Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 85

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 85
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 85
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 85

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).

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

pride of the country. They were the parents of three children: Juliet, wife of W. H. Henderson, a well-to-do farmer of Orwell township, has four children, two sons and two daughters; Mervin, whose name heads this sketch; and Edwin, a prominent citizen of Ashtabula.

The subject of this sketch was reared ou a farm, and received his primary education in the district schools of his vicinity. He later attended Orwell Academy, after which he went to Oberlin College one term, and sub- sequently to Hillsdale (Michigan) College one year. He then taught school success- fully several terms, which occupation not be- ing to his taste, he discontinued it, and in 1868 commenced the study of law. He at- tended the Albany (New York) law school a year, graduating in 1869, and was admitted to the bar in the same year. He has, how- ever, never practiced his profession to any extent, which fact is a matter of constant perplexity to his friends. Shortly after re- turning from Albany he became collector for the Pennsylvania Lightning-Rod Company, in which capacity he continued five years. He then ceased traveling and purchased his present farm, on which he settled down for life. He here has 128 acres of the finest agricultural land to be found in the town- ship, a good home and substantial barns, with all other modern improvements. Mr. Goddard is also a breeder of fine sheep, mostly of the Cotswold strain, and has a good number of Short-Horn cattle. He ordinarily manufactures large quantities of maple sugar and syrup, for which he always finds a ready market. His product of these commodities in 1893 is 1,000 pounds of sugar and 200 gallons of syrup. Mr. Goddard's prosperity is due to a thorough knowledge of his busi- ness, combined with unflagging industry and

careful attention to details, and he is justly entitled to great credit for his enterprise.

January 15, 1873, Mr. Goddard was mar- ried to Miss Frances M. McIntosh, a worthy lady of Windsor, Ohio, born April 12, 1850. She was educated in the common schools and the Orwell Normal Institute, and is a lady of culture and refinement, a good housewife and devoted mother. Her parents, James and Rachel (Rawson) McIntosh, were early settlers of Ohio. Her father died when she was but five years of age, leaving his widow with four children, two sons and two daugh- ters. Her mother afterward married S. C. Wilson, a respected citizen of Windsor, Ohio, and they had four children, three sons and one daughter. The latter, born March 12, 1861, became Mrs. John Howes, and died February 17, 1893, at the age of thirty-two, leaving a sorrowing husband and seven chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Goddard are the par- ents of three children: Roy W., born Jan- uary 29, 1876; Jessie Louise, born May 23, 1879; and Mary Adelaide, born September 19, 1880.

Politically, Mr. Goddard is a strong advo- cate of Democracy, and is ever on the alert to advance the principles in which he be- lieves, being honest in his convictions and earnest in his espousal of the cause. He has represented his constituents in several offices of public trust, having served as Assessor of Orwell township one year, and in 1880 being elected Justice of the Peace, in which ca- pacity he acted faithfully and efficiently for twelve years. At present (1893) he is the able Deputy Supervisor of Elections for Ashtabula county. He is also president of the Board of Education for the special dis- trict of Orwell, and has been a member of the School Board for many years. Ile is now Postmaster of Orwell.

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Fraternally, Mr. Goddard is a member of Orwell Lodge, No. 477, I. O. O. F. Of genial personality, upright character and en- terprising, progressive disposition, he holds an enviable position in his community, and has the best wishes of all for his success and happiness.

D OCTOR ALBON L. GARDNER, a prominent physician and surgeon and esteemed citizen of Painesville, Ohio, belongs to one of the oldest and most distin- guished families in the State. His grandfa- ther, Albon C. Gardner, was a native of Wayne county, New York, where he married Saloma Bancroft, when he was but nineteen and she fourteen years of age. They early joined the westward tide of emigration, com- ing overland by ox team to Parkman, Geauga county, Ohio, in the winter of 1822. Here they entered Government land and settled in the woods, occupying, on the start, a log cabin without doors, windows or floor, and being supplied with but $7 in money. With strong hearts and willing hands, they 'began life for themselves, and, by industry and economy, made for themselves not only a home but also accumulated a fortune. Here the grandfather farmed, conducted a store and an ashery, and, at the time of the war bought Government bouds at the lowest figure, being very wealthy at the time of his death. He was a strong Abolitionist, was actively con- cerned in the underground railway system, through the agency of which so many fugi- tive slaves were assisted to Canada and thus to freedom. He labored unceasingly in the cause of liberty for the downtrodden race, and aided to the full extent of his power in rid- ding the nation of the one blot upon its honor.

