Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 72

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 72
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 72
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 72

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).

Harlay N. Bushnell was born in 1821, on the farm where he now lives. He was reared here, and after he grew up built a house upon the farm. In this domicile he lived for fif- teen years. At the end of that time he bought the farm and moved back to the old homestead. December 2, 1846, he married Sarah C. Burrell, a native of Ashtabula county. Her parents, John and Sylvia (Waterous) Burrows, natives of Saybrook, Connecticut, emigrated to Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1810, making the journey to their Western home by a wagon. Both parents died here. Her father was a miller. They had seven children, six daughters and one son. Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell have three children, namely: Marcia C., wife of Charles H. Morse, of Monroe township; Lucia R., wife of J. B. Hill, residing on the old home place with her father; and Elvira A., wife of James Lafferty, also of Monroe township.

Mr. Bushnell started out in life a poor

boy, and without any assistance whatever, worked his way to success. He is now the owner of ninety acres of well-improved land. He casts his vote and influence with the Re- publican party, and for fifteen years has served the public as Justice of the Peace. He has also filled other local offices. During the Civil war he was for a short time in the State service. He is a man of genial disposition and generous impulses, and few men in this vicinity hold a higher place in the esteem of their fellow citizens. Mrs. Bushnell is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Bushnell, although not a member, is in sym- pathy with church work.

H ORACE F. GIDDINGS, a successful farmer of Wayne township, Ashtabula county, where he was born January 24, 1808, is a son of Elisha Giddings, a native of Connecticut. The latter's father, Joshua Giddings, Sr., was a Revolutionary soldier, and the father of Hon. Joshua R. Giddings. Joshua Giddings, Sr., was twice married, first to a Miss Jones, and afterward to Elizabeth Pease. They remained in this county until their death, and are buried at West Williamsfield. Elisha Giddings was married at Batavia, New York, to Phiole- theda Fish, a native of New England, and a daughter of Josiah Fish. Mr. and Mrs. Gid- dings came with ox teams to Ashtabula county, Ohio, locating on the Hayes road, where they erected a cabin in October, 1805, and being among the first settlers of the township. Mr. Giddings voted first with the Whig party, later with the Republicans; was the first Trustee of Wayne township, and was a member and active worker in the Con- gregational Church. To him and his wife

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

eleven children were born, namely: Anson J., Joshua H., Horace F., William C., Josiah Marvin, Elisha Lester, Emery Sidney, Edwin, Sophia, Phioletheda and Seth H. The father died at the age of seventy-five years, and the mother at the age of eighty-four years. They were buried at the old Hayes Cemetery, in Wayne township.

Horace F. Giddings, the subject of this sketch, began working for himself at the age of thirteen years, receiving $6 per month, and at the age of fifteen years engaged in logging. About 1853 he came to his farm in Wayne township, Ashtabula county, where he now owns 279 acres of well improved land. Mr. Giddings has two residences, good barns, an orchard, dairy, etc. He raises the Jersey and Ayrshire cattle, and has taken many premiums in cheese and butter, at the State and county fairs.

In Wayne township, December 15, 1833, our subject was united in marriage to Almira Jones, who was born in Connecticut, Sep- tember 27, 1808, a daughter of Samuel and Deborah (Hayes) Jones, natives also of that State. They came to Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1811, and remained on a farm until their death, the father dying at the age of ninety- eight years, and the mother at eighty-one years. They have seven children: Lineas, Flabel, Statira, Almira, Anson, Emily and Samuel. Mr. and Mrs. Giddings have had three children, two now living: Albert C., a contractor of Batavia, New York; and Sta- tira, wife of Henry Simkins, of Wayne town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Simkins have eight chil- dren: Frederick Merrick, William Herbert, Ernest, Frank, Carl, Herbery, Helen and Ar- thur. The first of our subject's children, Fred- erick Merrick, was born in 1834,reared and ed- ucated in Wayne and Cherry Valley townships, and in 1861 enlisted in the One Hundred and

Fifth Ohio Infantry. He was wounded in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, remained in the hospital at that city for a time, was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, but contracted a severe cold while on the Ohio river. This sickness proved fatal, and April 21, 1862, he died at the age of twenty-eight years and six months. Horace F. Giddings, our subject, is a stanch Republican, and has held many of the township offices. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, in which the former has served as Deacon many years.

