History of Ashtabula County, Ohio, Part 48

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 458

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Simon Cameron for the war department ; he was honored soon after with a com- mission from the President for a portrait of himself, and also a portrait of Mrs. Colonel Fred. Grant.

In 1873, Mr. Thorp deelined an appointment as honorary commissioner to the Vienna exposition, tendered him by the President, to come home and engage in the political campaign of that year. In political discussion, Mr. Thorp, though carnest, is fair and courteous to his political opponents. In the campaign of 1877 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for member of the general assembly, having for competitors Hon. Eusebius E. Lee, Democrat ; Professor Jacob Tuekerman, Independent Republican ; and Charles Taleott, Prohibitionist. After a spirited campaign, Mr. Thorp received a majority over all his competi- tors, and the certificate of election. Soon after his election he went to Cinein- uati, and entered into competition with other artists in painting portraits of ex-Attorney-General Alphonso Taft, for the department of justice at Washington. In this undertaking he achieved eminent sueeess, distancing all his competitors, and adding greatly to his professional reputation. His work in Cincinnati was completed just in time for the commencement of the Sixty-third general assembly, which began its session in the city of Columbus, January 7, 1878. As a member of the legislature, Mr. Thorp has been an industrious, conscientious, painstaking member, opposing with manly firmness and marked ability every abuse of legisla- tive power or encroachment upon the constitutional rights of the people. His legislative career begins auspieiously, and gives promise of great usefulness to the State.

Mr. Thorp was married August 25, 1865, to Miss Orlena A. Eggleston, of Geneva, daughter of E. M. Eggleston, Esq., a skilled mechanic, a foreman in the Geneva Tool company, and a man greatly respected. They have two children, a daughter, Miss Nellie I. Thorp, aged ten, and a son, Clark L. Thorp, aged eight.

JOHN COLEMAN HUBBARD, M.D.

Born in town of Trenton, Oneida county, New York, 1820. Graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, 1844-45. Has practiced his profession in Ashtabula sinee. Is a son of the late William Hubbard, of this town, and grandson of the late Isaac Hubbard, of Middletown, Connecticut.

DR. ELIJAH COLEMAN.

The name of Dr. Elijah Coleman is identified with the early history of the country, and will be held in grateful remembrance by many who have experieneed the benefits of his skill and kindness on the bed of sickness and pain. Dr. Cole- man was born at Norton, Suffolk county, Massachusetts, on the 14th of May, 1782. He read physic and surgery in Castleton, Veruiont, with his uncle, Dr. Witherill, sinee known as one of the Territorial judges of Michigan. Having completed his professional duties he commenced the practice of medicine in the State of Connecticut, but being assured that the west then held out desirable prospects for young men, he decided to trust his chance for fortune in that direction. He arrived in Jefferson, this county, iu 1808 or 1809, and commenced his experience of the hardships of frontier life by resuming the practice of med- icine among the new settlements in that region. Some idea of the nature of those hardships may be derived from the fact that his ride at the time eouipre- hended the eastern ranges in our county (with the exception of Conneaut and vicinity), and likewise included portions of Erie and Crawford counties, Penn- sylvania. In addition to the labors of his profession, he was agent of the late Gideon Granger in completing the first court-house and jail in Jefferson, and per- formed the duties of postmaster, justice of the peace, and township clerk for that township. He sustained the loss of all his effects, together with the mail and township records, in the burning of the Caldwell buildings in Jefferson, in 1811, which accident was caused by the bursting of a barrel of high wines.

In 1812, Dr. Coleman received an appointment of surgeon in the western army, to which he repaired in August of that year ; was stationed first at Cleveland, and afterwards at Camp Avery, on the Huron river, then under the command of Gen- eral Simon Perkins. In the month of April, 1813, Dr. Coleman left the camp at Huron in company with Titus Hayes, of Wayne, and Captain Burnham, of Kins- man, for Fort Meigs, on the Maumec. During this trip he had two very narrow eseapes from capture and death at the hands of the Indians.

Some incidents in Dr. Coleman's life, as furnished by Dr. J. C. Hubbard, and by his daughter, Mrs. Robertson, are as follows :

The pioneer doetors of Ashtabula Couuty were subjected to most extraordinary hardships. A large part of this county is flat, with a stiff clay soil, and was heavily timbered ; many parts of it were uninviting to the tide of settlers seeking homes in the far west.

