History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 89

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

USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio > Part 89

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Herrick joins with his public duties the presi- deney of the Dover Bay Grape and Wine Company, of which he was one of the organizers, and serves also as a member of the board of trustees of the Society for Savings, with which institution he has for many years been prominently identified.

A Whig in the early days of his career, Mr. Herrick became a Republican upon the organization of that party, of which he has since continued to be a staunch member.

The characteristics of activity, industry and good judgment stand ont clear and bold in this brief sketch of the successful earcer of Mayor Herrick, and the valuable lessons taught by the unswerving steadi- ness of purpose which marked his progress through life may well be laid to heart by the rising generation of the present time. In every sense the author of his own fortunes, Mr. Herriek has fully earned the right to rest in mature life, and to the conseiousness of having "made himself." adds that of knowing that his course of life has received the approbation of his fellow eiti- zens, as manifested by the numerous publie trusts conferred upon him. He has been, for the space of forty-three years, closely connected with the rise, pro- gress and prosperity of Cleveland, and in the mellow years of life's autumn enjoys the distinction of being one of its most honored citizens.

ORLANDO J. HODGE.

The subject of this sketch was born November 25. 1828. in Hamburg, Erie county, New York. Ile is the son of Alfred Hodge, an early settler of Buffalo, and a descendant of John Hodge of Windsor, Con- neetient, who, on the 12th of August, 1666, married Susanna Denslow, daughter of Henry Denslow, the first settler of Windsor Locks, Connecticut. The family is possessed of a complete genealogy, running from 1646 to date. Alfred Hodge, the father of the subjeet of this sketch, died of cholera at Buffalo, July 11, 1832.

In June, 1842, Mr. Hodge left Buffalo; landing in Cleveland on Sunday, the 12th day of that month. Ilere he first commenced work in a printing otlice, continning in that occupation for a number of years. In April, 1842, then in his nineteenth year, he en- listed for the Mexican war, embarking at New York the following month. lle was destined to pass through many hardships and perils before he reached the seat of war. On the first evening out, before the transport had got fairly to sea, she collided with a Spanish man-of-war and had to put back to New York in a badly damaged condition. On the 15th of the same month he sailed again for Mexico. All went well until the morning of the 23rd, when the vessel was wrecked sixty miles from the island of

Abaco, the nearest point to land. Fortunately the volunteers and erew, of which there were abont one hundred and twenty, were saved by the bark . Ala- bama." bound to Havana, and safely landed at that port on the 1st day of June. After spending a few days in Havana, the troops crossed the gulf and en- tered Mexico. Mr. Hodge remained in the enemy's country until the close of the war, doing service under Generals Zachary Taylor and John E. Wool. Hostilities having ceased. he returned to New York. and, on the 16th of Angust, 1849, was honorably dis- charged.

Shortly after, he entered Geauga Seminary, in Geauga county, Ohio. Leaving school in 1851, he taught for some time, and then again took up his residence in Cleveland. In the spring of 1853 Mr. Hodge was elected elerk of the police court by a large majority, receiving more votes than were cast for any other candidate for any office. At the expiration of a three-years term he declined a renomination.

In 1852 Mr. Hodge removed to Chicago, where he opened a printing office on his own account. He re- mained in that city until April, 1860, when, having disposed of his printing establishment, he went to Connecticut and there engaged in mercantile busi- ness. A short time after his arrival he was made postmaster of the village in which he resided ( Rob- ertsville), filling the office for six years. He took an active interest in public affairs, and by his intelli- gence and upright conduet won the confidence of all who knew him. In 1862 Mr. Hodge was elected to the house of representatives of Connecticut, and in 1864 was chosen a member of the State Senate. He served his constituents so satisfactorily that he was returned to the Senate for a second term by an in- creased majority, though the district had not for thirty-five years previous elected a man two suc- cessive terms. He was made presiding officer of the Senate by the unanimous vote of his colleagues, and discharged the duties of the position in a manner which was highly commended. By this time he had become prominent in State polities, and was generally respected and trusted. During the war Governor Buckingham appointed him on a commission to visit the front in the interest of Connectient's sick and wounded soldiers. Mr. Hodge was also personally authorized by the governor to receive the vote of the Connecticut soldiers in the field cast for President in 1864. TIe discharged the duties of both these posi- tions with intelligence and fidelity.