A NDREW L. RODGERS, a prominent ex-employé of the Lake Shore Railroad Company, in the capacity of superin- tendent of buildings and bridges on the entire Toledo Division, was born in Ran- dolph, Orange county, Vermont, April 4, 1818. His father, Adonijah B. Rodgers, was born in Norwich, Connecticut, and was a carpenter by occupation. He married Alsa Woodard, also a native of the New England States. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was wounded in the battle of Lundy's Lane, losing a knee-cap. He emi- grated to Vermont about 1812; some years later moved to New York, and died in Syra- cuse, that State, at the age of eighty-two years. This worthy couple had six children: one died in infancy; A. L., subject of this sketch; Frederick, living near Syracuse, New York; Cornelia died with cholera in 1832, when young; Betsy; and Adaline, who mar- ried Charles Leer, and died at the age of forty. The paternal grandfather of the sub- ject of this notice, Adonijah Rodgers, was a merchant by occupation. He married a Miss Noble, a native of Scotland. Eight children

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were born to them: Andrew, Pelatiah, Ne- hemiah, Benjamin, Sallie, Betsy, Clara and Harriet. The grandfather died at the ad- vanced age of probably ninety years, and while our subject was serving his apprentice- ship.

The gentleman whose name heads this brief biography was reared and liberally edu- cated in his native city. At the age of four- teen he was apprenticed to Samuel Doyl, of Montpelier, in the same State, to learn the carpenters' trade, requiring a service of seven years to become its master, during which time he worked in Vermont and in Essex county, New York. His trade learned, Mr. Rodgers decided to settle in the West, toward which emigration was turning, and accord- ingly, in his twenty-second year, commenced his journey to Ohio. He visited, however, along the way for a few months, finally stop- ping in Trumbull county, Ohio, securing work in Niles, Youngstown and other points, and being there employed for about seven years. He next removed to Orwell, Ashta- bula county, the same State, and there built many substantial structures, which may yet be seen, after a lapse of forty years, in good condition. Five or six years later he came to Ashtabula to reside, which has since been his permanent home. In 1852 he secured employment with the Lake Shore Railroad Company as a carpenter, at $1.25 a day, and after working three weeks was given charge of a gang of men and ordered to report direct to the engineer's department. One year later he was given general supervision of the re- pair work on buildings and bridges, and was sent to superintend the construction of all the wooden structures on a railroad line run- ning from Jamestown to Franklin, and after- ward extended to Oil City. On his return to the Lake Shore Railroad Mr. Rodgers was

promoted to be foreman of construction on the Toledo Division of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, then consoli- dated. After erecting the iron bridge at Ashtabula he was ordered to Cleveland to superintend the construction of the new depot, a building 185 x 300 x 66 feet. These and many other important services were rendered by Mr. Rodgers to his company during his twenty-eight years of faithful and efficient. service, which ended in 1880. Mr. Rodgers has invested largely in real estate in Ashta- bula and other cities, and these investments yield him a handsome income, and to them he now devotes his attention, enjoying in comfort the products of his earlier years of labor.

In September, 1841, Mr. Rodgers married Lydia Ann Raxford, a lady highly esteemed for her many excellent qualities, and daugh- ter of David and Jane (Smith) Raxford. They have had three children, two of whom sur- vive: Andrew Benjamin, residing in Geneva, Ohio; Luthera Jane married Joseph Wood- hull and is now deceased; and Inez Alsa.

Socially, Mr. Rodgers holds a high posi- tion in the Masonic order. He was elected High Priest of the Western Reserve Chapter nine consecutive times. In his domestic and business relations he is equally fortunate, having inspired his community, by his uni- formly honorable conduct, with the highest regard for his ability and worth.

NORTON, of Colebrook, Ashtabula county, Ohio, is well known in this vicinity, where he has been engaged in merchandising for a number of years.

Mr. Norton was born in November, 1820, son of J. and Patty (Avery) Norton, being

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one of a family of nine children, five of whom are living. The names of the deceased are Philo, Dorothy, Experience and Jonathan; and those living are Betsey, the subject of our sketch, Edward, Reuben and Alonzo. Mr. Norton's father was a farmer, a man of means and an influential citizen. He and his wife were prominent and consistent members of the Free-will Baptist Church.

The subject of this article has been a resi- dent of Ashtabula county since 1840, first living at Ashtabula, then at Hart's Grove, and for a number of years at Colebrook Cen- ter. He attended the academy in Ashtabula two terms, after which he taught school three years. Then he turned his attention to farm- ing and stock-raising, owning and operating a farm of 153 acres for several years On account of failing health, he sought a change of occupation, and for some time was engaged in selling fruit-trees. Next, he was employed as a huckster, and for the past twenty-three years he has been engaged in merchandising. Two years he served as Town Treasurer. In all his dealings he has proved himself a straightforward, honorable and upright busi- ness man, and has gained the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact.

