they settled in Leroy township and lived there until 1853, when they moved to the south part of Perry township. About the time the war broke out Marcus Holcomb located ou the farm on which his son, Dereath R., now lives, and here spent the remaining years of

his life. He worked on the Concord furnace and also on the railroad furnace. When a young man he was an exceptionally good wood-chopper, receiving extra pay for his work. He died July 24, 1880. In politics he was first a Whig, and later a Republican. His wife died October 29, 1883. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church. They reared three children: Delorma, Lidora and Dereath R.

Dereath R. Holcomb received his educa- tion in the district schools and the high school at Painesville. When he was twenty he began working the home place on the shares, and conducted the farm successfully. He now owns 100 acres, all improved land, and is engaged in general farming.

Mr. Holcomb was married May 20, 1869, to Emma Champion, a native of this town- ship and a daughter of Joel and Jemima (Gardner) Champion, both natives of New York State. Her parents came here in 1850, and are still residing on the old farm. Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb have one child, Frances.

Mr. Holcomb affiliates with the Demo- cratic party. He has served as a member of the School Board for a number of years.

EORGE W. AMSDEN, a well-to-do and highly respected farmer of Ash- tabula township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, was born in Vermont, June 25, 1825. His early ancestors were English, who settled in Massachusetts in Colonial times. His grandfather, Abraham Amsden, was born near Boston, that State, where he was reared. He married Submit Moss, and they had six sons and four daughters. In 1828 he caught the infection of westward emigration, and with his family removed to Ashtabula county,

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

Ohio, settling on land in Ashtabula town- ship, where he resided until his death. Samuel Amsden, his son, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Windsor, Vermont, October 20, 1799. His early life was passed in the East, where he married. A short time previous to 1828, the date of his father's removal to the frontier of Ohio, Samuel emigrated with his family to Ashta- bula county, where he settled on land which he successfully improved, and on which he resided for many years. His wife, Abigail Hazelton, was the daughter of an early settler of Washington county, Vermont. They had five sons and two daughters: Laura, deceased; George W., whose name heads this sketch; Eunice; Gilson A., deceased; Edwin, Austin O. and Lucius K.

The subject of this biography was but three years of age when his parents came to Ashta- bula county, which has ever since been his home. He was reared on the farm and attended the district schools. He afterward learned carpentry, and on attaining his major- ity worked at that trade, being thus employed for fifteen years. He then discontinued that occupation to engage in farming in Ashtabula township, and his practical knowledge gained in youth, his careful management, supple- mented by a good amount of energy, caused him to be greatly prospered, and he is now justly numbered among the most substantial farmers of the county.

In 1851 Mr. Amsden married Miss Emily A. Newell, an intelligent and amiable lady, who is a daughter of Harvey Newell, another early and prominent settler of this county. They have one son and one daughter. Mr. Amsden and his worthy wife are active members of the Reformed Episcopal Church,- which receives much valuable aid from their hands. He is deeply interested in the wel-

fare of his county, the material and moral prosperity of which he has done much to ad- vance, and justly takes precedence as an en- terprising and public-spirited citizen.

A MOS B. LUCE, ex-Treasurer of Ashta- bula county, Ohio, and one of the most prominent and enterprising men of Kingsville township for many years, is now living retired. As he has been identi- fied with this county all his life and is so well known here, a review of his life will be read with interest by many. Briefly given, it is as follows:

Amos B. Luce was born in Kingsville, Ohio, March 6, 1825, son of Calvin and Susan (Batchelor) Luce, natives of Massachu- setts and New Hampshire respectively, their marriage having occurred in Kingsville. Cal- vin Luce and an older brother, Artemus, came to Ashtabula county in 1810, and the following year their father, Mayhew Luce, came out here with the rest of the family, seven children in all, and settled in Kings- ville, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits and where he passed the rest of his life. He died here in 1844. For many years he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, as was also his wife, whose maiden name was Joannah Gorham. She survived him a num- ber of years, remaining a widow. Their children have all passed away.

Calvin Luce, like his father, was a farmer -an honest, enterprising successful farmer. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. For about six years he served as one of the Infirmary Directors. Ile died Thursday, February 28, 1856, aged tif- ty-nine years. From a former publication we clip the following: "Calvin Luce came to

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

this township in boyhood and helped to re- move the wilderness. He lived and died an honest man at peace with the world and with a treasure laid up beyond the power of rust, which he is now called to enjoy, leaving be- hind him a bright and beautiful example of Christian devotion and quiet, unostentations deportment and philanthrophy, a rich conso- lation to many relatives and friends." His wife died March 24, 1887, aged eighty-six years. Her parents were Amos and Susan- nah (Baker) Batchelor. Her brothers and sisters removed to Ashtabula county, and are all now deceased.

