History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 86

Author: Johnson, Crisfield
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co.
Number of Pages: 716

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He is a life member of the Western Reserve and Northern Ohio Historical Society, and a member of the Kirtland Society of Natural Ilistory. With both organizations he has long been closely associated, and to the latter has contributed many valuable specimens. He was, in his younger days, a prominent member of the Cleveland Grays, and in 1837 was the secretary of that organization. For many years subsequent to 1839 he was the secretary of the Cleveland Lyceum, a popular debating society of that period.

Since the beginning of his residence in Cleveland Mr. Cross has been a devoted disciple of Nimrod and Isaak Walton, and to this day finds his attachment to the sports of hunting and angling undinned. These are his favorite relaxations, and, in his leisure hours, he follows them quite as eagerly as of yore.

He was one of the founders of the renowned Win- ons Point Shooting Club, which owns over ten thou- sand acres of land near Sandusky Bay, and which, in its appointments and scope of action, is far beyond any similar organization in the country. In connec- tion with Dr. Darby (taxidermist). T. K. Bolton, E. A. Brown, L. M. Hubby and others, he contributed largely toward securing the superb collection of game birds now ornamenting the reception rooms of the club.

As an angler Mr. Cross is not only an enthusiast but an authority. From the Adirondacks to Lake Superior, streams and lakes have paid tribute to his skill, and in company with Prof. Horace A. Ackley and Dr. Thomas Garlick-the pioneers of artificial tish-culture in America-he has passed many a busy hour upon the shores of Lake Erie in the successful pursuit of the finny tribe. It was through Professor Ackley's persuasion that Mr. Cross wrote the " Pis- eatonarium," first published in the Cleveland Herald and afterward in Dr. Kirtland's Family Visitor, and the Spirit of the Times, as well as in other leading journals.

Another article from Mr. Cross' pen, entitled "Big and Small Mouth Bass, and How a Tront takes a Fly," published in the Chicago Field of the date of Febru- ary 8, 1879, assisted materially in settling a vexed question among scientific sportsmen,

In the evening of his days, Mr. Cross enjoys the satis- faction of having sturdity battled with the difficulties of life and of having produced important results, ben- eficial alike to himself and the community. The les-

son of such a life needs no elaboration, since it is con- veyed in unmistakable terms by the simple record of the events.

The wife of Mr. Cross was not only an amiable companion but was a valuable coadjutor in building np her husband's fortunes. She was Miss Loraine P. Lee, of Bloomfield, New York, and was married to Mr. Cross in 1840. In 1823 she visited Europe and spent eighteen months in extended travel, of which she recorded her impressions in a series of highly in- teresting letters to the Cleveland Leader. Shortly after her return she fell ill, and passed to her rest on the 23d of January, 1875. Devoted to her home and family, endeared to a large cirele of friends, and fore- most in acts of charity and love, her name remains embalmed in the affectionate remembrance of all who knew her.

JOHN CROWELL.

This gentleman, a talented lawyer and politician, was born at East Haddam, Middlesex connty, Con- necticut, on the 15th of September 1801. His grand- father, Samuel Crowell, was born at Chatham, Barn- stable county, Massachusetts, March 10, 1742, of which place his ancestors for several generations had been natives. In 1769 or 1970 he married Jernsha Tracy, of East Haddam, by whom he had tive sons, viz: William, Samuel, Eliphaz, John and Hezekiah, and also one daughter who died in infancy. Samuel Crowell, Sr., died at East Haddam in 1810.

Of this family, William, the eldest son, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born at East Hladdam on the 10th of July, 1271. His wife, Ruth Peek, daughter of Daniel Peck, was born in the same town in August of the same year. In the au- tmmn of 1806, he, with his wife and a family of mine children (afterward increased to fourteen), removed to Ohio and settled in Rome, Ashtabula county, where he spent the remainder of his life.

The Western Reserve was at that time an almost unbroken wilderness and but sparsely inhabited. Mr. Crowell's family was the first in the township of Rome, and their nearest neighbors on the south were eighteen miles distant. For a few years after their settlement the privations of the pioneers were very severe. Food, shelter and clothing were only to be obtained by the most arduous exertions. Yet the forests were quickly turned into fruitful fields, and rude dwellings speedily erected. The hardships were borne with womanly patience and manly fortitude, and all honor is due the noble pioneers through whose labors the Western Reserve has become what it is to- day.

