Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 89

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 89
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 89
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 89

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).

Mr. Houghton was married in Whitehouse, Ohio, to Sarah E. Shepler, a lady of ability and worth, daughter of P. L. Shepler, a prom- inent citizen of Toledo. They have three children: Abbie J., Rufus A., and Gladys B.

Of careful business methods, paying strict attention to his responsible duties and of domestic tastes, Mr. Houghton is a quiet, un- assuming man and enjoys the respect of all who know him.

G EORGE P. MUNGER, deceased, was an old and highly respected citizen of Geneva where he was born February 8, 1823. He was the eldest son of Rufus B. Munger, and a brother of Henry, both of whose biographies appear elsewhere in this volume. His educational opportunities were limited, as he was reared upon the western frontier. He followed agricultural pursuits, but he had not a robust constitution, and for many years prior to his death suffered from impaired health; his release came November 26, 1884, when he passed peacefully to his reward. He was a man of genial, kindly im- pulses, was a consistent Christian and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Munger was united in marriage to Helen Babcox at Geneva, in December, 1849, and four children were born to them: Oran B., is a merchant at Anderson, Indiana; Ed- gar O., is engaged at carpentry in Geneva; George G., is conducting a mercantile busi-

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ness at Creston, Iowa; Maud M., is an en- thusiastic student of music, and has spent some timein Europe in pursuit of her favorite art. Mr. Munger was a devoted husband and an indulgent father; his death was a deep bereavement to his family and a real loss to the community of which he was an honored citizen.

H OMER J. BRANCH, a resident of Sheffield township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, is a son of Johnson Branch. His father was born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1811. After he grew up Johnson Branch spent some years in Pennsylvania, but subsequently returned to New York, where he remained until 1867. That year he removed to Monroe township, Ashtabula county, Ohio. In 1881 he returned to Pennsylvania, and in the city of Erie spent the residue of his life, his death occurring January 29, 1890. He was a highly re- spected citizen. In early life he was a Con- gregationalist, but at the time of his death was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Lemuel Branch, the grandfather of Homer J., married a Miss Johnson. He was a farmer by occupation and was a veteran of the war of 1812. The Branch family are of English descent, some of the ancestors of our subject having located in America during Colonial times. The mother of Homer J. Branch was a Miss Black. She was born September 1, 1821, in Scott, Cortland county. New York, daughter of Henry and Ann (Kenner) Black, natives of the same county. The date of Johnson Branch's marriage to Miss Black was January 8, 1840, and the names of their children are as follows: Frances, wife of John Gillett, is deceased;

William H., deceased; Elnora, who died at the age of twelve years; and Homer J. Bya previous marriage to Ann Greer, of Albany, New York, he had three children, viz .: Anna Eliza, wife of Henry Gee, of Monroe town- ship, Ashtabula county ; Sarah, wife of Lyman Evert, also of Monroe township; and Mary, deceased·

Homer J. Branch was born in 1853, in Cortland county, New York, and came with his parents to Ohio in 1867, remaining a member of the home circle until 1881, the year his mother died. That year he bought a farm in Kingsville township, Ashtabula county, and lived upon it until 1890. For a number of years he has spent his winters in teaching music.

December 31, 1874, he married Inez Cole- grove, who was born in Ashtabula county in 1856. She is the daughter of Richard and Sarah (Clark) Colegrove, natives of New York, and granddaughter of Alanson and Mary (Bovee) Colegrove who were born in Vermont. Mrs. Branch's parents were married in 1854, and had five children as follows: Inez; Edith deceased; George, deceased; Burton, who resides in Sheffield; and Carrie at home. Mr. and Mrs. Branch have two children --- Elnora and Glenn.

Mr. Branch affiliates with the Prohibition party, and is now serving as a member of the School Board. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, he being a Trustee of the same.