Mr. Norton was married in 1847, to Miss Mary Jane Avery, who was born in 1830. They have eight children, namely: E. Lottie, Angeline, F. W., Philo, Avery, Sextus, Lena and Ernest-all married and settled in life, except the youngest. Our subject and his wife are members of the Free-will Baptist Church, in which he is a Deacon and Clerk. Five of their children are also members of this church. With Sabbath-school work Mr. Norton has long been identified, having served as Superintendent of the Sabbath- school and as teacher of the Bible class. Of

a generous nature, he contributes freely of his means toward the advancement of re- ligious and benevolent enterprises. Politi- cally, he is a Republican.

In early life Mr. Norton frequently in- dulged in the sport of hunting, being an expert in hunting bees. During one fall he found twenty-two colonies of bees.

H ARRY M. KUNKLE, of the firm of Kunkle Brothers, tug owners, stands at the head of the progressive young business men of Ashtabula, Ohio. He was born July 15, 1858, in Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Daniel Kunkle, his father, was born and reared in the same county as his son, and was for many years actively engaged in the lumber busi- ness. He was greatly prospered and has now retired, being an honored citizen of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, enjoying good health for a man of sixty-two years. He married Rebecca Smith, one of five children,- all girls,-of the other four of whom we make the following brief mention: Lydia married Isaac Keeper; Jane married James Geigar; Polly is the wife of Leisure Chambers; and Martha, who married William Mansfield and removed to Oswego, Kansas, where she has since died. Daniel Kunkle was the father of two sons: Harry M., the subject of this sketch; and William, senior member of the firm of Kunkle Brothers, Ashtabula. The Kunkle family is of German descent, their ancestors having settled near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whence the paternal grand- father of the subject of this sketch emigrated to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Mary, had four children; Michael, Amos, Jacob and Daniel.

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The gentleman, whose name heads this notice, was reared in his native city, where he received a common-school education, which has been re-enforced by an extensive business experience. When but a youth, he came to Ashtabula with the intention of starting in life for himself. He looked about for employment and secured a position as brakeman on the Lake Shore Railroad. His report home that he was clerking, not being the most satisfactory, his mother decided to pay him a visit unannounced, the result being a severing of his connection with the opera- ting department of the Ashtabula, Paines- ville & Youngstown Railroad. He thereupon returned to Pennsylvania, and did not again visit Ashtabula until the fall of 1880, when he embarked with his brother in the whole- sale lumber business, in which they were profitably engaged for five years. During this period, the Harbor experienced quite a building era. Many of her inhabitants were desirous of building houses for themselves, but were unable to buy both lot and lumber and the Kunkle Brothers came to their relief by letting them have lumber on yearly and other time payments, thus making it possi- ble for many worthy families to become happy owners of their own homes. In this manner as many as forty houses were erected, one at a time, and the Kunkle boys had a heavy load to carry, but they carried it and with only an occasional loss. On going out of the lumber business, the brothers gave their attention to the tug business, buying out Captain Downs, and later the interest of George Fields. They were the first to intro- duce tug building at the Harbor, and in 1890 built and launched the first tug, the "Kunkle Brothers," which was followed in 1892 by the Sunol, the largest tug built in the har- bor. They now operate three boats and do a

large and lucrative business. Besides this, Mr. Kunkle is interested in real estate, in which he deals quite extensively, being the owner of a large addition on Lake street. He is a shrewd, energetic business man, and is well deserving of his success.

On September 1, 1884, Mr. Kunkle was married, by the Rev. Mr. Hershey, to Miss La Verne Blair, a lady of domestic tastes and social accomplishments, daughter of Cap- tain Henry Blair, for many years a capable sailor, widely and favorably known for his many excellent traits of character. He mar- ried Cordelia Jeffords, and they had six children: La Verne, Jennie, Joseph, John, Frank and Charlie. Mr. and Mrs. Kunkle have only one child, William James, born May 21, 1887.

Socially, Mr. Kunkle is a Royal Arch Mason and also a member of the Columbian Commandery of Knights Templar. In politics, he is a Republican. In his various relations of domestic and public life, he has ever been characterized by exalted honor, liberality and a cordial disposition, winning and retaining the regard of all who know him.