In 186: Mr. Hodge disposed of his interests in Con- neetient and returned to Cleveland, where he engaged in real estate operations. In 1811 he was elected to the city council, being successively re eleeted in 1823 and 1875. In 1826 he was elected president of the council, and at the end of his term he refused to be again a candidate for that body. In 1823 Mr. Hodge was elected to the Ohio house of representatives, and in 1825 was re-nominated by acclamation and elected by one of the largest majorities ever given in the county.

360

THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

Hle failed by only a few votes of being elected speaker, and was unanimously chosen as speaker pro tem. In 1874 he was admitted to the bar.

In 1878 Mr. Hodge purchased the Cleveland Post, and a few weeks later a one-half interest in the Cleve- land Voice. The two papers were consolidated, and he now has editorial management of the combined journal, the Voice.

Mr. Hodge has borne an active part in the sup- port of every publie enterprise which promised to promote the growth and prosperity of Cleveland. He was one of the carhest advocates of the viaduct pro- ject, and to him is given the credit of being the chief mover in getting the land along the lake for park pur- poses. He is a skillful debater, a foreible speaker. and one of the best parliamentarians in Ohio. Throughout his private and public life he has main- tained a character for strict integrity. He has been successful in business as a result of hard work and natural fitness for the condnet of affairs. He was a Democrat until the outbreak of the rebellion, but ever since has been a thorough-going Republican. Mr. Hodge was married on the 15th of October, 1855, to Lydia R. Doane, of Cleveland, by whom he has one son, Clark R. Hodge.

GEORGE WILLIAM HOWE.

The Howe family is an old one in England, and dates its origin in this country from John Howe, born in England in 1612, who was a resident of Sud- bury, Massachusetts, in 1637, and died in Marlboro in 1639. Samuel, his son, married Martha Bent, by whom he had thirteen children. Hle died at Sud- bury, April 13, 1203. Moses, son of Samuel, was born August 22, 1695. He had ten children, of whom Samuel was the first male child, born in Rut- land, Massachusetts. Another son, Elijah, was born in Rutland April 10, 1743; married Deborah Smith, of Leicester, and removed to Spencer in June, 1759. They had nine children, among whom was Elijah, born in Leicester, who died in 1816. Hle married Fanny Bemis, by whom he had nine children. Wil- liam, son of Elijah, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Spencer May 12, 1803. In 1828 he married Miss A. T. Stone of Charlton, Massachu- setts. They had eight children. Different members of this family have been noted for inventive genius, among whom the most prominent, perhaps, is Elias Howe, inventor of the sewing machine, who was a nephew of William Howe. The latter himself pos- sessed superior inventive powers. At an early age he learned the trade of a carpenter and builder. After finishing his apprenticeship he entered the academy at Leicester, where he obtained a good education. He then commenced erecting buildings by contraet, churches being a specialty. In 1844 he took ont his first patent for what has since become widely known as the Howe truss-bridge. Two years later, having made great improvements, a new patent was

issued. lle subsequently furnished the plans and specifications for the bridges on the St. Petersburg and Moscow railroad in Russia. He died in 1852 in the prime of life, from the effects of a fall from his car- riage. He was an eminently self-made man, and had the promise of a brilliant and useful future when thus ent off at a premature age.

George W. Howe was born in Spencer, Worcester county, Massachusetts, on the 29th of October, 1832. He was educated in Springfield, and in 1852 came to Cleveland, Ohio, where he effected an engagement on the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati railroad. Remaining in that position until the Lake Shore railroad was completed to Madison, Ohio, he then be- came connected with the latter.

In 1859 he abandoned railroading to engage in the milling business with Messrs. Hubby, Hughes & Co., building what is known as the National mills. This venture not proving successful he, upon the organi- zation of the First. Ohio Volunteer Artillery, enlist- ed and was commissioned quartermaster, equipping eleven ont of the twelve batteries that went to the front. Hle accompanied General Barnett and his staff up the Cumberland river to Nashville, reaching that place two or three days after its evacuation by the Confederate army. They were then attached to General Thomas' division and ordered to Pittsburg Landing. Mr. Howe meeting with an accident by being thrown from his horse, was ordered by General Thomas to go ahead as speedily as possible to Savan- nah, get comfortable quarters and remain until recov- ered. He arrived at Savannah the second day of the battle of Pittsburg Landing; the town being crowded with the wounded brought from the field of battle. He at length succeeded in procuring accommodations on one of the steamers plying between Savannah and Pittsburg Landing, and remained on board a week. He then rejoined his regiment, with which he re- mained until after the evacuation of Corinth.

