Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 96

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 96
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 96
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 96

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).

G. H. Cleveland, with whose name this article begins, attended school at Conneaut and also received instruction under Prof. Brayton at Painesville. In early life he en- gaged in business with his father, and con- tinued in mercantile life until 1882. After his father retired he was a member of the firm of Cleveland, Benton & Cheney, and subsequently did business under his own name, closing out about 1882. From the spring of 1891 until the spring of 1892, he was proprietor of the Commercial House.

He was married December 16, 1863, to Miss Lydia A. Stafford, of Cleveland, Ohio, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Kelly) Stafford. They have four children, namely,

Minnetta E., Mo rit C., Laura H. and Clar- ence S .; Merrit married Miss Frances Adair.

Mr. Cleveland is a member of Evergreen Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Conneaut Chapter Council and Commandery, being a charter member of the Commandery; is a member of the Order of the Elks, and in politics joins issue with the Democratic party. In every way he is an honorable and upright man, progressive and public-spirited. To him have been transmitted many of those sterling qualities of mind and heart that characterized and ennobled his worthy ancestors.

EORGE L. ENSIGN, A. M., was born in Claridon township, Geauga county, Ohio, July 1, 1852, a son of Emory Ensign, a native of Connecticut. The paternal grandfather, Ensign Ensigo, was also a native of Connecticut, and was one of the earliest pioneers of Geauga county. He emigrated to Ohio, making the journey over- land by teams, and settled in the northeastern part of Claridon township when it was yet an unbroken wilderness. He succeeded in clear- ing a farm before his death, which occurred at the age of eighty years. Emory Ensign was a mere lad when his father came to Ohio, so he received his education in the primitive log schoolhouse, and lived the life of a pio- neer farmer's son. He married Rebecca M. Chace, who was born in Claridon township, Geauga county, January 21, 1822. Her fa- ther, Captain Holder Chace, was a native of Massachusetts, who settled in Claridon town- ship as early as 1816, making the journey to the West by team, guided by blazed trees. Captain Chace owned 200 acres of land which he placed under cultivation before his death, which occurred at the age of seventy years.

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Mr. and Mrs. Ensign had a family of five children: Diodate J., Theodore W., Harmon N., Emory, who died at the age of two and a half years, and George L. The father lived to be only thirty-nine years of age, but the inother still survives, making her home with her son, George L. She is now one of the oldest residents living in the section and has a vivid recollection of the incidents attending their early efforts and pioneer life.

George L. Ensign is the youngest of the family of five. His youth was passed in Middlefield township, and his early education was acquired in the district school. At the age of seventeen years he entered Hiram College, where he pursued his studies for three years. Taking both the Latin and scientific courses he was graduated from the Western Reserve College in 1881, afterward finishing the post-graduate course when he had conferred upon him the degree of A. M. He began teaching at the age of sixteen years, and while a student at the Western Reserve College taught in that institution in connec- tion with the prosecution of his studies. After graduation he occupied the chair of professor of mathematics at his alma mater teaching all branches of the science. In 1883 he ac- cepted the principalship of the Geauga Semi- nary, and during his management of this institution the attendance reached its highest point, 250 pupils being enrolled.

Mr. Ensign was married in March, 1873, to Addie H. Bower of Geauga county; they had one child, Addie R. The mother died in 1880. Mr. Ensign was married a second time in 1881, being united to Celia M. Fos- ter, a native of Wisconsin. They have had born to them five children: Theodore F., Harmon O., Sina Pearl, Winona M., and Caro B. It was in 1884 that Mr. Ensign removed to southwestern Kansas and located

in what is now Gray county; there he bought and sold farming lands and town lots, re- maining four years. At the end of this period he went to the Pacific coast, and took up his old profession of teaching. He was in the public schools of Lordsburg and Spadra, Cali- fornia, but the Italy of America had not suf- ficient charms to keep him from the old Buckeye State. In September, 1892, he re- turned to his old home, and since that time has given special attention to agriculture. He has seventy-five acres of well improved land, and is surrounded by all the comforts suggested by refined and cultivated taste. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to the Masonic order. Politically he is an ardent supporter of the principles upon which the People's party is founded.

