Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 69

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 69
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 69
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 69

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).

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

excellent judgment, and was a man who exerted an influence for good in the com- munity. In politics, he was a Democrat of the strictest school; in religious belief, a Uni- tarian. Mrs. Snow, by her many estimable qualities, won a high place in the esteem of ber neighbors and all those with whom she came in contact.

Samuel W. Snow, whose name initiates this article, was born in Sandersfield, Berk- shire county, Massachusetts, July 27, 1816. His education was received in the common schools of the township in which he now lives and in which he has passed seventy-six years of his existence. He was married February 9, 1842, in this neighborood, to Annie, daughter of Edmond and Anna (Gillett) Strong. She was born in Tallmadge, Summit county, Ohio, August 15, 1819, her people having come from Connecticut to Ohio in 1802. For many generations the Strong family had lived in Connecticut. They are of French and English descent. John Strong, Mrs. Snow's grandfather, was a captain in the Revolutionary war. Her father died in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, in 1844, and her mother died in the neigh- borhood of Austinburgh, in August, 1868. Following are the names of Mr. and Mrs. Strong's children: Henry Fitch, who died at the age of twenty-one; Leander, who died at the age of three; Harvey N., who lived to be seventy-eight, died in 1888; Lucius L., born December 14, 1814, died August 26, 1875; Ellen R., wife of George Whiting, Mayfield, Ohio; and Mrs. Snow, the youngest of the family.

Mr. and Mrs. Snow have five children, viz .: Edmond Strong, a prominent merchant of Hartland, Kansas; Sparrow Alexander, a physician of North Branch, Lapeer county, Michigan; Eleanor E., wife of Hamilton Irish,

a lumber and hardware merchant of Sterling, Kansas; Martha P., wife of Prof. J. C. Ran- som, associate editor of the Baltimore Herald, Baltimore, Maryland.

Mr. Snow's active life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, but he is now living retired. He has always taken a commendable interest in the public affairs of his locality, and has filled various township offices. Poli- tically, he is a Republican, having voted with that party since its inception. He is like his father in his religious belief. His wife is a member of the Congregational Church.

W ILLAM CALLOW, who is now living retired at North Kingsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio, is a native of the Isle of Man, born October 20, 1828, son of William and Margaret (Stephens) Cal- low, both natives of that island.

The senior William Callow was a tailor by trade, which occupation he followed in the old country for some years. Afterward he was engaged in fishing and coasting, going to Russia, Scotland, Ireland and England for salt, coal, etc. In 1828, he came to this country, being seven weeks in crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel, and in April of that year he located at Fairport, Ohio, being fol- lowed three years later by his wife and three children. ' His first employment here was in a furnace, working in coal and iron ore, and he continued to be thus occupied until about 1835. Then he bought a farm near the Little Mountain in Geauga county, where he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits until 1870. That year his second wife, nee Mary Corlet, died, after which he came to live with his son William, at whose home, two years later, he died September 7, 1872,

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aged seventy-seven years. He was a member of the Established Church of England. His first wife, our subject's mother, died in 1831, at the age of thirty. She, too, was a member of the Church of England. She had three children, of whom William is the youngest, the others being Thomas, a resident of the Isle of Man, now seventy years of age, and James, who died in Painesville, Ohio, at the age of twenty-nine.

William Callow lived on a farm until he was twenty. Then he worked at the edge- tool business, following that ten years, after which for nineteen years and two months he was in the employ of the Lake Shore & Mich- gan Southern Railroad, repairing their rail- road irons, etc. Since that date, July, 1876, he has been interested in farming, now hav- ing 202 acres, all except ten acres being well improved, his principal crops being hay, wheat, oats, corn and potatoes. His farm, with its substantial buildings, good fences, well cultivated fields and broad pastures, is one of the best and most desirable ones in the township.

Mr. Callow was married January 19, 1853, to Miss Electa Williams, daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Leavitt) Williams. Her parents, natives of Connecticut, came to Ashtabula county, Ohio, in their youth and were mar- ried at Kingsville in 1819, he being twenty- three and she eighteen. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father died in June, 1859, aged sixty-two; the mother, February 18, 1883, aged eighty- two. Following is a record of their family of ten children: Rebecca, widow of a Mr. Jones, died January 20, 1890, at the age of seventy; Adolphus, a resident of Kingsville; Erastus, Ashtabula Harbor; Mrs. Callow; Adelia, wife of Andrew Owen, North Ridge, Perry township, Ashtabula county; Marinda,

wife of Thomas H. Brooks, Mentor, Ohio; Isaac, living on a farm near Mentor; Hazen, who died at the age of twenty-one; and Elisha, a resident of Mentor.

