Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 80

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 80
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 80
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 80

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D ANIEL S. CHAPEL, senior member of the firm of D. S. Chapel & Son, hardware merchants at Dodgeville, Ohio, is a native of Lyme, Connecticut, born June 15, 1823.

His parents, Ezra S. and Rachel (Bogue) Chapel, both natives of Connecticut, came to New Lyme, Ohio, in 1829, and purchased the farm now owned by V. G. Bedell. Here they spent the residue of their lives and died, the father's death occurring in December, 1862, and the mother's in December, 1877. Daniel S. was the second born in their family of nine children. Betsey, the eldest, wife of Josiah Beckwith, resides in Colebrook, Ohio; Ezra H., the third, died at Chattanooga dur- ing the Civil war, his death resulting from a wound received in battle; Smith, the next in order of birth, died in infancy; Emeline, wife of Christopher Beckwith, died in 1892; Mary, the sixth, died in infancy; Eunice, the seventh, now Mrs. J. F. Bruce, is a resident of Madison, Wisconsin: Elias S. lives at

East Claridon, Geauga county, Ohio, and John L., the youngest, is a resident of Brownsville, this State.

Daniel S. Chapel received a fair education and for some time was engaged in teaching. May 19, 1847, he married Mary Willey, daughter of Ethan Willey, who emigrated from Connecticut to New Lyme, Ohio, in 1815. They have had four children, as fol- lows: Myron S., born September 4, 1848, is now extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising in Mitchell county, Kansas; Cassius C., born June 7, 1850, died in youth ; Ethen Allen, born September 18, 1855, is the junior member of the hardware firm above referred to; and Alice May, born August 27, 1857, is the wife of V. G. Bedell, a prominent farmer of Colebrook township, this county.

In 1887, Mr. Chapel exchanged his large farm for a stock of hardware, and the small farm upon which he now resides. He and his son have gained an excellent reputation as reliable and successful business men, and are doing a constantly increasing business.

Politically, Mr. Chapel affiliated with the Whig and Republican parties respectively, until the birth of the Prohibition party, when he allied himself with that exponent of moral reform. He has held several township offices, and is highly esteemed for his manly character and incorruptible integrity.

N ELSON FRENCH, a retired farmer of Lenox township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, is well known and universally respected here. Without more than a passing notice of him a history of this part of the country would be incomplete.

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

Nelson French was born in his father's pioneer home in Ashtabula county, Ohio, January 24, 1824, son of Chauncey and Cyn- thia (Fowler) French. Chauncey French was born in October, 1795, and grew up as a farm hand. His brother Ira had come out to Ohio in 1816 and built a sawmill and log house, and a year later Chauncey came West to join him. Together the brothers bought 400 acres of the primitive forest, the tract ex- tending west from the home of our subject to Ray's Corners, and stretching away to the south. Here they toiled early and late to clear and develop their land. Game of all kinds was plenty, and a supply of deer and wild turkey was always on hand. Gradually the dense forest gave way to well-cultivated fields. Other settlers moved in from the East, other cabin homes sprang up, and as the years rolled by the country assumed a different appearance. In 1820 Chauncey French was married. The brothers then divided their land, and upon Chauncey's share they put up another cabin, in which he and his bride began their happy married life. The work of clearing and improving went on, and right bravely did these pioneers meet and overcome the difficulties and privations incident to their life on the frontier. In 1834 Chauncey French built the fine old home in which his son Nelson now lives. It is a commodious residence of ten rooms. The timber used in its construction all had to be taken from the stump, and the completion of the house required two years and a corps of skilled mechanics. On this farm Chauncey French spent more than a half century of his rugged life, and November 8, 1868, was called to his long rest. Few men did more to advance the interests of this part of the country than he. For twenty years he served as Township Treasurer. He was a veteran

of the war of 1812, having served as a private in the volunteer infantry at Boston. In early life he was a Democrat. His last vote, how- ever, was cast for Abraham Lincoln. He was a man of the strictest integrity, and was generous to a fault. Of his wife, the mother of our subject, we record that she was a native of Connecticut, born in 1802, and that she came to Ohio with her parents and set- tled in Ashtabula county at an early day, be- ing eighteen years of age at the time of her marriage. Her only child is the subject of this sketch. She was a member of the Con- gregational Church for forty years, and her whole life was characterized by the sweetest of Christian graces. Her husband, although not a church member, was largely instru- mental in the building of the Congregational Church near their home, and always contrib- uted liberally to the support of the same. Mrs. French died January 14, 1881.