B IRDSELL MANLEY, a native son of Andover, Ohio, of which he is a repre- sentative citizen, was born here April 17, 1826. He comes of good old New England stock, his grandfather, David Manley, having been a native of Massachusetts and a brave soldier in the war of 1812. Almon Manley, his son, and father of the subject of this sketch, was also a native of the Bay State, and married Charity Marvin, who was born in Massachusetts, but later went to New York. Almon Manley was a carpenter by trade, which occupation he followed for many years. In 1817 he came to Andover, Ohio, then a small hamlet. He built and conducted the first hotel in the town, and there he success- fully operated many years, also doing a large business as a contractor, in which he employed a large number of men, and being engaged in the undertaking business. He was an en-

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terprising business man and took an active part in all matters pertaining to the interest of of hiscounty and town. He was a zealous Whig and later a prominent Republican and a polit- cal leader in local affairs. He was the father of eight children: Henry M., deceased; Hi- ram, deceased; William, residing in Conneaut, Ohio; Elvira, now Mrs. Partridge, of War- ren, Ohio; Clarissa, deceased; Birdsell, whose name heads this notice; Diantha, now Mr. Lilley, also of Conneaut; and Elsie Herriott, of Andover. Colonel Almon Manley died in 1856, universally regretted as a great and good man; his widow survived him several years.

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Andover, the place of his birth. On commencing life for himself, he started in the manufacturing of cheese for the Mor- leys, who had the best cheese factory in the county, and who conducted the same success- fully for fourteen years. He then engaged in farming and the dairy business, which he followed twelve years, when, in 1882, he set- tled in town, where he has since resided, al- though still owning and conducting his farm. He has a handsome modern residence, the surroundings and appointments of which sug- gest a refined and cultured taste, and give evidence of much comfort. He also owns other valuable property and is altogether financially well situated, all of which pros- perity is the result of continued and in- telligent effort, combined with the highest integrity.

October 17, 1850, Mr. Manley was married to Mary E. Morley, a native of Chemung county, New York, but who came with her parents to Andover when three years of age, where she has ever since resided. She is a daughter of William H. and Sybil (Watson) Morley, widely known and highly respected

people and old settlers of Andover. Mr. and Mrs. Manley have reared two adopted chil- dren: Rosa, wife of Walter Talcott, of Cleve- land, Ohio; and Millie, wife of Lester Dixon, of Andover.

Mr. Manley advocates the principles of the Republican party. He takes a deep interest in the advancement and welfare of his com- munity, and is justly regarded as a represent- ative citizen.

W S. DEMING, a venerable citizen of South New Lyme, Ashtabula county, Ohio, has long been indentified with the interests of this place, and is now living retired.

Mr. Deming was born in Berlin, Connec- ticut, in 1813, and came to his present loca- tion in 1834, being twenty years of age at that time. Here he engaged in the merchandise business. For a number of years he was in- terested in business at Cincinnati, as a mem- ber of the firm of Straight, Deming & Co., wholesale grocers and commission merchants. Under the firm name of Deming, Raymond & Co., he also had an interest in a similar business at Cleveland. He invested exten- sively in real estate, and is now the owner of several hundred acres of good land in New Lyme township. He served as Associate Judge, and for several years was a member of the Ohio Legislature. In politics he has ever taken an active interest, being an ardent Republican. Few men in this vicinity have done more to advance its interests than Mr. Deming, and few are held in higher esteem than he.

In 1878 Mr. Deming intimated to some citizens that he would duplicate whatever I sum the people of New Lyme might sub-

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scribe for founding and sustaining a higher institution for learning in New Lyme. A public meeting was called to consider the matter, and Mr. Deming repeated the offer. A subscription of some $4,000 for the erection of a building was promptly dupli- cated, and also a subsequent subscription of about $3,000. The growth of the school was such as to require additional room, and Mr. Deming, at his own expense, put on an addition to the building. The addition cost over $5,000. Besides this constant in- terest in the general welfare of the school, he has, by aiding worthy young men and young women, done a great good to many individu- als and to the country. Indeed, he has been liberal in his contributions toward all worthy causes.

Mr. Deming was married in 1834 to Miss Mary A. Brown, who still lives to cheer his home in his declining years. They have no children of their own, but have one adopted child.