Mr. and Mrs. Callow have five children, namely: Ella, wife of Joseph Howell, Ash- tabula Harbor, has four children, Bertha, Carrie, Pearley and Harry, and two, Ethel and Jay, deceased; James E., who married Minnie Louzelle, resides on a farm in Kings- ville township, this county, their six children being Eilein, Lucy, William, Lillian, Ber - nice and Thomas; Frank W., who married Dollie Fowler, resides in Cleveland, their two children being Alice and Anna Belle; Carrie, wife of William Fitch, Ashtabula; Fred B., who married Miss Sarah Wood- worth, has a family of three children, Grace, Helen and Jennie V.

Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Callow belongs to the Sons of Temperance and also the Good Tem- plars. In politics he is an ardent Prohibi- tionist.

In connection with the history of Mrs. Callow it should be stated that her grand- parents, James and Miriam (Leavitt) Leavitt, were natives of New Hampshire and came from that State to Ohio the year after Buffalo was burned. They were of English ancestry. Of their family of seven children only one is now living, Hazen, a resident of Michigan.

W ILBER F. STANLEY, an enterpris- ing and highly esteemed citizen of Conneaut, Ohio, who has been en- gaged in railroad contracting for some years, was born in Summit county, Ohio, February 19, 1843.

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His parents, Daniel S. and Hannah C. (Cranmer) Stanley, were natives of Vermont and New York respectively. Daniel S. Stanley came to Ohio in 1816, settled on a farm in Summit county, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, he holding various official positions in the church. It was at a camp-meeting in Ohio that they first became acquainted. She died in April, 1880, at the age of seventy-eight, and he the same year, at the age of eighty. For a num- ber of years he served as Justice of the Peace, and few men in Summit county were better known or more highly respected than he.

W. F. Stanley is the youngest of twelve children, eight of whom, four sons and four daughters, are still living. He remained on his father's farm until he was eighteen, re- ceiving his education in the schools of his native State. In 1861, his restless and am- bitious nature led him to go West, and in the pineries of Wisconsin he was engaged in the lumber business two years. Coming back to Ohio, he turned his attention to the railroad business. He was division master on the track of the Lake Shore railroad until 1871, with the exception of some time spent in the army. From 1871 up to the present time, he has been engaged in contracting, having built abont 500 miles of road. In March, 1865, he enlisted in Company C, One Hun- dred and Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the service until November of that year, participating in several skir- mishes, but most of the time being on guard duty. Mr. Stanley has been identified with Conneaut since February 1, 1863. He built the Stanley Block in this city in 1889-'90. He is a stockholder in the Conneaut Mutual Loan Association. He takes an active inter-

est in the various public enterprises of the city; and, indeed, any movement which has for its object the advancement of the best interests of Conneaut is sure to find in him a hearty supporter.

Mr. Stanley was married May 9, 1871, to Miss Alice Gould, daughter of Lorin and Mary (Silverthorne) Gould of Conneaut. Her father died in 1889, at the age of eighty years, and her mother is still living, now seventy-one.

Mr. Stanley has taken an active interest in social organizations. He is a member of the Masonic order, of which he is Past Master of Evergreen Lodge, No. 222; Past High Priest of Conneaut Chapter, No. 70; Past T. I. M. of Conneaut Council, No. 40; member of the Cache Commandery, No. 27; is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and a comrade of Custer Post, No. 9, G. A. R. In politics he is a Republican.