A man of large intellect, keen perception, great industry and unimpeachable honor with strong convictions on the questions of the day, he naturally became a leader, and in 1858 was elected to the State Legislature in which he distinguished himself with result- ing and lasting good to the State and honor to the name. An admiring constituency sought to nominate him for Governor of the State at the time Governor Tod was nominated, but Mr. Gardner declined to permit his name to go before the convention. This great and good man died, at his home on Euclid avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, at the age of seventy-eight years, deeply lamented by all who knew him. A simple but stately shaft marks the last resting place of his mortal remains, in Lake View Cemetery at Cleveland.

Albon B. Gardner, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Newbury, Ohio. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits in his younger days, but later became a farmer and simultaneously operated a mill at Chagrin Falls. He is a man of large financial resources, is generous, modest and honorable in his character. He has been Justice of the Peace for many years and is known as the " Cha- grin Falls Peace-maker." His wife's maiden name was Sarah W. White, who is a native of Bunker Hill, Massachusetts, and a daugh- ter of Harvey White, manufacturer of the famous White axes at Chagrin Falls. Both of our subject's parents still survive, and are residents of Chagrin Falls, where they are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and esteemed members of society. Harvey White was also connected with the operation of the famous " underground rail- way " of the later slavery days, was a Deacon of the Congregational Church, and an ener- getic and successful business man, possessed of much intellectual power and very liberal in

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his benefactions in all deserving causes. It is worthy of particular note in this connection that both grandfathers of our subject were originally Whigs in their political adherency, and that they were the two stalwarts of Cha- grin Falls as long as they lived there, work- ing shoulder to shoulder for the downfall of slavery and for the advancement of every good cause. Both were notable for their integrity, patriotism, honesty and ability; both were self-made men in the highest sense of the term.

The subject of this sketch was born at Cha- grin Falls, Ohio, September 18, 1847, being the oldest of seven children. He was educated in the seminary at Chagrin Falls and began the study of medicine, when eighteen years of age, under the direction of Dr. H. W. Curtis, of that city. He graduated at the Western Reserve Medical College in 1869, and after- ward continued his medical studies at Cleve- land, with Dr. N. Snyder as his preceptor. He then graduated from the Cleveland Hom- œopathic Hospital College, after which he practiced for a time with Dr. Snyder at Cleve- land. In 1871 he came to l'ainesville, which has ever since been his home and where he enjoys a large and lucrative patronage. His many years of experience and thorough grounding in the science of medicine render him an authority in all matters pertaining to his profession.

October 6, 1873, he was married in Paines- ville, to Miss Kate M. Doolittle, a lady of education and refinement, daughter of M. R. Doolittle, for many years editor of the Paines- ville Advertiser and now Postmaster in that city. They had two children: Albon G. and Kate S. January 7, 1881, the family were called upon to mourn the death of the devoted wife and mother, whose loss caused deep sor- row among her many friends. January 23,

1890, Mr. Gardner was again married, his p esent wife having been Mrs. Marion J. Thompson, a lady of culture and stability, widely and favorably known for her sterling qualities and sound sense. She is a daughter of Captain George Stone, of Cleveland.

Politically, Dr. Gardner is a Republican and takes an active interest in local and na- tional issues. He has been a member of the City Council, in which position he lent his influence to all measures which concerned the welfare of the municipality and the people. He is a member of the State Medical Society, and, fraternally, is a member of the Masonic and Foresters' lodge. Although identifying himself with no religious organization, he is a firm believer in a future state. He is a man of high moral character and is justly entitled to that unstinted measure of respect which is accorded him.