UDGE HENRY K. SMITH, who has presided over the Probate Court of Geauga county for the past twenty- seven years, was born in Parkman township, Geauga county, August 10, 1832. The Smiths are of English descent. His grand- father, Seth Smith, was a native of the State of Vermont, where he married his wife, Polly Marsh Judge Smith's father, Marsh Smith, was born at Brattleborough, Vermont, in 1799, and accompanied his parents on their removal to the State of New York when he was a mere boy. In 1817, when at the age of about eighteen years, Marsh Smith, full of energy, hopefulness and courage, removed to Parkman, where he made his home, encounter- ing the obstacles and trials which beset the

path of the pioneer, and by his labor and good management cleared up and developed a large and productive farm. Seth Smith, in early life, was a Baptist in belief, but before his death became a Universalist, as was also Marsh Smith, who was, moreover, a strong Abolitionist, early assisting many fugitives from slavery, and from its organization until his death being identified with the Republican party. Seth Smith died in Parkman, in 1855.

Marsh Smith was united in marriage, Octo- ber 28, 1823, with Miss Eliza Colton, of Nel- son, Portage county, who had come with her parents from Connecticut about the same time that he came to Parkman, and the fruit of their happy union is a family of four sons and three daughters. Being elected to the office of County Auditor in 1850, he sold his farm 1

in Parkman and removed to Chardon, holding that office six years, and the office of County Commissioner two years, after which he lived a retired life among his children until his death in 1887, at the age of eighty-eight years. His wife died September 30, 1884, at the age of eighty-one. Her father, Theron Colton, was a native of Connecticut, but an early settler of Portage county. For many years he operated a blacksmith and wagon shop at Colton's Corners, the place being named for him, and also owned a good farm. He possessed much ability, and was widely known as a man of unusual force of character. In his religious faith, he was a Presbyterian of the most radical type.

Henry K. Smith was reared on the farm, and grew to manhood in the atmosphere of a home well calculated to develop those finer traits and higher excellencies of character with which he is endowed. His early educa- tion was received in the common schools and academies of this section, and from a private

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tutor. At the age of nineteen he came to Chardon, and for several years assisted his father in the Auditor's office, receiving dis- cipline and acquiring experience, which have been invaluable to him in his long profes- sional and official career. His natural apti- tude and sterling worth were recognized by all with whom he came in contact. In 1851 he taught school for a time, and at the age of twenty-one years began studying for the pro- fession he had chosen as his life's vocation. He entered the office of Riddle & Thresher, and in 1856 was admitted to the bar at Chardon.

After filling several minor positions with credit, he was entrusted with the responsi- bilities of the County Treasurer's office. Upon the death of the clerk of the courts, A. H. Gotham, in 1857, he was appointed his suc- cessor for the unexpired term, and in the autumn of the same year was elected Prose- cuting Attorney, holding the office two terms. During this period the noted murder trial of Hiram Cole occurred, and he was associated in the prosecution with Hon. A. G. Riddle, who for many years has been one of the most distinguished members of the Washington city bar. Soon after his election as Prose- entor he formed a partnership with the late W. O. Forrist, and in 1861 became associated with Judge D. W. Canfield, this relationship continuing until his election in 1866 to the office of Probate Judge, which he has since continuously held, in every instance being nominated by acclamation, an honor almost without precedent, his integrity and effi- ciency being universally recognized.

Judge Smith was married, February 22, 1854, to Miss Harmony Stocking, a daughter of D. W. and Mary (Wells) Stocking. They have had three children, one dying in infancy ; the eldest, Stuart S., has been for a number

of years cashier of the Geauga Savings & Loan Association, and at present is cashier of the First National Bank of Chardon; Halbert D. is a graduate of Buchtel College and of the Cincinnati Law School; he has entered upon a promising law practice in the city of Cleve- land.

Judge Smith, like his honored father, is a stalwart Republican, having formerly held the position of Chairman of the Republican County Committee for a number of years. He is a member of the Masonic lodge of Chardon, and of the Eagle Commandery at Painesville, and also of the I. O. O. F.

