Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 94

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 94
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 94
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 94

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).

salt. Jason C. Wells is the only surviving member of a family of five children, of whom he was the third-born. He attended the schools of the day until he was obliged to relinquish his books for the sterner duties of the farm. His father died when he was a youth of fourteen, and at the age of nineteen he began life on his own account. He traded his share in the homestead for a tract of fifty acres, which he tilled with untiring industry until the fall of 1847, when he removed to his present farmn.

He was married January 22, 1845 to Car- oline Moffit, a native of the State of New York, and they had three children: Hettie E .; Della, wife of Frank Kellogg, residing in Missouri; and Margaret, wife of John C. Libby, who lives in the State of Michigan.

Mr. Wells' farm contains one hundred and thirty acres, which is in an excellent state of cultivation. He has given especial attention to the culture of fruit, and has done much to pro- mote this branch of farming in this section. He and his wife are members of the Con- gregational Church. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and has with great credit served as Justice of the Peace two terms. He is a member of the Farmers' Club, and has been for thirty years. He is frequently called on for essays, poetical an l otherwise, his literary talent being of marked order.

M ARSHALL M. HILLIARD, the popular proprietor and manager of the Orwell House, in Orwell, Ohio, and of the Beechen House, in Quaker City, the same State, was born in Danby, Vermont, August 26, 1830. Ile comes of good New England stock, his parents, Isaac II. and Sarah E. (Hunt) Hilliard, having

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

been natives of the Green Mountain State, the father of Scotch origin. Isaac Hilliard was a harness-maker by trade, and in 1836 joined the western movement of emigration, coming with his family overland to Ashta- bula county, Ohio, and, in 1840, settled in Orwell, where he followed his trade the re- mainder of his life. Both parents were de- vont members of the Baptist Church, and died, as they had lived, good Christians, full of the fear of God and the love of their fellow men. Their last resting-place is in the cemetery at Orwell. They had eleven children, two of whom died in infancy: Henry C. died un- married; Jerry C. left a family; Charles left one son; Frank died in Yazoo City, Missis- sippi; Marshall M., whose name heads this notice; Daniel D .; Sarah E., now Mrs. Clark; John I., who resides in Lemont, Mississippi; and Frank P. was Sheriff of Yazoo City, Mississippi, and was shot and killed in the courthouse, leaving a family of seven chil- dren.

The subject of this sketch was but six years of age when his parents came to Ohio, where he was rear 'd and educated and where he has passed most of his life. He was taught the trade of harness-making by his father and remained at home until 1852. Having by this time heard of the gold excite- ment in California, he determined to cast his fortunes with that State, and consequently wended his way over the toilsome and often dangerous plains. Arriving at his destina- tion, he spent eleven years in the Golden State, doing mining and other work, such as tunnel and hydraulic work, and was later an agent for a stage company. He also loaned money, sometimes receiving as high as 2} per cent. a month, and speculated largely, realizing altogether a financial success. In the winter of 1860 he went to Idaho, where

he remained two years, and then returned to his old home in Orwell, arriving there in the fall of 1863. In December, 1863, he and his brother, Frank, went South to buy cotton. While in the rebel country, in the spring of 1864, the subject of this sketch was made a prisoner of war by the Confederates, at Yazoo City, Mississippi, and taken to Demopolis, Alabama. From there he was sent to Mo- bile and thence to the stockade at Meridian, Mississippi, where he and four others cut their way out to liberty, and after eleven days' march reached Vicksburg, traveling at night and living on blackberries, May-apples, etc. When captured Mr. Hilliard was robbed of his clothes, watch, diamond pin and money, and was a prisoner for nine months, arriving in Orwell in the fall of 1864. In 1867, Mr. Hilliard and his brother-in-law, Calvin Reeves, established a merchandise business in Orwell, which they continued successfully seven years. In the meantime the firm bought seventy-five acres of land, which was platted into lots and sold. At the end of seven years, Mr. Hilliard became interested in the circus business, owning a show of 120 horses and 100 performers, with a menagerie of wild animals: an elephant, which cost $5,100; camels, costing $250 each; royal Ben- gal tiger, $1,500; hyenas, $200 each; a lion, costing $1,000; snakes, at $50 each ; monkeys, $5 to $25; and birds from $2 to $10. On retiring from the show business, Mr. Hilliard bought the Orwell House, which popular hostelry he has successfully conducted ever since. March 15, 1893, he also took posses- sion of Hotel Beechen, at Quaker City. The hotels have twenty rooms each and the tran- sient rates are $1.50 and $2 a day. Both houses are well furnished and provided with all modern conveniences, while the service in each is unexcelled for neatness and dispatch.

