Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 83

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 83
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 83
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 83

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).

664

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Frank L .; Edwin H .; Fannie C .; Harry D., deceased, and Alice, deceased.

Mr. Mather affiliates with the Republican party and has always taken an active interest in local politics. He has been a member of the County Republican Central Committee several years; was clerk of Election Board when Gen. Garfield voted in 1880; has been clerk of Mentor township twenty-two years. In 1888 he was elected County Treasurer. He was nominated for this office by acclama- tion, and at the election ran ahead of his ticket. Under the present Treasurer he served two years as deputy. He was ap- pointed to serve as County Recorder in 1892 until an election could be held to fill the vacancy caused by death. Mr. Mather has always taken an active interest in educa- tional affairs, and for several years was a member of the School Board. He is a mem- ber of Garfield Post, No. 591, G. A. R., of Mentor; is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity; and was identified with the Grange, of which organization he served as Secretary for a number of years. Both he and his wife belong to the Congregational Church.

H OMER J. SHATTO, M. D., of Cole- brook, recognized by the medical fra- ternity as one of the leading practi- tioners of northeastern Ohio, was born in Deerfield, this State, August 13, 1843. His parents were Joseph and Olive (Mills) Shatto, the former born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1806, and the latter a daughter of Asheal Mills, widely and favor- ably known as a man of ability and upright character, and one of the earliest pioneers of Deerfield and Nelson townships. Joseph Shatto was a person of persevering industry

and integrity, and enjoyed the esteem of all who knew him. He was a devoted member of the Disciples' Church and prominent in all good works. He died April 9, 1862, leaving many friends to mourn his loss. He left three children: Homer J., whose name heads this notice; Celestia M., born in Berlin township, Ohio, was married in 1857, to Charles Cook, of Hart's Grove, Ohio, and she now resides in Colebrook; Charissa M., born in Portage county, Ohio, now resides in Auburn, the same State. The mother of this family still survives and makes her home with the subject of this sketch. In her day superior education for women was unknown, and she received but a common-school train- ing, but has developed by self-culture a high degree of literary taste, which she retains at the age of eighty.

Dr. Shatto, whose name heads this notice, was reared on his father's farm, and his early advantages were such as fell to the lot of other lads in his position at his time. His early educational opportunities were confined to two terms a year in the district schools of his vicinity, the remainder of his time being employed in labor on the home farm. He later attended Orwell Academy for two terms, where he applied himself so assiduously to his studies during that time that at their close he was enabled to obtain a license to teach. He divided the following three years between school-teaching in the winter and farm work on the home place in summer, de- voting his spare moments to the study of medicine. In 1873 he entered the Western Reserve Medical College of Cleveland, from which he received a diploma in 1875. He was married the following year, and remained in the vicinity of Colebrook, where he was engaged most of the time in farming, inci- dentally practicing medicine, until 1883,

665

OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

when, finding his patronage so large as to demand his whole time, he moved to Cole- brook Center, where he has since devoted himself entirely to his profession.

November 3, 1876, Dr. Shatto was married to Elizabeth Delano. Her father, Horace Delano, was born in Wheatland, Pennsyl- vania, August 13, 1827, and when quite young was deprived of his parents by death. At an early age he was adopted by Silas Enos, of Andover, Ohio, with which gentle- man he remained until he attained his major- ity. He then married and moved to Kings- ville, where he engaged in the tanning busi- ness. He was thus employed until the death of Mrs. Delano, which occurred in 1857, after which he returned to Andover, where he remained until the outbreak of the war, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the close of hostilities. He then removed to Hart, Michigan, which remained his home until his death, August 9, 1874, being greatly lamented by all who knew him. His wife, before marriage, was Juliet Kile, daughter of Leonard Kile, a worthy resident of Andover, Ohio. They had two children: Horace L., born in Andover, May 15, 1853; and Elizabeth, born in Kingsville, Ohio, Feb- ruary 14, 1855. Horace Delano chose the profession of law, and obtained his legal edu- cation in the office of Judge Russell, of Hart, Michigan. He now resides in Muskegon, that State, and is recognized as a leading at- torney of the Northwest. He filled for some time the office of Prosecuting Attorney, and discharged his duties with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Dr. and Mrs. Shatto have had six children, two daughters and four sons, four of whom sur- vive, two daughters having passed away in infancy. Those living are: IIngh J., born

December 1, 1878; Horace L., born Novem- ber 11, 1882; Frank H., born December 30, 1883; and Lyle D., born June 26, 1892.