N J. SWEZEY, a prominent business man of Andover, was born in Herki- mer county, New York, December 4, 1831, a son of Orange and Sophia Swezey. Our subject was reared to farm life in his native State, and received his education in the district schools. At the age of twenty- three years he removed to Trumbull county, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming, dairying, etc., until 1866. In that year he purchased 250 acres of land one-half a mile east of Andover, and was engaged in buying and shipping butter and cheese and other oc- cupations until 1875, when he located in the city of Andover. Mr. Swezey gave his son a farm of 135 acres, one-half mile east of town. He now owns 275 acres two miles east of Andover, 135 acres three miles south-

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east of this city, 111 acres three miles south- west, and also has four residence buildings in the city. His beautiful residence, built in 1883, is one of the finest in Andover, and contains all modern improvements. In 1879 Mr. Swezey engaged in the sale of wagons, carriages, etc., in which he still has an ex- tensive trade. In 1890 his large warehouse and a part of his goods were destroyed by fire, and his residence was also burned in 1882. He now handles the Studebaker wagons. In addition to this our subject is also vice-presi- dent, director and a stockholder in the Bank of Andover, and was one of the founders of the Iron Fence Factory, of this city.

December 27, 1854, Mr. Swezey was united in marriage to Miss Malinda E. Peabody, a native of Gustavus, Trumbull county, Ohio, and a daughter of George W. and Cynthia Peabody. Our subject and wife have one child, George W., who resides near his father. They have also raised three girls, all of whom are now married, and they are now raising their grandson. In his political relations, Mr. Swezey affiliates with the Republican party, and has served as a member of the City Coun- cil and as Trustee. Socially, he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Andover Lodge, No. 506. Mr. Swezey has served as a Trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a num- ber of years, and has donated liberally toward the erection of the several church edifices in Andover.

H O. TRUMAN, EsQ., a prominent farmer and influential man of Troy township, Geauga county, Ohio, was born here March 11, 1839, son of Ly- man and Sallie (Pratt) Truman. He received a common-school education and for a short

time was a student at Hiram College, being there while Garfield was its president. He remained a member of the home circle until after he reached his majority. In the fall of 1861 he went to Minnesota and that winter taught school near Rochester. The following fall he joined the First Regiment of Minne- sota Mounted Rangers and assisted in quell- ing the Indian outbreak. In the winter of 1862-'63 he helped to take 1,400 Indian prisoners to Fort Snelling, and the following spring was one of the soldiers who escorted them out of the State. He was a Corporal and was in the service one year. In the spring of 1864 he crossed the plains to Idaho. There were several Indian outbreaks that year, but the train with which he traveled was for- tunate in escaping them. Mr. Truman spent five years in the vicinity of Idaho City, en- gaged in gold mining, returning in 1869 via the Union Pacific Railroad, which had just been completed. It was on Christmas Day he reached home. Since then he has lived on the old homestead. Here he has 130 acres of fine land and makes a specialty of dairy- ing.

In 1871 Mr. Truman married Amelia Houghton, who was born in Troy township, this county, daughter of Chester and Caroline Houghton, who were among the early settlers of this township. Her parents came here from New York State and for many years her father was engaged in farming. Both parents passed away at a ripe old age. Mrs. Truman was one of six children. She received her education at Hiram College, and before her marriage was engaged in teaching for several years. They have four children. Roy, Vern, Lulu and Frank.

Mr. Truman is a Republican. He has served as Township Trustee, and is now serv- his third term as Justice of the Peace. He

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is a member of the G. A. R. Mrs. Truman is a Methodist. Both are held in high es- teem by all who know them. Indeed, few people in this vicinity have a larger circle of friends than Mr. and Mrs. Truman.

J. HARRISON .- In almost every well- established community are to be found men typical of the best and broadest development resultant from the opportunities afforded by our national customs and form of Government. Possessed of those qualities which enable them to overcome and conquer all obstacles, they achieve commercial suc- cess and attain social position by reason of their inherent honesty of purpose, unswerv- ing loyalty to principle, energy of action and business integrity.

Such a man is J. J. Harrison, one of the founders of the widely known firm of The Storrs & Harrison Company,-one of the largest nursery establishments in the United States, -- to whose careful judgment, untiring labors and thorough business methods is due much of the almost phenomenal growth of its transactions.

Although a native of England, Mr. Harri- son has been identified with this country since his earliest youth. Born in the county of Kent, England, in 1829, he was brought to this country, in 1832, by his parents, who at once settled in Painesville, Ohio.

He received his education in the common schools of Lake county, the Academy at Kirt- land and the Institute at Hiram, finishing with a commercial course at Bryant & Lusk's Business College in Cleveland. where he graduated with honors.

At the age of twenty-one he launched out into life for himself and for several years

traveled through the Southern States and portions of Canada, engaged in the engraft- ing of fruit trees and the improvement of the then prevailing methods of raising fruit.