W ILLIAM W. APPLEBY, a real- estate dealer of Conneaut, Ohio, and one of the prominent business men of the town, is descended from early settlers of this place. Following is a brief sketch of his life, and also that of his father and of his uncle, Captain Calvin W. and Gilman Appleby :

W. W. Appleby was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, December 14, 1839, son of Captain Calvin W. and Mary (Brown) Apple- by. His father was born in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, August 17, 1808, and lived to

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

be seventy-two years of age, dying August 6, 1880, at Conneaut. His mother, a native of Windsor, Lower Canada, was born No- vember 10, 1811, and died April 16, 1872, at the same place. This worthy couple had several children, only two of whom lived to adult years, and of those two W. W. is the older. He was educated in the Conneaut Academy, and before he engaged in the real- estate business he was employed as book- keeper and salesman.

Mr. Appleby was married in Detroit, Michigan, in 1872, to Miss Ida J. Wiles, daughter of Francis R. Wiles. Her father died in Detroit, of cholera, in 1854, when she was only two years old. Mr. and Mrs. Appleby have four children: Calvin W., Frederick W., Walter R., and Fannie. Mrs. Appleby is a member of the Episcopal Church, and is a lady of much culture and refinement. Politically, Mr. Appleby affili- ates with the Republican party. He has served as a member of the City Council for four years.

Captain Calvin W. Appleby and his older brother, Captain Gilman Appleby, were for many years prominent steamboat men on the great lakes. They came to Conneaut at an early day with their stepfather, Major Samuel Blakeslee, and family, and were among the first settlers of the place. Major Blakeslee was a well-known resident of Conneaut for many years, and at last died from the infirm- ities of extreme age. He was at one time Worshipful Master of the Masonic lodge of Conneant. He had two sons and three daugh- ters, namely: Orville, a resident of Geneva Lake, Wisconsin; Chauncey, Chicago, Illi- nois; Harriet, wife of Frank Nettleton, of Kingsville; Eliza, wife of James H. Lake, Fredonia, New York; and Aurelia, wife of C. F. Levitt, of Conneaut.

Captain Calvin W. Appleby's first experi- ence as boatman was on the Lady of the Lake. He afterward ran on the packet J. G. King, the brig Lucy A. Blossom, and the steamers Indiana and Sultana. The whole of his active life was spent on the lakes, and for many years he was one of the most pop- ular commanders running between Buffalo and Chicago. He was an intimate friend of Benjamin Wade and Joshua Giddings. Mr. Wade was his attorney in one of the first suits the Captain ever had, the litigation concerning Conneaut harbor. This sait was with the Fords and Captain Appleby was the defendant.

Captain Gilman Appleby, also a native of Bethlehem, New Hampshire, was born Au- gust 29, 1806. He built and commanded both the Sultana and the ill-fated Lady El- gin. He also commanded the North Amer- ica and the Constitution. After he built and took command of the Lady Elgin, his brother became captain of the Sultana. This vessel was described as the " Buffalo and Chicago steam packet Sultana," and was used chiefly in carrying passengers. The gang- way to the Sultana (like the gates to the upper sanctuary) was open night and day for the reception of the able sons of Hamn, and the disembarking, too, if occasion required it, to insure the safety of such passengers on "the underground steamboat railway," Cap- tain Calvin himself being the captain con- ductor. Many were the negroes carried safely over, and the Sultana could have car- ried as many more had opportunity offered. The kind and large-hearted Captain was a man of wonderful expedients in providing ways and means to lend a helping hand to every one who was in trouble. Gilman Appleby was commander of the famous Caro- line at the time she was captured by the

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enemy, December 20, 1837. The fate of this vessel-how she was set on fire and al- lowed to drift over Niagara-is familiar to all readers of history. The captain and crew escaped.

These brothers, Gilman and Calvin, were both self-made men, beginning their careers on small vessels and working and winning their way to promotion and the high posi- tions they occupied. Many were the times they distinguished themselves for their brav- ery. Indeed, they were ready for every emergency. In all their long experience they never lost a life nor did they ever have an accident. Gilman was at one time command- ing the North America on Lake Erie, and when near Dunkirk, New York, the vessel was caught in a heavy storm and was in danger of being dashed against the beach. The Captain knew this would be certain death to all on board. All the steam the vessel was allowed to carry was applied. Still she was in danger. Only one thing could save her. Apply more steam. But would the strength of her boiler admit this? Tak- ing the benefit of the doubt, and against the best judgment of the engineer, he held down the safety valve with his own weight, had more steam applied, and thus withstood the storm, landing his passengers safe in port.

