USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 14
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 14
USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 14
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
In 1871 Mr. Fitch was married to Emma Cortleyou, a lady of domestic tastes, who has been a helpmate in every sense of the word.
Fraternally Mr. Fitch is an active mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, to which he has belonged for a number of years. In politics he is a Republican. Enterprising and progressive, he has aided largely in ad- vancing the welfare of the city of which he is an esteemed resident.
D R. W. L. GILCHRIST .-- Among the well known medical practitioners of Ashtabula, Ohio, the subject of this sketch and his worthy wife hold foremost rank in skillful and conscientious work, and justly enjoy a large and remunerative patron- age.
William Gilchrist, his father, was born of Scottish parentage in Dunsford, county Down, Ireland, in 1814, and when ten years of age accompanied his widowed mother and a large family of brothers and sisters to Brunswick, Medina county, Ohio. Here he was reared and received such educational advantages as his mother could afford and such as were pro-
vided by the schools in that early day. When old enough he found employment as a day laborer, at which work he continued until he attained his majority, when he engaged in the butchering and general stock business, in which he remained until nearly forty-five years of age. He then joined the westward tide of emigration, removing to Waterloo, Black Hawk county, Iowa, and there engaged in the grain and mercantile business, in which he continued until the fall of 1872. At this time he returned to Ohio and settled in Cleveland, where he conducted a small store until two or three years before his
death, in July, 1883. His was a striking example of what native intelligence can ac- complish, being an excellent financier and making money rapidly in his younger and more vigorous days. His wife, nee Lucinda Lewis, was a native of New York State, whence she accompanied her parents to Brunswick, Ohio. She was one of eight children: Hiram, Leonard, William, Harvey, George, Rosanne and Nancy. Mr. and Mrs. William Gilchrist had seven children: Lo- renzo, now a resident of Cleveland; James, a Kansas farmer; Jeannette, wife of Mr. George Mixer, of San Francisco, California; W. L., the subject of this sketch; Lucinda, wife of Mr. H. E. Howarter, of Cleveland; George, a resident of Ashtabula; and Nancy, wife of Samuel Allen, of Cleveland.
Dr. Gilchrist, whose name heads this notice, was born in Columbia, Lorain county Ohio, December 11, 1845, where his earlier years were passed. He attended the district school and assisted his father in the latter's merchandising establishment until he was about fifteen years of age. At that time, General Kirby, of the Confederate army, was threatening to capture Cincinnati, and young Gilchrist joined a squirrel rifle company, which, with other troops, prepared to defend that city. In the course of two weeks, the subject of this sketch was discharged, after which he enlisted regularly, but was released on the application of his father on account of his youth. When his father removed to Waterloo, Iowa, the subject of this notice ac- companied him, and remained there supple- menting his common-school education by a course at Waterloo high school until he attained the age oftwenty-four, at which time lie commenced the study of medicine in Chi- cago. A year later he returned to Waterloo, where he read and practiced medicine with
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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
Dr. Barber of that city. He next removed to Chetopa, Kansas, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession a year, at the end of which time he returned to Ohio, whither his parents had preceded him. In consequence of a sunstroke received while in the West, Dr. Gilchrist was obliged to give up medical study and practic for a time, and was appointed a member of the Cleveland police force, where he served five years. Having regained his health, he once more re- sumed his chosen vocation, giving one year to the study of homoeopathy, after which he entered the medical department of the West- ern Reserve University, graduating in 1886, immediately following which he settled in Ashtabula, and engaged in active practice, meeting with deserved success.
thirteen; finished her academic course in 1867, and attended Oberlin College and Con- servatory of Music in 1868 and 1869, giving especial attention to music and the languages. She prepared herself for teaching, in which occupation she was engaged in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in Iowa, Illinois, and in Cleve- land. After marriage she began the study of medicine, with her husband, later entering the Homeopathic Hospital College, in Cleveland, at which she graduated with honors in 1890. She is now actively engaged in practice with her husband, with whom she has secured an extensive patronage, being everywhere justly esteeincd as a woman of more than ordinary ability and judgment. She is a physician, poet and author. Her only volume yet pub- lished is "Apples of Sodom, or a Story of Mormon Life." She has written several serial stories and other articles for magazines and papers, all of which are distinguished for ele- gance of diction and power of thought. She is an active member of the National and State Press Associations. Dr. and Mrs. Gil- christ have three children: Edward Lnec, aged fourteen ; Jessamine Louise, aged eleven ; and Catherine Gertrude, aged seven.