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HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.

Six months of the year many of the roads were almost impassable. As late as the year 1552 the regular stage-coach was abandoned between Ashtabula and Jefferson during the muddy season, and a lumber-wagon was substituted ; four horses were required to draw the lighter conveyance. Physicians were obliged to keep in the saddle during the spring and fall months.

The subject of this sketch. Dr. Elijah Coleman. and the late Dr. O. K. Hawley, of Austinburg, rode for the first fifteen years all over the county on horseback by day and by night.

Dr. Coleman was frequently called by night to ride as far as Pierpont through the forest. following the " bridle-paths" as best he could, while hungry wolves were howling about in all directions. These visits were often paid to " new- comers." who had squatted in the woods, and were as poor as can be imagined. The doctor relates that he rarely got anything among them to eat except " johnny- cake." fried salt pork. and "whisky pickles." These disagreeable rides were performed year after year without the expectation of adequate reward, and they deserve to be recorded in justice to the memory of a generous. resolute man.

He had a keen appreciation of the humorous. Traveling at one time he was obliged to get his dinner at one of the primitive taverns. When he came to settle his bill they charged him for whisky. He said. " I drank no whisky." The land- lord replied. " It makes no difference ; it was on the table, you might have had it. He paid his bill, concluding to be even with him at some future time. On his return he called at the same place for dinner. Sitting down at the table, he placed his saddle-bags. containing his medicines, by him. At settling he charged for medicine. " But I had no medicine." says the proprietor. "No matter; it was on the table. you might have had it." the doctor replied.

Dr. Coleman was possessed of sound judgment. and was well up in the practical skill of the profession in his day. He was deliberate and faithful in bestowing his attention on the sick. He never hurried, but stayed long enough to do his work thoroughly in severe cases. He would sometimes spend several days in cases of critical sickness. not seeming to think of fees he might get by going his usual rounds among those of his patients who were not in danger. He was gifted with both wit and humor in a remarkable degree, and was a good story-teller, which was considered an accomplishment fifty years ago. He delighted many a fireside with quaint stories connected with his calling and his experiences in the army. The doctor was a philosophical practitioner. and though he flourished in a day when it was fashionable to dispense medicine with a lavish hand, he often exposed his faith in the healing power of nature by trying expectant plans of treatment.

In 1911 he was married to Phebe Spencer, only sister of the "Spencer brothers." a woman of more than ordinary intellect. and to whom he owed much of his success in after-life.

STEPHEN H. FARRINGTON, M.D.

Dr. Farrington was born in Winchester, New Hampshire, January 10. 1800, and died in Ashtabula. March 8. 1875. He studied medicine and graduated at Castleton. Vermont. in 1:23. Leaving his native State, he located in Ashtabula. Ohio. in 1924. and continued the practice of his chosen profession until a few weeks before his death. I am informed by Dr. Hubbard, to whom I am indebted for this sketch, that Dr. Farrington was a thorough scholar. very pains- taking and careful, and. as a natural result. enjoyed the confidence of the people to a remarkable degree. In his work he was self-sacrificing. sympathetic, and conscientious.

Considering the backward state of the country at the time Dr. Farrington settled in Ashtabula, it will be conceded that few medical men were ever called upon to perform more arduous service for any community than devolved upon this resolute and good man. He was truly the friend and good adviser of the poor. He was an honest. independent. and bold thinker on all subjects likely to engage the attention of a thoughtful mind.

In 1848 he was elected a representative to the legislature of Ohio.

In the life of Dr. Farrington we have an example of honesty, faithfulness. and capacity, both in the practice of his profession and the councils of the country.

DR. S. S. BURROWS.

Sylvester Smith Burrows. son of William Burrows. a native of Noble, New York, was born in Busti. Chautauqua county. New York, November 11, 1826. His father was of English descent, and his mother, whose maiden name was Maria Smith. and said to have descended from the Marshalls, was of Scottish descent. In the spring of 1831 his parents, with family. removed to the town

of Ripley, in the same county, where they remained only a little more than two years, when they settled in the adjoining township of North East, in Erie county, Pennsylvania. Here, in quite a number of farm localities, the greater sbare of his early life was spent, assisting in the farm-work in summer and attending the district school during the winter. With the exception of two terms at Westfield academy. under Professor Pilsbury, and two terms at Kingsville academy, under Professors Graves and Fowler, all the education he received was at the district school. Afterwards he taught school for six successive winters.

