USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Historical review of Riverside Cemetery Association, Cleveland, Ohio > Part 6
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Before entirely completing his college course, he accepted the principalship of an academy at Cuyahoga Falls, from which, in
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1848, he came to Cleveland, and was an active teacher and other- wise prominently associated with the educational interests here, for a period of twenty years, the last ten of which were at Cleveland Institute, of which he was proprietor and principal. For several years of this time, he occupied also the chair of chemistry in the Cleveland Homœopathic College. This college conferred upon him the honorary degree of M. D., as did Western Reserve of A. M.
The years of 1869 and '70 he spent abroad, during which time he took an extended course in chemistry and geology, and was made a Fellow of the Royal Chemical and Geological Societies of London, England. After his return, he gave a few years to the establishment of a colony in south-western Minnesota, since which time his business interests were mainly centered in the East.
As a teacher, he brought a rare enthusiasm to his work, well cal- culated to arouse deep interest and inspiration in his pupils, even among those hitherto dull and unambitious. His own early strug- gles gave him a ready sympathy with young men who had their own way to make, and better than that, he had the power to stim- ulate their courage and make noble achievement consciously possi- ble to them. Beyond this, he has given a helping hand to many a young man who has dated the beginnings of his success to this kindness.
Till within a few weeks of his death, he was an indefatigable student and worker, and but for the overtaxing of his powers, years of health and usefulness would have seemed assured him.
JULIUS C. SCHENCK, M. D.,
was born in Cassel, Germany, February 7th, 1836. While a youth, his parents emigrated to this country. At the age of eighteen, he entered the Cleveland Medical College, from where he graduated in 1858. In 1861, he entered the service of the volunteer army as assistant surgeon of the 37th regiment, O. V. I. This position he retained one year, when he was promoted to the surgeonship of the same regimen . On his return from the field he was appointed as- sistant surgeon of the United States Hospital, established on the South Side during the war.
He practiced medicine in this city until his death, which occurred July 27th, 1883.
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THOMAS DIXON.
Two of the promoters of Riverside Cemetry, Thomas Dixon and Dr. J. C. Schenck, had the life crushed out of them in a railroad accident in July, 1883.
Thomas Dixon was a native of Portsmouth, England, and came to this country in 1840. He first settled in Kingston, on the North river, where he married Elizabeth Krum. They came to Cleve- land in 1845, where his widow and only remaining child still re- side.
Mr. Dixon had a quick ear for music and was a great lover of flowers and floraculture, and was a firm believer in the life to come. Let us hope that he is now realizing the inscription upon his monu- ment :
" Listening to the music of angels, In the Garden of the Lord."
His friendly and genial nature made him many fast friends. He always took a lively interest in the success of the enterprise which provided him with a last resting place-Riverside Cemetery.
FRANCIS BRANCH,
son of Seth and Rachel (Hurd) Branch, was born on the 5th of June, 1812, at Middle Haddam, Conn. His father, Seth Branch, was a native of the same place, having been born on the 31st of March, 1779, and having been married in 1805 to Rachel Hurd. He removed to Ohio in 1818 and settled on what is now known as Brooklyn Heights, Cleveland. There were but few houses in the neighborhood at that time and Mr. Branch was fortunate in secur- ing shelter for his family in the home of Judge Barber until a dwell- ing could be erected. He died on the 11th of August, 1825, at the premature age of 46, leaving as a legacy to his family only their home in the forest and a name respected by all. Francis Branch remained at home until the death of his father, after which he was apprenticed to a ship carpenter; John, his eldest brother, taking charge of the farm. He followed his trade until 1837. In that year he was married to Sarah Slaght, daughter of Abram D. Slaght, and his brother dying, he soon afterward removed to the homestead. He then engaged in agriculture and dairying, meeting with fair success in both. He was also one of the first milk sellers
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in that locality, and after a time carried on quite an extensive traffic in that line.
In 1850, Mr. Branch sold the farm, which had become quite valu- able, and in May, 1851, removed to a residence on Scranton ave- nue, where he lived until his death, which occurred on the 4th of November, 1877.
Mr. Branch was a self-made man; losing his father when only fourteen years old, he was thus thrown on his own resources, and with a limited education acquired a fortune and won an honorable place in the community.
He held various township offices, besides serving three terms as county commissioner.
