Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 92

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 92
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 92
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 92

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).

In 1879, at the age of twenty-three, Mr. Saxon was married to Miss Ellen Haynes, a highly estimable lady, a native of Ireland, who came with her parents to America in 1868, when she was but eight years of age. They have one daughter, Ada Belle, born

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January 1, 1881, an intelligent, blithesome little miss, who ranks in school among the - very best of pupils.

In politics, Mr. Saxon is a Democrat of the milder type. He is a Roman Catholic by birth and education, while Mrs. Saxon is a Protestant in religion. The family is socially among the best in the community, deservedly enjoying universal respect and esteem. Al- though but a short time in the county, Mr. Saxon has gained prominence by the same sterling qualities which have so strongly characterized his most worthy predecessors, and bids fair to emulate their example to the attaining of the highest possible success.

B D. MORLEY, who has been promi- nently identified with the Bank of Andover, Ohio, since its organization for business, November 8, 1884, is justly entitled to extended mention in a history of Ashtabula county, to the advancement of which no man has more materially contrib- uted. The Bank of Andover, organized on the date previously mentioned as a stock company, with a capital of $50,000, since increased to an individual responsibility of $250,000, is one of the most substantial insti- tutions of the State, including as it does, in its officers and Board of Directors, men of the highest honor and business integrity, as well as thorough commercial experience and the greatest financial responsibility. At the time of its organization its officers were: B. D. Morley, President; James Marvin, Vice- President, and A. S. Bates, Cashier. Its Board of Directors comprised Messrs. B. D. Morley, A. S. Bates, S. H. Wilson, W. G. Hopper, G. C. Campbell, C. E. Harman, N.

I. Swezey and James Martin. The present officers are: W. G. Hopper, President; N. I. Swezey, Vice- President; B. D. Morley, Cash- ier, and C. B. Leonard, Assistant Cashier. The Board of Directors now consists of the following gentlemen: W. G. Hopper, C. E. Harman, N. I. Swezey, G. C. Campbell, J. S. Morley, B. Manley, B. D. Morley, J. H. Hipple and C. B. Leonard. This institution does a general banking business, dealing in both foreign and domestic exchange. It be- gan business in a wooden structure, on the north side of the public square; but that building was burned, October 27, 1890, and the company immediately rebuilt on the same ground, and in thirty days were con- ducting business in the same place as form- erly, having in the meantime carried on their transactions in the post office and wherever space could be secured. Recently, about June, 1891, the company commenced the erection of their present handsome and commodious brick structure, which is one of the finest business buildings in the county. This is 45 x 75 feet and is two stories high. The north half was built and is owned by Mr. Morley, and the south half is the property of the Bank of Andover. In the north half of the first floor department, John Wallace conducts a grocery and provision store. The south room is provided with complete arrange- ments for banking purposes, including all the modern improvements of a chilled-steel vault, a well-lighted, well-ventilated business office and countingroom, with a comfortable private office in the rear, all being well heated by furnace. The upper floor over the bank is divided into offices, while over the store is a Masonic hall. The building is handsomely finished with Berea cut stone and is the finest in the county, a credit to its projectors and an ornament to the town.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

B. D. Morley, the efficient and popular cashier of this bank, a progressive, public- spirited citizen and genial, cultivated gentle- man, was born in Andover, March 12, 1839, and has ever since made his home in this vicinity. He comes of good old New Eng- land stock, his grandfather, Walter Morley, having belonged to one of the leading fam- ilies of Massachusetts. William H. Morley, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts, and mar- ried Sybil Watson, born in the same State, daughter of Robert Watson, a native of Lei- cester, that commonwealth. In 1834, Will- iam H. Morley came with his family to Ohio, then on the frontier of civilization, making the journey overland and settling in Andover. He was a warm friend of Benjamin F. Wade, who came from the same neighborhood in Massachusetts. W. H. Morley became a prosperous merchant and prominent citizen of his county. Originally a Whig, he later became a Republican in politics and served a number of years as Justice of the Peace. He was also a Colonel in the State Militia and was in various ways a prominent character in the early history of Ashtabula county. His five children were: J. S., C. H., May E., wife of B. Manley, E. W., and B. D., whose name heads this sketch. The father died at the age of seventy-three, greatly lamented by all who knew him, by reason of his many worthy qualities of mind and heart.