C ORYDON T. GROVER, M. D., is one of the prominent physicians of Orwell, Ashtabula county, Ohio. He is a native of Hart's Grove, Ohio, his birth having oc- curred December 5, 1840. His father, Gil- bert Grover, is a farmer and still living in Windsor, Ohio, where he was born in 1814. The Doctor's mother, who bore the maiden name of Selima M. Aldermar, was also bom in Windsor some four years after her hus- band's birth. She became the mother of five children: Marian, who died at the age of eight years; Corydon T .; Luellen S., now Mrs. Thomas A. McElroy of Hart's Grove; Lavernon, who died at the age of twenty-nine years; and John who died when eight years old.

Doctor Grover passed his boyhood on his father's farm in the usual work and play of

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

farmer lads, attending school during the winter months until he was about twenty years old, when he commenced teaching and proved quite successful as a pedagogue. Five years later he began the study of medicine with Dr. A. L. Pomeroy. In 1866, he at- tended lectures in what was then known as the Cleveland Medical College, but is now called the Western Reserve University, Medi- cal Department, of Cleveland, having passed the intervening time, about equally divided, in the offices of Drs. William M. Eames and J. C. Hubbard, of Ashtabula, Ohio. He re- turned to the medical department of the Uni- versity of Wooster, Ohio, where he finished the required years of study and graduated from the institution February 28, 1868.

Returning to Hart's Grove, the scenes of his childhood, Dr. Grover began the practice of his profession and continued there until his removal to Orwell in October, 1885. He has built up a successful practice here and owns considerable property in the village as well as a desirable farm, comprising 150 acres of arable land. Dr. Grover is one who makes it a point to keep abreast of the times and in addition to completing a number of post-graduate courses and reading the best medical journals and literature of of the day, is a member of the Ashtabula Medical Society. In politics, he is a strong Prohibitionist.

In Jefferson township, Ohio, March 5, 1868, the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Eunice A. McElroy, who was born May 10, 1846. She is a lady of culture and much ability, but her educational advantages were limited, owing to the fact that her father was stricken with palsy; and as Mrs. Grover was the oldest living child in the family she was obliged to assist in the support of the others. She possesses a self-reliant disposition, ex-|

eentive ability, good judgment and excellent literary talent, and in a large share, her hus- band's success both in a professional and financial way is due to the help she has af- forded him. Two of her brothers are yet liv- ing: Thomas A., who married a sister of our subject; and Truman A., who lives in Montville, Ohio.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Grover: Delo C., who was born May 29, 1869, graduated from the New Lyme In- stitute when eighteen years of age and was honored by being made valedictorian of his class. He espoused the cause of Prohibition and is a very earnest and able speaker in the cause of temperance- His oratory is almost faultless and delivery unexcelled for one of his years. Going to Oberlin College, he there pursued a course of study and graduated from that justly noted institution of learning in June, 1891, taking the degree of Ph. B. He next went to Cleveland, where he commenced the study of law with the firm of Norton & Pinney and after remaining with them for a year went to the State University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he passed an examin- ation so creditable that he entered the senior class of the law department, taking the de- gree of LL. B. in June, 1893, following. Previous to graduation he, with other Uni- versity of Michigan students from Ohio, at- tended examination at Columbus and was ad- mitted to practice in the Buckeye State. He is now located at Cleveland, his office being No. 716 Cuyahoga Building. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Church and has preached occasionally. On the 19th of July, 1893, Delo C. was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Diedler, a well known Cleveland lady, who has been a prominent worker and teacher in the charity kindergarten in that city, and who is prominently identified with

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the work of the Epworth Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church. The younger son of our subject, who was called Gilbert J., was born June 1, 1871. When only fourteen years old, he was with his brother, a student at the New Lyme Institute, but was taken sick with the measles, his father being in Cleve- land at the time, pneumonia followed and on April 21, 1885, he was called from the shores of time. His schoolmates famil- iarily called him "Little Grover," and by teachers and all he was greatly loved. At his funeral, they turned out en masse and strewed flowers over his grave.

In religious belief, the doctor and his wife are Methodists, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Orwell. They are both energetic workers in the cause and the Doc- tor is one of the Church Trustees. He is a strong advocate of temperance and is an ally of the Probibition party.

