USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 25
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 25
USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 25
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Mr. Horton, at the age of eleven years, was baptized, and, with his father and mother, united with the first Free-will Baptist Church ever organized on the Holland Purchase, so called, the church being located at Bethany, New York.
For over sixty-seven years Mr. Horton has been a member of the Free-will Baptist Church, and for more than thirty years of that time has acted as chorister in the church. He also served as Church Trustee. Mra. Hor- ton is a Methodist. Mr. Horton and his son, Miles L., both affiliate with the Republican party.
S OLYMAN CLARK OSBORN, second son and child of Samnel Osborn, Jr., and Polly (Webster) Osborn, was born in Franklin, Delaware county, New York, Jannary 1, 1807. He removed with his par- ents in the fall of 1813, to Jefferson, Ashta- bula county, Ohio, to Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1814, to Huron county (now Erie), Ohio, in 1817. Ilere his father died in September, 1819, and the family returned to Jefferson.
His residence has been since in Aslıtabula county, where his time has been consecutively passed at school, learning the clothes-making trade, running a cloth factory, merchandis- ing, milling, and lastly on the small fruit farm on which he now lives in Ashtabula. He was married in Conneaut, Ohio, October 5, 1831, to Harriet Sanford, daughter of Eli Sanford and Sarah (Wheeler) Sanford, of Conneaut, who was born in Conneant, Sep- tember 16, 1815, and is still living. Both he and his venerable wife are in comfortable health and actively engaged in labor,-he with his grapes and fruit and she keeping the house. Both united early in life with the Baptist Church, and have been always active working members in good standing. Mr. Osborn's paternal and maternal grandfather were Revolutionary soldiers; his father was long connected with the militia of Delaware county, in some command. Of these offices he can only remember that of adjutant of the regiment. He was out for some time as a volunteer in the war of 1812. He was a farmer, lumberman and a breeder and lover of good horses, and he was also a hunter and nat- ural mechanic. He .possessed great physical strength, which proved, however, to be no de- fense against the malaria of the section known in those early days as the West.
Mr. Osborn and his wife are of New Eng- land stock, his father coming from East Windsor, Connectieut, and his mother from Litchfield county, Connecticut. Mrs. Os- born's father and mother also came from Connecticut. It may be said of his ancestry on both sides, if not great they were good, being pious, honest, temperate and indus- trious.
Mr. and Mrs. Osborn have not been blessed with children. An adopted daughter, now Mrs. Charles Hall, of Conneaut, holds them
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in loving, grateful remembrance, as do also two motherless nieces of Mrs. Osborn -Mrs. Aaron Pickett and Mrs. Hulburt, of Ashta- bula, both of whom were tenderly reared from childhood to maturity at the home of their aunt.
E THENER BEALS, a farmer of Ashi- tabula connty, was born at Burlington, Genesee county, New York, February 13, 1816, a son of Edson and Jane (Turner) Beals, natives of Massachusetts. The par ents came to Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1818, settling first in Pierpont township. Edson Beals moved to Cherry Valley in 1828, where he resided until his death. He was a prominent clergyman in the Universalist Church. The children were ninein number: Ethener, Artemas, Amos, Susan, Hannah, Fidelia, Anna, Lydia and Maria. The mother died at the age of ninety-two years. Ethener Beals, the subject of this sketch, now owns a good farm of 108 acres in this county, where he has a good dwelling, barns, orchard, and every convenience necessary for a well regu- lated farm. He was married in Erie county, Pennsylvania, at the age of twenty-two years, to Lucretia Lowe, a daughter of Isaac Lowe. To this union was born five children, two now living,-Ensign and Abileno E. Two chil- dren died in infancy, and Josiah departed this life at the age of twenty-two years. The wife and mother died July 8, 1872, and Feb- ruary 25, 1874, Mr. Beals married Orazetta Gleason, a native of Steuben county, New York. He had been a Republican ever since the formation of the party.
A. E. Beals, a son of Ethener Beals, was born September 15, 1848, and received his education at Austinburg and Oberlin. He afterward taught school for a time, and in
1870 located on his present farm in this county, known as the old Trask Creesey place. He owns 200 acres of the finest farming land in this township, where he has a good resi- dence, a barn 34 x 75 feet, and a fine dairy. In one year Mr. Beals raised 333 bushels of wheat on eleven acres of ground.
