Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning, Part 40

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 786

USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 40
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 40
USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 40

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Madison county, Iowa; John S., a resident of Liberty township, Trumbull county; David G., our subject; Lemuel, of Green, Trumbull county; James, of Iowa; Aaron, also of that State; Robert, deceased; Rachel, wife of John Stewart, of Iowa; and Arabella, deceased, was the wife of Phillip Mosier, of Kansas.

David G. Dennison, the subject of this sketch, was born in Liberty township, Trum- bull connty, Ohio, October 27, 1826, where he remained with his parents until 1846. In early life he worked in a sawmill for a Mr. Geddes, to pay rent for their house, and was denied educational advantages. At the age of eighteen years he canie to the home of John Dennison, a cousin, and learned the wagonmakers' trade in the house where he now resides. One year later he obtained a horse and worked one year for Steward Den- nison, in 1847 bought one acre of land on time, later purchased a log house, next worked at the wagonmakers' trade one and a half years, and then sold his shop for $600. In 1850 Mr. Dennison bought five cares of his present farm, to which he has since added until he now owns 280 acres, and a residence worth $4,000. He paid $60 per acre for a part of his land, and $100 per acre for the remainder. Mr. Dennison served as Vice- President of the Hubbard L'ank from its or- ganization until one year ago, since which time he lias served as its President. In polit- ical matters, he is a Prohibitionist, and re- ligiously is a member of the Christian Church, in which he held the position of Deacon for about twenty five years, resign- ing that position on account of ill health.

Mr. Dennison was married December 7, 1848, to Mary Ann Hassan, who was born in Hubbard township, April 17, 1828, a daugh- ter of Robert and Sarah (Lyal) Hassan, natives of Pennsylvania. They afterward re-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

moved to Ohio, and both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dennison had three children: Florence, wife of Elder C. C. Smith, travel- ing in the interest of the colored people of the South, and they have two children, Edith, deceased when about one and a half years old, and Gertrude F .; Lemuel A., who married Charlotte Hornicle, and they have one child, Grace; and George E., who married Mollie Higham, and their two children are Winne- fred and Lanra. Mrs. Dennison was a mem- ber of the Christian Church.

W ILLIAM J. GRIFFIN .- Among the successful and prosperous farmers and millers of Mesopotamia, Will- iam J. Griffin occupies a leading position, having worked his way up from the bottom of the ladder until he now occupies a top- most position among the citizens of his na- tive town. Mr. Griffin was born June 14, 1843, in Mesopotamia, a son of Jesse and Edra (Wilcox) Griffin, natives of England. The father crossed the ocean about 1840, and upon landing purchased land in the eastern portion of Mesopotamia, where he remained until 1868, when he removed to the center of the town and here resided until his death, which occurred February 8, 1893. His wife, a daughter of John Wilcox, who brought his family to this country about the time Mr. Griffin made the journey, died April 1, 1890. Although an uneducated man, not having enjoyed any educational advantages, Mr. Griffin was possessed of exceptional business ability and sagacity, and by his energy and industry was enabled to amass a comfortable competency. In all of his labors he was ably assisted by his wife, who was much better edu- cated than he, and who nobly bore lier portion

of life's burdens, proving herself a true help- mate of a worthy, good husband. Four chil- dren were born of this marriage, namely: Elizabeth, who inarried James Gilling, a prominent farmer, residing near the center of the town; William J., our subject; Mary J., who resides on the old homestead, which she manages; and Emma E., who married John M. Wilcox, a prominent farmer residing in the northern part of the town.

After availing himself of the advantages offered by the common schools of his locality, our subject began the struggle of life upon his own account, upon attaining his majority, by working by the day for some time, and then formed a partnership with his brother- in-law, J. M. Wilcox. For four years the firm conducted a sawmill business at the center of Mesopotamia, doing eustom sawing. At the same time Mr. Griffin conducted a small livery establishment in connection with his other interests, for about a year making a specialty of horses for sale, and during that time began training the horse Allie Clark with a record of 2:40, which they afterward sold for $500. He thien purchased a farm in the eastern portion of the town, consisting of 180 acres of partially improved land, and since that time he has devoted a good por- tion of his time to clearing it. Upon this land he planted fifty acres of corn, which produced 3,500 bushels the first year, and in 1880 he purchased 100 acres adjoining his original farm. Since that time he lias added land until he now owns 474 acres of well-improved land, all of which he has ob- tained by his own exertions. In addition to general farming, Mr. Griffin has given special attention to stock-raising, one year raising abont sixty three calves, and receiv- ing about $200 from the sale of milk received from seven cows. Four years ago he raised

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about 100 logs, and one year he planted fifty acres in potatoes, but this crop was nearly destroyed by the flood. In addition to his farming interests Mr. Griffin operates a mill, manufacturing hoops and handles, which he sells to coopers and tool establishments, hav- ing been engaged in the production of the latter for the past five years, the annual capacity of the mill being 100,000, which are shipped by the car load.