Returning to Cleveland, he engaged in mercantile pursuits until, his health becoming impaired, he went to Europe, where he spent six months in travel and recreation. In 1867 Elias Howe wished to ex- tend his business in Europe; G. W. Howe went to London and established headquarters for the Howe machine in that city and also in Paris-organizing branches in all the principal eities of Europe, besides looking after the exhibits of the Howe company at the Paris Exhibition.

In 1870 he returned to the States and established the business in Ohio. In March, 1843, he was sent by the company as its representative at the Vienna Exhibition. Owing to trouble with some of the American commissioners, Minister Jay appointed three citizens of the United States to act until Jack- son S. Schultz should arrive. The exhibitors, feeling that their interests were not being properly cared for, were permitted by Mr. Jay to select four of their num- ber to act with those whom he had named. Mr. Geo. W. Howe was chosen as one of their number. He was

361

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

also made a chevalier, receiving from the emperor the order of Francis Joseph, and became a member of the Society of Arts and Sciences for Lower Austria, receiving their diploma and silver medal.

In 1874 he returned to Cleveland, and in 1876 was connected with the Ohio department at the Centen- nial Exhibition, remaining there seven months. Soon after the inauguration of President Hayes he was appointed collector of customs at Cleveland, and is at present acting in that capacity. Mr. Howe has always been active in the support of publie enter- prises, and of all local interests and improvements. Ile has been a member of the Northern Ohio Fair Association from its organization, having served three years as its secretary, and being now a member of its executive committee. From 1826 to 1829 he was a member of the police board. Ile is a Mason of high standing: being a Knight Templar, and recorder of the Holyrood commandery of Cleveland.

It is unnecessary to add any comments upon the traits of Mr. Howe's character. ITis record shows for itself as that of a man of enterprise, public spirit and superior ability. He was married in November, 1874, to Miss Kate Lemen, daughter of William Lemen of Cleveland.

JAMES M HOYT.

This gentleman was born in Utica, New York, Jan- uary 16, 1815. Ile received an excellent education, graduating from Hamilton College in that State in 1834. Ile immediately commenced the study of law in Utica, but in a short time removed to Cleveland, where he continued his studies in the law office of Andrews & Foot. In 1837 the partnership of An- drews, Foot & Hoyt was formed, which continued until 1848, when Mr. Andrews was elected judge of the superior court of Cleveland. This necessitated his withdrawal, but the firm of Foot & Hoyt contin- ned until 1853, when Mr. Hoyt retired from the prac- tiee of law.

Hle then became extensively engaged in the purchase and sale of real estate in Cleveland and its vicinity. He operated on his own account and also in company with other capitalists, purchasing large tracts in and around the city, which were divided into lots and sokl for homesteads. Nearly one thousand acres of city and suburban property were owned by him, either wholly or jointly with others, which were sub-divi- ded into lots and sold for settlement. Ile opened and named more than a hundred streets, being largely instrumental in opening Prospect east of Hudson, besides selling a large amount of land on Kinsman, St. Clair and Superior streets; also on Madison ave- nue on the West Side, Lawn and Colgate streets, and Waverly avenue.

In all his transactions he showed great generosity toward those with whom he dealt, and especially to- ward the poor and those whom misfortune or sickness had disabled. Not a man in Cleveland has been re-

garded with greater esteem and respect than Mr. Hoyt. For many years he had the power to deal rigid- ly with the poor with a show of justice and legality. This power he never exercised, and many are the grateful tributes he has received from the humble re- cipients of his favors.

In 1835 Mr. Hoyt united with the Baptist Church, in Utiea, New York, and shortly after coming to Cleveland became connected with the First Baptist church in that city; being superintendent of its Sunday school over twenty-six years. He then resigned, be- coming the teacher of a Congregational bible-class. In 1854 he was licensed to preach the gospel by the church with which he was connected. Ile was never ordained and never contemplated it: but has since then preached at intervals, and has labored more or less in nearly all the Protestant denominations, both in Cleveland and elsewhere.

