History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 94

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

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While in charge of the State laboratory of New York froom 1849 to 1852, he was constantly engaged in chem- ical and medical investigations; the results of many of them being published in the Transactions of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in State geological and agricultural reports, and in the various scientific and medical journals of that period.

In 1849 he began the studies in microscopie medi- cine in which he has been so successful. He has per- severed in these studies, with scarcely any intermis- sion, ever since, devoting much of his time daily to microscopie investigations. In 1858 he began the study of alimentation, which he mastered in all its phases, and his subsequent investigations in regard to

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

chronie diseases, diphtheria, intermittent and remit- tent fevers, measles and many other diseases, have been extensively published in foreign and domestic medical journals.

The extended labors of himself and brother, C. B. Salisbury, on the ancient earth and rock-writing of this country, in connection with the earth and rock- works of the ancient Mound-builders, have been em- bodied in a large quarto volume with thirty-nine plates, which is in the hands of the American Anti- quarian Society, and is only partially published. The great labors of his life, comprising, as he claims, an explanation of the causes and successful treatment of nearly every chronic disease that is supposed to be in- curable, are yet unpublished.

In Jannary, 1864, Dr. Salisbury came to Cleveland to assist in starting the Charity Hospital College. He gave to this institution two courses of lectures, in 1864-5 and 1865-6, on Physiology, Histology and Microscopie Anatomy. From January, 1864, to the present time he has been busily engaged in treating chronic diseases, especially those which have hitherto been considered fatal, and his snecess in this fieldl is widely known. In the early part of 1878 he was chosen president of the "Institute of Micrology," a position he continues to hold.

JOHN C. SANDERS.

Doctor Moses Sanders, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Milford, Massachusetts, having been born there on the 24th of May, 1289. He received a good English education and some knowledge of the Greek and Latin languages. At an early period he removed with his father's family to Saratoga county, New York, where he studied medi- cine, attending medical lectures in New York City. Ile began the practice of his profession in Manchester, near Canandaigua. He soon afterward married Miss Harriet M. Thompson, of Cherry Valley, by whom he had five children - Olive, Isabella, William D .. John (. and Rhoda, the last of whom died in infancy. In 1818 he removed to Pern. Huron county, Ohio, where, with the exception of three years spent mf Nor- walk, he passed the remainder of his life. Mrs. Sanders died on the 20th of October, 1829, and he married, for his second wife, Mrs. Pearly Douglas, of Elyria, Ohio. By this union he had one child, Elizabeth Chapin, born April 15, 1832.

Doctor Moses Sanders was one of the pioneer physicians of Ohio, and for a period of nearly forty years devoted himself to the duties of his profession, which was relinquished only when illness prevented its longer continuance.

Ile died on the 18th of May, 1856, and consequently laeked only nine days of being sixty-seven years of age. The following extracts are taken from an address delivered at his funeral by the Rev. A. Newton:

"In looking at the traits of Dr. Sanders' mind, I regard as among the most prominent, its energy and

force. He never seemed to think feebly. llis mind seized every subject within its range, with a firm grasp. *

* This mental force, combined with an ardent physical temperament, imparted great energy to all his movements. He had great executive power. Whatever he took hold of, he would accom- plish in a short time. Whatever he had in hand, he did with his might.

" An open frankness was characteristic of Doctor Sanders. Hle carried his heart in his hand. Hle knew no concealment. * * lle was a man of warm social feelings. As a husband and a father. no man could be more beloved. The strong social principles of his nature found their finest develope- ment in the family circle of which he wasthe honored head. *

* He was also liberal and public- spirited. He had a ready sympathy with those objects and plans which look to the benefit of others. * ** lle saw the value of religious institutions before he felt a personal interest in religion itself, and was therefore a liberal supporter of the Gospel from his first entrance upon professional life. * * *

"But the most marked characteristic of Doctor Sanders was his professional enthusiasm. Hisstrong natural powers were entirely. I may say intensely, devoted to his chosen work. His profession was not a stepping-stone to wealth and fame, but it was an end in itself. * *

* * Generous and public- spirited-attached to his friends-devoted to his pa- tients-untiring in his efforts to alleviate human suffering in all its forms, and in every grade and con- dition of life-a true philanthropist. he will long be remembered by the people of this county. An ornament to his profession, he has left an example to its members which few, indeed, will be so fortunate as to excel."