September 13, 1876, Dr. Gilchrist was married, in Kingsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio, to Miss Rosetta Luce, a highly educated lady, daughter of Jeremiah Lnce, a pioneer of the connty and one of the seven men who voted the Giddings abolition ticket, in Kings- ville. He was born in Barre, Massachusetts, October 24, 1799, and in 1816 came with his father, Reuben Luce, and family to Kingsville, Ashtabula connty, Ohio, where he was for many So ably encouraged and sustaincd, it is not surprising that Dr. Gilchrist should have at- tained the highest success in life, which con- sists not alone in financial prosperity, but in those multiformi acquisitions which go to satisfy the needs of a human sonl. years prominently connected with the farm- ing interests of that county, or until his death, April 21, 1888. His wife, nee Tamor Barton, was born in Plainfield, Massachusetts, October 12, 1808, and was a woman of more than or- dinary beanty and intelligence. She died at the age of eighty, December 22, 1888. They had four children : Cornelius, who died March 14, 1893; Betsy, wife of Mr. Adolph Williams; Sarah, wife of Mr. Albert Luce; and Mrs. A DRIAN H. LINDSLEY, one of the representative citizens of Cherry Val- ley Township, Ashtabula county, where he was born October 12, 1835, is a Gilchrist. The latter had liberal educational opportunities. After completing the usual studies of the common schools, she entered Kingsville Academy, in 1864, at the age of son of Horatio Lindsley. The latter came to
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
.
this county when a lad of but twelve years with his mother and stepfather, John Fenil. Horatio was a son of Abraham and Molly (Bidwell) Lindsley, natives of Litchfield, Connecticut, and of Englishi ancestry. They lived for a time in Paris, Oneida county, New York, where the father died in 1818. Soon afterward the remainder of the family came to Ohio, via the lakes, and were the second family in Cherry Valley township. Here Horatio grew to manhood. He mar- ried Eliza Creesy, a daughter of Josiah and Triphenia Creesy. Horatio Lindsley is now living in Jefferson, Ashtabula county. His wife departed this life in Jefferson, Ohio, in 1888. They had five children: Helen, Adrian H., Ransom G., a resident of Penn- sylvania; Dryden C., of Cleveland, Ohio; and Flora, wife of Charles Lawyer, of Jefferson, Ohio.
Adrian H. Lindsley, the subject of this sketch, reared on the old home farin in Cherry Valley township. He was engaged princi- pally in farming and handling agricultural implements until 1870, when he located on liis present farm of 185 acres of well im- proved land. His farm is one of the finest in Ashtabula county, contains a beautiful Gothic residence, barns, and everything necessary for a well-regulated place. He is engaged in general farming, dairying and stock-raising.
October 7, 1858, Mr. Lindsley was united in marriage to Fannie A. Krum, a daughter of Hon. Henry Kram, who was born at Kin- derhook, Columbia county, New York, July 5, 1802. He was a son of Peter and Sarah Krum. Henry Krum came to this county in 1826. He married Matilda Ransom, a danghter of Samuel Ranson. They had five children: Abel, Charlotte, Fanny, John Peter and Hortense. The mother died in 1882, and the father December 22, 1885, at
the age of eighty-three years. The latter was a farmer by occupation, a Republican in his political views, and religiously, a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Linds- ley have had four children, two now living: Arthur and Agnes. The deceased are: Henry, who died at the age of fourteen years, and Victor, at the age of twenty months. Mr. Lindsley affiliates with the Republican party, has served as Trustee, Assessor, as a member of the School Board, etc.
R OYAL EDSON, dealer in stock and real estate, Jefferson, Ohio, is one of the successful business men of this place.
Mr. Edson was born April 14, 1842, son of Otis and Lucinda Edson. IIis father was born in 1806, in Massachusetts, where lie was reared and married. He grew up on a farın and was engaged in farming for several years, afterward turning his attention to speculating in real estate, in which he con- tinned during the latter part of his life. He canie with his family to Ohio in 1838 or 1839, and settled in Cuyahoga county, where he re- sided until 1863 or 1864, and where he owned a large landed estate. From there lie moved to Ashtabula county and located on a farılı near Jefferson, where he spent nearly all the rest of his life, his death occurring February 28, 1869. Politically, he was an old-line Whig and afterward a Republican; and in his religious faith was a Universalist. The mother of our subject was born in Massachu- setts and was seventeen years old at the time of her marriage. She became the mother of ten children, eight of whom are living, five near Jefferson. The Edson family is well
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OF NORTHEASTERN OIIIO.
represented in the farming interests of Jeffer- son township. The mother, now in her sev- enty-eighth year, makes her liome with one of her sons. She is a devoted member of the Universalist Church.
