Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 81

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 81
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 81
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 81

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ter, of whom Seth was the oldest. Seth John- son was married in 1821 to Saloma Curtis, a native of Massachusetts. Her people had emigrated to New York and from there came to Cleveland, Ohio. She died at the age of forty-four years. Seth Johnson died in De- cember, 1857, aged sixty-five. He held vari- ous local positions in the township and was a man of some prominence. They had a family of twelve children, all of whom grew to ma- turity and six of whom are still living.

Daniel Johnson was born in a hewed-log house on the farm on which he still resides. His father was an invalid and able to do but little work for several years, so upon Daniel and an older brother fell the work of sup- porting the family. This brother struck out for himself at the age of twenty-one and the father said to Daniel, " You must stay at home and help take care of the children." It was about this time, when the subject of this sketch was sixteen, that the mother died, December 9, 1842, at the age of forty-four. He had been able to attend the district school during a portion of the time until the attain- ment of his sixteenth year, and in his eigh- teenth year he attended a private or select school for a few weeks. By diligent appli- cation and perseverance when in school and by supplementing this work by studying eve- nings and at odd times, he secured a good, practical business education. Ile taught one term of school in his home district, but owing to the urgent demands upon his attention at the home and farm, he was obliged to discontinue his pedagogic labors at the expiration of the time designated. His sisters also became teachers. After the death of his father, he bought out the other heirs, and has continued to reside on the old farm. This farm com- prises 105 acres of good land, it being util- ized for dairying and general farming.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

March 9, 1852, Mr. Johnson married Miss Belle M. Gould. Their five children are as follows: Stella, wife of R. B. Roe, a drug- gist of Elyria, Ohio; William C., who is mar- ried and lives at Creston, Wayne county, Ohio, where he is extensively engaged in truck farming; S. D., also married, is an em- ploye of the Valley Railroad Company, at Cleveland; L. Grace, is a teacher; and D. Lloyd is at home.

During his early life Mr. Johnson was a Henry Clay Whig, but since the reorganiza- tion of the Republican party he has been identified with it. He has always taken an active part in local politics, having been fre- quently sent as a delegate to county, district and State political conventions. He has been Township Trustee, was Township Assessor three terms, was Magistrate for eighteen years, and for nine years served as County Com- missioner. During his service as County Commissioner, the Superintendent's building at the Infirmary was erected, and the county records were indexed. Mr. Johnson is a man of more than ordinary business ability. In addition to his farming operations and the duties of the various official positions to which he has been called, he has for the past thirty- five years served as executor, administrator and assignee, and has frequently been appointed appraiser of the personal estates of deceased persons, and as one of a committee to appraise and partition real estate, in which way he has transacted a vast amount of business for other people. He holds a commission as Notary Public, and has for several years trans- acted in that capacity such business as has been required of him by his neighbors. In the second year of the Harrison adminis- tration he received the appointment as Post- master at South Newbury, a preferment which he still holds, the detail work of the

office being assigned to a capable assistant. He has ever proved himself worthy of the important trusts reposed in him, performing his duty with the strictest fidelity. He has been vice-president of the Pioneer Society of Geauga county for several years, and has served as chairman of its executive commit- tee. In early manhood, Mr. Johnson became actively identified with the noble work of temperance reform, and his interest in the cause has never flagged. For many years he was a member of Division 119 of the Sons of Temperance. His personal habits are con- sonant with the views he advocates, and it is a noteworthy fact that he has never used tobacco in any form.

Of Mrs. Johnson, it should be further stated that she is a daughter of Rev. Simon Gould, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and that she was born in Twinsburg, Ohio, of which place her parents were early settlers. She has been a most devoted wife and mother, particularly gifted in the art of home-making, and in every way a support and helpmeet to her husband in his life work. Hers has been a life of ceaseless and unself- ish devotion to her home, its interests and to all who came therein. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have ever maintained a home in which the refining influence of music has been manifest, and each member of the family has a marked taste for that beautiful art. The house has always contained a piano, and both vocal and instrumental music have conserved the pleas- ures and attractions of the home.