Judge Smith was among the most active and efficient in the rebuilding of Chardon after the destructive fire which visited the business portion in the summer of 1868. He has always devoted much attention to farm- ing. No man has exercised a wider or more beneficial influence in Geauga county, and no man was ever more utterly devoid of those traits which mark the mere demagogue. The confidence which he enjoys is the deserved tribute to worth and excellence.

OHN P. RIEG, a newspaper man of Conneaut, was born at Baldenheim, Canton de Markolzheim, France, April 18, 1840, was an only child, and was left an orphan at the age of fourteen years. He at- tended the public schools the number of years required by law, and afterward was placed under a private tutor to fit himself for college. Becoming restless, and having an uncle liv- ing in Warren, Pennsylvania, he conceived the idea of coming to America. At the age of fifteen years he found himself in Warren, possessed of a fair education in German and French, but entirely ignorant of the English

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language. He attended the public schools for six months, in the meantime looking about for some kind of employment that would suit his taste, when he finally entered the print- ing office of D. W. C. James, and learned the " art preservative of arts." In 1861 he pur- chased the office of the Conneaut Reporter, and has ever since been at the head of that office and been a resident of Conneaut.

June 12, 1861, Mr. Rieg married Julia K. Brooks, of Erie, Pennsylvania, and they have four children: Frank F., born May 8, 1863; Mary S., December 15, 1865; John B., De- cember 5, 1872; Florence F., October 28, 1881.

H (ON. GEORGE H. FORD, whose ca- reer has been a source of pride to the citizens of Geauga county, an honor to his ancestry and a credit to himself, is a son of ex-Governor Seabury Ford. A native of the State of Ohio, he was born at Burton, March 10, 1842. He received his literary education in the public schools of Columbus and at the Western Reserve Col- lege, Hudson, Ohio, graduating from the latter institution with the class of 1862. During his school days he was a member of a military company which was thoroughly drilled. Offering themselves for service when the clouds of the Civil war hung like a pall over the land, the members of the company were called out by Governor Tod in May, 1862, and were sent with the One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry into the field; they did duty until the following Octo- ber, when they were mustered out.

Having determined to pursue the law as a profession, Mr. Ford entered the law office of Ilitchcock & Estep, Cleveland, Ohio, and studied under their direction; later he was in

the office of Judge D. W. Canfield, of Char- don, and was admitted to the bar in 1868. He then opened an office at Burton, where he was engaged in practice until he was elected a member of the Legislature in 1871. He was re-elected, serving two terms in succession. During his first term he was appointed Chair- man of the Committee on Universities and Colleges; he drafted and introduced " a bill to establish the Ohio University, " the object of the bill being to merge the Ohio Agri- cultural and Mechanical College, the Ohio University at Athens, and the Miami Univer- sity into one. At the same time another bill was introduced into the Senate by Alphonso Hart, setting aside swamp lands of the State as an endowment for the State University. Had this bill passed an annual income of $75,000 or $100,000 would have been secured to the university, and it could then have proudly taken the lead among public educa- tional institutions. The bill, however, roused much opposition, and failed of passing; hence the vote on the university bill in the House was merely complimentary. Mr. Ford was a member of the standing committee on finance, and during his second term was a member of the noted Wood county Investigating Com- mittee, the disclosures of which brought the Sixty-first General Assembly to an abrupt and undignified termination. He was elected to the House again in 1883, and at the end of his term was elected a member of the Senate; he was re-elected in 1888. During his ser- vice in the upper House he introduced a number of bills, notably the " Anti-oleomar- garine," the bill which established the office of Food and Dairy Commissioner. He was one of the leaders on the Republican side in the hotly contested organization of the Senate in 1886, in which the Republicans were finally victorious. He served as Clerk pro tem. with

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marked efficiency. He was a ready debater, active in all important measures and ques- tions before the House, and discharged his duties with a fidelity that won the entire con- fidence of a large constituency. He was a delegate to the Cincinnati National conven- tion when General Hayes was nominated for President on the Republican ticket.

Mr. Ford is largely interested in the pri- vate banking house of Boughton, Ford & Co., using about $100,000 capital and transacting a profitable business. He was appointed Bank Examiner for this district in April, 1890, and still holds the position. Until September, 1892, he did the work of the en- tire district; but, the territory being wide and each bank requiring from three to four days, it was necessary to appoint another examiner for a part of the district.