Royal Edson was reared on his father's farm and received a district-school and aca- demic education. In 1862 he enlisted in the United States service; was mustered in at Cleveland, October 28, went out as a private in Company E, Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Whitbeck, was as- signed to the Army of the Cumberland, and immediately went South. He participated in numerous engagements, among which were those of Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission- ary Ridge and Lookont Mountain. He was on the raid through Knoxville and the charge made from Knoxville across the line into Georgia. After that he was placed upon de- tached duty, serving as clerk at post-head- quarters, and was located at Jeffersonville, Indiana. He was honorably discharged June, 1865, at Jeffersonville, Indiana. During his career as a soldier he was twice captured, but each time made good his escape soon after- ward. The war over, he returned home.
Mr. Edson was married May 15, 1867, to Miss Clarrissa V. Hickok who was born' in Jefferson township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, January 11, 1842. Her father, Jurista Hickok, a native of Massachusetts, canie to Ohio in 1812, at the age of twenty-one, and settled in Ashtabula county, where he en- gaged in farming and where, a few years later, he married Miss Susanna Whelply. They liad eiglit children. Mrs. Edson is one of six children by a subsequent marriage, five of whom reached maturity. Her father died in 1868, and her mother in 1872. The latter's maiden name was Acenith Belknap. . Mr. and Mrs. Edson have had three children, viz .:
Henry N., Linda C., and one that died in in- fancy. Mrs. Edson is a member of the Bap- tist Church.
The subject of our sketch began life on his own responsibility at the age of fourteen, buying stock for Cleveland butchers. From a mere boy he has always been considered a good judge of stock. He bought his first piece of land in 1865,-a tract of sixty-seven acres in Jefferson township. This was his start in real-estate business. Since that time he has dealt extensively in realty, and also in stock and wool. In 1890 he shipped from the West 2,000 shecp, which he sold to farm- ers at reasonable rates. He also buys sheep and wool and ships to Eastern markets. Mr. Edson now owns a large amount of real es- tate at various places. He has property in Detroit, Michigan, about a dozen houses and lots in Ashtabula, and owns two or three farms. He held the office of Deputy Sheriff four years, was a member of the School Board eight years, and is now Township Trustee. He is a member of Giddings Post, G. A. R., in which he has filled the office of Company Inspector for the past three years, and is also identified with the I. O. O. F.
F RANCIS COLEMAN, a prominent farmer and citizen of Wayne township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, a member of an old and influential family of the county, was born in this township in July, 1827. His father, Nathaniel Coleman, was one of the earliest settlers of the county, aud a man highly respected for his ability aud integrity of character.
His mother, Mrs. Nathaniel Coleman (Kezia Jones), taught the first school in
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Wayne township. The subject of this sketch was reared in Ashtabula county, and received most of his education at the Grand River Institute, Austinburg, Ohio. He now owns and lives on one of the best farms in the county, and erected in 1889 a good house, with modern improvements.
January 8, 1852, Mr. Coleman was married to Miss Mary R. Miles, who was born in Weymouth, England, the daughter of James and Margaret (Royal) Miles. Her father died in 1847, leaving a widow and five chil- dren. Margaret Beale died in England; John, in Gustavus, Trumbull county, Ohio; James still resides in England; William G. R., one of the earliest settlers of Topeka, Kansas, was accidentally killed in 1856, and was there buried with military honors. The mother died in Kingsville, Ohio, a short
time after the death of this, her youngest son, who was unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. F. Cole- man have three children: Alphonso M., an enterprising merchant of Glendive, Montana, who married Miss Mary Keiser, of that place; Clifton R., who is a partner on his father's farm; and Carrie Margaret, who is the wife of James A. Hill, a publisher of New York city, and who has one daughter, Mildred.
AMES REED .- No more conspicuous or highly honored character ever formed a factor in the history of Ashtabula county than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. As editor and proprietor of the Ashtabula Telegraph for thirty-three years he wielded a wide-spread and beneficial influ- ence over the minds of his community.