The first marriage of Mr. Griffin occurred March 5, 1879, to Miss Almeda Noble, who was the daughter of Hiram and Ursula Noble, of Mesopotamia, and who died in this town- ship on October 19, 1882. The second mar- riage of Mr. Griffin occurred April 19, 1893, to Ellen Gooding, of Orwell, a daughter of John and Caroline Gooding, who has proven herself an excellent wife and a kind neigh- bor. Politically, Mr. Griffin is a Republican, but does not take an active part in party measures, devoting his entire time and at- tention to his own affairs. By the pursu- ance of honorable and upright measures Mr. Griffin has been enabled not only to build up his financial reputation, but also, and more especially, has gained the confidence and es- teem of all with whom he has been brought in contact, and is most justly regarded as one of the leading and representative exponents of the farmer residents of Mesopotamia.

ENRY O. BYRNES, proprietor of a livery, board and feed stable, No. 9 Franklin street, Warren, Ohio, has been engaged in business here since 1887.

Mr. Byrnes was born in Champion, Trum- bull county, Ohio, January 4, 1849, a son of H. II. and Sarah M. (Bronson) Byrnes, both

natives of New York, and both having died in this county. He spent his boyhood days at home, assisting his father in the black- smith shop and working on the farm, and later was employed in a cheese factory. After that he engaged in selling buggies, and for eight years was engaged as traveling sales- man, after which he spent four years in Bart- lett's carriage repository. Then he engaged in the carriage business for himself, but this enterprise proved an unfortunate one, and from it he turned to the livery business, in which he has since been successful.

Mr. Byrnes was married in February, 1880, to Miss Stella Herrig, a native of Garretts- ville, Portage county, Ohio. They have three children: Nellie M., H. Clyde, and Earl, be- sides one, Lawrence K., deceased. Their family residence is at No. 28 Franklin street. He supports the Republican party.

q RANT DRENNEN, of the firm of Grant Drennen & Co., proprietors of a livery, sale and feed stables, located at No. 118 East Market street, War- ren, Ohio, is one of the enterprising young business men of the town. This establislı- ment is the most central and popular livery in Warren, it being known as the old Bassett barn, Mr. Bassett having done an extensive and profitable business here for many years. The present firm keeps a stock of first-class driving horses and a large number of carri- ages, hacks and other vehicles.

Mr. Drennen was born at Warren, Sep- tember 6, 1865, the fourth in a family of seven children. His father, David D. Dren- nen, proprietor of the Drennen Carriage Works, has been in business in Warren for thirty years. Grant was reared and educated

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

here. At the age of twenty-one he was mar- ried to Millie Hoelz, a daughter of Anton Hoelz, and they have one child, Paul, now in his sixth year.

Mr. Drennen served as a member of the Warren Fire Department two years. For the past three years he has been a member of the Police Department. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 29, the Trumbull Encampment No. 147, and the Royal Ar- canum; and in politics is a Republican.

ACOB H. EWALT, a member of the Winfield Manufacturing Company, War- ren, Ohio, was born on the old Ewalt home place in Bazette township, Trumbull county, Ohio, son of Jacob and Lydia Maria Ewalt.

Jacob Ewalt was born February 26, 1810, and died August 11, 1891. His parents were John and Rebecca Ewalt, the former from near Camden, New Jersey, and the latter from Pittsburg. They settled in Howland, Ohio, in 1802, on the farm now owned by Harris Ewalt, and were among the earliest settlers of the county. Here these early pio- neers reared a family of ten children, named respectively: Samuel H., Sallie, Abigail, Jacob, John, Rebecca, Hetty, Zachariah T., Harris and Hamilton. Half of this family died under thirty years of age, only two of whom were unmarried. The others lived to ripe old ages. Abigail Wainwright passed away at the age of seventy-nine, Jacob past eighty-one, while John, Z. T. and Harris all over seventy. When twenty-seven years of age Jacob Ewalt was united in marriage to Mrs. Lydia Maria Leflingwell Ewalt, widow of his oldest brother. With this noble woman he was permitted to live nearly fifty-four