In 1854 Mr. Hoyt was chosen president of the Ohio Baptist State convention, and was annually re-elected to that position for more than twenty-four years. Ile was also chosen president of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, the national organization for Baptist missions in North America, and retained that position until 1820, when he resigned. For thirteen years he was presidont of the Cleveland Bible Society, an auxiliary to the American Bible Society, of which he is now one of the vice presidents. His addresses on varions occasions and his literary contributions have attracted marked attention. His article on " Mira- (les in Relation to Law," published in the Christian Review, of October, 1863, presented the subject in an original and striking manner, furnishing a strong refutation of the sceptical sophistry of Ilume.

In 1820 Mr. Hoyt was elected a member of the State board of equalization, a body charged with a high, laborions and responsible duty, the appraise- ment of all the property in the State going through the hands of the board. In 1823 he represented the interests of the citizens of Cleveland on the board of public improvements.

In 1820 Denison University, of Granville, Ohio, conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. This, though a surprise to him, was considered by all who knew him as a well-merited distinction. Few men have attained a culture more genuine and liberal than he. Well versed in physical science, and thoroughly imbued with the philosophy of history, he is also well read in belles lettres and works of taste and criticism. The versatility of his talents is shown by the success he has achieved in his different callings of lawyer, business man, preacher, leeturer and writer.

Hle is a liberal contributor to religious and charita- ble objeets, and during the rebellion rendered valuable aid in numerous ways to the canse of the Union.

Mr. Hoyt was married in 1836 to Miss Mary Ella Beebe, in New York City. To them have been born six children, Rev. Dr. Wayland Hoyt (of Brooklyn, New York) being their eldest son. The second, Col- [ gate Hoyt, is in business with his father in Cleveland,

362

THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

and the third, James M. Hoyt, is a member of the law firm of Willey, Sherman & Hoyt, of the same city.

HINMAN B. IIURLBUT.

This gentleman was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 29th day of July, 1818 and is de- scended from the best of New England blood. Ilis ancestors resided for several generations in the State of Connecticut, where his father followed the occupa- tion of a farmer before removing to New York. ITis grandfather was a captain in the Revolutionary army, taking a part in the memorable battle of Long Island and other engagements. Through his mother Mr. HIurlbut is descended from Gov. Hlinman, one of the colonial rulers of Connecticut.

At eighteen years of age the subject of this sketeh, after enjoying such educational advantages as his vicinity afforded, removed to ('leveland and entered the law office of his brother (H. A. Ilurlbut, Esq.,) as a student. After being admitted to the bar in 1839, he at once opened an office in Massillon, Ohio, and in a short time secured a remunerative practice. In 1846 he formed a partnership with the Hon. D. K. Cartter, afterwards chief justice of the District of Columbia, their practice being very extensive and luerative.

In 1852 Mr. Hurlbut retired from his profession, having already become engaged in the banking busi- ness as the senior member of the firm of Hurlbut and Vinton, of Massillon. Ile also aided in organizing two other banking houses in the same place, "The Merchants" and "The Union," and was a member of the State board of control.

In 1852 he removed to Cleveland and established still another banking house there, under the firm name of Hurlbut & Co., retaining, however, his interests at Massillon. He next purchased the charter of the Bank of Commerce and reorganized it, with himself as cashier and T. P. Handy as president. Mr. Handy resigned the following year, when Mr. Joseph Perkins was chosen president. After the passage of the na- tional banking law by Congress, Mr. Hurlbut again reorganized this institution as the Second National Bank of Cleveland.

In 1856 the subject of this sketch, in company with Amasa Stone, Stillman Witt, Joseph Perkins and James Mason, of Cleveland, Henry B. Perkins, of Warren and M. R. Waite, (now Chief Justice of the United States) and Samuel Young, of Toledo, pur- chased the charter of the Toledo Branch of the State Bank, which they reorganized as a national bank in 1866. This bank, under Mr. Hurlbut's manage- ment was probably one of the most snecessful mone- tary institutions ever established.