W ILLIAM SIMONDS HARRIS was born at Saybrook, Ohio, February 14, 1846, a son of Rufus Harris, born at Clinton, Dutchess county, New York, December 25, 1809, who was a son of

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

David F. Harris, born at Smithfield, Rhode Island, October 17, 1780, removed by five generations from William Harris, a native of Wales who emigrated to America and settled in Rhode Island. David F. Harris moved from his birthplace to Dutchess county, New York, and thence in 1818 to Saybrook, Ohio, where he became a large land owner and followed agricultural pursuits through a long and active life. He held the faith of the Society of Friends, and was a most exemplary citizen. Rufus Harris was also a farmer and occupied a portion of the original homestead for a period of sixty-two years; he was a man of sterling integrity, superior ability, and was highly esteemed by neighbors and friends. He married Louisa Bliss Simonds, a daughter of Moses and Priscilla Stetson Simonds, born at Westminster, Vermont, March 4, 1810. Priscilla Stetson was born at Plymouth, Massachusetts, and was a lineal descendant of the voyagers in the Mayflower, removed four generations. Rufus and Louisa Harris had four children: Samuel Rufus was born January 12, 1844; Mary Ellen, December 20, 1844; William Simonds, February 14, 1846; Louisa Priscilla, April 14, 1849. Samuel R. is president of the Ashtabula Tool Com- pany; Mary E. is the wife of E. G. Pierce, and Louisa P. married D. J. Barnes, of Chicago, Illinois.

William S. Harris was united in marriage January 24, 1878, to Harriet Mahala Walk- er, a daughter of Elisha and Julia Ann Walker. Charles Walker, father of Elisha Walker, removed from Adams, Massachusetts, to Saybrook, Ohio, in 1821, and followed farming through life. Elisha Walker was twice married, his first wife being Harriet Sabin; they had one son, Charles Walker, who still lives on the old homestead; the second marriage was to Julia Ann Blackin-

ton in 1844; they had one daughter, Mrs. Harriet M. Harris. Mr. Harris is descended from a line of successful agriculturists, and has himself followed this occupation. He received a good academic education, and has ever been an enthusiastic supporter of the public-school system; he is president of the Board of Trustees of Grand River Institute at Austinburg, and is one of the most efficient members of that body. In politics, he is a zealous Republican, and has been nominated by his party as representative from Ashtabula county. A man of liberal views and broad public spirit it would be difficult to choose one better suited to advance the interests and elevate the standard of his followmen. In his financial operations, he has been prosperous, and ranks among the most reliable and solid citizens of the county.

AMES G. KINGDOM, of Orwell, Ohio, was born in Devonshire, England, October 29, 1849, son of George and Eliza (Hayward) Kingdom, both natives of that place. His parents had eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. In 1851, accompanied by four of their sons and one daughter, they emigrated to Ohio and settled on a farm in Ashtabula county. The mother still resides at the old homestead, the father having passed away December 24, 1877, at the age of sixty-three years. He was an active and enterprising farmer, and at the time of his death was the owner of 100 acres of land, which he himself had cleared and improved.

James G. Kingdom received his education at the Orwell Academy, and remained at home with his parents until he was twenty- three years of age. He has been interested

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in farming and stock-raising all his life, at present having some fine thoroughbred horses and a dairy of twenty cows.

Mr. Kingdom was married October 27, 1869, to Miss A. G. Waters, daughter of Lewis Waters, by whom he has three chil- dren, namely: Lewis W., born October 13, 1873, is now employed as bookkeeper for a hardware firm of Cleveland, Ohio; Coral F., born July 15, 1875, is an accomplished young lady, and is a member of the home circle; and Julius F., born January 21, 1878.

Mr. Kingdom votes with the Democratic party. Fraternally, he is an I. O. O. F., being a member of both the lodge and the encampment. Mrs. Kingdom is a member of the Rebekah Lodge.

R OBERT T. LLOYD, one of the most substantial farmers of Ashtabula county, is a son of Leicester and Sarah (Osborn) Lloyd, natives of the State of Massachusetts; the father was born March 2, 1798, and acquired an excellent edu- cation; he was a graduate of Williams Col- lege, studied law, and was admitted to the bar; he practiced his profession but a short time, and then went to sea, making one voy- age. He also taught school before his mar- riage, which occurred at Fort Ann, New York, February 15, 1821; he then came to Ohio and settled in Lake county, on a farm of 500 acres which had been given him by his father. He reared a family of nine chil- dren: Theodore J. lives in Williams county, Ohio, and has a family of six children: Lev- erett, Frank, Chauncey, Alice, Hattie and Libbie; Charles Smith, the second child, has had a family of six children, four of whom are living: Elizabeth Roxanna married Frank

Knapp, and has two children living, Letty and Ella; Ann, the fourth child, died in early life; Almira is the wife of Mr. J. B. Hurl- burt, and has had six children, four of whom are living; Leicester H. has one child, Nellie, a graduate of Adelbert College; George L. has a family of five children: Glynn, Clyde, Mary, Irene and Genevra; Harriet married Mr. Ferguson, and has had three children, one of whom, Clarence, is living. The father of this family died January 13, 1882.