The boyhood of John Crowell was spent among the most primitive scenes. Ilis father was a carpenter, and with the assistance of his two eldest sons built most of the framed dwellings for miles around. Thus John was left at home to assist in clearing and cultivating the farm. lle possessed a vigorous con-

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stitution and more than ordinary strength, and sur- passed most of his associates in the power of physical endurance.

Ilis labor on the farm was continued until he reached his majority, and though he had occasionally attended a winter term of the common school-kept in a log cabin-he was substantially destitute of books, and the means of instruction and improvement which they afford. During his minority he also attended for a few months a select school in Jefferson, taught by Mr. Thomas Whelpley, and spent one winter un- der the instruction of the late Rev. John Hall, while that gentleman was a student of theology.

In the month of November, 1822, young Crowell went on foot to Warren, in order to avail himself of the advantages offered by an academy which had been established in that place a short time previous. The school at that time was conducted by Mr. E. R. Thompson, a graduate of Cambridge University, and a most worthy gentleman, who is remembered by Mr. Crowell with affectionate regard. Ile continued in the academy with slight interruption until February. 1825, and then commenced the study of law in the otlice of Thomas L. Webb, of Warren, remaining un- der his instruction until admitted to the bar in 1822. While prosecuting his studies he supported himself by teaching school, and for six months of the last. year previous to his admission he was principal of the academy. Immediately after his admission to the bar he opened an office in Warren, and commenced the practice of his profession. Having purchased Mr. William Quintry's interest in the Western Reserve Chronicle, he became the partner of George Hapgood in the ownership of that establishment, and also the editor of the paper, which he conducted for several years. During the long and severe contest for the presideney between General Jackson and John Quincy Adams, he was a staunch supporter of the latter.

A man of his ability and enterprise could not re- main long in obscurity, and his talents soon procured for him an extensive practice and a commanding po- sition at the bar. Mr. Crowell's attention, however, was not entirely absorbed by his profession or his newspaper. He took a deep interest in all questions pertaining to the moral and intellectual improvement of the people of the surrounding country. He was one of the earliest advocates of the principles of tem- perance, and assisted in organizing in Warren one of the first temperance societies in the West.

Mr. Crowell was also one of the prime movers in the organization of the first colonization society, of which he was appointed secretary, and devoted both time and energy to its support. At length, however, finding it not adapted to the purpose for which it was originated-the alleviation of the sufferings of the slaves-he, with Gerritt Smith and others, abandoned the society, but not by any means the cause of the oppressed.

Mr. Crowell continued in active practice until 1840, when he was elected to the senate of Ohio from

Trumbull county, on the Whig ticket. He possessed in a pre-eminent degree all the higher qualities of a successful politician, and soon became the aeknowl- edged leader of his party in his distriet. In 1846 he was unanimously nominated to Congress, and was elected by a decisive majority. his opponents being R. P. Ranney and John Hutchins. In 1848 he was elected by an increased majority over Judge Ranney.

In Congress he was made a member of the commit- tee on claims and of the committee on Indian affairs. In July, 1848, he made an able speech in the House on the subject of " Slavery in the District of Colum- bia," in which he earnestly protested against the slave trade and depicted in a fearful manner some of the abhorent practices attendant upon the traffic in hu- man beings. In one instance he says: "Slavery is now, as it always has been, a disturbing element in the Government, and there is every reason to believe it will remain so till the last vestige of it is swept away." In conclusion he aptly quoted what Addison had said of Italy nearly one hundred and fifty years before:

"How has kind Heaven adorned this happy land, And scattered blessings with a wasteful hand' But what avail her unexhausted stores, Her blooming mountains, and her sunny shores, With all the gifts that Heaven and earth impart, The smiles of Nature, and the charms of Art, While proud oppression in her ralleys reigns And tyranny usurps her happy plains."

In 1850, during a long and exciting debate relative to the admission of California into the Union as a free State, he delivered a speech which attracted general attention, and in which he again expressed in the strongest terms his sentiments in regard to the exten- sion of slavery.