In the spring of 1849 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Hall, of North East, and graduated in the spring of 1853. at the Michigan University of Medicine. The following winter attended lectures at Cleveland medical college. Meanwhile the family had removed to Ohio. settling in Ashtabula, near the township of Kingsville. in the spring of 1850.

In the fall of 1852 the family to which he belonged moved to Geneva; and here, in February, 1854, he married and commenced the practice of medicine. With the exception of eighteen months spent in the township of Lenox, in the years of 1855 and 1956. practicing his profession. his home up to the present time has been in Geneva. In the fall of 1861 he received an appointment as assistant-surgeon in the Twenty-ninth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, then in camp at Jefferson. He followed the fortunes of said regiment in their cam- paigns through Western Virginia, until, by reason of ill health, he was compelled to resign. in February, 1863. In the fall of same year he took a contract of surgeoncy and was assigned to duty at Camp Dennison, where he remained nearly one year, when he was commissioned as surgeon of the One Hundred and Seventy- seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and remained with said regiment in the field until the close of the war. Returning home in June, 1865, he continued to practice his profession until the winter of 1876 and 1877. when he occupied a seat in the State senate, being elected to that position in the fall of 1876 from the twenty-fourth senatorial district.

LUCIUS DEAN KELLOGG.

Born June 9, 1916, in Salem (now Monroe ), Ohio, his education was acquired at the common district school and the old Jefferson academy. In early life he served as a clerk in a country store; subsequently studied medicine with Dr. Greenleaf Fifield, of Conneaut, Ohio, and graduated at Geneva, New York, medi- cal college in the spring of 1839. In the same year commenced the practice of his profession at Albion. Pennsylvania. Removed to Williamsfield, in this county. in 1540. Married, December 16, 1541, to Miss Emily R. Castle, daugh- ter of Amasa and Rosalind Castle. at Ashtabula. Remained in Williamsfield, in the practice of his profession, until 1851. when he removed to Conneaut to occupy the place left vacant by the death of Dr. Fifield, where he remained until 1855. when he removed to Canton, Fulton county, Illinois, where he practiced his pro- fession until June 1, 1861. when he received the appointment of surgeon of the Seventeenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, then in camp at Peoria, Illi- nois ; soon after which the regiment was ordered to the front in Missouri.

The first battle in which it took an active part was at Fredericktown, Missouri. It afterwards participated in the battles of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, Ten- nessee. From Donelson ordered to Pittsburg Landing, and took part in the fearful struggle of two days at Shiloh. in which engagement probably each of the contending armies suffered greater loss in killed and wounded. in proportion to the number engaged, than in any other engagement during the war. After marching and countermarching over a large part of western Tennessee and north- ern Mississippi, the regiment embarked at Memphis for Vicksburg, in the siege of which. being little less than a continuous battle for weeks, it participated until its fall and final surrender, in all of which engagements and service the surgeon of the regiment was at his post of duty in the field and hospital, serving most of the time as brigade-surgeon. At Memphis he received the appointment of division surgeon-in-general, McArthur's division, which he held until the corps was reorganized. when, on account of ill health, he resigned and left the service. On regaining his health. in June. 1565, he was appointed by the then secretary of the treasury assistant appraiser of merchandise for the port of New Orleans, the duties of which office he discharged under that appointment until April 10, 1867, when he received a commission for the same office signed by Andrew Johnson, as President, and Hugh Mccullough, secretary of the treasury. Con- tinued to discharge the duties of the same office until April 21, 1869, when he was commissioned by President Grant as general appraiser of merchandise for the south. which position he held. with headquarters at New Orleans. until the autumn of 1871. when, on account of protracted and dangerous sickness conse- quent upon the miasmatic and unhealthy character of the climate, he resigned the position and returned to his home in Canton. Illinois ; soon after which, on account of inability to resume the practice of his profession. by reason of ill health, he

DR .J. C. HUBBARD.

DR ELIJAH COLEMAN.