Mr. Lloyd was reared to the life of a farmer, but enjoyed superior educational ad- vantages. When a youg man of twenty-two years he went to Wisconsin, and tried his fortunes in the great lumber industry of that State, remaining seven years. He then re- turned to Ohio, and lived on the old home farm until 1872, when he removed to his present home. In 1881 he went back to Wisconsin and engaged in the hardware business with his youngest brother, George; at the end of ten months he sold this stock of goods and invested in pine lands, purchasing 18,000 acres in Decatur county, on Spring creek; he and his brother George still retain 15,000 acres. When he returned to Ohio he settled on his farm in Harpersfield township; he has 142 acres in a high state of cultivation and well improved.

Mr. Lloyd was united in marriage April 23, 1860, to Miss Rose M. Myers, a daughter of George and Alvina Myers. George Myers was the oldest of a family of seven children, born June 26, 1817; his father, John Myers, was born in 1795, and was one of a family of six children. Mrs. Lloyd is one of a family of six: Daniel, born September 19, 1840, served in the war of the Rebellion four years, a member of the Second Ohio Cavalry; he was taken a prisoner and held at Anderson- ville eleven months; he has two children,

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

George and Wilbur, both of whom are in college, the oldest being seventeen years old and a member of the senior class; Rose M. was born July 27, 1842; Martin was born May 6, 1844, and died at the age of fourteen years; Alvina P. was born March 11, 1848; she is married to Elisha Northway, and has had two children, one of whom, Nellie, is living. Everett E., a half brother to Mrs. Lloyd, was born September 2, 1854, and has one child, Kittie. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd have one child, Ada Rose, born September 21, 1880. Before her marriage Mrs. Lloyd was engaged in teaching, and is very proficient in the art of writing. She is taking the course of the C. L. S. C., and is ever on the alert for opportunities for mental culture. The family are esteemed members of the Congre- gational Church. Politically, Mr. Lloyd affiliates with the Republican party.

G RANVILLE W. S. DILLON, who is well and favorably known in com- mercial circles throughout Ashtabula county, is the leading carriage and wagon dealer in Orwell. Several years have passed since he purchased " the old red hall " and converted nearly the entire second story into a repository for vehicles; this wareroom is always filled with a choice selection of wagons, carriages and buggies, which are de- manded by a large and increasing patronage. Mr. Dillon also represents the Youngstown Carriage & Wagon Company, and sells many goods of their construction. A man of excellent business ability and strict integrity he has won a wide patronage and enjoys the confidence of the entire community.

It was near Austintown, Mahoning county, Ohio, that his parents resided when he was

born June 4, 1843; his father, Eli Dillon, was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, Febru- ary 20, 1817; his wife, Nancy Irvin, was born November 17, 1816, in the same place where they grew to maturity and were united in mar- riage November 27, 1836. Seven children were the result of the union: Ann Eliza, born August 30, 1839, married W. H. Treat and resides in Madison, Ohio; Kirtland, born No- vember 7, 1841, is a prominent farmer of Ashtabula county; Granville W. S. is the subject of this sketch; Irvin, born September 5, 1846, died in Virginia in 1883; Edith Louisa, born May 11, 1849, resides with her parents; Warren, born December 3, 1850, is a harness maker in Orwell. Granville W. S. Dillon was married December 2, 1865, to Miss Amanda Keen, a daughter of John A. and Mary (Fisher) Keen, born July 4, 1842. Mr. Keen was a native of Sussex county, New Jersey, born December 21, 1793; Mary Fisher, his wife, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, September, 9, 1798; they were married January 20, 1820, and were the parents of six children: William C., Mary M., Perida, Clara, J. J. Adison and Amanda E .; Perida died in 1853; Mary M. married I. H. Smith, and resides in Harris- burg, Pennsylvania; Clara married Dr. I. J. Elwood, who died eleven years later; she afterward married Samuel Adams; and her death occurred February 13, 1890, her hus- band surviving her but a few days; William C. began to preach at the age of eighteen years, but failing health interrupted his min- istrations from time to time until his death in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1886; J. J. Adison is a prominent farmer and dealer in live-stock in Clay county, Kan- sas. The father of this family was a man of sterling worth, the friend of the oppressed and a generous supporter of the church. His

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death occurred September 24, 1862; his wife survived him sixteen years, her last days being passed at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Dillon. She departed this life March 15, 1878.