Nelson French grew up on his father's farm, and received his education in the dis- trict school. After the death of his father he assumed charge of the home place, and, with filial solicitude, cared for his mother during her declining years. He was married, in 1848, to Miss Sophia Royer, whose happy married life was of but short duration. Some time after her death Mr. French mar- ried Miss Martha J. Baily, daughter of Frank Baily. She was born in Morgan township, Ashtabula county, in 1825, and their mar- riage occurred November 13, 1851. They have had three children: B. A., a resident of this county; Julia, a graduate of Grand River Institute, Austinburg, died at the age of twenty-two years; and Dwight, deceased.

Mr. French has lived on this same farm all his life, engaged in farming and dairying until a few years ago, when he retired from active business. Following in the footsteps

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of his honored father, be has always taken an active part in local affairs. He was elected to the office of Constable when he was twenty- four years old, and has been a township officer ever since. He was Township Treas- urer eight years, & Justice of the Peace two terms, and has been a School Director for many years. He and his wife have long been consistent members of the Congrega- tional Church, with which he united in his youth. In the temperance cause he has also been an earnest and active worker. Few men in the county have witnessed more of the changes that have brought about the de- velopment and prosperity of northeastern Ohio than has Mr. French, and we are safe in saying that none are held in higher esteem than he.

C APTAIN CALVIN REEVES, for the past thirteen years traveling salesman throughout the Western States for the Broadhead Worsted Mills, of Jamestown, New York, a genial gentleman and respected citizen of Orwell, Ohio, was born in Gaines, New York, March 26, 1834. He comes of an old and well-known English family, his grandfather, George P. Reeves, having been a prominent citizen of Edington, Somerset- shire, England, all his life. William, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in that city, August 26, 1806, where he lived to manhood. Concluding to seek his fortune in the new world, William set sail from his native land for America May 8, 1830, ar- riving at his destination July 2, of that year. He settled in Pompeii, now called Cardiff, New York, where he followed his trade of tanner and currier, in which he was a master workman .. In 1835 he removed to Orwell, Ohio, where he became a prosperous and in-

fluential citizen, his death occurring June 6, 1872. His wife, nee Clora Northway, was born in Pompeii, New York, March 13, 1813, and was a daughter of Zenas and Sallie Northway, old and esteemed residents of that place. Mr. and Mrs. William Reeves had nine children, eight sons and one daughter, of whom we offer the following brief men- tion: Calvin, whose name heads this sketch; George P., born May 1, 1835, a prosperous jeweler, residing in Helena, Montana; Charles S., born May 8, 1838, died in the United States army; Truman, born August 17, 1840, at present (1893) serving his second term as Treasurer of San Bernardino county, Cali- fornia; Edwin, born September 19, 1842, also residing in Helena, Montana; Maria J., born January 4, 1845, is the wife of Henry Pickett, a prominent citizen of Andover, Ohio; Collings E., born July 31, 1847, was drowned, at the age of two and a half years, in a tan vat in his father's tanyard; Andrew J., born January 8, 1849, died in Orwell, Ohio, November 29, 1869, unmarried; and Emery A., born October 10, 1851, died in California February 26, 1883, unmarried.

The subject of this sketch received his primary education in the district schools of pioneer times in Ohio, and, being the oldest of a large family, early learned to rely on his own resources, thus acquiring that self- reliance and perseverance which have con- tributed to his success in life. Possessing a good intellect and a studious disposition, he desired above all things to obtain a good edu- cation, and secured the necessary funds to enter Orwell Academy-at that time the best school in the county-by chopping four-foot cordwood and hauling it a mile and a half to sell it. By hard labor, strict economy and close attention to his studies, he was soon at the head of his class, and, after a few terms