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All this is due to the careful management of Mr. Hilliard, and he deserves great credit for his enterprise in placing such hotels at the service of the public.

May 9, 1867, Mr. Hilliard was married to Miss Juliet M. Baker, a worthy lady, daugh- ter of Josiah W. and Mary Ann (Parker) Baker, old and esteemed residents of Ashta-' bula county. Mrs. Ililliard was born in Georgia, Franklin county, Vermont, May 9, 1837, and was but six months of age when her parents removed to Orwell, Ohio. She was reared and educated in that city and is well known and much esteemed for her many excellent qualities ef mind and character. Mr. and Mrs. Hilliard have one daughter, Zella H., born September 3, 1868, who was educated in Orwell and at the New Lyme In- stitute. She is the wife of Israel Cohien, a prosperous clothing merchant of Quaker City, and they have one child, Fannie W., born November 1, 1887. Mr. Cohien was born in Austria, in 1858, and is a man of business sagacity and uprightness.

Politically, Mr. Hilliard is a Republican, and, fraternally, associates with the Royal Arch Masons, of Rock Creek, and the I. O. O. F. He has contributed by his enterprise to the advancement of his community, and deserves the esteem which he so generally en- joys.

ESTER MOFFET, a prominent citizen of Middlefield township and ex-Sheriff of Geauga county, Ohio, was born at Farmington, Trumbull county, Ohio, Novem- ber 2, 1821. He received his education in the typical pioneer school which was taught in a log house and sustained by private sub- scription. His youth was passed amid the wild scenes of the frontier, deer and wild

turkeys abounding as game. He has had many a hunt over the present site of Burton Station, and has witnessed the wonderful development and growth of the country, aid- ing largely in the accomplishment of this re- sult. The first wages he received was $10 a month, at farming, but he had the wisdom not to "despise the day of small things." He was married October 23, 1844, to Harriet R. Bronson, a native of Chardon, Geauga county, Ohio, and a daughter of James Bron- son, one of the early settlers and a shoe- maker by trade. No children were born of this union. The wife died May 22, 1886.

After his marriage, Mr. Moffet settled in the northwest corner of Middlefield town- ship, having bought eighty acres of land there. Having subsequently settled in Chardon, he finally sold out, and since that time eleven farms have passed through his hands in dif- ferent sections of the county. He has also had some mercantile interests, being engaged in trade for sixteen years. His official career began in 1873, when he assumed the office of Sheriff, to which position he had been elected in the fall of 1872. He trans- acted the business with much zeal and to the best interests of his constituency. He was re-elected, serving two terms, the business of the office being much heavier than it is at the present time. In 1878 he embarked in the mercantile business at Chardon, and con- ducted a general trade there until 1887. Then he came to Burton and erected a large store, carrying on business for four years. At the end of that time he sold his interests to the present owner. He now has fifty acres of land in Middlefield township, and twelve and a half acres in Chardon township, all of which is under excellent cultivation.

Mr. Moffet was married a second time February 22, 1887, to Harriet R. Gerney,

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of Thompson, Geauga county, Ohio. Politi- cally, he votes with the Republican party. He was Justice of the Peace while living at Burton, and served the people of Chardon as Mayor, resigning the office at the end of one year. He has also been Notary Public for a number of years. He is a member of the Masonic order and belongs to the I. O. O. F. In all the relations of life he has proven himself a man of great integrity of character, and worthy of the confidence re- posed in him by a wide circle of acquaint- ance.

The history of Mr. Moffet's ancestry will be found in the biography of Alanson Moffet.

