Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 91

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 91
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 91
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 91

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OHN C. HATHAWAY, a prominent pioneer and one of the prosperous citi- zens of Claridon township, was born in Geauga county, Ohio, April 6, 1831, a son of Wanton Hathaway, a native of Massachusetts. His grandfather, Captain Clothier Hathaway,

was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, and was captain of an ocean vessel for many years. He finally settled in Onondaga county, New York, where he met with a violent death, be- ing killed by a fallen tree, at about the age of fifty years. Wanton Hathaway was mar- ried in Onondaga county, New York, and emigrated to Geanga county, Ohio, in 1820; he located in the southeastern part of Clari- don township, building a log cabin in the heart of the dense woods. He was a skilled hunter, and killed many deer and wolves. He cleared and improved about 100 acres of land, a task of some magnitude. He was a most industrious worker, and a man of good judg- ment. He married Miss Anna Hotaling, a native of the State of New York, and to them were born"five children; he died at the age of fifty-one years, and she lived to the age of sixty-nine; they were members of the Disci- ples' Church. J. C. Hathaway, their son, was reared mid the wild scenes of the frontier, experiencing those trials and privations which fall to the lot of the pioneer's family. He received his education in the common school, and also enjoyed the advantages of the acad- emy at Chardon for two terms.

As he attained his majority he started out in life for himself. He was one of a com- pany of thirteen that went to California, via Isthmus of Panama, in the winter of 1853, settled in Forest City, a mining town in Sierra county, and returned to Ohio in 1854. He was married to Miss Adaline Potter in 1855; Mrs. Hathaway was born in New York State and came to Ohio when a child. They are the parents of four children: Warren W., Hattie E., Flora Bell and Maud Murrie.

Responding to his country's call, Mr. Hathaway enlisted in Company E, One Hun- dred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, be- ing First Sergeant. He was in the battle of

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Perryville, Kentucky, but was taken ill, and for eight weeks was confined to the hospital. He rejoined his regiment at Munfordville, Tennessee, going thence to Nashville; he was finally discharged on account of disability. After the war was ended he settled on his farm in Claridon township. In 1872 he re- moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he resided until 1888; he was employed by D. M. Os- born & Co., dealers in agricultural imple- ments, as traveling salesman, and he was interested in various other manufacturing enterprises. He owns a fine residence in Cleveland, a farm of 155 acres in Claridon township, and another farm in Midland coun- ty, Michigan. He carries on a general agri- cultural business, making a specialty of rais- ing-grain; and also bales and ships large quantities of hay each year.

Mr. Hathaway is president of the County Farmers' Institute, and was a member of one of the first farmers' clubs in the State. He is well known as a most intelligent agricul- turist, possessing rare judgment and unusual ability.

S YLVESTER WILCOX, a recent and desirable acquisition to the agricultural ranks of Ashtabula county, is the only son of William and Mary Wilcox. He was born May 8, 1840, in the old New England town of Hartford, Connecticut, where the death of his parents occurred in 1870. They were both from the north of England, com- ing to America in 1838 and settling in the city in which they died.

At the time of his parents' death, Sylves- ter Wilcox was on the ocean in the capacity of a seaman, which occupation he followed for many years. He has visited many foreign ports, was shipwrecked several times, and

can relate many thrilling incidents of his seafaring life. In 1876 he left the sea and traveled over different States, and so favor- ably impressed was he with the apparent happiness and comfort of farm life that he determined to quit the sea and seek a home in rural districts. He accordingly came to Ohio and purchased a farm near Marietta, where he immediately built a good residence and settled down to farming and the comforts of bachelor life. Bachelor solitude, however, not being to his taste, he determined to seek a companion, and in the person of Miss Ruth Hubbard found a prize. She is the only child of James and Phœbe C. Hubbard, of Marietta, Ohio. In her union with Mr. Wil- cox she has proved the truth of the statement that " a good wife is God's best gift to man." They were married July 4, 1878, and are the parents of two children: Sylvester, Jr., born August 10, 1879, and Ruth, August 10, 1881.

April 1, 1893, Mr. Wilcox sold his land near Marietta and purchased his present beautiful farm northeast of Rome, in Ashta- bula county. To this place he moved his family in September, 1893, ard here he ex- pects to make his home during the residue of his life.