The subject of this sketch was reared in Andover until he was thirteen years of age, when his parents removed to a farm in the same vicinity, where young Morley remained three or four years, after which he returned to Andover and clerked in the store of his father and brother during the summer, at- tending school in the winter. He obtained his education in the old log schoolhouse of

the early day, laying a foundation on which he has built, with wisdom and care, by exten- sive reading and observation and varied ex- perience, a substantial superstructure, repre- senting a broad knowledge and intelligence. His practical business training was secured in his father's store and in subsequent trans- actions, while he enjoyed the refining influ- ences af a cultivated home. He clerked for his father until 1862, and then went to Penn Line, Pennsylvania, where he assumed charge of a branch store of general merchandise, under the firm name of J. S. & B. D. Morley, which he successfully conducted for three years. He then returned to Andover, and, in 1865, erected the Morley Block, a frame structure, in which he and his brother started a store under the same firm name, their busi- ness including a stock of merchandise and the manufacture and sale of cheese. In 1870, the subject of this sketch sold his interest to his brother and engaged in the stock busi- ness, importing large herds of dairy cows and other stock from the prairies of the West and selling them in the Eastern market. This enterprise was advantageously continued in company with C. S. Marvin for two years. He then repurchased of his brother his for- mer interest in the mercantile establishment, to which they eventually added a line of drugs. They successfully continued this association until B. D. once more sold his interest to his brother, in 1880. B. D. then formed a partnership with W. G. Hopper, under the firm name of Morley & Hopper, and engaged in the general hardware busi- ness, erecting a large building, 23 x 75 feet, on the present site of the bank. Mr. Morley continued in this business four years, when he and his partner sold out. It was at this time that Mr. Morley assisted in the organ- ization of the Andover Bank, with which he

Very Truly Derwell

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

has ever since been actively identified. Be- sides his banking interests, he is also con- nected with the boot and shoe business, and, until 1892 was connected with Mr. Swezey. under the firm name of Morley & Swezey, in the retailing of carriages and wagons, in which they continued together for eighteen years, when Mr. Morley disposed of his inter- est to Mr. Swezey. Mr. Morley has been one of the main factors in the upbuilding of the town of Andover and was one of the heaviest losers in the big fire of 1890. He is a joint owner with B. Manley in a large farm, situated about two miles southeast of An- dover, and conducted as a dairy farm.

In August, 1866, Mr. Morley was married to Miss Eliza H. Enos, a lady of varied attainments, a native of Andover and daugh- ter of S. S. and Mary Enos. They have one daughter, Ella, who assists her father in the bank, and is a lady of energy and ability.

Politically, Mr. Morley is a Republican. He is a member of the F. & A. M., Andover Lodge, No. 506. He is essentially a self- made man, having risen to his present pros- perity by his own untiring efforts and intel- ligent, careful management, and justly enjoys the highest regard of all who know him.

D WIGHT CROWELL, the efficient and popular Auditor of Ashtabula county, Ohio, is a native of this county, born May 31, 1828. His parents, William and Nancy (Hewins) Crowell, were natives of Connecticut and of Genesee county, New York, respectively. The Crowell family is an old and numerous one in Ashtabula county. The name is of English origin, and is authentically stated to have formerly been "Cromwell." The paternal grandfather, Will-

iam Crowell, married Miss Peck and joined the westward tide of emigration from Con- necticut to Ohio, settling in Rome township, Ashtabula county, when William, the father of the subject of this sketch, was but three years of age. They were the second or third family to settle in Rome township, and ex- perienced all the hardships of pioneer life. They had eight children. William became a carpenter and joiner by trade, and was one of the contractors to construct the Ashtabula and. Warren turnpike. In later life he en- gaged in mercantile business, being alto- gether for many years an honored resident of Geneva, Ohio. In 1872 he died, in Jeffer- son, aged seventy-six years, and his mortal remains lie buried in the city cemetery. He had a brother John, who was a prominent attorney of Trumbull county, Ohio, and who served three or four years in Congress and held other public offices of trust. He after- ward settled in Cleveland, where he attained first rank as a lawyer, and where he died at. an advanced age.