John C. Sanders was born in Pern, Huron county, Ohio, on the 2d day of July, 1825. He received his education (subsequent to that of the common schools) at Lima Academy, after which he began the study of medicine with his father, remaining in his office live years. He was then graduated from the medical de- partment of the Western Reserve College, which at that time owned a distinguished faculty, consisting of Professors Kirtland, Delamater, Ackley, J. Lang Cassells and St. Johns. After his graduation young Sanders entered into partnership with his father, in the practice of his profession at Peru.

The young doctor continued in this relation for eighteen months, when, becoming convinced of the need of a broader general culture, he broke away from the ties of social and professional life, and began assiduously to prepare for a literary college course. At the end of one year he entered the Western Reserve College, where he remained two years, after which he became a member of the junior class at Yale College, and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1854. Immediately after his graduation he returned to Ohio, and established a partnership with Dr. A. N. Read for the practice of medicine and surgery, at Norwalk.

Soon after the death of his father, in 1856, Dr. Sanders removed to Cleveland, and opened an office there. Becoming gradually impressed with the suc- cess of the homeopathie system, he decided, with his

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nsnal promptitude, to give it a special and thorough study. The line of his investigations was not in the direction of its literature, with which he was familiar, but of the clinical experience of the representative practitioners of that school in the city of Cleveland. Ile first entered the office of Dr. Turrill, and subse- quently that of Dr. Wheeler, remaining a year in each, engaged exclusively in the study of their clinical ex- periences. Ile became convinced of the superiority of the system in question, and decided to adopt and follow it. The success that has since attended his labors proves, as he claims, the wisdom of his choiee.

He opened an office on the Public Square, and soon took his place among the leading practitioners of the city. Within a year afterward he received the ap- pointment of professor of obstetrics and diseases of women and children in the Cleveland Homeopathic College, which position he occupied exclusively, with the exception of one session, for a period of twenty years. For the past five years the chair has been di- vided, but he still presides over the department of obstetrics. For three sessions he lectured on the theory and practice of medicine, and during one ses- sion on physiology. As a lecturer he is fluent, logical and eminently clinical, with a tine command of lan- guage and a complete mastery of his subject.

Aside from his collegiate duties he has enjoyed a large general practice, and ranks among the most suc- cessful physicians of Cleveland. For nine years he has been treasurer of the Homeopathie Medical Soci- ety of Ohio, of which he has long been an active and valued member. le has also been a frequent contrib- utor to its literature. For many years he has been a member of the American Institute of Honoropathy, hokling the chairmanship of its bureau of obstetrics for a series of years, and having also been its vice president.

The same energy and ability which characterized his youth have been conspicuous in all his subsequent life, and in the professor's chair as well as in the ex- tensive practice of a prominent physician, he has ever discharged his duties in sneh a manner as to gain the approbation of the public. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the public school system, takes a deep interest in promoting all educational interests, and has been instrumental in the advancement of the stand- ards of professional scholarship in the medical schools. lle is now president of the Homopathic Inter-Col- legiate Congress.

Though taking no active part in political matters, he acts with the Republican party, and is firm in his convictions and decided in his expressions of opinion.

Hle was married October 25, 1854, to Albina G. Smith, of Cleveland, by whom he has five children- John K., Albina G., Ezra C., Gertrude G. and Frank B. Sanders.

WILLIAM JOHNSON SCOTT.

William Johnson Scott, physician and surgeon, was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, on the 25th day of January, 1822. His father came to Ohio in 1830, settling in Knox county, where he resided until his death. Young Scott worked on his father's farm until twenty-one years of age, with occasional inter- vals of attendance at a common school. Hle then, entirely on his own responsibility, entered the pre- paratory department of Kenyon College, and went. regularly through the college course; being graduated in 1848. After his graduation he was appointed tutor, which position he held for two years. He directed his special attention, as he had previously done, to those branches of science which wouldl aid him in preparing for the medical profession. The studies in question were directed by Homer L. Thrall, M. D., who was professor of chemistry in the college at the time.