Politically, Dr. Shatto is allied with the Prohibitory movement. He has held several offices of trust, including those of Township Trustee, Clerk, etc., all of which he has filled with eminent satisfaction to all. He takes an advanced position in regard to all political and moral matters, and his influence is ever felt on the side of right.

Mrs. Shatto combined rare musical taste and ability with all of the essential qualities that go together to make the model wife and mother, and thus transmits to her children an endowment that must tell for success in life.

D ANIEL H. PARKER, one of the pros- perous farmers of Ashtabula county, was born December 11, 1844, son of Nehemiah and Samantha (Cook) Parker. He received a district and high school education, and when he grew up became identified with the agricultural interests of the county. He is now the owner of 112 acres of land, one of the finest farms in the county, well improved and desirably located, being half a mile west of Orwell. His commodious residence, stand- ing on an eminence, commands a view of the farm and much of the surrounding country. In his broad pastures are found some of the finest horses and cattle in the vicinity, his dairy especially being worthy of note.

Mr. Parker has been twice married. April 17, 1871, he married Ann Eliza Bugby, whose untimely death occurred December 31, 1875. Her infant son, two weeks old at the time of her death, survived her one year. August 4, 1876, he married Miss Sarah J. Lintern, daughter of Matthew Lintern.

666

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Mr. Parker is ranked with the leading and influential farmers of Ashtabula county, and is identified officially with the Orwell Agri- cultural Society. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party. He has held various positions of trust and responsibility in his township and county, and is at present serving as Township Commissioner. He is a fluent converser, is a man of most genial disposition, and few men in this vicinity have more friends than he.

R ILEY G. ALLEN, a farmer of Ashta- bula county, was born in Geneva township, this county, November 19, 1845, a son of Joseph R. and Mary Ann (Robins) Allen, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of the State of New York. The maternal grandfather of our sub- ject, Moses Robins, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Joseph R. Allen spent thirteen years in California, but many years of his life were passed in this county. He died here at the age of sixty-eight years. Mrs. Allen died June 12, 1888, at the age of sixty-seven years. They were the parents of three chil- dren: Henry La Fayette, deceased at the age of four years; Riley G., our subject; and Dwight, who departed this life at the age of thirty-one years, leaving a widow and three children.

R. G. Allen was reared and educated in Ashtabula county, and in early life learned the cooper's trade, which he followed many years. In August, 1864, he enlisted for ser- vice in the late war, entering the One Hun- dred and Seventy-seventh Ohio Infantry, Company D, under Captain R. H. Burr, and remained until the close of the struggle. April 3, 1877, Mr. Allen came to his present

farm of ninety-five acres. In 1892 he erected a good two-story residence, 28 x 34 feet, has a barn 40 x 60 feet, and many other conveniences.

June 24, 1872, our subject was united in marriage to Cornelia S. Burr, who was born in this township April 20, 1844, and who was a popular and successful teacher. Her parents, Austin and Sarah (Haughton) Burr, were natives of Keene, New Hampshire. The mother taught the first school in Dor- set township, Ashtabula county. Mr. and Mrs. Burr had eight children: Charles A., Mary G., Elmira D., Lydia R., John F., Captain Rufus H., Cornelia S., and one deceased in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have four living children: Rufus Riley, Corlia S., Arthur A. and Austin Joseph. Marshall Burr died at the age of eighteen years. In his political relations, Mr. Allen votes with the Republican party, and has served his township as Trustee, Assessor and as a member of the School Board. Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R., Giddings Post, of Jefferson.

002/20000

E DWIN R. HATCH, a carpenter and contractor, of Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Monroe township, Ashtabula county, this State, March 9, 1829, son of Daniel and Mary (Shoudler) Hatch, both natives of Vermont.

Rufus Hatch, the grandfather of Edwin R., came to Ashtabula county, Ohio, with his family of five sons and four daughters, in 1824. His daughters married, and all his children settled on different farms in Monroe township. Not one of the number is now living. One son, Harvey, went to Michigan in 1848 and settled on a farm near Grand

667

OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

Rapids, where he spent the rest of his life and died. The youngest son, Alpheus, moved to Kansas, and died on a farm in that State. The rest of the family spent their lives in Monroe township, where they were well known and highly respected for their many estimable traits of character. Daniel Hatch located, in 1824, at Hatch's Corners, which place was named in honor of him. He died in 1880, at the age of seventy-seven years, and his good wife passed away in 1883, aged eighty-one. Both were members of the Universalist Church. They had eight chil- dren-seven sons and one daughter. Five of the sons are still living, four in Conneaut and one in Michigan.