JOHN W. LOWE, M. D., one of the lead- ing physicians of Mentor, Ohio, was born in Brantford, Ontario, July 17, 1855, son of John and Ann (Wilson) Lowe,

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

natives of Aberdeen, Scotland. John Lowe came to British America when a young man, and located near Brantford, where he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a member of the old Scotch Presbyterian Church, as also was his wife. The latter died in 1892. Their family was composed of ten children, nine of whom are still living.

Dr. J. W. Lowe was reared on his father's farm two and a half miles north of the city of Brantford, at a small place known as Tran- quillity. His early educational advantages were confined to the district schools. At an early age he was engaged as business man- ager by Thomas D. Batson, of Tranquillity, who owned a 310-acre farm and fifty acres of pine woods. While in the employ of Mr. Bat- son, Dr. Lowe was assigned the work of super- intending the building of Tranquillity Meth- odist Church, and was actively concerned in all departments of church work at that place. Being naturally a close and careful financier, he save his earnings until he had accumulated a sufficient amount to enable him to launch out in business for himself. At this time an opportunity presented itself. A general store on the corner of Duke and Waterloo streets, Brantford, was for sale on account of failure. He secured the assistance of an old school- mate of some experience in mercantile busi- ness; the stock was purchased with the former's money, and the store re-opened under the name of Lowe & Atkins. He did a good business here, but could not endure the trust system, and soon sold out. His partner took up theology and medical science. In the mean time he had completed the four years' course of study prescribed by the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, be- ing the first in the place to take advantage of the Chautauqua system of education. Hav- ing decided to enter the medical profession

he was for some time at a loss to know which school of medicine was correct, for at that time there were from ten to twelve different theories advanced for the treatment and cure of disease. Each was successful in a measure, and each had a respectable following, but none of them had reduced medicine to an exact science. The science of electro-thera- pentics being new, he took up that branch and graduated in 1882, at the Brantford Electro- pathic Institute, which was at that time a branch of the Philadelphia school and con- ducted by Prof. J. W. Braman and staff. In 1883 he located at Midland City, Michigan, where he practiced electro-therapeutics for two years. Being desirous of a larger field, he removed to Bay City, Michigan. Soon after this he was offered a position in the British American Medical and Surgical Insti- tute at Detroit, Michigan, and he accepted the proposition, having charge of the electro- pathic department for two years. He also figured in the other departments of the insti- tute, where he gained much valuable informa- tion that has been of practical benefit to him since. While there he passed an examina- tion before the State Board of Censors, and was admitted to the State Medical and Sur- gical Society. Learning that the Vermont Medical College at Rutland was teaching some advanced theories, he entered that school, passed a creditable examination, and was granted a diploma in June, 1889. Desir- ing to locate on the Western Reserve he opened an office at 1,098 Pearl street, Cleveland, Ohio, until a better opportunity should present itself. Mentor seemed to offer the best inducement, and he at once prepared to make it his home and grow up with the town. He now enjoys a large and lucrative practice, owns his place of residence, which is central and one of the most desirable in the town,

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owns property in Findlay, Ohio, and has stock in the Mollie Eppert Mining & Milling Company, of Colorado. He is Health Officer of Mentor, is secretary of the Mentor Improve- ment Association, and is Recording Steward and Treasurer of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Lowe is a Republican, but is not a political aspirant and consequently takes no active part in politics. While in Ontario he was a member of the Farrington Debating Society, and was prominent in temperance work. He passed through the society of Odd Fellowship to the highest degree in Brant Encampment of Patriarchs No. 4, I. O. O. F., of Ontario, was also a member of the Govern- ment militia known as the Dufferin Rifles, serving as a non-commissioned officer in Com- pany D, of that organization.

Dr. Lowe is a married man. The maiden name of his wife was Jennie B. Ackley, and she was born at North Bloomfield, Trumbull county, Ohio, and is a descendant of a long line of American ancestors, many of whom were eminent in the early history of the country. Her parents, Bolter Scott and Martha Howe (Green) Ackley, are now resi- dents of Mentor.