Nancy (Hewins) Crowell, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was spared to her children until her ninety-fourth year of age, and was ever held in veneration by them and watched over with loving solicitude. She died March 20, 1893, at the home of her son, W. H. Crowell, in Washington, District of Columbia, and the mortal remains were con- signed to earth in the cemetery at Jefferson, beside those of her husband. She was the daughter of Ebenezer Hewins, a native of Massachusetts, who removed in an early day to New York, whence, in 1820, he went to Ohio, at that time on the extreme frontier. He settled on a farm near Harpersfield and became prominent as a man of superior in- tellect and moral worth. On the organiza- tion of Ashtabula county, he became one of

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

the first Associate Justices, and held other positions of public trust. He had a large family. William Crowell and wife had four sons and one daughter, all of whom are now living. W. H. has been a clerk in the Au- ditor's office at Washington, District of Co- lumbia, since 1880, having formerly served fourteen years as Auditor of Ashtabula county, and being widely known as a man of ability and honor. W. H. H., the youngest brother of the subject of this sketch, served in the Civil war, and for his bravery and efficiency was promoted. He afterward joined the regular army, in which he is still a Cap- tain, being stationed in Kentucky. The name of the only sister is Ruby.

Dwight Crowell, whose name heads this notice, was reared in Ashtabula county, and received his education in the Geneva high school. He early entered the mercantile business in Geneva, where he continued fif- teen years, enjoying the confidence and re- spect of that community. In 1869 he went to Jefferson and entered the Auditor's office as deputy, which position he held eleven years. In 1880 he was elected Clerk of the Supreme Court, in which capacity he served three years, making his home at Columbus. In March, 1884, he returned to Jefferson and again assumed the position of deputy in the Auditor's office, in which he continued until November, 1889. He was then elected Au- ditor of the county, to which office he was re-elected in November, 1892, and is the present incumbent. He has always been a stanch Republican, and has been a delegate to a number of State conventions. Frater- nally, he is a member of the I. O. O. F.

He was married in 1852, to Miss S. Frary, an estimable lady of Ashtabula county, who has been a helpmate to him in every sense of the word. They have three interesting chil-

dren: William S., Kate F. and Nancy E., the last named being the wife of E. B. Lynn, of Geneva, Ohio.

The long and continued public preferment which has been accorded to Mr. Crowell is sufficient evidence, even were there no other, of his ability, sterling worth, and of the high esteem in which he is held. In person he is above the medium size, possessed of a splen- did physique and of pleasing address. He is a man of fine social qualities and is one of the most popular officials in the county. He is a thoroughly domestic man and devoted to his family, yet warmly attached to his friends. He prefers, however, to be a host rather than a guest, and at his home is ever extending a welcome to representatives of his large circle of acquaintances, all of whom delight in his friendship. It is such men that advance the standard of humanity, honor a community and make life brighter.

AUREL V. STONE, the leading jew- eler of Conneant, Ohio, was born in this city April 7, 1855, son of Edward and Eliza A. Stone. His early life was spent on his father's farm, a mile and a half south of Conneaut, and his education was received in the Conneaut Academy and at Cobb's Business College in Painesville, Ohio. He learned the jeweler's trade of D. P. Venen, at that time a prominent jeweler of Con- neaut. After completing his trade, in the fall of 1879 he engaged in business for him- self at Vermillion, Ohio, where he remained six years, meeting with prosperity. In 1885 he sold out and returned to the home of his youth. He then purchased the jewelry store of E. H. Hiler, and by close attention to business and untiring energy he has suc-

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

ceeded in building up a trade that has gained for him the reputation of being the leading jeweler of Conneaut. He carries a well assorted stock of gold and silver, and also keeps musical instruments of all kinds. Fine and difficult repairing is a specialty with him.

Mr. Stone was married February 20, 1879, by Rev. J. W. Martin, and has two children, Frank Edward and John Olmsted. Mrs. Stone, formerly Miss Addie M. Olmsted, is a daughter of John and Hannah (Saulisbury) Olmsted. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and both are active church and Sabbath-school workers, he being Financial Secretary of the church and Assist- ant Superintendent and teacher in the Sun- day-school, and she the Sunday-school Treas- urer. Mr. Stone votes with the Republican party, taking, however, little interest in po- litical matters. He is a stockholder in the Conneaut Gas, Light and Fuel Company.