In the winter of 1849-50 Mr. Scott attended a course of lectures at Cleveland Medical College. Ile returned to Gambier in the spring, taking charge of the laboratory of the college, and practicing medi- cine with Dr. Thrall until the fall of 1852. Having then been elected professor of chemistry in JJefferson College, at Washington, Mississippi, he removed to that place, holding the position in question two years. HIe then returned to Ohio, and attended a course of lectures at Starling Medical College, Columbus; being graduated from that institution in 1853, with the degree of M. D. lle had previously received the de- gree of A. M. from Kenyon College.

Dr. Scott then opened an office in Shadeville, Franklin county, Ohio, where he practiced until 1864, when he accepted the professorship of materia medica and therapeutics in Charity Hospital Medical College, at Cleveland, Ohio. Ile held this position two years, when he was transferred to the chair of principles and practice of medicine, in which he still remains.

IIe has been consulting physician in Charity llos- pital and clinical lecturer on medicine ever since he came to Cleveland. Ilis college and hospital duties, however, only occupy a portion of his time, the remain- der being devoted to his private practice.

After a time Charity Hospital Medical College be- came the medical department of the University of Wooster, but Dr. Scott holds the same relations to this institution as to the former one. Hle is a mem- ber of the Ohio State Medieal Society, of the Ameri- can Medical Association, of the American Pharma- centieal Society, the Franklin county Medical Society, and the Cuyahoga County Medieal Society. He has also been the president of the Cleveland Academy of Medicine, of the Cuyahoga County Medical Society, and of the Ohio State Medical Society.

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Dr. Scott was married to Miss Mary F. Stone, of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, in the year 1854. He is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, in Cleveland, and maintains a high standing as a faithful Christian, a skillful physician, and an upright citizen.

ELIAS SIMS.

Captain Elias Sims, son of John and Eliza Sims, was born in Onondaga county, New York, on the 4th day of August, 1818. The members, on both sides, of the family to which he belongs are remarkable for their longevity. ITis father, a successful and enter- prising farmer, was a native of Pennsylvania: his mother was born in New York. His boyhood was spent on his father's farm, and his educational advan- tages were very limited. Being the sixth of a family of twelve children, he early realized that it would be necessary for him to make his own way in the world. Possessing considerable ambition and enterprise, he left the paternal home at the age of fifteen, deter- mined to carve out his own fortune.

lle first secured employment as a driver on the Erie canal, and continued in that occupation three years. He then commenced contracting on the canal, making drains, etc., and at the end of the first year, found that he had realized a snug sum of money. lle then took another contract and lost everything he had accumulated. Undiscouraged by this reverse of fortune, he at once resumed work as an employee, and at the end of another year again commenced job- bing and contracting, a business which he has con- tinued with varying success until the present time.

In 1855 Captain Sims came to Cleveland to dredge the bed of the Cuyahoga river, but in 1860 he removed with his family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he remained three years, returning to Cleveland in 1863. Hle then settled on Washington street, on the West Side, where he still resides.

In connection with John H. Sargeant, D. P. Rhodes and John Spalding, Captain Sims, in 1868, built the Rocky River railroad, of which he is now president, this (1879) being the fifth year he has occupied that position. Ile has also been, since 1825, president of the West Side street railway company, and in con- nection with Mr. Rhodes organized the West Side

Gas Company, in which he is a director. Ile assisted in organizing the People's Savings and Loan Associa- tion, in which he is also a director; besides hold- ing the same office in the Citizen's Loan Association on the East Side. Since his residence in Cleveland he has, to some extent, engaged in lake traffic; is a large real estate owner and is also interested in the Cuya- hoga Stone company of Berea.