Fraternally, Mr. Wilcox is a Royal Arch Mason; politically, a Democrat; religiously, he and his wife are both active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

D E WITT CLINTON TILDEN, whose name is found among those of the foremost of the influential men of Troy township, Geauga county, Ohio, was born in Warren, Herkimer county, New York, Sep- tember 25, 1825.

His ancestors came from England in the seventeenth century, and took an active part

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in the colonization of this country. His grandfather, Colonel Daniel Tilden, served seven years in the Revolutionary war, and was a member of General Washington's staff when he crossed the Delaware. He was a half-brother of the father of the late Hon. Samuel J. Tilden.

Colonel Tilden was a resident of Connecti- cut, and a member of the State Senate for thirty years.

While he was a member of the legislature the boundaries of the Western Reserve were established, and he went thither to follow his occupation of Surveyor.

He owned thousands of acres of land in Portage and adjoining counties. He died in Hiram at the age of ninety-three.

He and his wife reared three sons and seven daughters.

His son, Josiah Tilden, emigrated to New York at the age of thirty, and engaged in farming in Herkimer county the remainder of his life. He died in 1862, aged seventy- two years.

He took a prominent and active part in political affairs, serving as Justice of the Peace and also as County Sheriff.

His wife, nee Mary Williams, a native of Connecticut, died at the age of sixty-five years. Her ancestors were also active in the struggle for independence.

Josiah and Mary Tilden were the parents of eleven children. De Witt C. was the sec- ond born, and is one of the seven now living. He was reared on his father's farm, and re- ceived a district school and academic educa- tion. At the age of twenty-four he went to Canada, where he engaged in the lumber business.

In 1850 Mr. Tilden married Catherine Vrooman, of Herkimer county, New York.

Her ancestors came from Holland in the sev- enteenth century, and played an important part in the early settlement of New York.

After his marriage Mr. Tilden located at Hiram, Ohio, where he bought the farm ou which his grandfather died. Here he engaged in agricultural pursuits and also soon after turned his attention to tanning -- owning. and operating a tannery at Rock Creek, Ashta- bula county, for twenty years. While running this tannery, he purchased, near Rock creek, 200 acres of hemlock land, the bark from which timber he used in his tannery.

Previous to engaging in the tanning busi- ness he had bought the farm on which he now resides, and rented it for several years before he moved upon it. He took up his residence on this farm in 1865.

He has made many improvements on this farm in the way of buildings, and to-day the place is one of the best improved in the town- ship.

Mr. Tilden began life a poor young man and by honest and earnest toil and good man- agement has worked his way up to his pres- ent prosperity.

He is the owner of 350 acres of land in Troy township, sixty five acres in Portage county, and 200 acres in Herkimer county, New York.

Mr. Tilden has been prominently identi- fied with local and State affairs. Of a gen- erous nature, he has contributed liberally toward the advancement of all such measures as he deemed for the best interests of his community.

During the war he was Captain of a com- pany of home guards.

He is a prominent Democrat; and in 1876 when Samuel J. Tilden was a candidate for the presidency, he was one of the presiden- tial electors.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

He and the late President Garfield were intimately acquainted. Indeed, they were partners in business for some time, owning oil land in Trumbull county and buying and leasing land. This was early in the '60s just before the Civil war.

Mr. and Mrs. Tilden are very generous hospitable people, and have a pleasant home, from which three children, two daughters and a son, have gone out to establish homes of their own.

H ON. P. W. STRADER died on Friday afternoon, February 25, 1881, in his sixty-third year, at his home on Pros- peet street, Ashtabula, Ohio, and on the following Monday his sorrowing family bore his remains to Cincinnati for interment.

He was a remarkable man. From child- hood to the end of his life's journey he has been a constant toiler in this world.

Born in Warren county, New Jersey, No- vember 6, 1818, he came with his parents to Lebanon, Ohio, the following year. At twelve he found occupation in a printing office, where he remained three years. At seventeen he was found identified with steamboat interests on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and their tributaries, and continuing in this business until he was thirty, having during this time gathered together an extensive property.

At twenty five he married Cornelia F., daughter of Colonel Matthew Hubbard. To them were born seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom all, save one daugh- ter, are now living.