E DWIN E. DOUGLASS, one of the oldest settlers of Claridon township and a typical pioneer, is closely iden- tified with the development of Geauga coun- ty; it is therefore fitting that his biography should be recorded on these pages. He was born March 3, 1816, in Claridon township, Geanga county, Ohio, a son of Elijah Doug- lass, who was a native of Litchfield county, Connecticut. The paternal grandfather, Sam- uel Douglass, was also a native of Connecti- cut, of Scotch descent. He was a farmer by

occupation, and died when his son Elijah was a child of three years. The latter emi- grated to the West in 1810, making most of the journey on foot. He bought land and returned to the East, but in 1811 came to stay, building a log cabin in the heart of the forest. Soon followed the war of 1812. One night he moulded some balls, and early next morning took his musket and started for Cleveland. Arriving there he heard of Hull's surrender, and as his services were not needed returned to his home. He performed a great amount of hard labor, clearing most of a large farm. He died in his seventy- ninth year. He was married to Betsey Cowles, a daughter of Judge Cowles, who was one of the early settlers here and a very large land-owner. He was one of the associ- ate judges of this district, and was a man of broad intelligence and great benevolence. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass reared a family of three children: Samuel, Eliza and Edwin E. The mother bore her share of the burden and hardships incident to their settlement on the frontier; she spun for the cloth that she had woven for her family, and performed much difficult and heavy labor. She was nearly seventy at the time of her death.

Edwin E. Douglass is the youngest of the family. He was reared amid the rude sur- roundings of the early settlements, and re- ceived his education in the primitive log schoolhouse. He assisted in the clearing of the land, and was often obliged to pen the sheep at night to protect them from wild animals that still infested this section.

He was married in 1841, to Almira Taylor, who was born in Hartford county, Connecti- cut, and emigrated to Ohio in 1828. Four children were born to this union: Emily, Martha, Ralph C. and Howard T. The mother died January 7, 1890. Mr. Douglass

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settled upon his present farm after his mar- riage, and with untiring energy began im- proving the land and making substantial improvements. Few men have labored with more earnestness, and few have been better rewarded. Howard T. Douglass succeeds to the old home farm, which consists of 150 acres with first-class improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass are enrolled meinbers of the Congregational Church at Claridon, and since their early days have maintained an active interest in all religious work. Politi- cally Mr. Douglass votes with the Republi- can party. In early times he was a Whig, and in 1840 voted for William Henry Harri- son. He took a lively part in that campaign, assisting in the celebration of Fort Meigs. A man of honor and unquestioned integrity, he has the confidence of the entire com- munity.

D AN. H. FARGO .- As a worthy rep- resentative of one of the oldest and mose prominent families of Ashtabula county, Ohio, the subject of this sketch is deserving of mention in this history.

The Fargo family is of Welsh descent, the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch having been at one time a loyal sub- ject of the Prince of Wales. However, he emigrated to America in the early history of this country. His grandson, Ezekiel Fargo, was born, lived and died in Massachusetts, where he married and had five daughters and two sons, the latter being Thomas, who died in Illinois, and Jason, father of the subject of this sketch. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Fargo of this notice was Anan Harmon, who was born in Berkshire county, Massa- chusetts, and who was an efficient soldier in the war of 1812. He married Tryphina Har-

mou and they had seven children: Clarissa, Edwin, Roxy, Elizabeth, Folly, Anan, Jr., and Achsah. Jason Fargo, father of Dan. Fargo, was born in Sandisfield, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, August 15, 1790. He was reared on a farm in that State and in an early day came West with a party of men, making the journey by water. He was mar- ried in Ashtabula, June 1, 1817, to Clarissa Harmon, a native of the same county and State as himself. Her birth occurred Febru- ary 27, 1801. He passed the first year of his residence in this county in farm work with his father-in-law, and the second year he bought of Martin Smith 156 acres, cov- ered with a dense forest, for which he paid $100 down, securing time for the payment of the balance. In order to discharge his in- debtedness, Mr. Jason Fargo bought an ox on credit and at once began to cut and haul to market large quantities of cord-wood, by which means he was enabled to make pay- ments on his land. Later, in company with his father-in-law, he contracted to build a portion of the turnpike road through the Maumee swamp, and with the proceeds from this labor he made final payment on his place. This became in time, under his industrious efforts and sagacious management, one of the best cultivated, most highly improved and most valuable pieces of property in the county. Industry and honesty were his strongest characteristics. His habits were good and his manner affable and kind. His parents were Baptists, but he never professed religion, feeling content to ob- serve the golden rule. Public service had no charms for him, but he yielded to the de- sire of his friends and accepted the trustee- ship of his town, in which capacity he dis- charged his duties with his usual upright- ness, promptness and ability. He had no