RA KINNEY, a well-known farmer re- siding near Fullertown, Geanga county, Ohio, was born in Kinsman, Trumbull county, this State, March 17, 1818. Joseph Kinney, a native of Worthington, Massachu- setts, emigrated to Ohio in 1813, and settled in Trumbull county, making the journey here on foot. He took claim to some land and cleared · up a farm. In 1837 he moved to Pierpont. Ashtabula county, where he bought a larger farm, on which he passed the rest of his life. In 1848, at the age of sixty-five years, he was accidentally killed by a falling tree. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother of our sub- ject, whose maiden name was Sarah Mathews, was born near Steubenville, Ohio. She died in 1860. Five of their nine children are still living.

Ira Kinney, the oldest in his father's fam- ily, was born in a log house and was reared amid pioneer scenes, receiving his education in a log schoolhouse. At the age of twenty he began working out by the month, working four years for one man and three years for another. In 1841 he located in Newbury township, where he purchased some land and where he has lived for more than half a cen- tury. He has been on his present farm for twenty three years. For the first land he bought he paid $4 an acre, and worked out by the month to get the money to pay for it. Mr. Kinney has 175 acres of fine land, and for more than thirty years has given his special attention to dairying.

In the spring of 1841, March 31, he mar- ried Achsah Higley, a native of Windsor, Ashtabula county. Her father and grand- father emigrated to Ohio in 1804, and settled at Windsor. Hon. Jonathan Higley, her father, was a man of prominence in northern Ohio. He was a wealthy farmer, and in 1830 was a member of the Ohio Legislature. His death occurred at the age of eighty-seven years. He was twice married, and had five children by his first wife and twelve by the second. Mrs. Kinney died May 30, 1892, aged seventy-two, after a happy married life of fifty two years. Following is a record of her children: Albert R., a member of Com- pany B, Forty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisted in August, 1861, and died in the army in 1863; Ira, deceased; Frank, who was killed by lightning May 23, 1870: Emma, who died February 22, 1892; Jonathan, a cheese manufacturer in California; Martha, wife of Stephen Dunwell, a farmer in New- bury township, and Dollie L. Jonathan and Emma were teachers.

Mr. Kinney is an excellent example of the self-made man. Honesty and industry have

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

characterized his life. He has always taken an active interest in educational matters, and for the past twenty-five years has been a mem- ber of the Board of Education. Eleven years he has served as Township Trustee. He has also filled various other local offices, and has occupied a place in the United States Grand Jury. Politically, he is a Republican.

H ENRY J. DODGE is a prominent young farmer and stock-raiser of Dodgeville, residing near the home of his father, John J. Dodge, a well- known farmer of Ashtabula county.

Henry J. Dodge was born in the village of Dodgeville, April 22, 1851. His district- school education was supplemented by a few terms at the Grand River Institute. On January 18, 1874, he married Alice Rose Swift, daughter of Oliver Swift, a prominent farmer of Kingsville, Ohio. Their only child, Hallie R., was born June 18, 1875, and is a graduate of the Commercial Department of New Lyme Institute with the class of 1893.

EORGE W. STAFFORD, of the firm of G. W. Stafford & Co., cheesebox manufacturers, Auburn Center, Ohio, is one of the prominent and wealthy men of this place. Of his life, we present the following résumé:

George W. Stafford was born at Auburn Center, Geauga county, Ohio, August 20, 1837. Christopher Stafford, his father, a native of New York State, was one of the early settlers of Auburn, having made the journey across the lake to this place about 1831. He bought sixty-three acres of land

northwest of Auburn, returned to New York for his family soon after, and here on the frontier he built his cabin and established his home. The woods, abonnded in game of all kinds, and it was not an unusual thing for him to kill a deer. He cleared up his farm, was engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, and died at the ripe old age of eighty- four. His good wife, whose maiden name was Emily Rockwell, and who was also a native of New York State, lived to be seventy-two. Both were members of the Free-will Baptist Church, and in politics he was a Republican. They had a family of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third son and fourth child.