Edwin R. Hatch, when a young man, was engaged in sailing on the lakes, being thus occupied until after the time of his marriage, which event occurred November 24, 1850. After that he learned the carpenter's trade, including both house and ship carpentry, and has followed contracting and building ever since. During the war he rendered efficient service on the Monitor Wehawken for nine months.

When Sumter was fired upon in 1862 by our Monitors, they became damaged and withdrew to Port Royal for repairs. Captain Ericsson, who built the vessels, said another deck could be placed upon them. Mr. Hatch was at that time in New York city, in the employ of the Government as ship carpen- ter. He and some twenty-five others were sent to Port Royal to do the carpenter work in putting on the decks. They took with them timbers, iron and all necessary material, and in due time arrived at Port Royal. The · officers, however, would not permit the extra decks to be put on the Monitors, as they thought the additional weight would sink the vessels. Mr. Hatch relates that while he was

on the Monitors, officers would come on board to, nominally, look around. They would incidentally remark: "This is a long boat," and would then be invited to the cabin to measure the length, which, as our subject facetiously explained, usually amounted to about two to three "fingers" in a common tumbler.

Some of the ship carpenters went home, but Mr. Hatch remained and was engaged in repair work on the Wehawken. He con- tinued on this vessel nearly nine months. During this time the ship Courier, a tea vessel that formerly ran between this country and China, came in under the United States flag. Mr. Hatch was transferred from the Wehawken to her for blockade running off the coast of Charleston. One morning three blockade runners came out of Charleston, loaded with cotton, and the Courier at once proceeded to capture them, which result was accomplished. Two of the three vessels were placed in command of the second and third mates of the Courier, and the third, the Maria Bishop, was put in command of the Conrier's purser. Mr. Hatch was one of the crew on the Maria Bishop, and, taking the place of a sick officer, he steered the vessel for fourteen hours, the sea covering them all the time. Dripping wet, he remained all those long hours at the post of duty, without the least hope of ever seeing land again. In passing Hatteras they went on the inside channel next to the lighthouse. The weather then was fine until they neared Fortress Monroe, when, on account of a northern gale, they ran back to Chickatis, Virginia, and, missing the stakes, ran ashore. Here they intercepted a schooner, Tom Collier, belong- ing to some insurance companies of New York, transferred the cargo of cotton to this vessel and proceeded to New York. The

668

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Maria Bishop was unseaworthy and they abandoned her. They reached New York ten days before the draft for more soldiers was made there. Mr. Hatch's name was on the list of drafted, and it was not until after he had had some difficulty and had paid a lawyer to write a letter to the enrolling officer in Ohio, that he succeeded in proving the fact that he was enrolled in Ohio. After this he was sent in charge of fifteen men to repair the Great Eastern, which work was completed in twelve days. Then he went south on the Fulton to take charge of build- ing docks at Port Royal, where he remained nine months, at times having under his chgare as many as 400 men.

On his return from Port Royal the second time, he made a visit to his family. Febru- ary 1, 1864, in company with others, Mr. Hatch left Cleveland and proceeded south to assist in the building of gunboats for river defense at Bridgeport, Alabama, on the Tennessee river. Here he was at work at the time when General Sherman started on his memorable march to the seaboard. After remaining in Alabama for some five months, Mr. Hatch returned home.

About thirty-five years ago Mr. Hatch in- vented a vessel for navigating the air. The draft of it is still in his possession, and was photographed and taken by him to the Columbian Exposition. He still thinks it feasible. It has a length of forty feet and a capacity of carrying from forty to sixty people.

Since the war the subject of our sketch has been engaged in contracting and building in Conneaut, and many of the buildings of this city are the result of his handiwork. He erected the gristmill, papermill, the business block occupied by Hoskins & Palmer, be- sides other busines houses and numerous dwellings.