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at this institute, obtained a license to teach. His first school was in Windsor, Ashtabula county, where he successfully taught three terms, at the same time pursuing his own studies in the higher branches. At the close of his school in Windsor, he entered the em- ploy of Messrs. McCombs & Smiths, dry- goods merchants of Warren, Ohio, as book- keeper and remained with that firm for some time. He then accepted the principalship of a grammar school in Janesville, Wisconsin. This change was made at the beginning of the late war. The spirit of patriotism pre- dominating over the fascination of the school room, Mr. Reeves enlisted as a private in the Twenty-second Wisconsin Infantry, shortly afterward being raised to the commission of First Lieutenant, in which position he served until 1863, when he was discharged on ac- count of sickness, and returned to his home in Ohio. On recovering his health, he went to Rochester, Minnesota, where he clerked in the dry-goods store of J. D. Blake until August 15, 1864. He then again enlisted as a private, and was promoted, August 25, to Second Lieutenant, and on November 24, 1864, received a commission as Captain of the First Minnesota Artillery, in which posi- tion he served until the close of the war, being discharged in November, 1865. He was in the battle of Nashville, and was en- gaged on the trail of the famous raider, John H. Morgan. Captain Reeves also commanded Fort Creighton for some time, there being only one remaining of eighteen forts which were erected at Chattanooga during the war.

One year later, in 1866, Captain Reeves, in partnership with M. M. Hilliard, of Or- well, entered the general merchandise busi- ness in that city, where they successfully con- tinued until 1871, when Captain Reeves once more went West to Minnesota. In 1881 he

returned to Orwell and entered the employ of Messrs. William Broadhead & Son as their traveling salesman throughout the West, in which capacity he has efficiently acted for thirteen years, winning golden opinions from his employers and the people alike. A good business man, fundamentally, and a cultured, courteous gentleman always, he would reflect credit on any calling, and is one of those who have been instrumental in raising the stand- ard of the ordinary commercial traveler, until at the present time that ubiquitous personage occupies an honorable position in the com- mercial world. The commercial travelers are the pathfinders, the distributers, and as such are entitled to universal esteem.

April 2, 1863, Captain Reeves was mar- ried to Miss Carolina H. Baker, a lady of domestic and social accomplishments, daugh- ter of Josiah W. and Mary Ann Baker, old and esteemed residents of Orwell. Mrs. Reeves was born April 20, 1840, in that city, and educated at Orwell and at the Painesville Seminary. A lady of unusual culture and geniality, she impresses favorably all whom she meets, and she ever shares the popularity of her husband. They have four children: Fannie M., born October 24, 1864, who will be mentioned more at length further on; H. Clayton, born January 17, 1867, married Miss Cora B. Hunt, on May 22, 1889, and has one child, Marian, born August 21, 1890; Julia M., born October 2, 1875, an estimable young lady, and John B., born September 29, 1877, are at home. Fannie M. married Samuel Runner, now a prominent merchant of Canal Dover, Ohio. He is a native of Buzmka, Hungary, born March 12, 1859. He left the land of his birth when he was seventeen years of age, on account of the conscription act, and came to America. He settled at Garrettsville, Ohio, where he made his home with a Mr.

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Johnson, whom he regards as a father. His first business venture was as a pack peddler and later as a merchant in Orwell. He finally engaged in the general merchandise business at his present place, where he has a well selected and complete stock of goods. Mr. Runner is a man of good education and busi- ness ability, well posted on the topics of the day and of the highest financial standing. Mr. and Mrs. Runner have two interesting children : Zella, born April 1, 1884; and Huda, horn October 19, 1889.

Politically, Captain Reeves advocates the principles of the Republican party. Frater- nally, he is a member of the F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F.

In his substantial and attractive home, sur- rounded by an interesting family and a host of personal friends, Captain Reeves may be truly said to have gained the highest success in life, and is rightly regarded as a representa- tive citizen of the place, to whose welfare he has materially contributed.

F RANCIS G. LILLY, one of the suc- cessful and prominent residents of An- dover township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, is he whose epitomized biography is here offered. Francis G. Lilly was born at West Williamsfield, Ashtabula county, March 29, 1845, being the son of Leonard and Almira Lilly, the former of whom was born in the town of Portland, Chautauqua county, New York, July 10, 1812, and the latter in the same place on the 2d of Septem- ber, 1822. They were married in 1838 and removed to Ohio the same year, locating at West Williamsfield. At the time of the late war of the rebellion the father was cap- tain of a rifle company, and later on resigned

this commission to accept that of major of a company of infantry. When our subject was two years of age, his father disposed of his business interests in West Williamsfield and removed to Willoughby, Lake county, where he remained until 1849, when he returned to the State of New York in company with his family. He was a machinist by profession, and his son, the subject of this sketch, also served an apprenticeship at the same trade.