Young Stafford was reared on his father's farm, and received his early education in a log schoolhouse near by. At the age of twenty he entered Hiram College, and for a part of two years was a student in that insti- tution, being in some of Garfield's classes. He began life on his own responsibility at the age of twenty-one. He served au ap- prenticeship of six years to the carpenter's trade. In 1870 he bought an interest in a cheesebox factory, in the operation of which he was engaged until the spring of 1874, when the factory burned down. This was a total loss, as it was not insured. The same year the present large factory was built, in order to accomplish which undertaking he was obliged to mortgage all the property he had. He has since been doing a prosperous business. He makes from 80,000 to 90,000 cheeseboxes per year, furnishing the supply for four counties, and doing some custom work besides. He employs twelve to fifteen men in the factory, one of whom has been with him eighteen years. Mr. Stafford is also engaged in farming to some extent. Hit home farm comprises seventy-three and a

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half acres. In 1882 he bought 104 acres in Aurora township, Portage county, this State, which he now has rented. He built a factory there of the same capacity as the one above described, and operated the same for a period of six years. Then he sold the machinery.

Mr. Stafford was married in 1865, to Harriet Ellis, a native of Auburn. Her father, Horace Ellis, was an early pioneer of this place, and was a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford have had no children. He is a member of the Free-will Baptist Church, while she is a Congregationalist. He affiliates with the Republican party. For five years he served as Township Clerk, and for the past eight years has been Township Treasurer. He is a Mason, having his mem- bership at Chagrin Falls.

Mr. Stafford is a fair example of the self- made man. He began life a poor boy, and the success he has attained is due to his own industry and good management.

A SA K. SMITH, deceased, was nearly all his life identified with the agri- cultural and horticultural interests of Lake county, Ohio, and as one of the prominent citizens of the county for many years it is appropriate that some personal mention be made of him in this work. Briefly given, a sketch of his life is as fol- lows:

Asa K. Smith was born in the State of New York May 12, 1821, son of Sylvester and Lucretia (Lyons) Smith, both natives of eastern New York. His grandfather, Asa Smith, was a native of Connecticut, and his great-grandfather Smith, an Englishman by birth, was one of the early settlers of that

State, having located on the Connecticut river. Asa Smith was a bricklayer by trade, but was engaged in farming during the latter part of his life. He emigrated to Indiana, where he passed the closing years of his life, and died at Evansville at the age of eighty- six years. He was a teamster in the Govern- ment service during the Revolutionary war. Sylvester Smith emigrated to Ohio and settled in Willoughby township, Lake county, about 1827. This part of the country was then sparsely settled, and for several years the Smith family lived in a log house. Asa K., the subject of our sketch, was the young- est of three sons. He was reared on his father's frontier farm, and during his boy- hood days rendered valued assistance in help- ing to clear and cultivate the farm, attending the district schools as opportunity offered. January 1, 1863, he married Miss Louise M. Smith, who survives him. His death occurred April 12, 1887. Few men in this vicinity were better known or more highly esteemed than he, and when his remains was borne from his late home to their last resting place they were followed by a large concourse of neighbors and friends. Mr. Smith was a a self-made man. He was a great reader, a man of general information and broad views, and was a good converser and genial com- panion. Especially was he well posted on agricultural and horticultural matters. When the Grange was organized in Willoughby township he became one of its charter mem- bers, and was identified with it as an officer all the rest of his life. His farm of eighty acres on Waite hill he brought up to a high state of development, devoting much of it to the production of various kinds of fruits. Ile was not only an industrious and energetie man, but was also an excellent manager, always looking to the best interest of his

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

farm and providing well for his family. While his death was sudden and unexpected, being the result of heart failure, he left his family without a dollar of indebtedness. His widow and children still reside at the old homestead on Waite hill, which is beauti- fully located, commanding, as it does, a magnificient view of the country stretching away to the south and east.

Mrs. Smith was born in Chautauqua county, New York, in 1833, daughter of Joel and Charlotte (Buckland) Smith, both natives of Poultney, Vermont. Her parents emi- grated to New York and settled on a farm in Chautauqua county, from whence they emigrated to Mentor, Lake county, Ohio, in 1837. Her father died May 21, 1879, at the age of eighty-three years, and her mother February 5, 1883, aged eighty. Both were members of the Disciple Church. Five of their seven children are still living, Mrs. Smith being the youngest. She received her education in the district schools, the Paines- ville high school and the college at Willough- by, and for several years prior to her marri- age was engaged in teaching. Her four children are Edwin, Charlotte, Gilbert and Herbert-all living except Edwin. All have had good educational advantages. The two sons have charge of the farm and Miss Char- lotte is a teacher.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 85

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