In 1866 he was united in marriage to Miss Corinne E. Williams, a native of Burton; her grandfather emigrated from Massachu- setts to Ohio in 1808. Mr. and Mrs. Ford are the parents of three children: Helen R., Louis J., and Carl B. They occupy a hand- some frame residence facing the public park, and are surrounded by the many comforts of modern civilization. Mr. Ford and wife are members of the Congregational Church and are liberal contributors to its support. He belongs to the Masonic order and is a mem- ber of the blue lodge, chapter and commandry.

S EABURY FORD, Governor of the State of Ohio in 1849-'50, was the third son of John and Esther Ford, being a native of Connecticut, born at Cheshire, October 15, 1801. John Ford was of Scotch ancestry and was of a large and vigorous type physically. Esther Cook, his wife, was a

daughter of Elam Cook and a sister of the wife of Judge Peter Hitchcock. The Cook family came from County Kent, England, to New England prior to 1640. There came in one of the ships landing at the "Port of Pil- grims" a widow by the name of Ford, with her one son. Seabury Ford was brought by his parents to Geauga county, Ohio, in 1807, a distance of 700 miles through an almost un- broken forest. His youthful days were spent in attending the pioneer schools and assisting his father in clearing the land of heavy tim- ber. At the age of eighteen years he deter- mined to gain a thorough education, and pre- pared for a college course at the academy under the tuition of David L. Coe. In 1821 he bade farewell to the associates and scenes of his childhood for a period of four years, and he and his classmate, the Rev. D. Wil- ter, started for New Haven, Connecticut, in a one-horse wagon, their baggage piled in the rear of the vehicle. After a journey of many days the classic shades of old Yale were reached, and the first two students from the new State of Ohio were enrolled. Mr. Wilter entered the sophomore class and Mr. Ford the freshman. The latter held a conspicuous place in his class through the four-years course, and among his mates were many who have adorned the highest ranks of every pro- fession and calling in life. He was graduat- ed in the class of 1825, and returned to Ohio. He began the study of law in the office of Samuel W. Phelps, who died soon after. Coming to Burton he finished his studies under the direction of his uncle, Judge Peter Hitchcock, and was admitted to the bar in 1827; he opened an office in Burton and there began a long and honorable career. He was safe and conscientious in his counsel and fre- quently avoided litigation at a sacrifice to his financial interests.

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He had a great love for military affairs and was Major General in command of the Northern Division Ohio State militia. In 1835 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives, and, with the exception of a single year, served until 1848, when he was elected to the office of Governor. He served two terms in the Senate, was once Speaker of the House of Representatives, and was twice presiding officer of the Senate. Few men have had a longer career in the public affairs of the State, and none have been regarded as more useful to the public welfare. In 1839 he took an active part against the bill to prevent banks from issuing notes of less denomination than $5, and his speeches upon this occasion are illustrative of his broad comprehension of the subject and his choice and easy flow of language. During the panic of 1837, he made a vigorous fight against the bill known as the Plunder Act, introducing a bill to repeal it; his speeches in support of his bill attracted attention throughout the State. During his years of legislation he ac- quired a fund of information relating to pub- lic affairs equaled by few, and was recognized as one of the most able and valuable members of the House. It was largely due to his efforts from 1837 to 1842 that the banking system was placed upon so secure a basis. In 1838 he was the rival of the Hon. Joshua R. Giddings for the Whig nomination for Congress, and failed only by one or two votes. He was an ardent and vigorous supporter of Henry Clay in the campaign of 1844, and spoke day and night throughout Ohio for weeks before the election; though the Whig party was defeated Ohio was carried for Clay.

The Whig convention of 1848, recogniz- ing his great strength and popularity, placed him at the head of their ticket, and he was elected. His inaugural and annual messages

are among the clearest and ablest of Ohio State papers. He discharged the duties of Governor with dignity and fidelity, remem- bering always the weight of the obligation he bore to his constituency. Soon after the ex- piration of his term in 1851 he was stricken with paralysis, and four years later, May 8, 1855, he passed over to the silent majority.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 96

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