A LANSON MOFFET, prominent among the early settlers of the county, is en- titled to the space alloted him in this history of Geauga county's enterpris- ing and progressive men. He was born in Farmington township, Trumbull county, Ohio, May 27, 1819, a son of John Moffet, a native of Vermont; his grandfather, John Moffet, Sr., was also born in the Green Mountain State, of Irish ancestry; he was "a farmer by occupation and a pioneer of of New York, where he passed the last years of his life. The father of Alanson Moffet was married in New York State, and emi- grated to Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1818, making the journey overland and consuming four weeks in transit. The country was a wilderness, alınost unbroken, and deer, wolves and bears abounded; it was necessary to pen the sheep at night for protection from the wild animals. The nearest trading post was Warren, eighteen miles away. Mr. Moffet went bravely to work to clear some land, and before his death had placed 107 acres under

cultivation. He lived to the age of sixty- six years. His wife's maiden name was Lydia Ward, and she was a native of Massa- chusetts. They had a family of seven chil- dren, five of whom grew to maturity; the mother lived to be seventy-three years old. Both were consistent members of the Dis- ciples' Church, and were active participants in all movements to cultivate a high moral sentiment in the community. Politically, Mr. Moffet affiliated with the Whig party, and later espoused the cause of the Republi- cans. Alanson Moffet is the second of the family of John and Lydia (Ward) Moffet. Reared upon the frontier, his educational advantages were only such as were afforded in the little log house that was heated by an open fire-place, and furnished with slab benches. The mental equipment was cer- tainly above the material, judging from the men and women sprung from pioneer families.

At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Moffet started out in life to reap its weal or woe, receiving $12.50 per month as his first wages. He was married October 23, 1844, to Lydia Whitney, a daughter of John and Olive Whitney, a native of Jefferson county, New York. Her parents emigrated to Geauga county during her girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Moffet are the parents of two children: Oris A., who is living at home, married; and Hattie E., who was married to Charles S. Herrick. After marriage they settled on a tract of fifty acres, which was cleared and placed under cultivation. As their means increased, Mr. Moffet made further invest- ments in land until he now owns 260 acres. The improvements are first-class in every re- spect. He carries on general farming, and has a well managed dairy of twenty-five COWS.

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Adhering to the principles of the Whig . party, he cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison in 1840, and since 1855 he has been a Republican. He was elected Coun- ty Commissioner in 1862, and held the office six years; during that time the pres- ent county buildings were erected and much important work was accomplished. Although he began life as a poor man, he is now possessed of a competence and a reputation of which any man might be proud. By economy and perseverance he has overcome those obstacles which beset the path of the pioneer, and now, amid the comforts of a modern civilization, sees his efforts crowned with success. Mrs. Moffet passed from this life March 18, 1880.

C APTAIN JOHN H. ANDREWS, of Painesville, Ohio, who has traversed the Great Lakes continuously for fifty years and is probably the most widely and favorably-known man of his profession, was born in Meriden, Connecticut, May 21, 1829. His ancestors came originally from England and settled, in 1639, in Meriden, Connecticut, which town originally bore the name of An- drews, which was subsequently changed to Meriden. His grandfather, Aaron Andrews, was born in Meriden, where he was reared and followed the millwright trade, dying at the age of eighty-six. His son, Captain Oliver Andrews, father of the subject of this sketch, was also a native of the historic town of Meriden. He was the youngest of eight sons, and, according to the English rule of primogeniture, received only a thorough education as his inheritance, atter which he relied on his own resources, and this, indeed, as future developments will prove, was the

best kind of fortune which could possibly have befallen him. His self-reliance was in- augurated at the age of eighteen, when he learned button-making and became foreman of a shop in Barkhamsted, Connecticut. He eventually engaged in farming near Meriden. He married Nancy Clark, also a native of Connecticut, and descended from a represent- ative family of that commonwealth. In 1834, this young couple emigrated to the West, going via Buffalo to Fairport Harbor, Ohio, on the steamer Superior, the second boat to ply the Lakes. They settled in Painesville, where the father taught school for some time, eventually engaging in farm- ing. Being a man of unusual ability and energy, he easily impressed himself on his community and soon became a leader. He subsequently held various political offices of importance, being at one time a member of the Ohio House of Representatives for two terms. He also became Sheriff of Lake county and Collector of the port at Fairport, acting in the latter capacity for twelve years, being the first in that office to ever make an official report of the business transactions of the port, and was the first to hold the position of Inspector of the Port. He was Justice of the Peace for several years, distinguishing himself in that capacity as a judicious and efficient officer. He attained his title of Captain from having commanded a company of militia riflemen in Meriden, Connecticut; the title well fitted him, as he was a man of military and imposing appearance. He lost his wife when the subject of this sketch was young. They had six children, two of whom survive. The distinguished father died in 1881, at the age of eighty seven years, greatly lamented by all who knew him.