When only sixteen years of age, June 23, 1861, he enlisted as drummer in Company C, Seventy-Second New York State Volunteers. He saw not a little active service, and at the battle of Williamsburg, Virginia, he was quite seriously injured, having four ribs and the breast-bone broken. He was discharged at Georgetown, District of Columbia, June 28, 1862,andthen returned to the parental home, at Jamestown, New York. July 8, 1863, he en- listed in Company B, Sixteenth United States Infantry, and served until the close of the war. After his return home he served as engineer on Chautauqua lake for a period of four years, and later filled a similar position on the steamboats plying the Mississippi river. After a year's service in this capacity he enlisted, at St. Louis, Missouri, in Com- pany H, Seventh United States Cavalry- General Custer's regiment. May 1, 1870, he was stationed, with his company, at Fort Hays, Kansas, where he remained for a time, and then acted as a scout, taking part in several shirmishes with the Indians. In the winter of 1870-'71 he met with an adventure that nearly cost him his life. He was on his way between Fort Hays and Fort Dodge and was caught in one of those frightful blizzards for which that section is famous. December 21 he left Fort Hays and was out all through the day and following night. The ther- mometer registered twenty degrees below the

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zero point, and at night he was pursued and finally surrounded by wolves, which attacked his horse, biting the animal very severely. Mr. Lilly's escape from the ferocious beasts may well be considered as miraculous, while the fact that he lived through the other vicis- situdes of that eventful journey is almost equally wonderful. On the second day the faithful horse carried Mr. Lilly to Fort Hays, where he was tenderly cared for. Of the latter stage of the trip our subject has no recollection. The last incident he was able to recall was that of crossing the Smoky Hill river, and, when he reached the fort, it was found that he had not escaped unscathed from the ordeal. He was badly frozen in the extremities and more unprotected portions of his body, and it was found necessary to am- putate all the toes on each of his feet. He was honorably discharged from service on the 28th of March, 1871. He then returned to Jamestown, New York, where he remained for a time, and then came to Andover, Ashta- bula county, Ohio, where he has ever since continued to reside, secure in the esteem of the community.

In February, 1888, Mr. Lilly was united in marriage to Miss Kate Hass, a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Peter Hass, of Jamestown, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Lilly have one child, Leonard Manley, who was born February 3, 1889.

0 REN N. PARKER was born in Or- well, Ohio, September 4, 1838, son of Nehemiah and Samantha Parker. He was reared upon the farm, receiving the ad. vantages of a district-school education, as well as a thorough knowledge of farming, which occupation has been his through life.

In connection with his farming, he has been successfully engaged in breeding and raising many valuable horses, at the head of which he now has a fine Conway stallion. Mr. Parker also makes a specialty of winter dairy- ing, his products finding a ready market in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

July 1, 1863, Mr. Parker married Alzada M., daughter of Jonathan and Lucy (Eaton) Dimmick, her father being one of the pro- gressive farmers of Orwell, Ohio. Mrs. Parker was born in Orwell, but her parents were natives of Connecticut and came from that State to Ohio at an early day, making the long and tedious journey by wagon and meeting with many of the exciting and thrill- ing adventures incident to travel at that time, but finally reaching their destination in safety. Mrs. Parker was the last born of their four children, the date of her birth be- ing July 18, 1840. Lucy A., their eldest child, became the wife of Francis Eaton, and died at the age of thirty-three years, leaving a son, Francis E., and a daughter, Ina May. The next, Jane E., died at the age of fifty- three years. She was the wife of James Covert, of Orwell, and left a family of seven children. Jonathan Erskine, Mrs. Parker's only brother, makes his home with her family. Mr. and Mrs. Parker have had four children: Cora, the oldest, died in infancy; Lucy Elea- nor, born February 1, 1870, is the wife of Barton E. Hall, a clothing merchant of Or- well; Maude Valentine, born February 14, 1875; and Samantha Z., born February 2, 1879. After the death of Cora, their first born, Mr. and Mrs. Parker adopted Jennie, the motherless little daughter of John Wikes, the child being at that time three years of age. This adopted daughter is now the wife of Robert Williams and resides in Orwell. Mr. and Mrs. Parker have taken great pride

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

in the education of their children. Their daughter, Maud V., is one of the four young ladies who have the honor of comprising the first class to graduate at the Orwell Normal Institute. She was selected by her class to write a class prophecy to be delivered at the commencement exercises of 1893. Their se- lection was well made, for she displayed such lively fancy and imagination, perfect rhetoric, and forcible delivery, that she completely captivated her large and appreciative audi- ence.