In 1848, at the age of thirty, he left the rivers, and for the succeeding twenty years devoted his time and energy to extensive operations in railroads, banking and in- surance. During this time he was officially

connected with the Little Miami, Columbus & Xenia, Ohio & Mississippi, and Cincin- nati, Hamilton & Dayton railways; at the same time connected with express, fast freight and sleeping-car lines, street railways, in- surance and banking, besides participating in the organization of the omnibus and trans- fer companies of Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, Memphis and Nashville.

In 1868 he was elected to Congress from the First District of Ohio-the first Demo- crat ever elected from this district. He was selected as a candidate as being the only man in the party at that time who could be elected. His eminent ability, known integrity and universal popularity gave him a triumphant election. He carried into his Congressional labors the same untiring force of will and vigor of execution that he had exhibited in his business affairs, and served his term with credit and distinction. Declining to run again for Congress, he returned to his former work, and in 1872 became prominently identified with the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railway. Two years later he joined in the incorporation of the Union De- pot Company, and Union Railway and Transit Company of St. Louis, and of the Union Railway and Transit Company of Illinois.

The multiplying cares and responsibilities incident to his extensive labors so impaired his health that in 1874 he sought retirement from business in the hope of regaining health. This hope was partially, though never fully, realized.

In 1876 he made Ashtabula his home, and though almost worn out, he had, since coming here, organized and developed several business enterprises, and manifested in his last effort the same tireless energy which in his younger days, when quickened by a lofty and worthy ambition, had led him to the front.

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His knowledge extended to a great variety of subjects. His heart was responsive to the touch of friendship. These made his companionship instructive and delightful.

For half a century his hand was active in developing and extending the gifts of nature. He made the forest trees into palaces, floating upon our rivers, aiding commerce and in- creasing human happiness. By his life man- kind have been benefited. His deeds call forth our gratitude, his death our sorrow.

丁 HOMAS KELLY, owner of one of the best farmns in Mentor township, Lake county, Ohio, has been identified with the agricultural interests of this county for a number of years, and is well known and highly respected here.

Mr. Kelly was born in Washington county, New York, July 9, 1834, son of Thomas Kelly, also a native of that county, born in 1804. His father, a farmer of Washington county, died there in 1855. His mother, Alice Kelly, lived until 1870. They had six children, Thomas being the second, and all are still living.

Thomas Kelly spent the first twenty-seven years of his life on the farm on which he was born, his education being limited to that of the district schools. In 1865 he came to Ohio, and since that date has been a resident of Mentor township, Lake county. He started out in life a poor young man, and for seven years worked by the month. Now he is the owner of 110 acres of well-improved land, bordering on the Plains road, and being ranked with the best land in the township.

Mr. Kelly was married in 1867, to Emily Curtis, a native of Lake county, Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph and Lovisa Curtis. Her father came from New York to Ohio when a

young man, and located in Concord township, Lake county, where he died at the age of seventy-five. He was a farmer and merchant, being engaged in business at Painesville for several years. For some time also he man- ufactured hay-rakes in Concord township. Mrs. Kelly's mother came with her people from Connecticut to Ohio at an early day, journeying westward by ox team. She died at the age of seventy-four. Both parents were devoted members of the Disciple Church, the father being a Deacon for many years, and having helped to build the church at Painesville. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis had a fam- ily of nine children, seven of whom are living. Of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly's family we record that their only daughter, Cora E., a popular and successful teacher, died in 1891. They have one son, Merton G., at home.

In August, 1862, Mr. Kelly enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-third New York Volunteer Infantry, in Washing- ton county. Among the engagements in which he participated were those of Chancel- lorsville, Gettysburg and Stone River. At the last named place he was wounded in the head, shoulder and left foot. Then he was in hospital at Nashville for three months, and after he had sufficiently recovered he entered the Commissary Department, having charge of the dining hall at the hospital for some time. He was mustered out of the service in June, 1865, and, as above stated, came to Ohio, where he has since lived and prospered. He is a member of the Garfield Post, No. 591, G. A. R.