Captain Andrews of this notice was thus five years of age when his parents removed

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

from their eastern home to Painesville, Ohio, in the vicinity of which city his life, while on land, has been passed. He received a common-school education with a three-months attendance at an academy and two winters at a select school. At the age of fourteen he commenced sailing on the lakes, serving his apprenticeship on the old brigs which plied these fresh-water seas in the early day. His first position on a large vessel was as royal boy on a brig, with which he visited all the principal ports on the lakes. He was at Chicago when its population was not more than 6,000 and when it gave no signs of its present greatness. From sailor he rose to second mate, then to mate and finally to the position of master, and has commanded a ves- sel for the last forty-one years. During that long period he has transported millions of dollars' worth of merchandise and has only cost the underwriters $2,560 for losses. He sailed a brig two years and the schooner nearly as long. The first vessel of which he had charge was the Flying Dutchman. In the winter of 1855-'56, he built the schooner E. C. Roberts, which he sailed about six years. He then, in 1861, built the William Jones, which he launched in April, 1862, and sailed eleven years. In 1872, he built the Nellie Redington, which he has commanded for more than twenty years and of which he still has charge. When the iron trade was opened on Lake Superior, he brought the first full cargo of that ore from the iron region and has transported some every year since, having carried 31,000 tons of iron ore and coal in 1892. He also carried some of the stone used in making the first lock in the Sault Ste. Marie canal. His boat became frozen up the fall before the opening of this canal, and he made his way home to Ohio on snow shoes. This accident occurred again, and in

the two seasons he walked more than 1,200 miles on snow shoes. On his way home he camped out at night as many as thirty-one days, when the thermometer was thirty-eight degrees beiow zero. During one of these trips, he and his party were lost four days in the Porcupine mountains without food, the first they obtained being a hedge-hog which they killed. A few winters ago he was caught on Lake Michigan in a gale, in which his vessel was seriously damaged. This was the first instance in more than thirty-five years that his boat received damage to any extent, and up to this time he had never cost the underwriters a cent. He also experienced a severe storm on Lake Superior on President Buchanan's election day, in November, 1856, and has been in many other hard storms and suffered frequent and great hardships. He has carried more than 100,000 kegs of powder to the Lake Superior mining regions, and at one time had 7,500 kegs on board when his vessel was struck by lightning, but there was no damage. He has, however, by persever- ance and continued industry accumulated a comfortable income, owning, besides his in- terest in his vessel, real estate in Painesville, and an interest in a pineapple plantation in Florida, all of which prosperity is entirely due to his own unaided endeavors and intelligent management; and his career might well serve as an incentive to all young men starting in life for themselves, and depending upon their own efforts to make their way in the world.

June 19, 1853, Captain Andrews was mar- ried to Miss Susan Morris, of New York, a lady of social and domestic accomplishments, daughter of Isaac and Susan (Whitaker) Morris, of New Hampshire, her father being a sailor in early life. Captain and Mrs. An- drews have had four children: Isaac, deceased June 8, 1891, was married and was master

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of a vessel. He had sailed several years with his father, under whom he had been mate for eight years. George E. is married and lives in Florida, where he owns a pineapple plant- ation. He graduated at the Painesville high school and at the Western Reserve College. He was for eight years a member of the Philadelphia base ball team, with which he played against the Cincinnati, Brooklyn and Indianapolis teams, he being known as the famous " Center fielder." Mary and Nellie, twins, enjoyed good educational advantages and are both now married. Mary became the wife of Charles Suminers and has two chil- dren; Nellie married Charles L. Titus, a conductor on the Nickel Plate Railroad, and they have one child.

In a pleasant home, with a comfortable income, and surrounded by an interesting family, Captain Andrews is enjoying the fruits of those labors exerted amid hardships and dangers in early life, while his uniform integrity and courtesy have gained for him the universal esteem of his fellow men.