With fraternal as well as business circles Mr. Stone is prominently identified. He is a member of Evergreen Lodge, No. 222, A. F. & A. M., also of Conneaut Chapter, No. 76, R. A. M., and Conneant Council, No. 40, R. & S. M. He is Chancellor Commander of Maple Lodge, No. 217, K. of P., and is also a member of Conneaut Division, No. 114, Uniform Rank, K. of P. In the last two named organizations he has passed all the chairs in the local lodges, being the Senior Past Officer in each. He is Select Coun- cillor of Eureka Council, No. 1, R. T. of T., of Conneant; is Past President of Conneaut Circle, No. 38, P. H. C .; is Past President of Conneaut Council, No. 37, A. P. A .; is a member of Conneant Council, No. 780, Royal Arcanum, and is a member of the Ohio State Police. At the State Council Session, held at Youngstown, Ohio, May 9, 10 and 11,

1893, he was elected State Councillor of Ohio, in the Junior O. U. A. M., he having carved his way in the State Council, step by step, from the office of State Council Warden to the highest place in the gift of the State Council; he has the honor of being the first person in the history of Conneaut to fill the chief State executive office of any secret society, and his local Council Northern Star, No. 30, Jr. O. U. A. M., feel highly hon- ored that one of their number should be thus favored.

He is a member of Conneaut Tent, No. 100, K. O. T. M., and also holds a State office in this order, that of State Picket, and it is fondly hoped by his numerous friends that in the not distant future he will occupy the highest position in the order.

E DWARD AUGUSTIN STONE, one of the old settlers of Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Ashtabula county, this State, January 17, 1825, son of Captain Mer- rit and Arsula (Loomis) Stone.

Captain Stone was a shoemaker by trade, but was for some years engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. He was captain of a company in the war of 1812. A brother of his, Ran- dolph Stone, was a Presbyterian minister for many years, preaching in this county, and owning a farm here on Rock Creek. Cap- tain Stone went West (to Indiana or Illinois) to settle some land warrants, and died on the way. He was traveling with ox teams and in company with a large party. Little, however, is known of his sickness or death, as the facilities for obtaining news in those days were very poor. IIis wife is also de- ceased. She was a member of the Presby- terian Church. Grandfather Stone died in

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Hampton. He was twice married. His first wife's maiden name was Woodruff, and their only child was Captain Merrit Stone.

Edward A. is the fourth in a family of seven children, namely: Balinda, unmarried, and an invalid for many years, recently went to California for her health, where she died, at the age of sixty years; Lucinda married John Venen, and both she and her husband are deceased; Amanda, unmarried, died in Kingsville, this county, at about the age of twenty years; Edward A .; Fernando, who spent some time on the ocean when a young man, was married in New York State, and afterward settled in Kingsville, this county, where his death occurred; Priscilla, who died at the age of twelve years; Henry Warren is married and living at Niagara Falls.

The subject of our sketch was married April 7, 1851, to Miss Eliza A. Venen, daughter of Dr. John Venen and his wife, Nancy (Haywood) Venen. Her parents both lived to a ripe old age, her father dying at the age of ninety-two, and her mother two years later. Dr. Venen and his wife had children as follows: John D., deceased; Vir- gil H., proprietor of a greenhouse in Con- neaut; Eliza A .; Joseph A., a resident of Cleveland, engaged in the jewelry business; Darwin P., a jeweler of Conneaut; Laurel P., of Olympia, Washington; Laura L., a - twin sister of Laurel P., is the widow of Levi Briggs, and lives at Conneaut; and Mary, wife of John Scott, is deceased. Edward A. Stone and his wife have two children: Laurel V. and Laura Eliza. Laura E. married Charles Putnam, a furniture dealer of Con- neaut, and has two children, Eppie May and Walter Edward.