Amos B. Luce is an only child. He received an academic education and in early life de- veloped a talent for music. After leaving school he engaged in farming, and for some time spent his winters in teaching music. He has been a leader of the church choir for forty years. He continued farming until he was forty, at which time he sold his farm, turned his attention to the mercantile busi- ness at Kingsville, conducting the same for twenty years. Then, having been elected County Treasurer, he sold his stock of goods and entered upon the duties of his official position. He held that office four years, be- ing elected each time by a large majority, and according to law was not eligible for a third term. He served as Township Clerk some five years, and was Township Treasurer about the same length of time. This was before he was elected County Treasurer. He affiliates with the Republican party.

Mr. Luce was married November 8, 1849, to Miss Calista E. Dibell, daughter of John and Densy (Baldwin) Dibell, the father a na- tive of Berkshire, Massachusetts, and the mother of Durham, New York, their mar- riage occurring at the latter place. Soon af- ter they were married Mr. and Mrs. Dibell

came to Ohio, first settling in Denmark township, and in 1825 coming to Kingsville. Mr. Dibell was a farmer. He died August 30, 1873, at the age of eighty-five years and six months. His wife passed away March 17, 1874, aged eighty-seven years, eight months and twenty-one days. Both were members of the Baptist Church, in which for many years he was a Deacon. Following are the names of their seven children: Caroline, wife of Philetus Taylor, died April 19, 1889, aged eighty years: Elihu, who died in in- fancy; Sylvester B., of Wisconsin; Harvey L., deceased; Addison J., deceased; Calista E .; Timothy E., a resident of Michigan. John Dibell was one of the pioneer settlers of the Western Reserve and was well and favorably known here. His parents John and Sarah Dibell, the former a native of Massa- chusetts and the latter of New York, came to Ohio in 1811, where they passed the rest of their lives and where they died.

Amos B. Luce and his wife have long been identified with the Baptist Church and he has been a Deacon in the same for many years.

OHN MOSHER, a venerable citizen of Willoughby, Ohio, was born in Deer- field, New York, February 16, 1816.

James Mosher, his father, was a native of Pepperill, Massachusetts, born May 30, 1780. He went to New Hampshire when a young man, and for a time lived at Hollis Ridge. Subsequently he became a resident of New York State, where he worked at his trade, that of cooper. In 1831 he emigrated to Ohio and located in what is now Willoughby township, Lake county. Here he bought land, built a frame house, and cleared and improved a farm. He died May 27, 1865, and was buried on his eighty-fifth birthday.

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

His wife, Hannah (Pierce) Mosher, was born in Hollis, New Hampshire, March 11, 1781, and died January 11, 1857, aged seventy- seven years. Of their twelve children, John was the ninth born and is now the only one living.

The subject of our sketch came to Ohio with his parents, and attended school for some time after coming here. His educa- tional advantages, however, were limited. At the age of fourteen he began learning the trade of broom-maker, at which he worked after coming to Ohio until the business was no longer profitable. He has always lived on the farm upon which his father first settled, and in his youth and early manhood John rendered valuable assistance in helping to clear and improve it. This place comprises fifty acres of good land.

May 10, 1838, Mr. Mosher married Miss Abbie Stevens, who was born in Manlius, New York, in 1821, daughter of Perry and Mary (Boss) Stevens, both natives of the Empire State. Her father was a barness- maker and veterinary surgeon. He died at the age of fifty-five years, and her mother at seventy-eight. Four of their eight children are now living. Mr. and Mrs, Mosher were married at Willoughby, and for fifty-five years have traveled life's pathway together, sharing each other's joys and sorrows, and in all these years have never been absent from the home farm for any length of time. They have had four children, namely : Elvira, wife of Edward Stockwell, Lake county; George, married and living on a farm adjoining his father's; and Mary and Hannah, deceased. They also have an adopted son, Eddie H., whom they took into their family when he was a small child.

Mr. Mosher has been an ardent temperance man all his life. Formerly he was a Repub.

lican, but now he affiliates with the Prohi- bition party. Both he and his wife are con- sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a Trustee. He has been identified with the church for more than sixty years, and they are the only ones now left of those who worshiped with the Method- ist congregation here fifty-five years ago. Indeed, Mr. Mosher is the only one left in this neighborhood of those who settled here in 1838.