He was born in the city of New York in 1812, the year of memorable events in the
history of this country. His parents were from Canada, although his mother was of English birth. He passed his childhood in his native city, and while he was a lad his parents removed to Norwalk, Connecticut, where he obtained a fair English education in the district schools. In compliance with the wishes of his parents he early appren- ticed himself to the shoemakers' trade, but, as that business did not prove suitable to his taste, he abandoned it at the age of sixteen, by which time his parents had become resi- dents of the adjoining town of Wilton. His manner of relinquishing the trade was strongly demonstrative of his disgust with it. Armed with an ax he surprised his shop- mates, in the presence of his parents, by an unexpected attack upon both the work-bench and the tools, all of which he consigned to the flames.
Answering an advertisement, he next be- gan to learn the printers' trade in the office of The Recorder at Danbury, Connecticut, a paper which was afterward merged into the Danbury News, so famous for its wit and humor. He completed liis apprenticeship at Norwalk, same State, in the offices of the Fairfield County Republican and Norwalk Gazette, and then was employed in the office of the New York Daily Advertiser as a jour- neyman; but in the latter situation he could not reconcile himself to the unnatural regi- men of reversing day and night. Next he had day work on the New York Evangelist, and while there he was offered a position as manager of the New Orleans Observer, a Presbyterian paper; but after spending two seasons (1836-'37) there his failing health induced him to return North.
Purchasing the Norwalk Gazette, before spoken of, he continued with that paper until 1853, and in that relation he was materially
yours Respectfully John Harmon
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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
assisted by Dr. T. B. Butler, a practicing physician of that place. Next he was em- ployed a short time by the Hudson (Ohio) Planing & Lumber Company, and then he went to Cleveland and resumed his old trade of printing. In April, 1856, he became the proprietor of the Ashtabula Telegraphı, whichi he continued to edit and publish until his death, in April, 1889. He was ever a stanch and reliable Republican. Not until death chilled his faculties and palsied his hand did he drop his trenchant pen, which he had wielded with love for the advancement of mankind, and he is justly entitled to the greatest esteem of his fellow citizens and the emulation of future generations.
For his wife he married Elizabeth C. Jes- sup, and they had four children: Emma L., Francis G., William G. and James, Jr.
JOHN HARMON, of Ashtabula, Ohio, is one of the retired wheel-horses of this city, who has contributed by his energy and means to the promotion and sustaining of the best interests of the place where luis life began, his birth having occurred here March 1, 1826. From his hardy New Eng- land ancestors he inherits that industry and determination which have won for him a comfortable competence and the highest re- gard of his fellow-men. Jahial Harmon, his paternal grandfather, passed his life in Mas- sachusetts, and belonged to an old and prom- inent family of that State. He married Dorcas Sheldon and they had five children: Amos, Reuben, Hiram, Aaron and Ada, all of whom removed to Ohio, where they reared families. Aaron, who was the father of the subject of this sketch, came to the Buckeye State in 1815, settling in Ashta-
bula county, of which he was a pioneer. He had but limited means aside from health, willing hands, natural intelligence and a courageons heart, elements highly necessary in a pioneer, which comprise a fortune in themselves. He set to work industriously to improve his wild land, cultivating it so carefully and assiduously that it became a very valuable estate, which was divided among his surviving children at his death. He was one of the best informed farmers in the country, knowing more about that occu- pation than ninety per cent. of those in that business, as his eminent success substantially proves. His wife, Abigail Tyler, was one of four children, the others being Isaac, Amanda and Chloe, whose father, Isaac Tyler, was also an old and respected settler from Connecticut. This worthy couple were the parents of seven children: Hardin D., a resident of Jefferson, Ohio; Judson, de- ceased; Edmond, deceased; Ezekiel, residing in New York; John, whose name heads this sketch; Sheldon, who died in 1892; and Gilbert, of Ashtabula. In 1851 the family were called upon to mourn the loss of the devoted father, who died at the age of sev- enty-one years, on the homestead which his energy had reclaimed from a wilderness, be- ing greatly lamented by all who knew him.