Mr. Parker's fine farm comprises 235 acres, and is located a mile west of the village of Orwell. The comfortable home, substantial farm buildings, and other improvements, all combine to make this a desirable place of residence.

Mr. Parker has no aspiration for political prominence. He is, however, a sincere and honest supporter of Democratic principles as set forth by the true Democracy. He is a charter member of the I. O. O. F. at Orwell, and he and his entire family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

S B. FOBES, a farmer of Cherry Valley township, was born at Kingsville, Ash- tabula county, April 29, 1834, a son of Artemus Fobes. The latter's father, Walter Fobes, came with three brothers from Massa- chusetts to this county, where they were among the first settlers. The mother of our subject was Lorinda Trowbridge, a native of Lorain county, Ohio, and now a resident of Sioux county, Iowa, aged eighty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Fobes were the parents of fif- teen children, fourteen of whom grew to years of maturity, namely: Eliza Davis, of Clayton county, Iowa; Pauline Duntley, de-

ceased at Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Selvin B., our subject; William, of Sioux county, Iowa, was a soldier in the late war; Walter was a member of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry during that struggle; Adaline Strong, of Jones county, Iowa, is deceased; Warren, a mein- ber of an Iowa regiment, died during his service in the war; Winfield, who was also killed in an Iowa regiment; Edd, of Chero- kee county, Iowa; Caroline Davis, of Sioux county, Iowa; Albert, a resident of Lyons county, Iowa; Clistie Thompson, of Rock Rapids, that State; Alva, of Washington; and Royal, a resident of Sioux county, Iowa. S. B. Fobes, the subject of this sketch, was reared to farm life, but afterward was engaged as a sailor on the lakes for five years. He next was engaged in the manufacture of boat oars ten years. In 1874 he purchased what was known as the Deacon Gillett farm, consisting of 111 acres, all of which is now well improved, Mr. Fobes has a good, two- story dwelling, 18 x 28 feet, with an L, 16 x 26 feet, and a fine dairy.

October 29, 1860, he was united in mar- riage to Elizabeth Pelton, a native of Pult- ney, Steuben county, New York, and a daugh- ter of Deacon Ansel and Betsey (Thomas) Pelton, the former a native of New Hamp- shire, and the latter of Massachusetts. The father died at Gustavus, Ohio, at the age of sixty-seven years, and the mother survived him but three years, dying at the same place and at nearly the same age. They had six children: Amos T., deceased; Ezra, who died in this township; Elias of Hutchinson, Kan- sas; Rhoda M. Stone, of Cherry Valley, de- ceased; Lewis, of Gustavus; and Elizabeth, wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Fobes have had three children, viz .: Elloise, wife of H. Mellinger, of Cherry Valley township; L. Royal married Etta Wright of Le Roy,

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Lake county, and merchant of this place; and Albert C., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Mel- linger have one child, Ruby J. Mr. Fobes affiliates with the Republican party, and he and family are members of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Fobes was a school-teacher formerly, having taught several terms in this and adjoining towns. Their two oldest chil- dren proved successful teachers.

D ANIEL JOHNSON has been identi- fied with the various interests of Geauga county, Ohio, all his life. Few men in the county are held in higher esteem than he, and of such a one it is appro- priate that some personal mention be made in this work. Following is a brief sketch of his life:

Daniel Johnson was born in Newbury, township, Geauga county, Ohio, June 22, 1826, son of Seth Johnson and grandson of Solomon Johnson, both natives of Massachu- setts. In 1815, his father and grandfather emigrated to Ohio, the former at that time being twenty-one years of age. They located in Newbury township, this county, and worked for Lemuel Prenderson, who had set- tled here in 1809, he being the first settler in the township. That same year, 1815, the Johnsons bought land on which they erected a log house and where they at once began the work of clearing. The following year the rest of the family joined them in their fron- tier home, making the journey by ox teams and reaching their destination after six weeks' travel. In due time, they cleared up and developed a fine farm. Solomon Johnson died here at the age of seventy-nine years. Ile had a family of three sons and one daugh-

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 80

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