S ILAS E. SWEET, a successful farmer of Ashtabula county, was born in Sar- atoga county, New York, April 5, 1814, a son of Noah and Susan (Hollister) Sweet, natives also of that State. The pater- nal grandfather of our subject, Samuel Sweet, was a native of Massachusetts. In 1830. Noah Sweet and family came to Cherry Valley township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, but when seventy years of age he moved to Windsor, Trumbull county, this State, where he died in Octoher, 1881. His wife departed this life in December, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Sweet were the parents of twelve children: Warren H., Ruth Ann, Samuel, Sarah A., Silas E., Lena M., Susan C., Rachel, Ambrose, George Loomis, Frank and Susan S. The eldest, Warren H., a resident of Grant county, Wis- consin, is now eighty-eight years of age. On locating in this county, the father purchased 1,425 acres of land, which he gave to his chil- dren. He was a member of the Baptist Church.

Silas E. Sweet, the subject of this sketch, was early inured to the sturdy duties of farm life, and received his education at Saratoga and Clarendon, New York. He was one of the early and successful teachers of Ashta- bula county, having taught at Andover many

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

years, and many of his scholars being now men of renown. In 1839 he moved to his present location, where he now has 157 acres of land under a good state of cultivation, and provided with all necessary farm conveniences. In political matters, he affiliates with the Republican party, and has served as Assessor, Trustee, and as a member of the School Board.

April 5, 1838, Mr. Sweet was united in marriage to Henrietta Wakeman, who was born in Wayne township, Ashtabula county, April 17, 1819, a daughter of Samuel and Ruth (Wright) Wakeman, who were among the pioneer settlers of that township. The father, a native of New York, died at the age of eighty-one years, and the mother born in Pennsylvania, departed this life at the age of ninety-three years. They had fourteen children, namely: Jonathan, Polly, George, Samuel, Wright, Isaac, Henrietta, Ruth, Delight, Sally, Comfort, and three deceased in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Sweet have tour children: Silas Jerome, of Trumbull county, Ohio; Flora C. Phelps, of this township; Henry, a resident of Michigan; and Wright W., also of this township. Our subject and wife have thirteen grandchildren.

A BEL GERALD (the name being origi- nally Fitzgerald), who is now deceased, but was for many years one of the most prominent and popular farmers and stock men of Saybrook township, Ash- tabula county, Ohio, was born in Austin- burgh in 1819. He was of New England ancestry, his father, Edmund Fitzgerald, hav- ing been a native of Connecticut, born in the latter quarter of the eighteenth century. The father of Edmund was a loyal. patriot of

America, who helped to fight the battles which freed her from British misrule. In going to the point of enlistment for this service he took with him his son, Edmund, to whom was entrusted the driving home of the team. On the return trip young Edmund, then a lad of half a dozen summers, was captured by Indians, and he was not heard from until several years had elapsed. The war was over, and peace declared, and the boy given up by his parents as dead, when a party of Frenchmen, who were trad- ing with the Indians, saw the boy, dis- covered his nationality and bought him, in which way he managed to reach his family again. The father subsequently emigrated with his family to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he died about 1840, aged about eighty-five years. Edmund, his son, father of the subject of this sketch, learned the trade of making woodenware, and on his arrival in Austinburgh established a factory for the prosecution of this business, which proved a most profitable industry. Edmund was accompanied on his westward trip to Ohio by his father-in-law, Ambrose Hum- phreys, the journey being made in a jumper. They afterward returned to the East for their families. Mr. Humphreys was a millwright by trade, and erected the first mill in Austin- burgh, the mill being also the first in the . county. Edmund and Amanda (Humphreys) Fitzgerald had seven children: Harriet, who married Baldwin Morris; Henry ; Abel, whose name heads this sketch; Olive, now Mrs. Barney Lyons; Hiram; Rebecca, who married James Callaway; and Ruth, now Mrs. A. J. Brakeman.

The subject of this sketch received slight educational advantages, attending school, it is said, only about three months in his life. He had, however, a naturally active and

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

retentive mind, and by self-culture overcame these early disadvantages, becoming a well read and prosperous man. So well had he managed, by industry and economy, that by the time he had attained maturity and had chosen his life companion, he had already secured a home and other means. He early engaged in the stock business, buying and selling fat cattle and butchering and shipping the product to California. He was a mem- ber of and the prime mover in a company formed for the purpose of butchering and handling cured meats. He made money rapidly and was liberal with it, no worthy or charitable cause failing of assistance at his hands. He thus gained the deepest affection and gratitude of the people. He was do- mestic in his tastes and devoted to his business interests, and did not participate in public affairs, preferring to be of the governed rather than to become responsible for his actions to others. He was too old for military duty in the Civil war, but gave a son to the ranks. He was a member of the Methodist Church and a strong supporter of all worthy objects.