Captain Sims has never sought public office, but is an carnest supporter of the Republican party and is liberal and progressive in his views,

He has been the architect of his own fortunes, hav- ing been compelled to depend upon his own energies and to push his way unaided. His success is due to

his untiring industry and his sound judgment. He is no niggard with the wealth he has acquired, but is a constant and liberal contributor to many public and charitable enterprises. Although not a member of any church organization he is an attendant-and for three years has been a vestryman-of St. John's Epis- copal Church. By his uprightness of character, gen- erosity, and general good qualities he has won the es- teem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

In 1838 Mr. Sims married Cornelia Vosburgh, daughter of James Vosburgh, of Onondaga county, New York, by whom he had four children. Only three of these are living (one having died in infancy ). They are Eliza, wife of William W. Sloan, of Buffalo, New York; Sarah J., wife of Charles Everett, of Cleveland; and Olivia, wife of W. J. Stark weather. Mrs. Sims died on the 24th day of November, 1876.

ABRAHAM D. SLAGHT.

Abraham D. Slaght was born in Morristown, New Jersey, on the 5th day of May, 1286, and died at Brooklyn, Ohio, on the 21st day of September, 1823. having reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years. The name of Mr. Slaght is well known among the older residents of Cleveland, he having removed to Ohio in the spring of 1812, coming from New Jersey with his family in company with several other emigrant households. The journey was made in heavily laden wagons, drawn by ox-teams, and was necessarily slow and wearisome. At Buffalo the wo- men and children were left, and came from that place by the way of the lake, while the men pushed for- ward through the forest with the wagons.

Mr. Slaght first settled on what is now known as Euclid Ridge, and, until a house could be erected, his covered wagon was the only shelter to be obtained for his wife and three children. As soon as their rude dwelling was finished, he commenced working at his trade, which was that of a shoemaker, and also engaged in farming to some extent.

In 1832 he purchased a tract of land on what is now St. Clair street, near Madison avenue, and re- moved thither the same year. lle then gave up his trade, and devoted his energies to cutting down and clearing off the timber with which his land was covered, and to the cultivation of the soil. lle re- mained on this place until 1860, when, his property having greatly increased in value, he retired, and for the remainder of his life resided with his daughter, Mrs. Francis Branch, to whom this notice and the accompanying portrait are due.

In manner and dress Mr. Slaght was plain and un- ostentatious, and never, in any way, sought public notice. In polities he was first a Whig and afterward a Republican, and though never taking a prominent part in political movements, he did not neglect the duties of a good citizen, and served with ability in various local offices of trust. Ile was, in fact, a good citizen, a good neighbor, and a kind and indulgent

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father. He was married on the 21st of February, 1811, to Taphenis Dickerson, by whom he had ten children-six daughters and four sons, viz: Edgar, born February 29, 1812; Louisa, born October 16, 1813; Adeline, born July 20, 1815; Joseph, born January 22, 1818; Sarah, born November 24, 1819; Cornelius, born October 4, 1821: Mortimer, born October 22, 1824; Elizabeth, born October 18, 1826; Martha, born April 2, 1831, and Julia D., born Octo- ber 20, 1834. Mrs. Slaght died October 4, 1851.

AMASA STONE.

Amasa Stone, a prominent railroad manager and builder, was born in Charlton, Worcester county, Massachusetts, April 27, 1818. The founders of the family in America, mentioned in the succeeding sketch, were members of a Puritan colony which landed at Boston in 1635.

Mr. Amasa Stone's father was a farmer, and the for- mer remained at home, laboring on the farm and attend- ing the district school, until he was seventeen years old, when he engaged to work three years to learn the trade of a builder. The first labor he did on his own account was to fill a contract for the joiner work of a large house in Worcester, at the age of nineteen. At twenty he associated himself with his two elder brothers, in a contract to build a church-edifice at East Brookfield. The next year he acted as foreman in the erection of two church edifices and several buildings, in Massachusetts.