The date of Mr. Hatch's marriage has already been given. Mrs. Hatch, nee Amanda J. McElvain, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert McElvain. Her father died in the summer of 1885, and her mother has been dead over fifty years. Mr. and Mrs. Hatch had four children, namely: Mary, a resident of New Bedford, Pennsylvania, has been twice married, by her first husband, E. Heiler, having one child, Fannie, and by her second husband, Wilson McCluskey, three children-Clara, Nellie and Earl; Emma C., wife of Lou Naef, photographer, of Con- neaut, has two children-Otto and Leo; T. R., foreman in Pond's planing-mill at Con- neaut, married Louella Warren and has one child, Walter E .; and Frank H., baggage- master on the Conneaut accommodation, married Tillie Ellen, of Cleveland, their only child being Dorotha. Mr. Hatch has one great-grandchild, Benjamin E. Maltley, son of Fannie and James Maltley, of Geneva,

Ohio. Mr. Hatch was buried Christmas, 1892. She was born September 10, 1829, and for forty-five years was a devoted mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. From her girlhood up, her life was character- ized by the sweetest of Christian graces. A kind and obliging neighbor, a loving mother, a devoted wife, a true friend, an earnest Christian. Such a character was hers.

During his long life in Conneant, Mr. Hatch has ever been identified with the best interests of the place. In the days of slavery he was an ardent Abolitionist, and when a boy in his 'teens helped many a negro to make his escape to Canada and freedom. For thirty-eight years he has been a blue- lodge Mason, and for thirty years has been a member of the chapter. Politically, he is a full- fledged Prohibitionist. He has been a

Respectfully yours

669

OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

delegate to various State conventions; was a delegate to the National Temperance Conven- tion at Saratoga Springs in June, 1892, and this year (1893) is a delegate to the World's Temperance Congress at Chicago. He is a member of the Grand Lodge of Royal Tem- plars of Temperance, of Ohio, a member of the Good Templars, and an honorary mem- ber of the Sons of Temperance, of New York. He has been identified with the last named organization since he was eighteen years of age. In many respects Mr. Hatch is a remarkable man. He never drank a glass of beer in his life, never used a drop of liquor as a beverage, never used tobacco, nor does he drink tea or coffee. A man of varied experiences, keen powers of observa- tion, more than ordinary intelligence, and, withal, possessing a disposition to improve time and opportunity and keep pace with current events, Mr. Hatch has accomplished much in life.

The above, while only a brief and im- perfect sketch, will serve to show something of the life of one of Conneaut's best citizens.

UCIUS T. WILMOT, Vice President of the First National Bank of Chardon and of the Geauga Savings & Loan Association of the same place, was born in Claridon township, Geauga county, Ohio, June 30, 1824, being a son of Abraham Wil- mot, a native of Connecticut, and grandson of Asa Wilmot, who was also born in Con- necticut of Scotch-English extraction. Asa Wilmot was an agriculturist, and reared a large family of children; he was a man of small means but untiring industry; he died in Connecticut at a ripe old age. Abraham Wilmot first came to the West in 1816, when

a single man, making the journey on foot with a solitary campanion, averaging 100 miles every three days. He remained six months and then returned to his home. He was married in 1818, his wedding journey being a trip to the West, this emigration be- ing accomplished in a one-horse wagon. He had $300 to make a payment on land, and bought 100 acres in Claridon township, Geauga county, where he built a log house in the heart of the forest, and began the task of clearing and improving a farm. He was an expert rifleman, and often hunted wild game for his neighbors while they chopped for him. In early life he was strong and vigorous, but in later years suffered from fever and lameness. He died at the age of eighty-three years. He was a member of the Congregational Church, and in politics was a Whig, being a strong Abolitionist. He married Nancy Tuttle, a native of Connecti- cut, by whom he had a family of seven chil- dren, six of whom grew to maturity: Lucina, Esther, Emily Ann, Charles, Lucius T., Abra- ham, and Thomas, deceased. The mother died at the age of seventy-seven years; she was a member of the Congregational Church, and possessed many admirable traits of character, being deeply attached to her home and fami- ly. Her father was a native of Connecticut, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, dying of camp fever contracted in the service.