W ALLACE T. HUNTLEY, watch- maker, jeweler and optician, of Or- well, Ohio, a progressive business man and esteemed citizen, was born in Will-

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iamsfield, this State, September 4, 1849. His parents, James W. and Rozilla (Leonard) Huntley, were natives of New York State and Ohio, respectively, the former born in 1827 and the latter in 1830. His father, who was a mechanic by trade and a man of worthy character, enlisted during the late war under Captain R. Allen, of Jefferson, Ohio, in Company C, of the Tenth Kansas Volun- teer Infantry, and saw much hard service and fatigue, engaging in many hard-fought bat- tles, but returning to his home without maim or wound, after serving his country faithfully and efficiently for three years. On his return to Ohio he resumed his former occupation of mechanic, together with farming, in which he continued until his death, April 14, 1890, leaving many friends to mourn his loss. His widow still survives, in the enjoyment of universal esteem.

The subject of this sketch was an only child and was reared on a farm. His pre- liminary education was received in the dis- trict school, which he attended in winter, his summers being employed in work on the farm. When fifteen years of age he entered the Normal Institute at Orwell, Ohio, sub- sequently finishing his education at the acad . emy in Austinburg, the same State. He afterward worked three years with his father as a carpenter, when, having reached the age of eighteen, he was married and began life for himself. He taught school for some time, when, in 1870, he with his wife removed to Iowa, where he was engaged in farming four years in connection with teaching. He then went to Kansas, where he became interested in the grain elevator business, after which he was for two years engaged in manufacturing stoneware. At the end of this time he dis- posed of his manufacturing interests and returned to Ohio. While in Kansas, Mr.

Huntley became a noted hunter, being quite celebrated as a marksman, and won a number of prizes at trap-shooting. He has spent mnuch time in hunting buffalo, antelope, elk, deer, and all kinds of small game, which was plentiful on the prairies at that time. Ou his return to Ohio he spent one year in An- dover, where he learned the watchmaker and jeweler's trade by working under instruction, giving half of his time in payment for this privilege, and receiving a small compensation for his services during the latter half of the year. At the end of this time he removed to Orwell, his present place of residence, where he opened a repair shop, which he conducted so successfully that in the course of two years he had acquired a large patronage by his skill and industry, and now has a trade extending all over northeastern Ohio, being universally regarded as a skillful workman. He has been greatly prospered, and at present (1893) owns a fine stock of watches of all standard ınakes, clocks, jewelry, and everything usually kept by a first-class jeweler, and he extends a cor- dial invitation to all the public to call and examine his goods and get his prices, feeling confident he can meet all competition. Be- sides his jewelry business he owns a good farm in Rome township, and is numbered among the substantial men of his community.

November 7, 1867, Mr. Huntley was mar- ried to Miss Julia Sturdivant, an estimable lady of good family and a successful teacher in the public schools. She is a native of New York and a daughter of Reuben and Sally (Green) Sturdivant, the former of whom died November 5, 1871, aged fifty-five, and the latter November 14, 1882, at the age of sixty-nine. Mr. and Mrs. Huntley have two children, a son and daughter: Mabel, born March 25, 1872, is the wife of Charles F. Wolcott, of Glenfield, Pennsylvania, and has

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an infant son, the pride of his parents' and grandparents' hearts; Harry W., the only son, born July 12, 1876, is a young man of much promise.

In politics, Mr. Huntley is a Republican, and takes a deep interest in public affairs of importance. He has been frequently honored with offices of trust in his community, having served several years as Township Clerk and for a number of years as a member of the Board of Education, in which positions he has displayed good judgment and much ex- ecutive capacity. He is, fraternally, a mem- ber of the Junior Order United American Mechanics, of Orwell. He is also a fine musician, being an excellent violinist and an active member of the Orwell Orchestra. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he lends much aid. He is prompt in assisting every object tending to the ad- vancement of his community, and as a busi- ness man and citizen is universally esteemed and respected.

H ENRY C. CAREY, proprietor and manager of the New Lyme Station (Ohio) lumber and heading mill, was born in Kinsman, this State, July 8, 1841. His parents, Fabius and Betsy (Split- stone) Carey, were natives of Lynn, Connec- ticut and Maryland, respectively. His father came to Ohio in an early day, and, in 1811, purchased land near Kinsman, on which he resided until his death, June 9, 1876. The mother subsequently made her home with the subject of this sketch, at whose house she died in April, 1889. They were the parents of two children: Henry C., whose name heads this sketch, being the elder, and William, born July 24, 1845, who went West at the

time of the building of the Pacific Railroad, and was never afterward heard from, and is supposed to have been killed by the Indians.