H UGH A. SUTHERLAND, a veterin- ary surgeon of Andover, was born in Wilmington county, Canada, July 3, 1855, a son of Alexander and Agnes (Tanner) Sutherland, of Scotch and English extraction, the father from Highland, Suth- erlandshire, and the mother from Tenlantan, County Kent, England. The parents located on a farm in Ashtabula county, Ohio, about 1866, where they still reside. The father has taken considerable interest in political mat- ters, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland have had nine children, namely: John H., a merchant of Cherry Valley; William D., a real-estate

dealer of Ashtabula; Hugh A., our subject; Samuel S., a merchant of Denmark Center; Benjamin J., a real-estate dealer of Ashta- bula Harbor; Adaline and Emeline, twins, the former the wife of Artie Griffith, of Andover, and the latter the wife of Dr. Homer Chapin, a merchant of Windsor Mills, Ashtabula county; Agnes, wife of William Mortan, a farmer and real-estate agent of Ashtabula; and Betsy, wife of V. L. Chapin, a farmer and hay merchant of Jefferson.

Hugh A. Sutherland, the subject of this sketch, was reared principally in Ashtabula. At the age of twenty-two years he began the lumber business at Denmark, where he re- mained six years, and for the following four years was engaged in the same occupation at Dorset. He then took a course of study at the Toronto Veterinary College, graduating at that institution in March, 1891. His preceptor was B. L. Tanner, now of Will- iamsfield, this county. Mr. Sutherland is thorough in his profession and enjoys a large practice. In addition to his practice be also owns 100 acres of land east of Jefferson, and other farm interests.

February 11, 1893, the Doctor was united in marriage with Mrs. Ella Cadwell, widow of Wood Cadwell and a daughter of Orlo Barnes, of Steamburg, Pennsylvania. In his social relations Mr. Sutherland is a member of the I. O. O. F., Ensign Lodge, No. 400, of Jefferson.

D R. CHARLES LAWYER .- He to whom stands attained a position of even comparative eminence in that honored profession which has to do with the alleviation of human ills and suffering, must have gained such position only by means of

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unswerving devotion, forestalled by a careful preparation, representative of years of study and earnest application. Dr. Charles Lawyer, concerning whose active and useful life this sketch has to do, has gained to himself not alone a high repute as a physician, but to him have come those higher honors due to only one who has lived the life that is true and good, as a man among men. Dr. Lawyer has been a resident of Andover, Ashtabula county, Ohio, since 1867, and, in the com- munity where he has labored so long and faithfully, his friends are in number as its residents. He was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, September 19, 1828, being the son of John and Rachel (Howell) Lawyer. The parents of John Lawyer emigrated from Germany to this country in an early day and took up their residence in Pennsylvania, and there the father of our subject was born. His wife, Rachel, was a native of Wales. He was a clothier by occupation, but after a time gave his attention to agricultural pur- suits, in which he met with consistent suc- cess. To him and his devoted wife were born six sons and three daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch was the sixth in order of birth. He was but a child when his parents removed from Greene county, Penn- sylvania, to Jamestown, Mercer county, same State. There he received his preliminary education, and there, as a young man, he commenced the study of medicine under the direction of those able preceptors, Drs. Clark and Gibson, prominent and popular phy- sicians of that county. In 1850-'51 he at- tended the Eclectic Medical College at Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and from that institution graduated with honor. At the age of twenty- five years he commenced the practice of his profession at Penn Line, Pennsylvania, and there remained for eleven years. He then

removed to Andover, Ohio, which has ever since been his home, and where he has con- tinuously practiced his profession to the mutual benefit of himself and the community.

At the age of twenty-six Dr. Lawyer was united in marriage to Miss Caroline E. Brown, an accomplished lady and the daughter of Hon. Joseph Brown, a prominent resident of Meadville, Pennsylvania. Dr. and Mrs. Lawyer have three children: May L., now Mrs. Marvin; Charles, Jr., a prominent law- yer of Jefferson, Ohio, and at present serv- ing his second term as Prosecuting Attorney of Ashtabula county; and Frank, residing in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he is engaged in the mercantile business.

The Doctor is a Republican in politics, and, fraternally, an active member of the I. O. O. F. Although not identified with any church organization, he is a liberal con- tributor to religious and other worthy objects. Mrs. Lawyer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 94

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