February 24, 1870, at Jefferson, Ohio, he was united in marriage to Elcena J. Spellman, a daughter of Charles and Sally- (Mason) Spellman. The mother was born at Fort Ann, New York, a daughter of Nathan Mason. Mr. and Mrs. Beals have two chil- dren,-Frank S., aged seventeen years, is at- tending musical college at Jefferson; and Birney, born in April, 1880. Three of their children are deceased. Mr. Beals affiliates with the Republican party.
RA H. PARDEE, M. D., an able Home- opathic physician and public-spirited cit- izen of Ashtabula Harbor, Ohio, was born in Windham, Portage county, this State, May 12, 1859. His parents, Samuel A, and Diadema E. (Owen) Pardee, were early set- tlers of Portage county, of which they are still honored residents, the father being a practical and enterprising farmer.
The subject of this sketch remained on the home farm until about seventeen years of age, at first attending the district schools and afterward going to Hiram College and the Northwestern Ohio University. He began to teach school at the age of seventeen, an occupation which he followed twelve consec- utive years. He first taught in Trumbull county, Ohio, for two or three years; then taught some time in Portage county, after which he became principal of the public schools in Palmyra, this State, and later was
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principal of the schools at Mantua. In the meantime he was diligently reading medicine, and in 1886 eutered Pulte Medical College, in Cincinnati, Ohio, at which institution he graduated March 12, 1889. In March, 1888, he went to Mason, Wisconsin, where he tauglit school and practiced medicine until July, 1889, at which time he settled in Har- bor, Ohio, in which place he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his pro- fession, meeting, from the first, with gratify- ing encouragement. He educated hinself, both scholastically and professionally, by earning at intervals the cost of tuition, which inay well presage success, inasmuch as our self-made men are the ones who attain the greatest prosperity.
In 1881, Dr. Pardee was married to Miss Ella R. Pierce, an intelligent and prepossess- ing lady of Hiram, Ohio. They have one son, Azro.
Politically, the Doctor is a stanch sup- porter of Democracy, while he is fraternally a member of the Knights of Pythias and the National Union and Independent Order of Foresters. He also belong to the State Homeopathic Medical Association. As a physician he is judicious and careful, while as a citizen and man he is upright and pro- gressive, and is justly esteemed by his fellow men.
UDGE EDWARD J. BETTS .- The legal profession of Jefferson, Ohio, is ably represented by the subject of this sketch, whose natural ability and scholarly attainments would have rendered him a suc cess in any walk of life.
Judge Betts, eminent lawyer and progres- sive citizen, was born in Norwalk, Connecti-
* Probably é ritative o 11 2 Volvo det ine Marchingin R. P. h.
cut, June 4, 1838. His parents, Josiah and Jane Betts, removed from Connecticut to Pennsylvania in an early day, whence they afterward moved to Ohio, at that time on the frontier of civilization, finally settling in Ashtabula county in 1853.
The subject of this sketch passed most of his youth in Portage county, Ohio, from which place his parents removed to Ashta- bula county when he was a lad of fifteen years. He has ever since resided in the latter county, and since 1863 his home has been in Jefferson. His education was at- tained in the academies of Orwell and Kings- ville, after which he pursued the study of law under the instruction of Mr. S. A. North- way, of Jefferson, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1864. Possessing an analytical and comprehensive mind, gifted with legal acu- men and insight, combined with unflagging energy, he was calculated to pushi his way to the foremost rank of his profession. In De- cember, 1871, he was appointed Judge of the Probate Court, to which position he was re-elected three successive terms, his incum- bency lasting until February 9, 1882. His judicial record was characterized by justice and honor, his rulings being rendered in thorough accord with the evidence and the law, and he carried with him into private life the approval of his fellow-men and the higher endorsement of his own conscience. His attention has since been devoted to his legal practice, in which he easily takes the lead in his community.
The Judge was first married in 1868, to Miss Olive A. Dodge, but her presence was destined to brigliten his home for but a short time, her death taking place in 1873. In 1874 the Judge was married to Miss Maria T. Houghton, an accomplished lady. They have one daughter, Cora M. Betts.
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In politics the Judge has been a. Republi- can since the organization of the party. Fra- ternally, he affiliates with the Knight Templar Masons. He has been for many years a member of the Congregational Church.
In the various walks of life Judge Betts has always been the same upright, genial gentleman, and enjoys the highest regard of his fellow-citizens.