In public improvements, he always took an active interest, and was a liberal contributor to all local enterprises.
Throughout life he maintained a high character for integrity and honor, while his many excellent qualities and unassuming manners won the respect of all. He left one child, Mrs. Josephine S. Hartzell.
DR. A. G. SPRINGSTEEN
was born in New York City, December 10th, 1827. He received his- early education mainly in that city. But he was a man who rec- ognized the fact that no person was ever fully educated, and with added years he industriously added to his knowledge, down to his demise. With the acquisition of knowledge in view, he, when a young physician, spent some time in the West Indies and in Cen- tral America.
Dr. Springsteen was united in marriage at Whiting's point, New York, July 4th, 1856, with Miss Helen Pritchard, who survives him.
At the annual meeting of the National Eclectic Medical Asso- ciation, held in the city of New York, in October, 1871, he was elected a permanent member of that association. He was later vice-president of the same association. He was also a member of the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association, having been elected May 23, 1877.
He was a graduate of the National Eclectic Medical College of New York City, in 1854. He also received a diploma from the United States Medical College, (Eclectic), of New York City, in 1881. He was a man of literary taste and ability.
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For a few years he was editor-in-chief of an influential newspaper published at Rockford, Ill. Before the exactions of his profession so largely required his attention, he wrote, as he could spare the time, articles for magazines and newspapers, and delivered public addresses on subjects connected with his profession. Among the latter was one highly prized, delivered before the officers and inmates of Bellevue Hospital, New York, and invited spectators. Dr. Springsteen became an honorary member of the organization of the 124th Regiment O. V. I., at the regular reunion held at the Eighteenth Ward, (Newburgh), of Cleveland, September 19th, 1877. And though he was not enrolled as a soldier during the late war, he was deputed by the authorities on important business within our lines in some of the states in insurrection and successfully per- formed his mission. He was genial in his ways and entertaining. Few men more enjoyed extending hospitalities to their associates. He had a happy faculty of making friends and attaching them to him. He numbered among them men not only of national reputa- tion, but by their official capacity, well known in Europe. By his natural talents, learning, acute theory of medicines and faithful and conscientious attention to those requiring his medical services he had built in Cleveland an enviable practice on a firm foundation.
Many there are, who losing his professional ministrations, join with other friends in sincerely mourning his loss. On the 16th of July, 1882- midsummer-and when it would seem that he was at mid-life of activity and usefulness, as the sun was nearing the hori- zon, his spirit took its departure from its earthly tenement.
" Life's fitful fever o'er, he sleeps well."
CHARLES SHERMAN COFFINBERRY,
whose earthly remains rest within these lovely grounds, was born in Mansfield, Ohio, February Ist, 1824, and died at Atherton's ranch, near Pueblo, Colo., December 17th, 1873. He was the son of Andrew Coffinberry and brother of Judge J. M. Coffinberry. He read law with his father in Perrysburg, O., and was admitted to the bar in 1842, and practiced his profession in Findlay, in com- pany with John H. Morrison, until the memorable year of 1849, when, with the moving tide, he crossed the continent to California. Under the appointment of President Fillmore, he took the first census of California, and for a time was deputy clerk of the Supreme and Common Pleas Courts in Naffa county.
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Returning to Cleveland he was for a time associated profession- ally with Judge Coffinberry, but failing health impelled him to seek in travel more genial air among the mountains of the South- west. He sought for health more than for gold. He was eminent- ly social and friendly, and lived and died an honest and honorable man.
A. C. GETCHELL
was a native of Maine, born at Waterville, March 8th, 1824. At the age of 12 years he shipped on board a vessel at Boston and visited England, India, Japan, China and the western coast of America. In 1848, he was married to Caroline E. Q. Norton, of Portland, Maine. He took up his residence in our city thirty-six years ago. He died September 7th, 1888, leaving a wife and two children to survive him.
THE LATE MARION E. BECKWITH,
who died at his residence, Tuesday, December 13, 1887, was one of Cleveland's pioneers, and a man widely loved and honored. He was born in Erie county, New York, on November 4th, 1823, and came to Cleveland December 16, 1839. He was married on Jan- uary 23, 1845, to Miss Margaret McLeod, daughter of the late General D. McLeod, who survives him. During the almost half century of his residence in this city, he has been a typical good citizen, a man of the highest integrity, owner of a kind and gener- ous heart, and possessed of a pure and noble character. He won his place in the business world by strict integrity, industry and fair dealing. His connection with the photographic business has been long and progressive.