Being early thrown on his own resources, Mr. Carey learned the shoemaker's trade in his native city, where his early life was spent. This vocation not being to his taste, however, he at an early age turned his attention to milling, which occupation he followed unin- terruptedly until the beginning of the war. He was among the first at that time to re- spond to his country's call, and volunteered his services, enlisting in Company C, Twenty- ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, on August 26, 1861. This regiment experienced much severe service, and Mr. Carey participated in nearly all the battles of the campaign. He was in the battles of Winchester, Port Repub- lic, Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettys- burg, and other notable engagements, his conduct being noticeable for bravery, faith- fulness and efficiency, and eliciting the com- mendation of his officers and comrades.

On the close of the conflict, Mr. Carey re- turned to Ohio, first spending two years in Mecca, as master mechanic for the New En- gland Oil Company. From 1866 to 1869, he assisted his father in Kinsman, and from that date until 1871, he was in the employ of O. W. Brown, a prominent mill man of South New Lyme. He spent the following five years in Wayne, where he assisted in build- ing the Phillips mill, and afterward helped in its operation. In 1876 he removed to New Lyme Station, his present home, where he has ever since resided.

The extensive milling business which he now carries on, was for ten years the property of Harvey Hill, a former resident of New Lywe township, for whom Mr. Carey worked as superintendent at this time. The prop- erty was then purchased by J. T. Connack, of

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Cleveland, by whom Mr. Carey was continued as superintendent, until he himself bought the property in 1888, since which time he has conducted the enterprise. The mill has been greatly enlarged since its establishment and its business is considerably augmented. The work of the mill was first restricted to planing and custom sawing, which has since been supplemented by the manufacture of handles and heading and the grinding of feed. The capacity of the heading department alone is 10,000 a day. In addition to his extensive custom work, Mr. Carey purchases annually about 400,000 feet of native timber and ships large quantities of hemlock, poplar and pine. The grinding department was established about a year ago, for Mr. Carey's own con- venience, as he maintains several teams and consumes annually a large amount of feed. He also does considerable custom work for his neighbors in this line. The weekly ex- pense of his mill frequently reaches as high as $425.

Besides his large milling interests, Mr. Carey is also an extensive dealer in lath, shingles, coal, phosphate and agricultural implements. He sells annually about 600 tons of hard and soft coal, eighty tons of Milson phosphate, ten to fifteen binders and mowers, 600,000 shingles and 100,000 lath. He is an indefatigable worker, and the secret of his success is that he gives all departments of his large business his own personal super- vision, realizing that eternal vigilance is the price of prosperity.

January 27, 1864, Mr. Carey was married to Nancy C. Laughlin, a lady of intelligence and refinement. Her father, Alexander Laughlin, was a well known and respected resident of Mecca, Ohio, in which place he died in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Carey have had three children: Allie, born January 25, 1866,

is the wife of G. H. Fuller, a hardware mer- chant of Brooklyn. Ohio; Lillie, born Sep- tember 26, 1868, died when eight years of age; and Edward H., born June 6, 1885.

Politically, Mr. Carey is a Republican. He is a Mason and a member of Symbol Lodge of New Lyme. He is a business man of intelligence and integrity, and one of New Lyme Station's most progressive and public- spirited citizens.

AMES SAXON, a progressive farmer and stock-raiser of Colebrook township,

Ashtabula county, Ohio, well known and respected for his industry and upright character, was born in Mahoning county, this State, March 3, 1856. He is of English parentage and was reared and educated under the old regime of English tutelage. When twenty-one years of age he began life for himself, and by uninterrupted industry, wise management and close economy, has gained for himself and family a comfortable income. He owns a pleasant little home in Mahoning county, but is now residing on and working the farm of Mr. John Prouty, in Colebrook township. He also raises many fine horses and sheep, in which he is deeply interested and is very successful. All this prosperity is the result of hard work and close atten- tion to business, combined with a thorough knowledge of agriculture and kindred pur- suits, and he is justly entitled to great credit for his perseverance and industry.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 91

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