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military record, but was a member of a com- pany in the old training days. His six chil- dren were: Dan. H., whose name heads this sketch; George D., born February 25, 1821, died December 25, 1890; Anan, born Octo- ber 21, 1823, died in Butte county, Califor- nia, January 5, 1863; Edwin, born August 5, 1827, died at the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains, June 25, 1852, of cholera; Ellen T., April 27, 1834, married Horace Dunshee, and died June 18, 1863; and Lucius J., born June 18, 1845. The devoted father died in Ashtabula, September 20, 1861, followed by the regrets of all who knew him, and who thus esteemed him for his many estimable qualities. His wife survived him until August 21, 1880.

Dan. H. Fargo, of this notice, a prosper- ous farmer and stock-raiser and worthy citi- zen of Ashtabula county, was born in this county, August 29, 1819. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the neighboring schools. Since then he has fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, he and his brother, Lucius J., being now equal partners in the farm, dairy and stock business. Dan. II. Fargo has for fifty years with the excep- tion of 1892, made an annual trip to Buffalo, New York, for the purpose of disposing of his farm products, the sale of which has net- ted him a comfortable income. Previous to the construction of the railroad to Ashtabula, he marketed his stock in New York and Massachusetts, driving the animals the en- tire distance. Their farm contains 570 acres of the finest land in the county, ad- joining East Village.

The subject of this sketch has never mar- ried, but his brother, Lucius J., married Miss Belle F. Savage, an estimable lady, daughter of L. Savage, a widely and favorably known citizen. They have four children: Clara L.,

born in 1877; Dan. H., May 10, 1883; Julia Ellen, March 11, 1885; and Alonzo L., April 23, 1887. Mr. Fargo is a Republican in politics, and honorable, industrious, enter- prising and progressive. Mr. Dan. Fargo has contributed as much as any other man to the advancement of the community and deserves the esteem which he so generally enjoys among his fellow townsmen.

The following stanza, dedicated to the mother of our subject, was written by P. R. Spencer, who was a distinguished citizen of Ohio and whose name is well known through- out the Union. The lines were penned many years ago, and the author, under date of November 16, 1863, presented them with " Respects to the friend and schoolmate of my boyhood, Mrs. Clarissa Fargo:"

The Lord, the High and Holy one, Is present everywhere ; Go to the regions of the sun, And thou wilt find Him there;

Go to the secret ocean caves, Where man hath never trod, And there, beneath the flashing waves, Will be our maker, God.

E DWIN D. WARNER, M. D .- The citizen who labors for the betterment of humanity, for the improvement of our civic institutions and the advancement of civilization, is a benefactor and is worthy of a place on the pages of history. Such a one is the man whose name is at the head of this memoir. Dr. Edwin D. Warner, who is a practitioner at Geneva, Ohio, and one of the leading physicians of Ashtabula county, was born at Madison, Lake county, Ohio, Au- gust 8, 1855, and is the son of Edwin D. and Mary (Green) Warner, of whom the former was a native of Scipio, New York, and his father, David, who was a cooper by trade,

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OF NORTH EASTERN OHIO.

was a native of the Isle of Man. Edwin D. Warner was born in 1824, and when quite young came with his parents to Ohio, where he was reared to the occupation of a farmer. He was a representative man and took a prominent position in the community in which he dwelt, at all times being a strong advocate of Democratic principles. He died at Cleveland, Ohio, March 31, 1890, and his father, David, at Madison, Ohio, in 1854. His good wife, Mary, was of English ances- try, and was of the family of Lovells who were distinguished for their literary attain- ments. She was a member of the Baptist Church, a devout Christian, and departed this life November 16, 1873.

giving his whole soul to his life's work. From there he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the Homeopathic Hospital College, in the class of 1876. From this institution he graduated with high honors in 1879, having been chosen valedictorian of his class. During most of his college term Dr. Warner acted as first assistant to Prof. Bigger, which preferment was exceedingly complimentary to his ability. He stood an examination for prosectorship, which he secured, an honor highly prized.