After his retirement from Congress he removed, in 1852, to Cleveland, and resumed the practice of law. In 1862 he was elected president of the Ohio State and Union Law College, and continued in that position until 1826, when, on account of failing health, he was obliged to resign. The arduous duties of the place were most satisfactorily discharged, and his lectures were highly appreciated for their depth of thought and practical application. The title of LL. D. was conferred upon him by the Law College about the time of his appointment to the presideney.

He was also, for some time, chief editor of The Western Low Monthly, published in Cleveland, which contained a series of biographical sketches from his pen.

Mr. Crowell delivered several courses of lectures in the llommopathie college, on account of which he received the honorary degree of M. D., and was made dean of the faculty.

He served in the State militia nearly twenty years, holding the office of brigadier general, and being finally elected major general.

He is, and always has been, an earnest advocate of common schools; and, looking upon christianity as the true basis of civilization, he has throughout his

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life been a decided supporter of the Christian Church. Forty years or more ago he assisted in founding the first Episcopal church in Warren, and held an office in that parish until his removal to Cleveland. He is still a member of the Episcopal Church, but is Protestant and Evangelical, not Catholic, and therefore expresses himself as decidedly opposed to turning parish churches into recruiting stations, and the clergymen mto drill- sergeants for the Church of Rome.

Mr. Crowell is not only a learned and accomplished lawyer, but also takes high rank as a classical scholar, His knowledge of history, ancient and modern, and of English literature, is critical and scholarly. lle possesses clear and enlarged views of the the princi- ples of legal science, in its broadest seuse, ripe culture and an exemplary character, and has filled the numer- ous positions of honor and trust to which he has been chosen with marked ability and unvarying fidelity. ITis success in life is due to the high and noble qual- ities of his mind, to courage undaunted by the greatest obstacles, untiring industry and sound judgment. Ilis natural gifts, physical and mental, have been thoroughly disciplined and cultivated. His addresses, lectures and biographical sketches were models of elegant diction and full of valnable and interesting points.

As a political leader he enjoyed the fullest confi- dence of his party, and the respect of all. The bas been a member and earnest supporter of the Republi- ean party since its organization. As a citizen he is highly esteemed and above reproach. lle is now an invalid, and has retired from active business. After many years of labor, in public and private life, he enjoys the pleasures of a quiet home, the society of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and the well- earned privilege of spending the remainder of his days in ease and quiet.

Mr. Crowell was married in 1833 to Eliza B. Esta- brook, of Worcester, Massachusetts. To them have been born five children, four of whom are living, one having died in infancy. They are Julia K., widow of Col. Henry G. Powers; Eliza S., widow of the late Henry F. Clark; John Crowell, Jr., a lawyer of the firm of M. D. Leggett & Co., and William Crowell.

CHAPTER LXVII BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES CONTINUED.

J. II Deverenx -- W. II. Doan-D. P. Eells-S. T. Everett- James Farmer -S. O. Griswold -E. B. Hale-T. P. Ilandy-Benjamin Harrington-H. J. Herrick-R. R. Herrick-O. J. Hodge-G. W. Howe-J. M. Hoyt- H. B. Hurlbut-John Hutch ns-Levi Johnson Alfred Kelley-T, M. Kelley -C. G. King-Zenas King-R. F. Paine R. C. Parsons -H. B. Payne-F W Pelton-Jacob Perkins-Nathan Perry-H H. Poppleton.

JOHN HENRY DEVEREUX.

John Henry Devereux, son of Captain John Devereux, of the merchant marine, was born at Bos- ton, Massachusetts, April 5, 1832. His ancestors

were among the first settlers of the colony of Massa- chusetts Bay. He has also a long ancestry in the aris- tocracy of the Old World, being of the twenty-sixth generation in England and of the seventh in this country, in direct lineal descent from Robert de Ebroicis, or Robert D'Evreux, known in history as one of the Norman conquerors of England in 1066.

He was educated at Portsmouth (New Hampshire) Academy, and, early in 1848, left his home in Massa- chusetts and came to Ohio in the capacity of a civil engineer.

At that time he was but sixteen years old, a very in- dependent and high-spirited boy, possessed of un- daunted courage and unbounded enterprise. On arriving at Cleveland, he was at once employed as a constructing engineer on the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati railroad. After its completion he found similar employment on the Cleveland, Painesville and Ashtabula railroad.

