Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 74

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 74
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 74
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 74

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Mr. Williams was married April 8, 1866, to Hattie A. Morley, a native of Berrien county, Michigan. They have two children, Albert and Alva. Politically Mr. Williams affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Royal Arcanum. He is a man of high moral char- acter, and the family are sincerely respected by the entire community.

S MITH WRIGHT, deceased, a descend- ant of stanch New England ancestors, was born in the State of Massachusetts, at Westhampton, November 6, 1816. Paul Wright, his father, was a native of the same commonwealth, but removed to Geauga county, Ohio, in 1827. Hs traveled by team to Albany, New York, and thence by the Erie Canal to Buffalo; crossing the lake to Fairport, he finished the trip by team to this county. Not possessed of a rugged consti- tntion he was unable to perform heavy manu- al labor, and he suffered many privations and

hardships in his western home. He died at the age of fifty-five years. Smith Wright was a lad of eleven years when his father came to Ohio. His education was acquired in the primitive log school house furnished with slab benches and heated by an open fire- place. When he was ready to meet the re- sponsibilities of life he went out to work by the month, and until he was twenty years of age assisted in supporting his father's family. Naturally possessing superior business quali- fications he turned every dollar as soon as earned, and made his first commercial venture at the age of twenty; he invested in a stock of dry goods, which he peddled through the country: this was very profitable, and he ac- cumulated sufficient means to buy a large dairy farm of two hundred acres.

Mr. Wright was united in marriage in 1840 to Sarah Strong, a native of Westhamp- ton, Mass. They had two children, one who died in infancy, and Lazette W., now Mrs. Bodman, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Wright died in 1846, and he was married a second time in 1847, being united to Jeanette Scott, a woman of unusual ability and much force of character. She was born in Huntsburg township, Geauga county, in 1820, a daughter of Aaron and Sarah Scott, natives of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Scott emigrated to the frontier in 1817, locating in Geauga county, coming directly from Watertown, New York, where they had lived a few years after leaving New England. He was a farmer, and after build- ing a cabin in the woods he began the task of developing a tract of land. He was Justice of the Peace for twenty-one years, and an was an efficient officer. Mr. Wright opened a small store at Huntsburg in 1849, and continued in mercantile business the remain- er of his life. He also dealt extensively in

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live-stock and manufactured large quantities of cheese. Although he began life a poor man, by industry and strictly honorable deal- ing he amassed a handsome fortune before his death, which occurred July 24, 1875. In all his occupations he was ever encouraged and assisted by the faithful wife. A woman of extraordinary business ability, she was a wise counsellor and worthy of the confidence her husband reposed in her. After the death of Mr. Wright she removed to Chardon and has since made it her home. She is a mem- ber of the Congregational Church, as was also her husband; they gave liberally of their means to the support of religious movements, and the poor and unfortunate ever found aid and comfort through their benefactions. Mrs. Wright is a woman of great benevolence, and an active worker in many philanthropic movements. Her adopted son, Lester Fletcher, is a member of the firm of Bodman & Fletcher.

S AMUEL E. BODMAN, Vice-President of the Citizens' Bank of Chardon, was born in Huntsburg township, Geauga county, August 6, 1843. His father, Samuel Bodman, was a native of Williamsburg, Mas- sachusetts, and the grandfather, Luther Bod- man, was born in the same State.

John Bodman, the first of the family in America, is supposed to have come from Holland about the year 1640. The records of the old South Church in Boston show that his wife Sarah was one of the first members, and also gives the names of their three chil- dren and the dates of their births. Luther Bodman was a farmer by occupation, and passed his entire life in his native State; he died at the age of eighty-five years; his wife's

maiden name was Clarissa Day, and she was the mother of seven children; she died at the age of seventy-eight years. Samuel Bodman was the oldest of the family, and was educat- ed for a surveyor. He came to Geauga county with Louis Hunt, who owned the en- tire township of Huntsburg. Mr. Bodman was employed to survey the land, and had charge of the estate for years, as Mr. Hunt died in 1834. He owned 260 acres, which he cultivated in his early years. He filled the office of Justice of the Peace, was County Commissioner, and was elected one of the Associate Judges by the State Legislature. His conduct throughout his official career has been marked by that strict integrity which has always been one of his distinguish- ing traits. He was married in Massa- chusetts to Susan Kingsley of Williams- burg, and of the union two sons were born: Sereno K. and Samuel E., the subject of this notice. The father died April 27, 1882, but the mother survives and is quite active, at the age of eighty-three years. She and her hus- band belonged to the Congregational church; in politics he was a strong Abolitionist, and voted with the Republican party.