E DMUND L. MORSE, M. D., a repre- sentative physician and surgeon of Ashtabula, Ohio, was born in Geauga county, this State, June 16, 1838. His par- ents, Moses and Lydia (Thomson) Morse, were natives of Massachusetts and Pennsyl- vania, respectively, but were married in Geauga county, of which their respective parents were early and prominent settlers. The father of the subject of this sketch was a mechanic and raised a family of ten children.
Dr. Morse, of this notice, was reared in his native county and attended the public schools, at which he secured a fair English education. He early learned the carpenter and joiner's trade of his father, remaining at home until eighteen years of age, when he started out in life for himself. He worked at his trade four or five years, when the Civil war broke out, and he was soon caught in this mael- strom of internecine discord. August 20, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company B, of the Forty-first Ohio Volunteer Infan- try, which was placed in the Nineteenth Brigade, Fourth Division, Second Army Corps, serving throughout the war. He was a non-commissioned officer (Sergeant), which rank he held for three years, and at the close of the conflict he had risen to that of First Lieutenant of the same company and regi-
ment in which he had enlisted. He took part in the battle of Shiloh, where he was slightly wounded, and was subsequently en- gaged at the siege of Corinth. He next fought at Murfreesborough, Perryville and La Vergne, then taking active part in the Tullahoma campaign and that of Chatta- nooga. He was next engaged, in, turn, at Ringgold, Chickamauga, Brown's Ferry, Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain. With no rest for the wearied soldiers, then began the march to Knoxville for the relief of Burnside. In May, 1864, the Atlanta campaign opened, and our subject was a participant in the battles of Rocky Face Ridge, Tunnel Hill, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Adairsville, Cassville, Kenesaw Mountain, Nicojack Creek, Peach Tree Creek, and the siege of Atlanta. After the fall of Atlanta he was engaged at Jonesboro and Lovejoy's Station, and then was in the pursuit of Hood, taking part in the battles of Franklin and Spring Hill. From there he went to Hunts- ville; thence to North Carolina, and finally to San Antonio, Texas, where he was mus- tered out. He was paid off and discharged at Columbus, Ohio, November 17, 1865.
After the close of the war he began the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. J. W. Atwood, of Geauga county, with whom he studied four years. He then prac- ticed medicine four years with his preceptor at Chardon, after which he went to the Elec- tic Medical Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio, at which he graduated in 1878. Returning to Chardon, he continued with Dr. Atwood two years, when he removed to Ashtabula and at once engaged in eclectic practice. In 1883 he took a post-graduate course at St. Louis Medical College. In the winter of 1884 he took charge of a hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he remained two years and
yours Truly Dansathan Refer
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a half, when he again returned to Ashtabula, where he has since continued in active prac- tice of Medicine.
In 1876 Dr. Morse was married to Miss Lydia J. Atwood, daughter of his preceptor in medicine, thus, like Othello, nsing the charm of noble manhood to win the daughter of his benefactor.
Politically, Dr. Morse is a Republican, and, socially, belongs to the Panlis Post, G. A. R., the Knights of Pythias and Masonic order. As a citizen and man he stands justly high in his community, where he has passed so many busy and useful years.
ONATHAN KEEFER, one of the lead-' ing citizens of Liberty township, Trum- bull county, was born March 21, 1833, a son of Jacob Keefer, who was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1802. The latter's father was Jacob Keefer, Sr., and the family were originally from Loraine, France. Jacob Keefer, Jr., was reared and educated in his native county, was married in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, to Rebecca Neier, and they afterward came to Canfield, Mahoning county, Ohio. Two years later they came to Liberty township, Trumbull county. The mother died in 1871, and the father departed this life, while on a visit in Wood county, in 1889, at the age of eighty-seven years. They had ten children, five now living: Jonathan, Mary, Sarah, Jacob F. and Caroline. The deceased were: John, William, Elizabeth, Abbie and an infant son. The father was a Democrat in his political views, and a meni- ber of the Lutheran Church.
Jonathan Keefer, the subject of this sketch, enlisted for service in the late war in 1864, entering the One Hundred and Seventy-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company D, in
the 100-days' service. The company, with the regiment, was captured at Cynthiana, Kentucky, but Mr. Keefer, being on detailed service, was not taken prisoner. He was honorably discharged at Sandusky, Ohio, in August, 1864. Mr. Keefer located on his present farm in 1857, where he now has 374 acres of fine agricultural land, a good resi- dence, and many other valuable improve- ments. He keeps a number of horses and cattle, and has a tine flock of Shropshire sheep. His farm is one of the best in the county.