He was twice married, first in Ashtabula in 1831, to Lucinda Ellis, and they had six children: Mary Jane, who married Orange Lockwood, of Tonganoxie, Texas; Helen M., wife of Henry Wilkinson, of the same .place; Susan Amelia, wife of Charles Collins; Pruilla Eliza, wife of A. J. Beckwith; Abner; and William H., who ran away from school at the age of fifteen and joined the army, dying in camp at Columbus, Ohio. In May, 1857, the family were called upon to mourn the death of the loving wife and mother, whose life had been one of devotion to their interests. August 10, 1859, Mr. Ger- ald married Amanda Lavina Humphrey, widow of Harvey Humphrey and daughter

of Dr. Nathaniel Leonard Church, a native of New Haven, Connecticut, and a physician and surgeon in the war of 1812, who died August 14, 1863, universally regretted, by reason of his many brilliant qualities. His wife before marriage was Thirza Wheeler, a woman of superior ability and energy, and a member of an old and honored family. They had six children, the surviving members of whom occupy prominent positions in busi- ness and society. Mrs. Gerald had one child by her first marriage, Lulu, wife of Dr. L. B. Bartlett. Her son by the second mar- riage is Fred C., who is a prosperous and well known stock-man. He married Jennie Garner, and they have four children: Aus- tin, Percy, Susie and Ralph. May 20, 1876, death once more entered the family and left its members bereaved of the devoted husband and father, who was widely known and fully appreciated as a great and good man. Few have done more to benefit the community, and none more justly deserve the esteem of all worthy people. His life was a success in the best sense of the term and his noble, upright example cannot fail to exert great influence on the present and rising gener- ation.

0 RVILLE M. PHELPS, one of the lead- ing citizens of Cherry Valley, Ashta- bula county, was born February 16, 1839, a son of Harlow and Luna (Powers) Phelps, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter born near Rochester, New York. They came to Cherry Valley Center, Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1830. In 1864 they removed to Georgetown, Ottawa county, Michigan, where the father died April 5, 1892. at the age of eighty-seven years. The

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

mother died while on a visit to her children in Ohio, at the age of eighty-one years. The former was a farmer by occupation, and a Republican in his political views. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps had six children: Franklin, of Georgetown, Michigan; Hannah, now Mrs. Roberts, of Grand Rapids, that State; Cas- per H., of Aberdeen, Washington; Emily P., deceased; Oliver, deceased; and Orville M., the subject of this sketch.

In 1864 Orville M. enlisted for service in the late war, entering the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company D, served ten months, and partici- pated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Mur- freesboro, Shelbyville Pike, Town Creek, siege of Fort Anderson, etc. He was honor- ably discharged at Cleveland. During the year of 1865 Mr. Phelps lived in Branch county, Michigan, but in 1869 returned to his farm of eighty-eight acres in Cherry Val- ley, Ashtabula county. In his political re- lations, he affiliates with the Republican party, and has served as Township Treasurer and Trustee.

September 19, 1866, our subject was united in marriage to Flora C. Sweet, a daughter of Silas E. and Henriett (Wakeman) Sweet. To this union have been born two children: Egbert H. and Millie L.

S AMUEL W. SNOW, of Austinburgh, Ashtabula county, Ohio, is a member of an old and highly respected family that settled near the town of Austinburgh, in 1817. Here the Snows have resided since that time, and many of them have occupied honored and useful positions in the com- munity. They are of French descent, their ancestors having settled in the Cape Cod

country long before the Revolutionary war and having resided there until late in the last century, at which time the father. of Samuel W. married and removed to Sanders- field, Berkshire county, Massachusetts. In 1817 the Snow family decided to join the tide of emigration which had set in toward the Western Reserve some years before, and early spring found them with their effects en route through the wilderness to Ohio, making the journey with ox wagons. Concerning the trip, at the time of which Samuel W. was a babe in arms, he jocularly remarks that he enjoys the distinction of being the first per- son to come to Ohio in an iron-clad vessel the baby having been carried most of the way in a large iron kettle which formed part of the load.

Arriving at their destination, they made settlement a mile and a quarter east of Austinburgh, and here the parents, Sparrow and Clara (Kneeland) Snow, reared their family of eight children. Of this family we make record as follows: Emily, the oldest, wife of Benjamin Whiting, died at the age of seventy-nine years; Betsy K., wife of John C. Shepherd, is a resident of Austinburgh; Samuel W., Helen R., who married Horace Dunbar, died at the age of sixty-seven years; Edward S., a practicing physician near Detroit, Michigan, died at the age of seventy- two years; Clara E., widow of George Green,. resides at Ashtabula, Ohio; Lawrence M., a farmer near Austinburgh; Albert H., who died at the age of sixty-two, and Theodore, the youngest, who died at the age of four years. Both parents lived to a ripe old age, the mother dying at seventy-four, and the father at eighty-two. The latter was of a re- tiring disposition and never sought public office. He was a great reader, was well posted on the general topics of the day, had

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 68

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