He suffered intensely with cancer, yet he never complained, and while lying upon his death-bed he quietly made all arrangements for his funeral, selecting the spot in Riverside where he desired to be buried. When his arrangements had been made, Mr. Beckwith went out with the tide, peacefully and calmly, caressing the face of his dearly beloved wife and expressing the hope that, when her earthly pilgrimage was ended, they might journey on together through eternity, as they had journeyed through life.
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STEPHEN WOOD
was born at Gravesend, a famous old commercial city on the Thames, county of Kent, England, March 15, 1818. His father was a carpenter and placed his son as an apprentice to a mason. After acquiring the trade, he, in 1847, came to the United States and settled in Hudson, N. Y. One year after, he followed the course of empire and came to Clevelend. Here he became a mason contractor, which business he followed till 1867, when he made sewering a specialty, and soon thereafter and until his death the firm name of S. Wood & Sons was familiar throughout the city.
Mr. Wood died August 22d, 1880. His beloved wife was laid beside him seven years later. In a pleasant nook, surrounded by trees, on the south road of Riverside, their mortal remains rest. A beautiful granite monument marks the ever quiet spot, and whither are often seen their children Henry, James, Walter, Charles, Thomas and Jane, with their tribute of flowers to bedeck the graves of their beloved parents.
DIODATE CLARK,
who died at his home in this city, on Monday, September 4th, 1876, had resided here since 1817. He was born September 19th, 1798, in Haddam, Connecticut. His parents being poor, and hav- ing nine children, young Diodate was bound out at the age of ten years, and worked on a farm near Springfield, Mass., for several years. At the age of nineteen he and his brother Kelly started on foot for the West. His brother gave out and returned, but Dio- date kept on, and landed in Cleveland with his bundle of clothes in his knap-sack, having only one dollar left. He at once found work in chopping and clearing land, Cleveland being then only a small village in the midst of the forest. Such enterprise and resolution soon enabled him to buy a farm in what was then the township of Brooklyn. He added to his land until he had a farm of over 200 acres, which has long since made a part of the city by its rapid growth. His sagacity and sound judgment, his success in business and unquestioned integrity, gave him a place as one of the leading citizens of the county, and for at least four terms he served the county as one of its commissioners.
He was one of the first to commence the manufacture of lime in this city, having at different times many kilns about the city. He
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invested in vessel property, and was long identified with the com- mercial interests of the city. More recently he has been a stock- holder and chief manager in the different companies for the manu- facture of woodenware.
Such were his qualities of character and his promptness in all his engagements, that he established a confidence in his name such as but few business men are able to achieve.
In 1828, he enrolled his name with a small number of Methodists, who met for class weekly and held services in the court house, which was then standing on the north-west corner of the now Mon- ument Square. In 1835, he was a trustee and assisted in the build- ing of what was subsequently known as Hanover Street Methodist Church, on the West Side. Soon after removing to his late resi- dence, on Columbus street, he joined the Methodist Society in Brooklyn, holding his membership with them for about thirty years. For the last twelve years he has been a member of the Franklin Street Methodist Church. His wise counsel, as one of its trustees, and his liberal gifts contributed in no small measure to the erection of their present beautiful edifice.
In 1822, he was married to Caroline Aiken. Three children were born to this union, two of whom survive, and are now living in this city -Mrs. George W. Calkins and Mrs. Caroline Kellogg. His wife dying in 1828, he was married in 1829 to Sarah White Lindsley. His second wife having died in 1863, he was in 1864 married to Mrs. Samuel Tyler.
LEVI SARGENT.
The subject of this sketch was one of the stalwart few who laid deep and strong the foundations of the city of Cleveland. Born in Sanbornton, New Hampshire, September 2Ist, 1777, during the darkest days of the struggle of our country for independence, his youth was the youth of the country. He fitted himself for useful- ness by learning the trade of a blacksmith, and set up business for himself in the township of Plumfield, in his native State, and in 1804 married Rosamond B. Harris. In the midst of our last war with Great Britain they moved to the frontier in the State of New York, "the Genesee country," and in 1817 pushed forward across Lake Erie to the " River Raisin "-Michigan. The follow- ing year they retraced their steps to Cleveland, and in 1819 settled down for life on the west side of the Cuyahoga, then Brooklyn
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township, with a family of five children, all of whom survive them, and at the time of this writing, 1882, still live. Mr. Sargent pressed his vocation on the West Side until, soon after the Ohio Canal was completed he built for the times, a large ship on the canal basin, near South Water street, and did a large business in ship and canal boat smithing, until age granted him a furlough.