At the age of twenty-three years, Novem- ber 20, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Herring, who was born in Liberty township, a daughter of George and Mary Herring. She died December 24, 1887. They had one child, who was born in 1857, and died in infancy. December 24, 1890, Mr. Keefer married Mary Baird, a daughter of John and Eliza (Kitch) Baird, of Youngs- town township, Mahoning county. Mrs. Keefer is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Our subject is a stanch Re- publican, and has held the position of Town- ship Trustee.
Mr. Keefer is a self-made man. The fine property he has accumulated has been secured by industry and perseverance and by follow- ing always the principles of honesty and un- swerving integrity. He has contributed largely in his sphere of action to the devel- opment of the county and is regarded as one of its progressive, substantial citizens. His successful career should be an instructive lesson to the rising generation as exemplify- ing what may be accomplished by constant application and a determined purpose. Few men stand higher in Trumbull county than Jonathan Keefer.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
E LDER RUFUS A. UNDERWOOD, ex-president of the Wisconson Con- ference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, resides upon a farm one-half a mile west of the village of Mesopotamia, where he spends as much of his time as can be spared from the ardnous duties of his position. He was born in Wayne, Ohio, February 10, 1850, a son of Rev. Alfred B. Under- wood, who was born at Cazenovia, New York, November 3, 1815. He served in many pas- torates in the Baptist Church, but is now re- tired from active duties, and resides in Wayne, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. The mother of our subject, nee Sally Morse, was born in Williamsfield, Ohio, June 22, 1817. She was previously married to Allen Smith, of Williamsfield, and they had one child, Eliza, now Mrs. Morris Colby, also of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Underwood had six children; Rovella Stevens, of Will- iamsfield; Rufus A. our subject; Emily Bacon, also of Williamsfield; Judson P., a resident of Kinsman; Mary Tidd, of Will- iamsfield; Allie B., married Oliver Tidd; and Nettie, wife of George Westlake, of Gi- rard, Ohio.
Elder Underwood is an excellent example of what may be achieved in the world of thought by one imbued with holy zeal, a clear head and a warm heart. Deprived of educa- tional advantages to a great extent, he las availed himself of every opportunity for an education, and las accumulated an extensive and valuable library, both on social subjects and along the line of general information. Mr. Underwood spent one year in the Uni- versity of Battle Creek, and in 1877 entered the ministry. He was converted to Chris- tianity at the age of six years, and, having been reared a Baptist, was associated with that church until more mature years and ex-
tended research convinced him that there were errors in its creed and practice. He then allied himself with the Seventh-Day Adventists when but twenty-one years of age, and six years later entered its ministry. His abilities have been fully recognized by the church of his adoption, and he has been ele- vated to one of the highest positions at her disposal. Mr. Underwood was made presi- dent of the Ohio Conference in 1882, serving in that capacity six years, having previously been engaged in evangelical work. In 1885 he was elected a member of the General Con- ference. In 1887 the denomination had at- tained such dimensions as to render its di- vision into districts desirable. It was divided into six districts, each having a district superintendent, and our subject was ap- pointed to that position. In 1887 he was in in charge of the Atlantic Coast division, including the New England and Atlantic States; in 1888 he was made superintendent of the Pacific division, including Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Washington; in 1890 was elected superin- tendent of the Southwestern division, em- bracing Colorado, Kansas, Arkansas, Mis- souri, Texas and Indian Territory, but in 1893, on account of failing health, he resigned the latter position. After recovering his health he was elected president of the Wis- consin Conference, which position he was compelled to resign on account of poor health. As the doctrines of this denomina- tion are unknown to many, we gather from Mr. Underwood the following brief statement of his belief upon the Sabbath question: First, creation power is manifested in man's redemption, also the primary reason given for the Sabbath institution by God; second, in his acceptance of the seventh day as the only bible Sabbath it is maintained that
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Christ is the agent of God in creation; third, that Christ instituted the Sabbath in Eden; fourth, that Christ sanctified the seventh day Sabbath by putting his divinity into it in a special sense as in no other days. He be- lieves that no person in whom Christ does not dwell can properly keep the Sabbath accord- ing to the commandment, and hence that all human laws to improve the keeping of a Sabbath, or any other religious institution, can only result in evil to the church and na- tion.