After leaving college, Dr. Warner located at Geneva, where he commenced his practice. His knowledge of medicine and surgery, and his skill and success in the treatment of cases, soon brought him into a large and lucrative practice, which he has steadily increased until now he is one of the foremost and most popular physicians in northeastern Ohio. He was surgeon for the Lake Shore & Michi- gan Southern Railroad for seven years, when he resigned.

Amidst the quiet and peaceful pursuits of a pastoral life and the endearing surround- ings of a happy home, the subject of this memoir spent his early years, received his preliminary education and laid the founda- tion for his future career. Quite early in life he decided that the medical profession was the best suited to his mind and tastes, Dr. Warner has recently been honored with the appointment as examining surgeon on the Board of Pensions for Ashtabula county. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, holding the position at present of Chancellor Commander. and to the mastering of that profession he gave his whole attention, never relinquishing for a moment his high ideal. His parents were unable to render him much assistance, and therefore he was obliged to rely upon his own energies for development. He began his medical studies at Madison, Ohio, where He was united in marriage, March 3, 1880, to Miss Maria, daughter of Wilmont and Ennice M. (Schovell) Crandall, and a native of Madison, Ohio. To them has been born one child, Raymond C. He has a beautiful home, which has all evidences of elegance and culture. he also served as clerk in a drug store. He remained there three years, during which time he not only vigorously prosecuted his medical researches, but studied mathematics and the languages under the instructions of a private tutor. From there he went to Port Henry, New York, pursuing his studies and Dr. Warner is a man of domestic tastes, is a devoted husband and an affectionate father. He is liberal in thought, affable and genial by nature, and benevolent, extending clerking in a drug store for a relative. After remaining there a year, young Edwin turns his face again westward, and is soon found living with an uncle at Marengo, Illinois I his charities largely into his profession in his

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own quiet and unostentatious way. He keeps well abreast with the topics of the day, and is an interesting conversationalist. His mind is well and peculiarly adapted to the pro- fession he has chosen and for the practice of which he has ably qualified himself by hard and constant study. He is devoted to his profession, and his chief aim in life is to excel in that, and to be useful to his fellow- men. His .skill in his practice, combined with his character as a man and citizen, has established him in the confidence and esteem of the people. The value of such men to a community is beyond estimation; they bring honor to a profession, give tone to society, advance civilization, and make life brighter.

A NDREW J. BECKWITH, a native son of Ashtabula county, Ohio, and a representative business man of Ash- tabula Harbor, was born on a farm about two miles east of this city, on Christ- mas day, 1849. His father, Daniel Beck- with, was a son of Gordon Beckwith. the latter a native of Massachusetts, and a pioneer farmer of Ashtabula county, where he did his share toward reclaiming the country from its uncultivated condition and making of it the civilized abode it now is. He had five chil- dren: Albert, Daniel, Marvin, Edwin and Phoebe. Daniel was born June 12, 1821, in the same vicinity as the subject of this sketch, and passed all of his life, with the exception of the time spent in the army, in Ashtabula township. He was reared on the home farm and received the pioneer educational advan- tages of his day, afterward learning the trade of ship and boat carpentry, which he followed in conjunction with farming. He abandoned these peaceful pursuits at the call of his country, enlisting in 1862, in the Sixth Ohio

Cavalry. After eight months service he was honorably discharged on account of temporary illness, and later, in 1863, he enlisted in the United States navy, in which he continued to serve until the close of the war, being car- penter-in-chief on his gun boat, the General Thomas. His wife, Mary L. Hatch, was a native of Vermont, from whence she accom- panied her parents to Ashtabula county in an early day. This worthy couple had nine chil- dren. The father died January 27, 1880, greatly lamented by all who knew him as a good and industrious man. His faithful widow still survives, residing on the old home- stead in Ashtabula township, where she has passed so many useful years.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 81

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