Mr. and Mrs. Dillon are the parents of four children: Mary A. was born December 6, 1866, and died February 7, 1883; Nannie Elivesta was born September 20, 1869, and was married December 10, 1890, to C. E. Williams, they have one child, Jesse Irene, born July 29, 1892; Bertha L. was born April 25, 1873, she married Harry C. King, April 12, 1893; Kirtland Edson was born August 20, 1875, and is assisting his father in busi- ness.

Mr. Dillon is a worthy member of the Ju- nior order of American Mechanics; in politics he is a Republican, and has ever stood by his party. In his religious faith he adheres to the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a consistent member; Mrs. Dillon in her younger days was a faith- ful member of the choir, where her service was much appreciated. She had also been actively identified with Sunday-school work. Her leisure time is now devoted to literary pursuits and to correspondence for local newspapers.

For four years Mr. and Mrs. Dillon lived in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, thence they came to Wayne, Ashtabula county, Ohio, · and in February, 1884, they came to Orwell. Faithful to all the duties of life as they have been presented, they have won the peace and tranquility born of a just and upright career.

W EBSTER BROTHERS, proprietors of the Dorset sawmill, are succes- sors to Smith & Wilson. The mill was first established by John C. Smith, and

the present firm purchased his interest in 1877. Two years later they acquired Wil- son's interest in the establishment and as- sumed full control. The Webster Brothers cut about 400,000 feet of lumber annually at this mill and they also own a portable mill, which they are now operating at Black Ash, Pennsylvania, under the manage- ment of A. S. Webster, of the firm of Web- ster Brothers. M. H. Webster controls the Dorset mill, which has been remodeled and equipped with the most modern and improved mechanical devices, making it one of the best mills in this part of Ashtabula county.

The Webster brothers were reared in this county, at or near Lenox, where their father, Roswell Webster, has resided for the past forty-one years. He grew to maturity in Morgan township, as did also his wife, nee Emily P. Harvey, who died in 1868. They were the parents of five children: Alma A., wife of P. P. Church, of Wahoo, Nebraska; Amers S., a member of the firm of Webster Brothers, and a resident of Crawford county, Pennsylvania; Melvin H., the second ir em- ber of the firm; Cornie, an employe of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, at Ashtabula; and Kate, who was the wife of Byron Bullfinch; and died at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1890; a half-brother, Frel, is still at home.

Melvin Webster was born November 14, 1852, and was reare J on the home farm, re- maining there until he attained his twenty- third year, since which time he has been en- gaged in the milling business. He also owns and conducts a farm of fifty-five acres, which is located near Dorset, and upon which, in 1878, he erected a good two-story frame resi- dence, 16 x 20 feet in main dimensions, with an L, 14 x 20 feet. Mr. Webster was mar- ried May 4, 1878, to Miss Carrie Geneva

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Mack, a daughter of Israel and Corinia (Grover) Mack, of Lenox, Ashtabula county. To this happy union three children have been given: Maude E., Florence E., and Lucy C.

In his political attitude Mr. Webster was formerly a Republican, but now votes with the People's party. He has served as Con- stable of his township and as a member of the Board of Education, being held in high esteem in the community as an honorable and enterprising business man.

RA BATES, a prosperous farmer and a representative of one of the oldest and most highly respected families of Leroy township, Lake county, Ohio, was born in this township, March 1, 1830. His grand- father, Benjamin Bates, was a native of Massachusetts and descended from an old English family. The grandfather emigrated to Ohio in 1809, making the journey overland with his family by means of wagons drawn by oxen, being six weeks on the way. He settled in Leroy township, Lake county, he being the third or fourth to locate in that township. His land lay on the old girdled road, where he built a log cabin in the midst of woods. He owned 1,200 acres in the town- ship, much of which he cleared. Wild game abounded and a few Indians still lingered amid their former haunts, some of whom made frequent visits to his cabin. He built the first gristmill in the township, on what was then Bates Creek. He subsequently built two sawmills, and later erected another and a better gristmill, people coming from a long distance to get their produce ground at his mill. A man of ability, progressive dis- position and great energy, he easily became a leader in his community, and was elected