The subject of this brief biography was reared on his father's large farm in Ashta- bula county, where he received the best pos- sible instruction in agriculture and kindred matters, while his knowledge of books was attained in a private school taught by George Hall. When twenty-one years of age he began farming for himself, to which enter- prise he soon added stock-raising, which lat- ter business attained in a few years very considerable proportions. His operations ex- tended to the westward, where he bought
12
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
much stock, which he brought to this point, where it was fattened and afterward resold or reshipped, as the market warranted. He was for a few years proprietor of a market in Ashtabula, and the older residents well re- member the choice roasts which came front his store. No day or week found him idle when his health permitted him to be up and doing, and it was not until 1886 that the demands of his health forced him to retire from the commercial arena. He is essen- tially a man who has worn out, not rusted out, and his record of untiring industry and progress makes a large balance on the credit side of his journal of life. He is financially well situated, being the owner of the old Harmon homestead of 200 acres, one of the fine places of the county. He also owns val- uable city property, including a beautiful home in East Village. He is a stockholder and director in the Farmers' National Bank of Aslıtabula. In 1859 he was elected Justice of the Peace, which position he held for three years. In 1880 he acted as Town Assessor of real estate, being probably the best informed man in the county on realty valuations. Previous to this he had been Assessor of personal property for seven years.
March 3, 1847, Mr. Harmon was married, in Austinburg, by the Rev. A. Williams, to Nancy Belknap, a well-known and highly esteemed lady of that city. Her father, Asa Belknap, a prosperous farmer of this county, was born in 1790, and served as a Captain in the war of 1812, removing from the East to Ohio in 1829. He married Miss Betsy Little, by whom he had seven children: Al- mon J., who married Laura Baker; Martha, who was married to E. H. Willsey; Clarissa B., wife of John Sargent; Nancy P., born Marclı 31, 1827; Asa N., married Ann Char- lotte Gates; Jane, who was married to Cor.
nelius Baker; Abbie Amelia was twice mar- ried, first to Hamilton Bunce and afterward to Cornelius Baker; and Marcia, now Mrs. H. W. Hacket. Mr. and Mrs. Harmon have had two children: Eugene H., born Septeni- ber 9, 1848; and Lizzie A., born November 6, 1860, died August 13, 1865. In politics Mr. Harmon is a Democrat.
In religious faith the family are Episco- palians, and afford material aid to the church and all local charities.
In the enjoyment of ample means and uni- versal confidence and esteem, Mr. Harmon may truly be said to have acquired the high- est and best success in life, and has the best wishes of all for his future prosperity and happiness.
(AMES REED, the present popular Post- master of Ashtabula, Ohio, of which city he has been for many years a prominent and worthy resident, is particu- larly deserving of mention in a history of his county, of which he is a representative man.
Mr. Reed was born in Norwalk, Connecti- cut, September 30, 1851, a son of James Reed, recently deceased, of whom a sketch is elsewhere given. The subject of this sketch was but four years of age when his parents removed from their Connectiont home to Ashtabula. After receiving a good common- school education here, he attended Wilton (Connecticut) Academy two years. On re- turning to Ashtabula he entered the office of his father, who was publishing the Telegraphı, and attended to the job department of-tlic printing office. On arriving at age he bc- came his father's partner, and so continued until the latter's death, in April, 1889. He then continued alone until July, 1891, when
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he sold his interest to Scott & Remick, who shortly afterward consolidated the paper with the Daily Beacon, and who now publish the Daily Beacon and Weekly Telegraph.
An active Republican in politics, Mr. Reed has been honored by the people witli some of the most important offices in their power to bestow. He was elected City Clerk of Ash- tabula, in which capacity he served with efficiency for six years,-1876-1882. Jan- uary 27, 1890, he was appointed Postmaster of the city, his teri to continue until Jan- uary 27, 1894. Since his incumbency he has greatly improved its system of service and extended its revenue to such an extent that the inauguration of free mail delivery was justified in December, 1892. In politics Mr. Reed is a Republican, and as an official he has given satisfaction not only to the Goveru- ment but also to the people of his commu- nity. Fraternally, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum.
He was married in 1876 to Miss Harriet Wells, daughter of S. B. Wells, an old and worthy citizen of Ashtabula, and they have four children: Emma L., James, Jr., Donald W. and Katherine E.
OVERNOR DAVID TOD, whose honored and cherished name forms the caption of this biographical sketch, was one of the most illustrious of his time. In every generation there arise those who tower above their fellows in intelligence, wisdom, sagacity; men who are endowed with that genius and talent that fit them for leaders, counselors, statesmen; men who draw around them that deference which mankind naturally yield to their superiors; those that are distinguished for their wis-
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