Mr. Stone learned the blacksmith trade in early life, and worked at that trade for thirty years. He manufactured carriages and wag-

ons, hiring trimmers and painters and run- ning all the departments of a complete car- riage shop. Later he bought a farm and carried on agricultural pursuits, also having a shop on his farm and working in it much of the time. He has seen much of hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. He has served in various minor offices, at one time being both Deputy Sheriff and Con- stable. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has a high standing, being a member of Evergreen Lodge, No. 222, A. F. & A. M .; Conneaut Chapter, No. 76, R. A. M .; Conneaut Council, No. 40, R. & S. M .; and Cache Commandery, No. 27, K. T. He has passed all the chairs in the three former bodies and was a charter mem- ber of the three latter bodies. He was also the Senior S. C. of Eureka Council, No. 1, R. T. of T. He and his wife and two chil- dren are members of the Christian Church, all having been baptized the same day. Thus far there has not been a death in either the Stone or Putnam families.

C B. LEONARD, Assistant Cashier of the Bank of Andover, Ohio, an able financier and genial, sociable gentle- man, was born in Williamsfield Ohio, May 20, 1840. His parents, Alvan B. and Emeline B. (Black) Leonard, were both natives of the Buckeye State, the former born in Williams- field, in May, 1816, and the latter in Vernon township, Trumbull county. Alvan was a son of Bartlett and Hannah (Chapman) Leon- ard, who came from Worthington, Massa- chusetts, and were early settlers and esteemed residents of Ashtabula county. Alvan was reared to farm life and educated in the log house of primitive times and taught school

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

for a time. He was married in Vernon town- ship, Trumbull county, Ohio, and settled on a farm, on which he resided until about thirty years of age. He then became afflicted with rheumatism, which necessitated his giving up farming, whereupon he removed to the center of Williamsfield and opened a general mer- chandise store, which he successfully con- ducted until 1872. At that time he moved to Andover, where he engaged in similar pur- suits, purchasing the property of R. M. Nor- ton, and was thus employed three years, or until his death, April 11, 1875. He was an energetic, capable man and became a leader in his community. An active Republican in politics, he was elected by an admiring con- stituency to a number of important offices- He was the first and for many years Post- master of Williamsfield, and on his resigna- tion this position was assumed by his son, the subject of this sketch, their joint incumbency covering a period of forty years, an almost unparalleled circumstance. Both parents were devoted members of the Congregational Church and led lives in conformity with the highest teachings of Christianity. The worthy wife and mother survived her husband many years, expiring in the midst of her family and friends on May 8, 1891, leaving many to mourn her loss. Their four children were as follows: C. B., whose name heads this sketch; Emerson, deceased at the age of four; Rosetta, widow of Owen French, and a resident of Fairhaven, Washington; and Albina, wife of J. H. Hipple, a druggist of Andover.

C. B. Leonard, the subject of this review, was reared in Williamsfield and educated in the district and select schools of his vicinity. He entered his father's store at the age of eight years, and there received his practical business training. He clerked for his father until attaining the age of twenty-three, when

he became a partner in the business, and thus continued until the spring of 1872. He then bought his father's interest and conducted the store alone until 1889, at which time he disposed of his stock to Mr. Bush, although still retaining the property. On selling his business, he devoted his attention for a year to the management and improvement of his farm, a valuable tract of 200 acres, which is devoted to the dairy business and the raising of cereals, and of which he still retains pos- session. At the end of this time, in Feb- ruary, 1890, Mr. Leonard removed to An- dover and assumed his present responsible position of assistant cashier in the Bank of Andover, in which institution he is also a stockholder and director. His thorough busi- ness training and sterling probity of charac- ter, combined with uniform courtesy, have inspired confidence and esteem in the minds of all who meet him, contributing alike to his own prosperity and incidentally to that of the great institution, in which he is so able an officer. Besides his banking interests, he has valuable residence and business property in both Andover and Ashtabula, and is finan- cially one of the most substantial men in the county.

In Williamsfield, on April 17, 1862, Mr. Leonard was married to Miss Abbie J. Morse, a lady of culture and refinement, born, reared and educated in that city, and daughter of Marvin and Electa (Loomis) Morse, old and respected residents of that place.

In politics, Mr. Leonard supports the prin- ciples of the Republican party, by which he was elected, at the age of twenty-three, to the office of Township Clerk, which he held nine years. He was then made Township Treas- urer and served in that capacity fifteen or eighteen years, bringing to the discharge of his duties the same business ability, energy

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

and dispatch, so characteristic of his efforts in private life. He is essentially self-made, having acquired his prosperity by untiring industry and wise economy, together with judicious investments and the strictest busi- ness integrity, and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 92

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