years, surviving her only eight months. The day after their marriage this happy couple made their wedding tour, not in a palace car or ocean steamer, but in a common ox cart, with their household effects, from the parental roof of the Ewalt home to a log cabin on their forest farm, where they spent the rest of their lives. Five children were born to them, only two of whom, Grace and Jacob, survive. The others died, Lydia when five, Abbie when thirteen, and John L. at the age of twenty nine. At the time of his death Mr. Ewalt was one of the oldest citizens of the township, having resided here for more than half a century. He was a man of sim- ple and quiet life, was industrious and eco- nomical, and had the respect of all who knew him. He united with the Presbyterian Church of Warren, August 4, 1861, and his consistent Christian life adorned the profes- sion he made.

J. H. Ewalt was reared on his father's farm, attending the district schools and War- ren high school, and at the age of eighteen was employed as clerk in a drug store at War- ren, in which he remained eight of nine years. He then accepted a position as book- keeper with the Winfield Manufacturing Company, and not long afterward became a member of the firm. He still, however, lias charge of the books. Mr. Ewalt is one of the most enterprising business men of War- ren. He is treasurer of the Trumbull Build- ing and Loan Association here, having oc- cupied this position since the company was organized.

Mr. Ewalt and his family reside at No. 314 Park avenue. He was married May 18, 1881, to Florence Tayler, a daughter of M. B. and Adaline Tayler. They have two chil- dren: J. H., Jr., and Charlotte T. He and his wife are members of the Methodist

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Episcopal Church, and he is also a member of the Royal Arcanum, in which he has passed all the chairs, and in which order he has for the past three years represented the State. He is a stanch Republican in politics.

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H OMER J. BATES, a prominent farm- er of Vernon, Trumbull county, Ohio, was born in the township in which he now lives, January 13, 1835. His father, Horace Bates, first saw the light of day in Hartland, Connecticut, August 29, 1801. The year following his birth his par- ents emigrated from Connecticut to Ohio, and the earliest recollections of Horace Bates were those connected with his father's pioneer home. He early became inured to the trials and deprivations of life on the frontier. He was married on Christmas Day, 1825, to Eliza C. Perkins, daughter of Seth Perkins, of Kinsman, Ohio. They became the par- ents of three daughters and one son, this son, Homer J., being the youngest. The eldest daughter, Sarah, is now the wife of Philo Lowry, of Victor, Iowa county, Iowa. Lucy, wife of Irwin Black, died at Williamsfield, Ohio. The youngest daughter, Emily, is the wife of Charles H. Reed, a prominent farmer of Vernon township, this county. Horace Bates secured by purchase his sisters' interest in the old homestead and became its sole owner. He was highly esteemed by all as a quiet, unobtrusive citizen, never seeking political preference, a man of incorruptible integrity. He died in January, 1883, his wife having passed away February 4, 1865.

Some time before his father's death, Homer J. purchased the old homestead, where he has spent the greater part of his life. In 1856 he assumed possession of a tract of

Government land in Minnesota; but, his Ohio interests imperatively demanding his atten- tion, he disposed of his claim and returned to his native State. Here he has since de- voted himself to agricultural pursuits and stock-raising for a number of years, giving especial attention to the dairy business.

Mr. Bates was married October 21, 1857, to Sarepta Ward, daughter of Sylvester Ward, a prominent farmer of Wayne, Ohio. Their only child, Carrie E., born March 26, 1860, is now the wife of Jesse Case, a successful young farmer of Burgh Hill this county. March 30, 1892, Mr. Bates suffered a great bereavement in the loss of his estimable wife. Mrs. Bates had long been an invalid, and on that day her spirit quietly took its fliglit, She was a faithful member of the Free-will Baptist Church, of which Mr. Bates is also a member. He is a conservative Republican, and a member of the Grange.

G EORGE S. CASE is one of the most prominent and highly respected citi- zens of Burg Hill, Trumbull county, Ohio.