S. E. Bodman passed his boyhood days in Huntsburg, and gained his education in the schools of Chardon and Burton. At the age of twenty-two years he went into his father- in-law's store at Huntsburg, and for nine years filled this position; he also had an in- terest in a large cheese factory there. In 1873, he was elected County Treasurer, and held the office four years.

Mr. Bodman was married September 25, 1866, to Delia L. Wright, who was born in this county, a daughterof Smith Wright, who was a prominent merchant of the county and whose biography appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Bodman received a liberal edu-

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cation at Lake Erie Seminary, where she was graduated. Generously endowed by nature, her talents were developed by training under skilled instructors, and she was fitted to take any position which woman's era may create. Mr. and Mrs. Bodman were the parents of two children, Samuel W. and Mary J., who died May 5, 1891, at the age of twenty-one years; her married name was Goodrich.

Mr. Bodman embarked in mercantile busi- ness in 1877, and has conducted a most suc- cessful enterprise. He was one of the organ- izers of the Citizens' Bank in 1891, and has been its vice-president ever since. He owns an interest in two large lumber com- panies in West Virginia, and spends a con- siderable time in the supervision of this busi- ness. He owns fifty acres of land within the corporation of Chardon, and a fine frame residence. Politically he votes with the Re- publican party. He is a member of the Ma- sonic order, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery.

F RANK A. WILMOT, proprietor of one of the finest improved farms in Clari- on ownship, is a native of Geauga county, Ohio, born in Hampden township, December 28, 1850. His father, Charles J. Wilmot, was born in Claridon township in 1824, and his grandfather, Abraham Wilmot, came from Hartland, Connecticut, in 1815. A full biography of Abraham Wilmot is given in these pages in connection with that of L. T. Wilmot. Charles J. Wilmot grew to manhood on a frontier farm, and after his marriage settled in the southeastern part of Hampden township, where he resided eight years. He then sold his place and removed to the Moffit farm in Claridon township. He

was a man of unfailing industry and energy, and cleared a large amount of land. He died April 27, 1887. His wife, Arabella M. Moffit, was a native of Genesee county, New York, and came to the West with her parents in her girlhood. They had a family of three children: Hubert H., Frank A., and Clarence C. The mother died at the age of forty-two years; she and the father were members of the Congregational Church the most of their lives. The maternal grandfather of our sub- ject, Marcus Moffit, was a native of New York State, and came to this country at an early day. He was a contractor and builder, ard erected many of the large residences and public buildings in the county. He is yet living, and resides in Cleveland.

F. A. Wilmot attended the common schools until the age of sixteen years, when he began teaching; for three years he was thus en- gaged, and then entered Oberlin College, where he pursued his studies for two years, when his eyesight became affected, and he was obliged to drop his course. He went to Cleveland and secured a position with D. M. Osborn & Co., in their shipping department, where he remained ten years; he then went to Chicago and was employed with N. K. Fairbank & Co., for two years. It was in 1881 that he returned to Geauga county.

Mr. Wilmot was married September 18, 1874, to Anna L. Brewster, who traces her ancestry to William Brewster of the May- flower, being one of the tenth generation in this country. Her mother's maiden name was Eliza Hemstead; she descended from Colonel Hemstead of Hemstead Plains, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Wilmot are the parents of five children: Charles A., Arthur B., Walter A., Frank E., and Henry E. Mr. Wilmot has a farm of 150 acres, and a handsome residence, which he erected in 1884. He also has a large

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bank barn and is supplied with all the mod- ern conveniences for, farm work which he carries on in the most approved manner. In his political opinions he adheres to the prin- ciples of the Republican party, and takes a lively interest in all the leading questions of the day. He holds the office of Township Trustee, and is a member of the School Board. He is a member of Geauga Lodge, No. 171, I. O. O. F., and belongs to the County Breed- ers' Association. He has been very success- ful in all the undertakings of his life, and is surrounded with all the comforts accompany- ing the onward march of modern civilization.