In 1852 he went south, and, until 1861, was en- gaged as civil engineer in the construction of rail- roads in Tennessee. He was prominently connected with the internal improvements of that State and section, and was referee in several important cases, as to location and construction, fle became the lead- ing spirit in railroad affairs, and had determined upon residing there the remainder of his life, but on the breaking out of the war he left Tennessee-regretfully and regretted.

In the spring of 1862, after having made a recon- noissance for a military railroad in the Shenandoah valley, he received the appointment of superintendent of miltary railroads in Virginia, and under it had charge of all railroads out of Alexandria, and con- nected therewith. It was early in the spring of 1862 that the forward movements of the Federal armies in Virginia called for active operation, by the govern- ment, of the railroad lines centering in Alexandria and connecting with Washington. These lines of railroads were in the most deplorable condition, and in the midst of chaos, and of imperative demands for endless transportation to and from the advancing armies, General McCallum was suddenly called to the head of the department of railroads, and in turn summoned Colonel Devereux to act as the controller and chief of the Virginia lines.

The work was herculean, and its difficulties were well nigh insurmountable; the constant assaults of the enemy upon the roads being almost equaled in in- jurious effect by the intolerance and ignorance of Federal officers, whose ambition by turns extended to the special ownership and direction of every mile of track, and every car and locomotive. No definite line was drawn between the jurisdiction of the chiefs of the road management, of the War Department, and of the army, but the unwritten law was none the less exacting as laid down by quartermaster's and commis- saries' departments, by ordnance and hospital depart- ments, by the chiefs in command in the field. Through the whole ran the demands necessitated by the move-

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ment of large bodies of troops, of batteries and pontoon trains, and the carriage of the sick and wounded.

The roads were infested with suspicious characters and peddlers, and the trains swarmed with these, to the injury of every interest in the service, There was no time for preparation. Colonel Devereux phinged into the chaotic mass, and, meeting unmoved each ob- stacle, laid at once the foundation of discipline and brought the strictest order and obedience into almost instant action. He filled the reconstructed shops with tools, and the roads with adequate equipments: quietly and patiently but persistently developed the system of military railroad law, and made it harmo- nize with the regulations of each department. Ile swept away with a single stroke every peddler, and leech, and spy, and thief from the trains, which now became in reality " through trains of government sup- plies," as the orders required, and were manned and oflicered with the most rigid discipline. le organ- ized a corps of inspection and detection which swept away all that was bad or suspicions, and made his eye eye the chief sentinel of the army, before which every- thing and everybody had to pass for recognition and approval.

With strong practical sense he avoided clashing between the departments by fitting the vast machine of transportation to their wants, and thus aided greatly all the plans of General Haupt, as of his predecessor, General McCallum. With unwearied energy he de- veloped the resources of the same ponderous machine until Alexandria became the center of a great system, that worked with the precision of a chronometer in the distribution, under his band, of countless stores, munitions, and troops. It mattered but little how many roadways or bridges were destroyed by the en- emy, the railroad trains were never behind. Major General Meade partienlarly was supplied with rations and forage "so magnificently," as he expressed it, un- der all circumstances, that his repeatedly expressed appreciation removed the last obstacle that might have remained to cause friction to the system.

It was a gallant thing, with Pope's army driven back and scattered in confusion, to bring into Alex- andria every car and engine in saftey-in some cases working the ears up the grades by hand while the ground trembled with the shock of battle. Such work as this he repeatedly performed. It was a noble labor, that of caring for the sick and wounded, which was made a part of the military railroad work, and the United States Sanitary Commission gratefully ac- knowledged his constant and valuable aid in this direc- tion. No officer stood better with the War Secretary nor with the President, and, holding a position which could have been turned into a source of immense per- sonal gain, his integrity was beyond doubt-no man dared even attempt to bribe him. He directed and moved men and machines by a thorough system, and the result was great smoothness in operation and pre- cision in management; hence the promptness of

movement and immunity from serious accident which marked the working of these military railroads.

In the spring of 1864 the military railroad work was drawing to a close, and Col. Devereux felt at lib- erty to heed the calls made for his services in civil life. During his connection with the Army of the Potomac he had won the good will and respect of all, and the entire confidence of the leading men in the army and the government with whom his position brought him in contact. His resignation was re- ceived with sincere regret, and he bore with him to Ohio the hearty good wishes of those with whom he had been associated. Accepting the management of the Cleveland and Pittsburg railroad, he was its vice president and general superintendent for five years, and under his control it was one of the most judicious- ly managed roads in the State.