N ORMAN D. SMITH, Treasurer of of Geauga county, is a native of the county, born in Parkman township, August 19, 1827. His father, Ran- som Smith, was married in his native State, New York, in 1818, and came on his wed- ding trip to Ohio, making the journey with sled and oxen, the distance from Buffalo to Fairport being traveled on the lake, which

was frozen quite a distance from the shore. Mr. Smith settled in Parkman township, Geauga county, the place afterward being named Smithville in honor of his family. He bought 160 acres of timber land, and built a cabin under the shadow of the forest giants. He also built a blacksmith shop and manu- factured shovels, plows and small tools for a large scope of country. He followed this calling until his death, which was caused by cholera in 1833. His ancestry is further traced in the biography of Judge Smith, which will be found on another page of this volume. Mr. Smith married Olive Brown, who was born at Georgetown, New York; she died at the age of ninety-two years. They were Universalists in their religious faith. Norman D. Smith is the fifth of a family of ten children, nine of whom grew to mature years. He attended the pioneer school, and at the age of fifteen years began to care for himself. He worked by the month until he was of age, receiving $12.50 a month.

He was united in marriage in 1850 to Mary McClintock, of Nelson, Portage county, Ohio. They have a family of ten children : Ella, Ransom, Maggie, Will, Belle, Sherman, Ollie and Mollie, twins, Charles and Norman D., Jr. After his marriage Mr. Smith set- tled on a farm which he cultivated until 1858; he then went into the hotel business, and kept a tavern at Parkman until 1862. He enlisted August 5, 1862, in Company F, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into the serv- ice at Cleveland, Ohio. For a time this regiment was held as a reserve to reinforce Richmond, Kentucky, and afterward took part in the battle of Perryville, same state. It was then sent to Stone River, thence to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where it was reorganized and placed in the Second

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Brigade, Third Division and Fourteenth Army Corps, of the Army of the Cumber- land, and went into camp. He participated in the engagements at Chickamauga, Mis- sionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, the one hundred days' fight from Ringgold to Atlan- ta in the Atlanta campaign, and was in com- mand of Company D with Sherman on that memorable march to the sea. Among the battles in which he took active part were that of Peachtree Creek and the charge at Kenesaw Mountain. He marched through the Carolinas, participating in certain en- gagements of minor order and was present at the grand review in Washington, May 24, 1865. He was promoted to First Lieutenant of Company A, and was later assigned to the command of Company D. At the grand review he was in command of the com- pany and was just behind the officers and gave the first orders that were transferred through the entire line dur- ing the march. He was mustered out June 3, 1865, at Washington. Upon his return home he engaged in farming in Parkman township, where he owns 120 acres. He has 1,500 young sugar trees, and has sent some of the product of his own maple trees to the Columbian Exposition.

Mr. Smith was elected Treasurer of Geau- ga county in November, 1889, and was re- elected in 1891. He has managed the affairs of the county with much credit to himself, and has won the entire confidence of a large constituency. He is a Republican in politics and was Justice of the Peace for fifteen years in Parkman township. He resigned this of- fice upon removing to Chardon, but still superintends the cultivation of his farm. He is a member of G. A. R. Post, No. 564, and belongs to Lodge No. 296, F. & A. M. at Parkman; he also belongs to the chapter and

commandery of the Masonic order. Although he had no capital to begin the upholding of his fortunes he has amassed a competence and has ever preserved his integrity and up- rightness.

R EV. PRENTICE A. CANADA, or Canaday as the older generation spelled the name, was born near the village of Losantville, Randolph county, Indiana, December 18, 1859. His father, Jonathan Canada, in 1830, at the age eight years, emigrated from Randolph county, North Carolina, with his father, Walter Can- ada, settling in the then young but now staid old Quaker settlement near Economy, Wayne county, Indiana. There they lived, Jona- than having few opportunities for anything save toil until young manhood, when he located in Randolph county. He immedi- ately began to pay for what is now known as the Canada homestead, where he lived and reared a large family, and died in 1890, at the age of sixty-eight years, after a brief sick- ness. Brought up a Quaker and a Whig, he early became a member of the Christian Church, and was one of the first members of the Republican party. He married Susanna Moore in 1843. Her people were Virginians, but on account of their dislike for slavery emigrated some time in the '20s to south- ern Ohio, and shortly afterward to Randolph county, Indiana, where she died in February. 1886, at the age of sixty-two years.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 72

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