DR. STEPHEN H. FARRINGTON

DR .S.S.BURROWS

DR.A.K. FIFIELD

DR. L. D. KELLOGG

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HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.

disposed of his property in Canton and returned to his native State and the county of his birth.

As an evidence of his reputation for official integrity, it was once said to the writer of this by a former resident of this county, whose publie and private char- acter for honesty and integrity is above reproach or suspicion, after a visit to New Orleans, " I believe he," referring to the subject of this sketch, " is the only man connected with the custom-house at New Orleans who is not charged, and proba- bly truthfully, with peculation and fraud."

Politically he is a supporter of President Hayes, his southern policy, and ad- ministration. As a religionist, not zealous or bigoted ; is willing that each shall enjoy his own faith, aud demands the same tolerance from others, always regard- ing the moral obligation to do unto others as he would that others should do unto him.

He now resides in East Ashtabula, on the premises formerly owned and occu- pied as a homestead by the late Amasa Castle, Esq., with health restored, in an independent and pleasant retirement, not permitting the common vicissitudes and perplexities of life to harass or disturb him.

His wife, Emily R., daughter of Amasa and Rosalind Castle, born in Ashta- bula, August 15, 1823, married in the township of her birth, December 16, 1841, was with her husband during most of his military service and residence at New Orleans, and probably saved his life by hastening, unattended, from Ashtabula to New Orleans, in July, 1870, to nurse and care for him during a dangerous illness consequent upon the unhealthy climate of that locality. Without waiting or hoping for his recovery in that climate, she at once procured his removal to a steamboat and proceeded to the north. Her treatment of the case proved to be judicious, and from the time of her assuming its management he began to mend, and continued to improve until final recovery.

A lady of refinement, she calls around and attracts to herself the best society of her neighborhood, and makes her home the resort of the intelligent and refined. She is the mother of Augustus G. Kellogg, lieutenant-commander, United States navy, at present ou duty at Portsmouth navy yard, an only child. And during all the years of her married life she has been an affectionate and exemplary wife and mother.

AMOS K. FIFIELD, M.D.,

son of Doctor Greenleaf and Laura Fifield, was born February 14, 1833, in Conneaut, Ohio. Graduated at College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, in March, 1855.

Was married May 30, 1860, to Maria S. Kellogg, daughter of Hon. Abner Kellogg, Jefferson, Ohio. Has two children : Walter K. Fifield, born February 6, 1866 ; Catherine L. Fifield, born June 30, 1868.

The subject of this sketch commenced the practice of his profession immedi- ately after graduation, in Couneaut, aud continued to reside there until the com- meneement of the American civil war. He entered the army as surgeon of the Twenty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, aud was commissioned as such, aud mustered into the United States serviee, August 25, 1861. He continued with the regiment during its organization at Camps Giddings and Chase, in this State. Left the State for the seat of war with the regiment. Was present and partici- pated in the first battle of Winchester, when Stonewall Jackson was defeated, and General Shields badly wounded. After the battle he was placed in charge · of Court-House hospital. This hospital was filled mostly by wounded Confederate prisoners, aud while amputating the thigh of one of them, which had already be- come gangrenous, the doctor received a slight scratch from the point of the knife. Erysipelatous inflammation of a very malignant type speedily followed, aud he was in great danger of losing an arm, if not his life. After partial convalescence, he was obliged to return home to recruit his health. At the expiration of thirty days, and while yet earrying his arm in a sling. he rejoined the army in the Shenandoah valley in time to participate in the march of General Shields to join General McDowell at Fredericksburg, on his route to Richmond. Hc, however, immediately returned with General Shields to intercept General Jackson on his return from his raid up the valley after Geueral Banks. General Shields sue- eeeded in intercepting General Jackson, and was himself disastrously defeatcd at Fort Republic, Virginia, June 9, 1862, one division of his army bciug nearly annihilated. After the wounded from this battle were cared for, and the field hospitals broken up, the doctor joined the army at Alexandria, Virginia, aud pro- ceeded with it to take part in the campaign of the valley of Virginia, the army being under the command of General John Pope. The disastrous results of this campaign are well known, and the army soon returned broken and shattered to the defenses of Washington, where they were again taken in charge by General MeClellan. The duties of the medieal officers during this march, and the series of battles which eulminated as the second battle of Bull Run, were extremely