A few years later he located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where for three years he was ex- tensively engaged in handling green domestic fruits, his business soon increasing to an ex- tent that rendered it necessary to employ buyers and shippers in Ohio, New York and other States.

While thus employed, the financial panic of 1857 swept over the country, and, in com- mon with thousands of others, left him pros- trate. With characteristic energy and probity, he rallied to the task of repairing his shat- tered fortunes, and, after many heroic strug- gles, so far succeeded as to be able to pay off, in full, all his liabilities.

Returning to Painesville, Ohio, he started a small nursery and ran it successfully for two years. In August, 1859, he formed a partnership with Jesse Storrs, who also had a small nursery at the present location.

The business thus established soon began to grow rapidly, stimulated by the methods employed. Acre after acre was added, until from the first modest eleven acres, the land now occupied extends over an area exceeding 1,100 acres-900 being under the best and most approved cultivation.

The firm now cultivate almost every known tree and shrub that is of any value, as well as nearly all varieties of greenhouse plants, and have business connections with every State and Territory in the Union as well as with Europe, South America, Mexico, the West Indias, the Sandwich Islands and even anti- podean Australia.

They have twenty-eight greenhouses and four large cellars for storing roots, bulbs, stock and seeds. The largest of these cellars

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

is 156 x 50 feet and still another is. now in course of construction, which will be fully as capacious when finished.

The firm do both a wholesale and a retail business, and, although they have had no traveling salesmen for over twenty years, the volume of their transactions steadily increases. This somewhat unusual result is due to two causes-a liberal and judicious system of ad- vertising and the strictest adherence to the details of honorable dealing.

In 1871 Mr. Harrison visited England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Switzerland and Belgium, partly for pleasure but mainly for the purpose of acquiring the latest informa- tion as to the improvements and discoveries made by foreign scientists and horticulturists, in connection with his business,-the charac- teristic thoroughness of Mr. Harrison in all matters in which he is engaged, finding a good illustration in this long trip taken for such a purpose. At the present time the firm are doing a 'very large foreign and importing trade.

Mr. Harrison has a commodious frame residence, finely furnished throughout, in which he and his family reside. He has a charming wife and three children: Alice A., Herbert B., and Willard C. Mrs. Harrison is a lady of culture and refinement and is a member of the Disciple Church. Her maiden name was Rachel A. Tuttle. Her father, Charles Tuttle, an early settler of Lake county, Ohio, was born at Wilton, Connecticut, June 11, 1799, and moved to Mentor, this county, in January, 1822.

Mr. Harrison is possessed of an unusual degree of executive ability -a fact to which is due much of his success. For many years the varied and complicated details of the im- mense business carried on devolved largely upon him; and to the possession of that power

of combination and organization is due his unvarying good fortune in managing the large interests entrusted to his care and in con- trolling the great number of men in his em- ploy.

At the present time Mr. Harrison is the president of the Dollar Savings Bank, recently organized here, a position for which his ripe experience and extensive acquaintance with the business world, most eminently fit him. Politically Mr. Harrison isa Prohibitionist.

W ILLIAM H. DOWNS, an enterpris- ing citizen of Geneva, Ohio, was born at Westfield, Vermont, March 17, 1840, a son of the Rev. N. H. and Harriet (Pike) Downs. The father was a native of the State of Maine, born June 26, 1793; he removed with his parents to New Hampshire and thence to Vermont, where he fitted him- self for the ministry. He was married to Betsey E. Morse April, 1812. She died April 9, 1825, and after a few years he married Harriet Pike, who died in December, 1885, aged eighty-two years. He is the discoverer of Downs' Vegetable Balsamic Elixir, an ex- cellent remedy for all diseases of the throat and lungs, many hundreds of testimonials being received by the proprietors. He was for a few years engaged in the boot and shoe business at Troy, Vermont, and was largely interested in building and contracting. In 1854 he removed to Ohio and settled at Briston, Trumbull county; here he was en- gaged in farming and also spent much time in preaching until the time of his death in the year 1862. He was the father of eight children by his first marriage, and of twelve by the second: James died at the age of nine- teen years; Eleanor was born in 1831; Norris,

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Paul and Harriet died in infancy; W. H. was born in 1840 and Horace H. in 1841; Jasper C., James B. and Abbie; two children died unnamed. William H. came with his par- ents to Ohio in 1854, and worked on the farm for his father until he was twenty years old. He then embarked in business for himself, opening a meat market.