0 REN M. BARNES, prominently iden- tified with the commercial and agricul- tural interests of Geauga county, was born here April 25, 1837, a son of Michael Barnes, a native of Connecticut, and a grand- son of Michael Barnes, Sr., also born in Con- necticut. There the grandfather passsed his life, but the father emigrated to Ohio in 1835 and settled two miles south of the vil- lage of Huntsburg, where he developed a large farm, and he and his brother Zenas established a flourishing industry in the manufacture of cheese. He lived to be sixty- six years old, and owned at the time of his death 400 acres of land. His wife was Esther A. Cleveland, a native of Connecticut; she reared a family of four children, and lived to the ripe old age of eighty-four; she was a con- sistent member of the Congregational Church. In politics the father adhered to the principles of the Whig party and afterward supported the Republican party.

Oren M. Barnes was the eldest-born of the family; he attended the early pioneer schools, Burton Academy and Hiram Institute under

the principalship of James A. Garfield. After leaving the schoolroom as a pupil, he entered as an instructor, and taught for a period of three years. He was united in marriage January 1, 1861, to Lucy A. Kile of Hunts- burg, Ohio. They have had no children, but have been father and mother to three adopted daughters: Belle, who was married to George W. Pease; Anna, who was married to Her- bert A. Barnes; and Lizzie.

After his marriage Mr. Barnes located in the southeastern part of Huntsburg town- ship, where he operated a steam sawmill for five years; at the end of that time he bought a farm of 133 acres, three quarters of a mile south of the village, which he cultivated un- til he removed to town in 1885. He then bought a sawmill which he has since managed with gratifying success. In 1890, he invested in another mill, and has the management of both; he has a large local trade, and ships a considerable amount of lumber to other sec- tions. He rented his farm when he came to town, and in connection with his other inter- ests owns a small store. He was appointed Postmaster in 1889, and has filled the office of County Commissioner for a period of six years, having been elected to the office by the Republican party. He is a man of sound judgment and unusual business ability, stand . ing high in the estimation of those who know him. Mrs. Barnes is a member of the Con- gregational Church, and is possessed of those traits which go to make a tine type of woman- hood.

W ILLIS S. METCALFE, Prosecuting Attorney of Geauga county, and a leading member of the bar, was born in this county, at Chardon, October 26, 1853, a son of Eben Metcalfe, anative of Vermont.

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The parental grandfather, Thomas Metcalfe, was also born in Vermont, of English de- scent. Eben Metcalfe was a carpenter by trade, and followed this occupation in early life; later he became interested in the lum- ber industry, and has the management of a sawmill in connection with other business. He married Lovica Chapin, of Connecticut, and they reared a family of seven children; he died at the age of eighty-five years, but she still survives. W. S. Metcalfe is the sixth-born; he received his literary education in the public schools of his own State, and in the fall of 1875 began reading law under the supervision of O. A. Farr; at the end of two years of study he was admitted to the bar, and has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. For one year he was in partnership with Mr. Farr, and then removed to Burton, Geauga county, where he engaged in practice until 1888. Coming to Chardon he opened an office, practicing alone until the next year, when he formed a partnership with W. G. King, the firm name being Metcalfe & King.

Mr. Metcalfe was elected Prosecuting At- torney in 1890, and is the present incumbent of that office, having been renominated for a second term, at the convention of 1893, and being subsequently re-elected. He is a man of excellent ability, and possessed of a fine sense of justice, and genuinely patriotic he makes an officer of the highest type.

He was married February, 7, 1884, to Hettie Norton, who was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania. They have one child, Garda. They are consistent members of the Con- gregational Church. Mr. Metcalfe adheres stanchly to the principles of the Republican party. While at Burton he was elected Jus- tice of the Peace and was formerly Town- ship Clerk of Chardon. He is a member of

the I. O. O. F. and the Royal Arcanum, and is at present Noble Grand of Chardon Lodge, No. 18, of the former order. In all the re- lations of life he has shown himself a man of sterling worth and worthy of the confidence freely given him by his constituency.