arduous. The almost eutire lack of proper supplies, and the constant moving of the wounded to the rear by railroad and wagon trains, made the position of the surgical staff one of unusual responsibility. While with the army on its march to the field of Antietam, he was detached by general order from army head- quarters, and sent to Washington on special duty, which being performed, he joined his commuand at Frederick City, Maryland. He remained there on duty but a short time, and spent the winter of 1862-63 in performing various duties at Harper's Ferry, Dumfries, and Aquia Creek. While at the latter place, as surgeon-in-chief of the Second Division, Twelfth Army Corps, he organized a large field hospital, which, after the battle of Chancellorsville, grew to mammoth proportions. The doctor was present and on duty during the campaign and battle of Chancellorsville, under General Hooker, after which he again returned to Aquia Creek, and remained there until the inauguration of the campaign which terminated in the battle of Gettysburg. He was one of the chief operators during and after that battle, being at the operating-table two days and two nights continually, the operators of the surgical staff having after this battle an unusual number of severe or capital operations to perform. Soon after the battle of Get- tysburg, the doctor procceded with the detachment ordered to New York to quell the draft riots of 1863 in that city. After returning from New York, the de- tachment again joined the Army of the Potomac in Virginia. Soon after this the doctor proceeded with the Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps, under General Hooker, to reinforce the Army of the Cumberland, which they reached soon after the defeat of that army at the battle of Chickamauga. He passed the winter of 1863-64 in charge of the hospital at Bridgeport, Alabama, serving at that time with Second Division, Twelfth Army Corps. In the spring of 1864, previous to starting on the Atlanta campaign, the medical department of the army was en- tirely reorganized. Each division had now a complete hospital of its own, making reports to the medical director of the army corps, but otherwise acting independ- ently. Each division hospital was composed of surgeon-in-charge and three corps of operators, consisting of three for each table, one of each of these to be chief of the table to which he was ordered. Besides these there were innumerable as- sistant surgeons, as many as the surgeon-in-charge might think necessary. These officers were all detailed and assigned by special orders from headquarters, and no surgeon was expected or allowed to perform an important operation except those detailed for that purpose. To this organization there was attached the regular equipment of a field hospital, consisting of ambulances, baggage- and supply- wagons, hospital tents, cooking apparatus, medical supplies, etc. It was expected that this hospital eould care for many hundred wounded at a moment's warning. When we consider that the surgeon-in-charge was responsible for all this property, that the wounded were properly cared for, and that all operations were promptly performed, while it might be necessary to move the hospital with the wounded nearly every day, and as early as daylight, it will be readily seen that the position was one of great mental and physical labor.

At the commencement of the Atlanta campaign, Dr. Fifield was detailed as surgeon-in-charge of the field hospital of the Second Division, Twentieth Army Corps, it being one of the organizations heretofore described. The labors of the surgical staff during this eampaign were probably the most severe, unremitting, and long continued of any campaign of the war. The doetor remained in charge of this hospital during the remainder of his term of service, and was mustered out by expiration of commission, August 25, 1864. After leaving the army, Doctor Fifield resumed the practice of his profession at Conneaut, Ohio, where he con- tinues to practice at this time.

JOSEPH A. HOWELLS,

born September 12, 1832, in St. Clairsville, Belmont eounty, Ohio,-the oldest son of William C. and Mary Dean Howells. His father was born in the town of Hay, in Wales ; his muother in New Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio.

In 1840, Mr. Howells' father moved to Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, where he published the Hamilton Intelligencer for nine years. During this time J. A. Howells attended the public schools and worked in the office. In those days the printing business was much as it is now. It was hard to make it pay. Fecling a deep interest in everything that concerned his father, while still a mere boy he assisted him in the office, and was soon a full hand at the old-fashioned Washing- ton hand-press. He has ever since been connected with his father in business. June 29, 1852, he came with the family to Ashtabula, and worked in the office of the Ishtabula Sentinel, his father entering into partnership with the Hon. Henry Fassett. January 1, 1853, the office being removed to Jefferson, he eame with it. In October, 1854, he purchased J. L. Oliver's interest in the office, and began the publication of the Sentinel under the firm-name of J. A. Howells & Co.

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History of Ashtabula County, Ohio, Part 48

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.) Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : Williams brothers Number of Pages: 458

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 458