October 5, 1874, Mr. Underwood was united in marriage with Ellen Reynolds, a daughter of Benjamin Reynolds, a native of New England, but who came to Mesopotamia in 1852. His death occurred in this village November 17, 1876. To this union has been born one daughter, Nellie Blanche, a beauti- fnl girl of thirteen years, born February 14, 1880, and now residing with her parents, availing herself, as far as her health will per- init, of the excellent educational advantages of the village. Mrs. Underwood is a lady of culture and refinement, and a model wife and mother. She attends to the management of the home farm, including over 100 acres, during the absence of her husband. Polit- ically, Mr. Underwood votes for principles rather than men or party, although he usually casts his vote with the Republican party.
A R. BAKER, who owns a fine farm of 100 acres in Hartford township, Trnm- bull county, Ohio, is one of the lead- ing farmers of his vicinity. He was born at this place December 17, 1837, son of Simeon C. and Emeline (Hull) Baker, he be- being the older of their two children. His sister, Mary L., is the wife of B. II. Mallory.
Mr. Baker's father was born in Connecticut, October 13, 1811, and came to Ohio in 1832. Previons to his coming to Ohio, however, he had lived in New York State eight years. In his early life he was engaged iu teaching and in various other occupations, but in later years he settled down to farming. He died in Ohio in 1885. Both he and his wife were members of the Congregational Church, in which he served as Deacon for thirty-six years. He was generous in his support of the gospel, and gave freely of his means toward the advancement of all worthy causes. He was married in 1837. Mrs. Baker was born February 5, 1813, and dicd July 11, 1866. Grandfather Baker was a soldier in the war of 1812.
A. R. Baker was married in in 1869 to Mary E. Ray, a native of Morris, Litchfield county, Connecticut. They are members of the Presbyterian Church at Hartford, and are among the most worthy people of the place. Mr. Baker is a Republican.
W ILLIAM BEEMAN, of Hartford township, Trumbull county, Ohio, is one of the representative farmers and stock-raisers of this place, and also runs a dairy and manufactures cheese. He has long been identified with this part of the country, having settled here when all about him was a wilderness. He owned 240 acres of land at one time, but has disposed of a part of it, and now retains 190 acres.
Mr. Beeman was born in Pennsylvania, May 14, 1820, son of Matthew and Kazialı (Rutlege) Beeman. He is one of a family of three children, and at the age of five years was deprived of a father's protection. Some- time after his father's death his mother mar-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ried Moses A. Jewell, and after this event he and one of his brothers were bound out. His mother was a native of Maryland and was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of her life Mr. Beeman cherishes sweet memories.
The subject of our sketch was married in 1845 to Miss Electa M. Jones, a native of Trumbull county. They had four children, three of whom are living: Matilda, Ellen M., and Lovinna; Evaline is dead. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is an earnest temperance worker and a radical Prohibitionist. His whole life has been characterized by honest industry, and by his many good qualities he lias won the respect of all who know him.
EWIS OATLEY, deceased, was one of the prominent citizens of Cortland, Trumbull county, Ohio. Joshua Oat- ley, his grandfather, emigrated from Vir- ginia to Ohio in 1810, accompanied by his two sons, William and Edward. He settled near Cortland, Trumbull county, on the land which is now occupied by Mrs. Thankful Oatley. William Oatley was born in Vir- ginia in 1787, and died September 23, 1841, at Cortland, Ohio. He was united in mar- riage in 1813 to Sophia Rhodes, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1788, They had a family of seven children: Joshua, Hannah, Mary, Anna, Lewis, Malissa and Edward. Lewis Oatley, whose name heads this sketelı, was born May 23, 1823, in Trumbull county, Ohio. . Here he was reared amid the wild scenes and crude surroundings of the frontier. He acquired his education in the primitive log school-house, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. March 11, 1860, he was united in
marriage to Miss Thankful Brown, who was born July 22, 1837. They had born to them five children: Blanche, deceased; Eva L., wife of P. C. Freeman; Burke; Anna B., wife of Charles Dodge; and Grace A.
Mr. Oatley emigrated to California in 1852, and after a residence of four years in the Golden State returned to Ohio. Three years later he made a trip to Colorado and spent some time there. He died July 1, 1893, his death being the result of an acci- dent. He was deeply mourned by the entire community, where his merit as a neighbor, friend and citizen had been truly appreciated.
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