Lucius T. Wilmot is the fourth-born of this family. He was reared amid the priva- tions and hardships of life on the frontier, and received his education in the primitive log schoolhouse of that day and in Kirtland Academy at the age of nineteen years he be- gan teaching in Portage county, Ohio. In 1845, he went to Shelby county, Kentucky, and followed his profession during the winter season for five years. In 1846, he traveled

670

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

through Georgia and Alabama and had a good opportunity to study the evils of slave- ry. In 1847, he taught school in Washing- ton county, Indiana, returning to Ohio in the summer of 1850. On the tenth day of September of that year he was united in marriage to Mrs. Nancy (Taylor) Kellogg, who came to the West from Connecticut at the age of seven years. Her father, Childs Taylor, was an early pioneer in Claridon township, and owned 500 acres of land; he was born in 1782 and died in 1847, the father of six sons and six daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Wilmot are the parents of four children: Eugene is a farmer in this county ; Stanley, is a practicing lawyer at Dunlap, Iowa; Alice is now Mrs. C. C. Kellogg; and Melva resides at home.

After his marriage Mr. Wilmot located on 130 acres of land in Claridon township, where he farmed for twenty-seven years, making many fine and valuable improvements. In the meantime his operations were not con- fined to this one tract, as he bought and it- proved several other farms which be sold as they became desirable property. At one time he was the most extensive dealer in live- stock in the township, shipping to points in New England. He removed to Claridon in 1877, where he has since resided. He was one of the incorporators of the Geauga Sav- ings and Loan Association, and also of the First National Bank of Chardon. He is vice-president of both institutions and a member of the board of directors. He be- gan life without capital excepting that with which nature had endowed him, and he has made the most of his opportunities. Pos- sessing sound judgment and keen discern- ment, years of experience have made him one of the best financiers in the county. He is a member of the Congregational Church,

taking great interest in its welfare. Polit- ically, Mr. Wilmot affiliates with the Repub- lican party, and has served as Trustee of the township three years. It was during his term of office and through his instrument- ality' that the town hall was built, the same having been erected in 1886.

Mrs. Wilmot departed this life December 14, 1892. She was a woman of strong character, warm-hearted and charitable, and was in reali- ty a helpmate to her husband in all his labors. She was much devoted to her family, was a devout Christian woman and an active mein- ber of the Congregational Church. She was deeply mourned by all who knew her.

Mr. Wilmot is now enjoying the fruits of an industrious and successful business ca- reer, and the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens,-the result of honorable and upright conduct.

'APTAIN WILLIAM J. KEEN, a prominent citizen, now retired from active business pursuits, an ex-soldier and officer of the civil war, came to Andover, Ohio, in April, 1858. He was born in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, England, January 27, 1831, and was a son of William and May (Aldridge) Keen, both natives of the same county as himself, his father being a shoemaker by trade. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his native county, and at the age of fourteen began an apprenticeship at paper-making, at which he was occupied several years. At the age of seventeen and a half years, he entered the British army as a member of the Third Dra- goon Guards, in which he served until 1853, when he was honorably discharged as a non- commissioned officer with the rank of Ser-

671

OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

geant. During his service, the regiment was stationed most of the time in Ireland, at va- rious points, Dublin, Tipperary and Water- ford. In the latter part of his service he was selected by his superior officers as re- cruiting officer and was stationed for some time in England. In April 1853, he sailed for New York city, where he followed the hotel business for eighteen months. He then removed to Buffalo, the same State, and was similarly engaged until April, 1858, when he came to Andover and bought the hotel with ten acres of ground, on the southwest- ern corner of the public square. This he greatly improved, making of it one of the most valuable pieces of property in the town.

He was thus engaged at the outbreak of the war, when he was instrumental in organ- izing Company F and the Second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, into which the company was incorporated. He organized this company August 20, 1861, at Jefferson, Ohio, and it was mustered into service Sep- tember 9, at Cleveland Ohio. For a time the company was stationed at Camp Dennison, Ohio, whence the regiment proceeded to St. Louis, Missouri, and was variously stationed at Weston, in Platte county, that State, at Leavenworth, Kansas, Fort Smith, Fort Gib- son, Fort Scott and other points. While in the field, he was taken with hemorrhage of the bowels on the line of march, and the disorder culminated in typhoid fever. On his return to Camp Chase, by advice of his physician, he resigned and returned home. He resumed the hotel business in Andover, which he suc- cessfully continued until 1881, when he sold out and retired from active pursuits. He has never recovered from the chronic disease contracted in the service. He is financially well situated. He has a comfortable home in Andover, where surrounded by numerous

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 83

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