In 1865 Mr. Inrlbut was obliged to give up his numerous business enterprises on account of the loss

of his health, and he concluded to seek rest and reere- ation in an extended European tour. He returned to America in 1868, but remained in retirement until 1821, when he was elected vice president of the Cleve- land, Columbus, Cineinnati and Indianapolis railroad company, since which time he has been largely inter- ested in many of the railroad enterprises of the West- ern States. Ile is now president of the Indianapolis and St. Louis and the Cincinnati and Springfield rail- roads, and is also vice president of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis railroad.

While so largely interested in financial and com- mercial enterprises, Mr. Hurlbut has found time for the gratification of a refined taste, and his large means, acquired by business ability and application, have been liberally bestowed on educational and benevolent enterprises, and in aid of the arts and sei- enees as well as other kindred objeets. Ile gave largely to the City Hospital, of which he was the founder, and he is now the president of the society and its chief supporter. It is safe to say that there is hardly a charitable institution in Cleveland or its vi- cinity to which he has not liberally contributed.

Mr. Hurlbut also established the Hurtbut profes- sorship of the natural sciences at Western Reserve College, at Hudson, and endowed it with twenty-five thousand dollars.

HIe has probably collected the finest gallery of paint- ing ever brought together in Ohio, if not in the whole West, in which are represented such artists as F. E. Church, Alex. Cabanel, Baugereau, II. Merle, L. Knauss, Banguiet, Kanlbach, S. R. Gifford, Ver- boeckhoven, Beysehlegg, Meyer Von Brunn, Bricher, Felix Zerms, T. W. Wood, Jarvis McEntee, and otl :- ers only less renowned.

In early life a member of the Whig party, he took an active part in politics, and was a member of the convention which nominated General Taylor for Pres- ident, and ably supported him during the succeed- ing campaign, making a large number of speeches in his own district. During the war for the Union Mr. Hurlbut was a staunch supporter of the govern- ment, and gave freely to varions benevolent enter- prises called into existence by that struggle.

In May, 1840, Mr. Hurtbut was married to Miss Jane Elizabeth Johnson, of Oneida county, New York.

Mr. Hurlbut's life and business success have been but another example of what may be expected from the sons of New England-descended as they are from the best old English stock, inspired with new life by the stirring scenes of the Western world. Many of them are still going farther on, as did their ancestors of old, to build up a new country in the distant West, and although they often have naught to begin with save their own strong arms, stont hearts and clear brains, yet again and again is Fortune seen to crown their efforts with her richest gifts.

363

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN HUTCHINS.

John Hutchins was born in Vienna. Trumbull county, Ohio, July 25, 1812. His father, Samuel Hutchins, and his mother, whose maiden name was Flower, were natives of Connecticut, and among the earliest settlers in the Western Reserve. Samuel Hutchins first eame to Ohio in the year 1298, and in 1800 drove an ox-team from Connecticut to Vienna, where he then settled. He had a family of three sons and four daughters, the subject of this notice being the fourth child. He was educated in the common schools of the county until abont twenty years of age, when he pursued his studies with a private tutor, and subsequently entered the prepar- atory department of Western Reserve College. He commenced the study of law at Warren, Ohio, in 1835, in the office of David Tod, afterwards well known as one of Ohio's ablest war governors, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1838, at New Lisbon.

After abont one year's practice of his profession he was appointed clerk of the court of common pleas of Trumbull county, in which capacity he served five years. He then resigned and entered the law firm of Tod & Hoffman, which became Tod, iloff- man & UIntchins. HIe afterward became connected with J. D. Cox, since Governor Cox, and was his part- ner at the breaking out of the rebellion. In 1868 he removed to Cleveland and formed a partnership with J. E. & G. L. Ingersoll, under the firm name of Hutchins & Ingersoll. Subsequently he became asso- ciated with his son, John C., now prosecuting attor- ney, and O. J. Campbell, as Hutchins & Campbell, which connection he has maintained to the present time. In 1849 and 1850 he was a member of the legislature. This legislature called the convention which formed the constitution of 1851.

In the year 1858 he was elected a representative to the thirty-sixth Congress, as snecessor to the lon. Joshua R. Giddings, and two years afterwards was re-elected to the thirty-seventh Congress from the same district. The territory of the district was then changed, and from the new district Gen. Garfield was chosen to succeed him. In Congress Mr. Hutchins took an ac- tive part in the advanced measures for the prosecution of the war against the rebellion, including the aboli- tion of slavery and the employment of colored soldiers.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 89

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