Honesty and probity, industry and frugality were characteristics of his life work. The latter years of Levi and Rosamond B. Sargent were quietly spent in the families of their loving daughters.
Rosamond B. Sargent was a faithful co-worker in the household to train aright, and, so far as the means of the country would ad- mit, educate their children and direct them in the ways of truth and virtue. She was a faithful and earnest friend to the poor, and a hearty and constant laborer in founding and establishing Trinity and St. John's Episcopal Churches, under the lead of the venerable and venerated Bishop Chase.
Not content with the scanty means the county afforded for school training, under great self-denial, she took her oldest son-the writer of this sketch-in the dead of Winter, in a farmer's sled, to her father in New Hampshire, seven hundred miles, and left him there for ten years to acquire knowledge unattainable on the frontier. They both lived and died in Cleveland, at the ripe age of four-score and four, with the love and honor of all who knew them as unper- ishable as the granite rock on which their monument stands in Riverside Cemetery.
ROBERT PRESCOTT
was born in Somersetshire, England, November 5th, 1822, and was married in 1847 to Miss Mary Webber. To them was born a son, William. His wife died in 1851. In 1853, he married Ann Ful- ford and came at once to America, settling on University Heights, where he continued to reside until his death on June 6th, 1889, he then being in his sixty-seventh year. To within some fifteen years prior to his death he followed his chosen occupation, that of a mason and builder. He inherited from his mother an asthmatic tendency, that developed with age, and the last years of his life were intermingled with great suffering as a consequence. He was a patient sufferer-and at all times one of those honorable, straight- forward, whole-souled, genial men whose friends were many and whose loss is keenly felt. His widow and son survive him.
AFTER DEATH IN ARABIA.
BY EDWIN ARNOLD.
He who died at Azan sends This to comfort all his friends.
Faithful friends! It lies, I know, Pale and white and cold as snow ; And ye say, " Abdallah's dead !" Weeping at the feet and head. I can see your falling tears, I can hear your sighs and prayers ; Yet I smile and whisper this- " I am not the thing you kiss ; Cease your tears and let it lie ; It was mine, it is not I."
Sweet friends ! What the women lave For its last bed of the grave, Is but a hut which I am quitting, Is a garment no more fitting, Is a cage from which at last, Like a hawk my soul hath passed Love the inmate, not the room- The wearer, not the garb-the plume Of the falcon, not the bars Which kept him from those splendid stars.
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Loving friends! Be wise and dry Straightway every weeping eye, - What ye lift upon the bier Is not worth a wistful tear. 'Tis an empty sea-shell-one Out of which the pearl is gone ; The shell is broken, it lies there; The pearl, the all, the soul is here. 'Tis an earthen jar, whose lid Allah sealed, the while it hid That treasure of his treasury, A mind that loved him; let it lie ! Let the shard be earth's once more, Since the gold shines in his store !
Allah glorious ! Allah good !
Now thy world is understood; Now the long, long wonder ends; Yet ye weep, my erring friends, While the man whom ye call dead, In unspoken bliss instead, Lives and loves you; lost, 'tis true, By such light as shines for you ; But in the light ye cannot see Of unfulfilled felicity,- In enlarging paradise, Lives a life that never dies.
Farewell, friends! Yet not farewell ;. Where I am, ye too shall dwell. I am gone before your face, A moment's time, a little space. When ye come where I have stepped Ye will wonder why ye wept ; Ye will know by wise love taught,
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That here is all and there is naught. Weep awhile, if ye are fain, -- Sunshine still must follow rain ; Only not at death-for death, Now I know, is that first breath Which our souls draw when we enter I ife, which is of all life center.
Be ye certain all seems love, Viewed from Allah's throne above ; Be ye stout of heart and come Bravely onward to your home! La Allah, illa Allah! yea! Thou love divine ! Thou love alway !
He that died at Azan gave This to those who made his grave.
State Book Shop SAN JOSE
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