His father, Ira Case, a native of Barkham- sted, Connecticut, was born March 15, 1782. He removed to Vernon township, Trumbull county, Ohio, abont 1805, and purchased a large farm here. He married Ursula Hyde, daughter of Uriah Hyde, also a native of Connecticut, who removed to Ohio a few months before the arrival of Mr. Case. Mr. and Mrs. Case were among the most highly respected and influential citizens of Vernon township and did much to mold the charac- ter of this section of the country. Their family consisted of seven children, only three of whom are still living. Their names are

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as follows: Julia, born August 10, 1808, married Norris Humphrey and resided in Richfield, Medina county, Ohio, up to the time of her death; Emri A., born March 9, 1810, went south when about twenty-one years of age, and is supposed to have been killed in Mexico; Uriah N., born August 26, 1811, married Maria Reed, of Orangeville, Ohio, where he now resides; Hannah N., born March 6, 1813. married George Fell, and is now living in Orangeville, Ohio; Eve- line, born July 12, 1819, married Lorenzo Dawson, and resided in Circleville, Indiana, until her death; Lucy S., born May 7, 1821, was twice married, first, to Joseph Bushnell, who died in Jefferson, Ohio, about three years afterward, and, second, to William T. Crouse, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, both being now deceased; and George S., the youngest, was born April 1, 1826.

The early educational advantages of George S. Case were limited, but he made the best of his opportunities, and by home study and extensive reading when he grew older he managed to secure a store of valuable in- formation. His father's death occurred when he was ten years old, and a few years later the care of the farm fell upon him. Subse- quently he and his mother purchased the interest of all except two of the heirs to the old homestead, while his brother Nelson bought the rest. Mrs. Case remained with her son George S. until her death, and by the terms of her will he became her heir, thus coming into possession of the greater part of the old homestead.

In 1849 Mr. Case joined the tide of emi- gration to California, and upon his arrival on the Pacific coast, engaged extensively in gulch and river mining. He remained there until 1854, when he returned to Ohio. Since that time he has devoted himself to the care

and cultivation of his farm. He has also in- vested somewhat extensively in coal mines in Illinois.

March 22, 1855, he married Mary Hoaglin, daughter of Jesse Hoaglin, of Brookfield, Ohio. They had five children, two of whom are still living. Their names and dates of birth are as follows: Ida L., born July 27, 1856, died July 14, 1880; Jesse H., born December 7, 1858, and of him further men- tion is made at the conclusion of this sketch; Mary Eva, was born March 26, 1862, was united in marriage to Fred Chapman, August 7, 1884. and resides in Peoria, Illinois; Cora Dell, born December 5, 1865, died Septemn- ber 5, 1866; and Minnie D., born August 26, 1868, was an invalid from her childhood and died October 16, 1888. Mrs. Case, the mother of these children, was born in Brook- field, Ohio, October 1, 1837. Her death oc- curred January 11, 1885. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Burgh Hill, and her whole life was char- acterized by the sweetest of Christian graces. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a true friend.

Politically, Mr. Case is a Republican. Fra- ternally, he is associated with the following orders: Jerusalem Lodge, No. 19, F. & A. M., at Hartford; Mahoning Chapter, No. 66, R. A. M., at Warren; Warren Council, No. 58, R. & S. M., at Warren; and Warren Commandery, No. 39, K. T., at Warren.

Jesse H. Case, only son of the above named gentleman, is one of the most prominent young farmers of Vernon township, Trum- bull county, and resides at Burgh Hill. He was born in Vernon, this county, December 7, 1858. After completing his studies in the common schools, he was for several terms a student in the Grand River Institute. De- cember 21, 1881, he married Carrie E. Bates,

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daughter of Homer J. Bates, well known in this county. After his marriage he built a comfortable and attractive home near that of his father, and has since devoted himself ex- clusively to the management of the old homestead farm. Under his skillful super- vision and energetic efforts, this place holds rank with the leading farms of the county. It has excellent buildings, fine orchards and spring water, and everything is conveniently arranged for carrying on farming operations in the most approved manner. The lower part of the farm contains a beautiful wooded valley, forming a most beautiful piece of natural scenery.

Mrs. Case presides over her pretty home with a mnost becoming grace and dignity. They have one little daughter, Ivah May, born March 27, 1885.

Mr. Case votes with the Republican party.