In 1866 he was invited to become vice president of the Lake Shore railroad company, and soon after ac- cepting that position he was elected to the presidency. When the consolidation of the Lake Shore road with the connecting lines between Buffalo and Chicago was effected, under the name of the Lake Shore and Mich- igan Southern railroad company, he was appointed general manager, and had executive control of this great line with all its connections and branches. During his government the line was very successful, and its reputation among railroads for safety and ac- commodation to the public, and prudent and econom- ical management in the interests of the stockholders, stood deservedly high.

The estimate placed upon his ability as a railway manager was so high that in June, 1823, he received overtures from the Atlantic and Great Western and the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapo- lis railroad companies of such a character that he could not in justice to his own interests refuse the offer. He accepted and held, at the same time, the position of president of both the companies. At the same time he was president of minor railroad corporations, whose lines formed part of the system of the larger companies under his direction.

When he assumed control of the Atlantic and Great Western railroad its fortunes were at a low ebb. Laboring under the most discouraging odds, he succeeded in putting the line in the best condition under the circumstances, but at the close of the year 1874 it was deemed useless to continue the struggle, until a change in its financial condition had been ef- fected. lle was accordingly made receiver, and shortly afterwards resigned his position as president and director, as incompatible with that of receiver appointed by the courts. His appointment to the position just named was received with satisfaction by all concerned, who knew that their elashing inter- ests were in safe and honorable hands.

Although never a politician, Col. Devereux has al- ways manifested an active interest in public affairs. Twice he was tendered a nomination to Congress, but declined. He is a man of large brain, great capacity

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for work, generous impulses and a benevolent heart. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and very ac- tive in its affairs, particularly in missionary and Sunday-school work, laboring zealously and giving freely to aid the cause of religion. In the Masonic order he ranks high, and in 1860 was elected Thrice Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Ten- nessee.

Hle was married in 1851 to Miss Antoinette C. Kelsey, daughter of Hon. Lorenzo A. Kelsey. for- merly mayor of Cleveland. They have four children.

WILLIAM H. DOAN.

William H. Doan is descended from one of the oldest families in the country, which has, for genera- tions, supplied many substantial and worthy mem- bers to the community. The name is an old one in the county of Cheshire, England, and is thus alluded to in the " Patronymiea Brittanica " by Lower:

" Done-A great Cheshire family, whom Omerod designates as a 'race of warriors' who held Utkinton (supposed to be the Done of Domesday) as military tenants of Venables from the time of King John. The chiefs of this house will be found in the battle- rolls of Agincourt, Bloreheath and Flodden. The name is pronounced Done (o long) and is also spelled Doane by members of the same (Cheshire) family."

John Doan, the founder of the Doan family in this country, crossed the Atlantic in one of the three first ships that sailed to Plymouth, landing at that famous spot in the year 1630. A brother came after- ward and settled in Canada, and another brother settled in Virginia, where he founded an extensive family. John Doan took a prominent and useful part in the affairs of Plymouth colony, and in 1633 was chosen assistant to Governor Winslow. In addi- tion to that and other civil offices which he held, he was made a deacon in the church at Plymouth and at Eastham. He died in 1685 at the advanced age of ninety-five years. His wife's name was Abigail, and by her he had five children-Lydia, Abigail, John, Ephraim and Daniel.

Daniel had four children by his first wife, among whom was Joseph Doan, who was born June 22. 1669. Joseph had twelve children by two wives. He was a deacon of the church at Eastham for forty years, and was a pious and God-fearing man. His first child was named Mary after her mother, and the second, Joseph, after his father. Joseph, Jr., was born November 15, 1693, and married Deborah Ilad- doek September 30, 1725. Ile moved to Middle Iladdam, near Middletown, ou the Connectient river, and there engaged in ship-building. His children were Joseph, Nathaniel, Seth, Eunice and Phineas.

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History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 86

Author: Johnson, Crisfield Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co. Number of Pages: 716

Author: Johnson, Crisfield
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co.
Number of Pages: 716