In 1839 and '40 he was engaged with Mr. Howe in building the bridge across the Connectient river at Springfield, Massachusetts, for the Western railroad company. Mr. Howe had just seenred his patent for what is known as the "Howe Truss Bridge." From the time of building this bridge, and for several years, Mr. Stone was constantly employed in building rail- way bridges and depot buildings. In 1842, he and Mr. A. Boody purchased from Mr. Howe his bridge patent for the New England States, and a company, under the name of Boody, Stone & Co., was formed for the construction of railways and railway bridges, the mechanical branch of the work to be under the care of Mr. Stone. In 1845 he was appointed super- intendent of the New Haven, Hartford and Spring- tield railroad, still continuing bis relations with the firm, but the business of the latter became so heavy that he was obliged to resign the position of superin- tendent.

Messrs. Boody & Stone had agreed to pay forty thousand dollars for the patent of the Iowe truss bridge. A few years afterward defects were found in bridges erected on this plan; other plans competed for the superiority, and it was feared that the purchase was a very poor investment. Mr. Stone's inventive genius was such that he was able to improve the patent in several important partienlars, so that it was not found necessary to change it afterward.

In 1846 the bridge over the Connecticut river at

Enfield Falls, one fourth of a mile long, was carried away by a hurricane. Mr. Stone was applied to by the president of the New Haven, Hartford and Spring- field railroad for advice in regard to its reconstruc- tion. This meeting and the subsequent action of the directors resulted in making Mr. Stone sole manager of the work of erecting another bridge. It was com- pleted, and a train of cars passed over it, within forty days from the day the order was given for its erection. Ile regarded this as one of the most important events of his life, and he was rewarded by complimentary resolutions and a check for one thousand dollars, given by the company.

The next winter the firm of Boody, Stone & Co. was dissolved, Mr. Stone taking, of the States covered by the patent, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Con- necticut. He then formed a partnership with Mr. D. L. Harris, which continued until 1849. In 1848 he formed another partnership, with Mr. Stillman Witt and Mr. Frederick Harbach, and this firm contracted with the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati rail- road company to construct the road from Cleveland to Columbus. This was thought by many to be a doubtful undertaking, as a part of the payment for the work was to be taken in the capital stock of the company. It was finished, however, and the stock proved to be a very profitable investment.

In 1850 Mr. Stone was appointed its superin- tendent, and in the same year he removed to Cleve- land. Another most important enterprise with which he was connected was the construction of the railroad from Cleveland to Erie. This was completed in the face of numberless difficulties, and Mr. Stone was appointed its superintendent. In 1852, while still acting as superintendent of both the roads named, Mr. Stone was elected a director in each of the com- panies, and he attended to the duties of these various positions with great ability until 1854, when he re- signed the superintendeney on account of ill health. Ile was also, for several years, president of the Cleve- land, Painesville and Ashtabula railroad. In 1855 Messrs. Stone and Witt contracted to build the Chi- cago and Milwaukee railroad, and the former was for many years a director in that company.

He was also a director in several banks-the Mer- chants' of Cleveland, the Bank of Commerce, the Second National Bank, the Commercial National Bank, and the Cleveland Banking Company. For sev- cral years he was the president of the Toledo branch of the State Bank of Ohio, at Toledo, a director of the Jamestown and Franklin Railroad Company, and the president of the Mereer Tron and Coal Com- pany. Ile also aided in establishing several manu- factories, carried on extensive car works, and gave financial aid to several iron-manufacturing interests. In 1861 he erceted a large woolen-mill in Cleveland. Ile also gave special attention to the construction of roofs of buildings, covering many acres of ground; the last designed by him being that of the Union passenger depot at Cleveland. He was also said to

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be the first to design and erect pivot drawbridges of long span, and in the construction of railroad cars and locomotives he introduced numerous improve- ments.

Mr. Stone took a prominent part in the recruiting and supply of troops during the war for the Union, and was offered by President Lincoln a commission as brigadier-general for the purpose of building a military railroad through Kentucky to Knoxville, Tennessee, a projeet which was afterwards relin- quished by the government. He went abroad in 1868 for the benefit of his health, and spent two years in travel and observation. On his return, in 1873, he resumed charge of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railroad as managing director, which posi- tion he resigned in 1825; afterward devoting his time to the eare of his own estate. He gave, at this and other periods, a great deal of attention to works of publie charity, and in 1822 he built and endowed a home for aged and indigent women at Cleveland.

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History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 94

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