AMES HARRIS, a conspicuous figure in the history of the rolling-mill busi- ness of Trumbull county, Ohio, is a man of sterling worth and is entitled to rep- resentation in this volume. Following is a brief sketch of his career from his birth to the present time: He is a native of Stafford- shire, England, born December 1, 1822, a son of Henry Harris. His father was a sheet-iron roller by trade, and he served an apprenticeship to the same trade, in which he became remarkably proficient. At the age of twenty-fonr years he had determined to cast his lot in the New World, and accord- ingly set sail from Liverpool for the United States. He landed at Philadelphia and con- tinned his journey to the West, his objective point being Covington, Kentucky. He ar:

rived in Newport, Kentucky, and there found employment as a roller. After three years in this country he conceived the idea of build- ing and operating a mill on his own account. He chose St. Louis, Missouri, as the location of this venture, and there erected the first mill constructed in that city. It proved an unfortunate selection, as the conditions were not favorable, and the undertaking ended disastrously. Mr. Harris then returned to Kentucky and resumed work as an employe in Covington, where he remained until 1864; he then removed to Youngstown, and a year later to Niles, where he repeated the St. Louis experiment, having associated with him George Harris, William Davis, Alex- ander Blackford, Cordon Bean and Thomas Jose. He personally furnished most of the money for the undertaking. The business was unfairly managed and finally passed into the hands of creditors, Mr. Harris being a heavy loser. At this juncture Mrs. Harris came to the rescue; she opened a boot and shoe store in 1871, and for twelve years car- ried on a successful business, displaying re- markable executive ability and superior busi- ness qualifications. Mr. Harris again entered service as an employe, and by 1883 they had accumulated a competence for their declining years.

Mr. Harris was married to his second and present wife, Hannah Carpenter, August 19, 1844. They have had a family of nine chil- dren: George, who was born November 11, 1845, married Ollie Allison, and has three children: Martha Jane, born April 29, 1847, was married to Jeremiah Recd; Sarah Anu died in infancy; a second danghter named Sarah Ann, born November 6, 1850, was married to Frank Pew; Henry James, born December 7, 1852, married Flora Andrews; Hannah Maria, born October 27, 1855, is the

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wife of George J. Gaylor; Frederick Will- iam, born November 29, 1857, married Eliza Hill; Alfred, born April 17, 1860, married Minnie Stull; Charles Grant, born February 2, 1862, is a sheet-iron roller by trade, but is now condneting a jewelry business at Niles in company with his brother Alfred. Mr. Harris is a member of the I. O. O. F., having joined thirty-five years ago. In politics he is a Republican. His mother's maiden name was Sarah Leitch. Six of her fourteen chil- dren came to America and located in the United States, where four of them have died.

W ILLIAM S. BENTON, a well-known citizen of Mecca township, Trumbull county, Ohio, was born in Canfield Mahoning county, this State, October 13, 1820. His father, Herman Benton, was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, December 10, 1794, son of James Benton, also a native of Con- nectient. Herman Benton's mother was be- fore her marriage a Miss Chapman, and she, too, was a native of Connecticut. James Benton and his wife lived and died in their native State. When Herman Benton was a lad of ten years he came to Canfield, Ohio, with an uncle, his mother's brother, who reared him. When he grew up he was mar- ried in Boardman, Ohio, to Laura Mason, a native of New York and a daugliter of Abner Mason. They subsequently removed to Trum- bull connty, where they spent the residne of their lives. Herman Benton died in Mecca township at the ripe old age of eighty-three. His wife passed away in December, 1863, aged sixty-nine. The mother was a member of the Baptist Church. For fifteen years Mr. Benton served as a Justice of the Peace.

He was first a Whig and afterward a Repub- lican. His whole life was passed on a farmn. William S. is the only one of their four chil- dren who is now living. The names of those deceased are Oris M., Mary and Emily.

William S. Benton was a boy of ten years when his parents moved to Mecca township. Here he was reared and educated. He learned the carpenter's trade and worked at it for a number of years, many of the best buildings in this part of the county being the result of his handiwork. In 1853 he moved to Geauga county, this State, where he lived on a farm for fourteen years. Dis- posing of his property there at the end of that time, he came back to Mecca township, Trumbull county, and has since continued his residence here. Here he has a nice, well- improved farm and a comfortable home. The greater part of his life has been devoted to work at his trade.

He was married May 15, 1844, at Mecca, to Miss Laura Cowdery, who was born in Otis, Massachusetts, daughter of Ambrose and Dencie (Coe) Cowdery, prominent early settlers of Mecca, Ohio. Her parents reared a large family and spent the residue of their lives in Trumbull county. Mr. and Mrs. Benton have two children: Dencie E., wife of L B. Davis, of this township, has one son, Claud, also one dead, Bennie; and Charles H., who has been twice married, first to Alice Pierson, and after her death to his present wife, whose maiden name was Emma Belden, also of this township, has three children: Mary, Alice and Mason.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning, Part 40

Author: Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 786

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 786