C HARLES A. MILLS, Recorder of Geauga county, Ohio, is a native of the county, born in Auburn July 29, 1847. His father, William H. Mills, was a native of the State of New York, and his grandfather, William Mills, was also a New Yorker by birth; the latter emigrated to Geauga county in 1836, and settled in Au- burn; he followed agricultural pursuits, and developed a fine farm; he died at the age of eighty-four years. William H. Mills came to the West with his father, and engaged in tilling the soil; he placed 116 acres under cultivation, and is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He married Mary E. Sparguer, of New York State, and there were born to them eight children, six of whom grew to mature years. The mother died in 1892, in her seventy-seventh year. Mr. Mills adheres to the principles of the Republican party. The fifth-born of the family is C. A. Mills; he was a student at Willoughby Col- lege, in Lake county for three years, pursu- ing a scientific course; at the early age of sixteen years he began to teach, and his suc- cess soon proved that he was born to the vo- cation. He has been closely identified with the educational interests of the county, having taught forty-two terms, a record equaled by no other teacher of his acquaintance. Be- sides the public-school work done in New- bury and Auburn townships, Mr. Mills has taught the advanced studies in a select school four years.

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He was united in marriage in 1869, to Mary A. Stafford, who was born in Auburn township; they have two children: Marcia E. and Platt. In the fall of 1879, he began his official career, being elected to the office of County Recorder; he has since held the office each successive term, being elected without opposition. He was Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk at Auburn for six years, and for five years was Mayor of Char- don. Politically he supports the issues of the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic order and was High Priest of Char- don Chapter, No. 106, for two terms, is a Knight Templar and also belongs to the I. O. O. F. The canse of popular education has been much advanced through his efforts, and much credit is due him for the high standard already attained in the public-school system. He is a clerk of the school board of Chardon village and has faithfully per- formed the duties of that position for seven years.

R EUBEN S. SMITH, one of the pro- gressive business men of Jefferson, was born in Franklin, Delaware county, New York, March 10, 1844, a son of Sylvester Smith, who was born in that county in 1807. The latter was left an orphan at a tender age, and while yet a youth was thrown upon his own resources. Al- though receiving but a limited education, he mastered the rudiments of mathematics, writ- ing and reading, and at the time of his death was a well-posted man. After his marriage Mr. Smith began farming, and gradually merged into the handling of real estate. In 1854 he brought his family to Ohio, locating in Lenox, on the West road. Ile purchased

an improved farm, and remained there until his death, in 1875, at a ripe old age. He voted with the Democratic party, having cast his first vote for General Andrew Jackson. Although not a church member, his life and dealings were always upright and honorable. Mr. Smith was married in 1830, to Miss Mary Gillette, who was born in Franklin, Dela- ware county, New York. She received a good education, and taught school several years previous to her marriage, that event occurring when she was in her twenty-third year. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had five children, three daughters and two sons, and four still survive. The daughters reside in Dorset, and a son, Delos Smith, is in Cowley county, Kansas. Mrs. Smith united with the Con- gregational Church when young, and lived a consistent Christian life until her death, in 1888.

Reuben S. Smith, our subject, was en- gaged at various occupations during his youth. In the fall of 1861, at the age of nineteen years, he was employed as Government teamster, was assigned to duty at Camp Nelson, Kentucky, but a short time afterward circumstances com- pelled him to abandon the Government service. In company with his brother he next pur- chased his father's farm of 177 acres, but in the following year sold his interest to his brother. In 1867 Mr. Smith located where his son now resides, the farm consisting of ninety acres, and located two miles south of Jefferson. He improved his farm, built a large and commodious residence, and made many other improvements. Mr. Smith in time began to deal in farming implements and machinery, selling to the local trade. In 1890 he purchased his present home in Jef- ferson, located on Chestnut street, and in the same year engaged with the J. I. Case Manu- facturing Company, of Racine, Wisconsin.

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He is now engaged as their traveling sales- man, handling a traction engine of the latest design, and the latest improved thresher. Our subject has been very successful in this undertaking, and has placed a great number of machines in northeastern Ohio and else- where.