Justice of the Peace, Trustee of the township, and held many other minor offices. He died in the township at the age of seventy-six, sincerely regretted by all who knew him. He was the father of ten children, but none of whom survive. His son, Ezra Bates, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Chesterfield township, Hampden county, Massachusets, in 1802, and was but seven years of age when his parents removed to Ohio. He was reared on the home farm and and attended the district school, which was two miles distant. He became a farmer, set- tling on land in Leroy township, Lake county, which he cleared and improved, living and dying in the first house he ever built. He married Mary Hungerford, a native of Con- necticut, whose people emigrated to Ohio in 1826. They had three sons, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eldest and all of whom are now living. The father held the office of Township Trustee and Treasurer for about twenty years, discharging his duties with the utmost precision and integrity. In 1877 he was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who was well and favorably known for her Christian qualities. She was for many years an active member of the Baptist Church. He survived her until 1885, when he expired in the midst of his family and friends at the age of eighty-three, greatly lamented by all who knew him.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm and attended the district school, after which he taught for three terms. He naturally had a mechanical turn of mind and early learned carpentry, at which he has worked at times, although his attention įs principally given to farming. He resided at home until thirty-five years of age, and then settled on his present farm, on which he has lived for nearly thirty years. He owns thirty-

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nine and a half acres of choice land, which he has industriously cultivated, and which he has improved with modern and substantial build- ings, his farm being one of the most valuable and thrifty-looking places in the county, all of which conditions are due to his own intel- ligent and persevering efforts.

In 1865 he was married to Hannah Nich- ols, a lady of domestic tastes, born near Niagara Falls, Canada. Both of her parents were natives of Canada, but removed to the States in an early day, dying in Lake county, Ohio. They had five children, four of whom are living. Mrs. Bates was a successful teacher before marriage, having taught four- teen terms. Mr. and Mrs. Bates have two children: Mary Belle, wife of T. A. Crellin, a well-to-do farmer of Leroy township; and Fred A., at home.

In politics, Mr. Bates is a Democrat, and has been honored with some of the most im- portant offices in the township, having served as Treasurer, Clerk and Justice of the Peace. He does not belong to any religious denomi- nation, although a contributor to churches and charitable objects. Mrs. Bates is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Enterprising and public-spirited, Mr. Bates has contributed his share toward the general ad- vancement of the community, which has been his home for so many years, and he is justly numbered among the representative citizens.

S AGITO JAY SMITH, Mayor of Con- neaut, Ohio, has been identified with that place for many years and has prob- ably done more to advance its interests than any other one man. It is therefore fitting that appropriate mention of him should grace the pages of this work.

Sagito J. Smith was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, August 23, 1834, son of Plin and Aurelia (Weeks) Smith, natives of Sheldon, Vermont. His parents came to Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1829, and estab- lished their home in a log house in Andover. The music of howling wolves was frequently heard from their cabin door. Plin Smith was a wagon maker by trade. Soon after moving out here he cut down an acre of trees on the farm of Roger Cadwell to pay for hav- ing his boots half soled. The subject of our sketch was the third born in his family of eleven children, and is one of the seven who are still living.

John Smith, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in New London, Connecticut and died in 1816. His maternal grandfather, John Weeks, was of English an- cestry, and died when he was thirty-one years. He had a family of five children: Philo, Jedediah, Eliza, Ann and Aurelia. Jedediah died when about fourteen years of age. Plin and Aurelia Smith were the par- ents of eleven children: Philo, Josett, Sagito, Delia, Mary, John H., Aurelia, Amelia, Eliza, Plin W. and Lizzie H. Mrs. Smith died April 21, 1893, at the age of eighty- three years, and was bright and active up to the time of her death. Plin Smith was an old friend of Benjamin Wade, and in the early days they were much together.

Mr. S. J. Smith received his education in the common schools of this county and at Kingsville Academy, and for two years taught in the country schools, " boarding around." In 1854 he came to Conneaut and entered upon a mercantile career as clerk in the store of D. N. Webster, at $6.00 per month. A few months later he entered the employ of Thompson & Rice, at an increase of $4.00 per month on his salary, and remained with

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 89

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