He was married at the age of twenty-one years to Maggie A. Griswold, a daughter of Jesse and Susan (Mansell) Griswold. Mrs. Downs' grandmother is a member of the Pennsylvania family of Duttons, whose gene- alogy is traced to the year 1132. After his marriage Mr. Downs dealt extensively in live-stock until February 20, 1865, when he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He did guard duty in Virginia and was stationed at Fort Delaware and afterward at Fort Fed- eral; he was mustered out in September, 1865. The year following the declaration of peace he removed to Gardner, Illinois, where he bought a farm, which he cultivated for nine years. He then came to Geneva, Ohio, and three years after taking up his residence he was appointed Street Commissioner. He built and operated the first street sprinkler used in Geneva. In 1878 he was elected Marshal and Constable and filled the dual office acceptably for six years. In 1885 he was elected Street Commissioner, and was re- elected in 1887, 1889, 1891 and 1893. He was Second Lieutenant of Company I, Tenth Regiment State National Guards, for four years, and was First Lieutenant two years, resigning the latter office in 1885. In all the walks of life he has ever shown an earnest- ness and sincerity of purpose that have won general recognition, and have placed him among the leading citizens wherever he has resided.

Mr. and Mrs. Downs are the parents of seven children: Curtiss was born August 14, 1862; Elva, born June 18, 1864, married J. S. Cooper and has one child: Jessie E., born June 15, 1866, married R. S. Sheldon of Jefferson, Ohio, has two children; William H., Jr., was born August 7, 1870; Fred N., born November 25, 1873; Earl, born January 5, 1877, and Charles B., born January 22, 1882.

A W. GATES, day operator at Andover for the Lake Shore & Michigan South- ern Railroad, was born at Sugar Grove, Warren county, Pennsylvania, April 28, 1853, a son of M. D. Gates, a na- tive of Marcellus, New York. The latter's father, Norman Gates, was a native of New England, and a son of George Gates, who was a cousin of General Gates of Revolution- ary fame. The mother of our subject was formerly Mary Bartlett, a native of Wales, Erie county, New York, and a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Ross) Bartlett, also born in that State. In 1872 M. D. Gates came to Andover, Ashtabula county, Ohio, and erected the first house on Gates street, named in his honor. In early life he was a sailor on salt water, having visited nearly every seaport of any importance, and later was a ship carpenter on the lakes. He was also an expert mechanic and gunsmith. In 1863 Mr. Gates enlisted for service in the late war, entering the First Michigan Regi- ment Engineers and Mechanics, consisting of 3,200 men. He served two years. He was a Republican in his political views. His death occurred at Andover, and his wife afterward married Allen M. Smith. She now resides at Yuba, Michigan.

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A. W. Gates, our subject, received a good education in Chautauqua county, New York, and at the age of seventeen years engaged in teaching. Two years later he was employed as telegraph operator at Perry, Ohio; after- ward held the same position in Oil City, Pennsylvania, and since 1873 has filled the position of day operator for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad at Andover, with honor and credit. Mr. Gates is one of the best known railroad men in the city. and has grown gray in the service of his present company.

In July, 1873, at Mayville, Chautauqua county, New York, he was united in mar- riage to Virtue A. Daniels, a daughter of Daniel and Lydia Daniels, residents of that county. Mrs. Gates was a popular and suc- cessful teacher before her marriage. Our subject and wife have four children: Morris Norman, Edith V., Pearl D. and Merta May. Edith is a graduate in music. M. Norman is a photographer and crayon artist. One child, Rosa, died at the age of six years. Mr. Gates affiliates with the Republican party, and is a member of the Sons of Veterans. He has served as Captain of his company, and also a member of the Division and as Com- mander in the Chief's staff. He is also a member of Andover Lodge, No. 506, F. & A. M., and of Jefferson Chapter. Mr. Gates has travelled extensively through the United States and Mexico, and is intelligent and well informed on the questions of the day.

J OHN H. CONVERSE, deceased, was born at Stafford Springs, Connecticut, January 17, 1817. He was a lad of eighteen years when his widowed mother came with her three children to the western

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 69

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