December 19, 1866, he was joined in mar- riage to Miss Ellen M. Underwood, a daugh- ter of Orville P. and Elvira (Chapin) Under- wood. The father was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, in 1806, where he was mar- ried February 9, 1831. In 1847 he came via the canal to Buffalo, and from there by the lake to Ashtabula county, Ohio, purchasing the farm in Lenox township, now owned by Franklin Chapin. His death occured at that place in 1865. He was a member of the Congregational Church, and was identified with the Republican party. The mother of Mrs. Smith was also born in Sheffield, Mas- sachusetts, May 9, 1810, became proficient in the use of the hetchel and loom, and occupied much of her time in making linen and woolen cloth. She was also an expert in the manu- facture of cheese. Mr. and Mrs. Under- wood had two children, and the mother and the daughter, Mary J., now find a comfortable home with Mrs. Smith. The mother and daughter are members of the Congregational Church. Mrs. Smith was born in New Marlborough, Massachusetts, April 30, 1847, and in the same year was brought by her parents to Ohio. She attended the district schools of Lenox, and completed her educa- tion in the high schools of Jefferson. She was married at the age of nineteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one son, Cecil U., who was born September 7, 1867, was reared to farm life, and completed his education in the Jefferson high school. He was married June 26, 1889, to Miss Rubie Sheldon, of

Jefferson. They now reside on the farm in Lenox. Our subject and wife united with the Congregational Church in 1872, and the former is now Superintendent of the Sunday- school. He was made a Mason in 1887, holding his membership in Tuscan Lodge, No. 342, and is also a member of the chap- ter. In political matters, he affiliates with the Republican party.

0 RANGE POMEROY, M. D., was born at Huntsburg, Geauga county, Ohio, December 7, 1835, a son of Horace Pomeroy, born at Northampton, Massachu- setts, and grandson of Stephen Pomeroy, a native of the same place. The family traces its origin to the De Pomeroys who came to England with William the Conqueror. In Colonial times two brothers came to America, and settled in Massachusetts about 1630. The grandfather emigrated to Ohio in 1807, and bought the first land that was sold in Huntsburg township; he erected a log cabin, and then returned to the East, bringing his family to the frontier the following spring, with a wagon and one yoke of oxen and a horse. Indians were numerous, and were frequent callers at the cabin door until after the war of 1812. Stephen Pomeroy died at the age of eighty-five years. Horace Pomeroy was a lad of eight years when he was brought West with his parents in 1808; he received his education in the first log schoolhouse erected in Huntsburg township, the primitive building being constructed and furnished in the rudest fashion. He and his brother Elijah were skilled hunters, and during early days killed over six hundred deer. He spent his life on the old homestead, making many sub- stantial improvements; he died at the age of

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sixty-one years. His wife, Villetta Kile, was born in Delaware county, New York, in 1805, and is now living with her son, the Doctor, in her eighty-eighth year; she haslong been a consistent member of the Congregational Church. They reared a family of two: Hor- ace S. is now deceased; Dr. Pomeroy is the second child. Joseph Kile, maternal grand- father of our subject, was a native of the Empire State, but removed to Geauga county in 1825; he was a blacksmith by trade, and worked at the business many years in Hunts- burg township; he lived to be eighty years old.

Dr. Pomeroy attended the common school and was also a student at the Western Re- serve Seminary, at Farmington. He began his professional education with Dr. S. D. Steer, with whom he read until he entered the College of Medicine and Surgery in Cincin- nati; he was graduated from this institution in the spring of 1860. His marriage occurred January 8, 1862, when he was united to Mary E. Smith, of Geauga county; they have had no children but have reared an adopted daughter, Emma. Mrs. Pomeroy died March 17, 1893. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and took an active interest in all the varied work of the society ; she was also a member of the East- ern Star.

After his graduation Dr. Pomeroy settled at Fowler's Mills, where he practiced seven years, and in 1867 came to Chardon. For more than a quarter of a century he has been prominently identified with the medical pro- fession of the county. Ile has done a large general practice, but now makes a specialty of diseases of the eye, ear and throat. Ile took a degree in surgery at Bellevue Ilos- pital Medical College, New York, in 1871. In 1882 he took a course at the Polyclinic

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 74

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