History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio, Part 97

Author: Williams Brothers
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 443

USA > Ohio > Lake County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 97
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 97

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In the fall of 1840 Mr. S. was elected justice of the peace of Mentor, and was re-elected in 1843, 1846, and 1849, the duties of which office he discharged with ability. He united with the Methodist Episcopal church of Mentor in 1834, as did also his wife, under the pastorship of Rev. A. Plimpton. The death of his wife occurred August 15, 1874. The loss of this excellent woman was a severe stroke to him. She was, in the truest sense, a helpmeet of her husband, and an indulgent, though judicious, mother to her children.

BENJAMIN CARPENTER

was born in the town of Savoy, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, May 18, 1799. When about twenty-one years of age he hired out to Simeon Hodges, who was then about to emigrate to the Western Reserve, and was the driver of his team on that journey. Hodges located in Newbury, Geauga County, where Benjamin remained with him for about eighteen months subsequent to his arrival, at the end of which time he returned on foot to his native State. There he remained about a year, and then again set out for Ohio with the intention of adopting this section of country as his future home. On arriving here, he went to work for Colonel Corning, and for the first twelve months of his labor received one hundred dollars in money and a barrel of whisky. At the expiration of his term of ser- vice with Colonel Corning he purchased a farm of fifty acres, mostly improved, in the town of Concord, and erected a house and barn thereon. He then converted his stock of liquor into cash, with which he bought a plow, and hiring a team for a short time, engaged with energy in the cultivation of his purchase.

But there was one thing yet lacking in Benjamin's condition, the possession of which was necessary to his complete happiness. A house he had, but no wife, and consequently no home. But he was not long in determining who should be- come its mistress. The one made thus happy was Miss Sally, daughter of his old employer, Simon Hodges. She was born April 8, 1802. They were married by Rev. Stephenson, May 26, 1825. To them were born five children, as fol- lows : Maria, May 23, 1826; Lucius H., February 17, 1828; Sarah Ann, April 23, 1831 ; Caroline E., November 25, 1835; Juliaette H., August 26, 1839. Maria became the wife of John Ward, of Willoughby, and died July 18, 1878. Sarah Ann married Joshua A. Bradley, then of Mentor, but afterwards removed to Wisconsin ; she died there in October, 1876. Caroline married Nathan Cal- kins, of Wisconsin, and died soon after the birth of her first child. Juliaette married Charles C. Caley, of Warrensville, Cuyahoga county, and afterwards re- moved to Quincy, Michigan, where they now reside. Lucius H. was united in marriage, March 25, 1856, to Ellen E., daughter of Varney and Mary E. Prouty. The date of her birth was October 17, 1835. They have four children : George B., born September 9, 1857 ; Byron P., March 15, 1860; Royal, November 7, 1861; Charles, August 21, 1863.

The subject of this sketch is now living with his fourth wife. His first, who was the mother of his children, died December 13, 1850 ; and March 3, 1852, he married the widow of Joel Eno. She died October 9, 1859. His next marriage was to the widow of Lewis Carpenter, in November, 1861, who died January 15, 1871. His fourth wife was the widow of Moses Carrell, whom he married Feb- ruary 29, 1872. She remains to share the joys and sorrows of his old age. Mr. Carpenter is in the eightieth year of his life, and his wife in her sixty-third year.

D. B. HART.

The parents of the subject of our writing were natives of Connecticut, and removed thence to the Reserve in the fall of 1826. Their first location was in Concord, where they occupied a rented farm until April 1, 1828, when they re- moved to this township, settling in South Mentor, on the farm now occupied by Stephen Johnson. They resided there until their death,-that of the father in 1859, and that of the mother in 1845.

D. B. Hart was born in Winsted, Litchfield county, Connecticut, January 6, 1812, and was the youngest of eight children. His opportunities for the acquire- ment of an education were limited, comprising an attendance at the common schools of his native township, with a short attendance after his arrival in this country. His latest school-teacher prior to his removal to Ohio is now living in Cleveland, at the advanced age of ninety-four.

His first purchase of land was an eighty-acre farm on the road leading from the Disciples church to the Newell corners, and is now occupied by Abram Rex- ford. He and his brother Stephen went vigorously to work on this farm, and cleared during the winter thirty-five acres, which they logged off during the months of February and March. This cleared piece the spring following was planted to peppermint, besides ten acres of his brother's farm. This plant was extensively cultivated at that time, some farms containing a crop of a hundred acres. Wormseed was also largely grown. Mr. Hart subsequently sold this farm and took possession of the old homestead, his parents residing with him. To this he added at various times until the farm contained one hundred and ninety acres. He also owned a large amount of land elsewhere.

January 3, 1836, he was united in marriage to Laura E., daughter of Russell and Rebecca ( Woodruff ) Manly, who were also natives of Litchfield county, Connecticut, and settled in Mentor in about the year 1828. Mrs. Hart was born March 4, 1819, in Colebrook, Connecticut. A daughter, Aldie L., was born August 27, 1856.

In 1869, Mr. Hart purchased the farm on which he now resides, and three years subsequently erected his present fine brick residence, a view of which may be found on another page. He possesses one of the most desirable farms in the township.

While taking a great interest in political and other questions of general in- terest, Mr. Hart does not aspire to office. He was originally a Whig, afterwards a Free-Soiler, then a Republican, and is now a " Greenbacker." He claims to have given, at the election in the fall of 1875, the first greenback vote ever cast in the township.

WARREN CORNING.

An interesting and a pleasing task is it for the biographer to rescue from ob- livion the career of a truly useful and worthy life, and to place it upon the page of history, where it will endure forever. This interest and pleasure remain, though the career be followed along the humbler walks of life, for usefulness and worthiness, and even greatness, are not the exclusive possession of those who attain distinction among their fellow-men ; for distinction, indeed, may be reached without the aid of these qualities, which oftener embellish the lives of those who are scarcely known beyond the limits of their own neighborhood. Manhood deserves its proper homage wherever and in whomsoever found.

The subject of this sketch was born at Beverly, Massachusetts, on Wednesday, the 21st day of November, 1771. On Wednesday, the 12th day of November, 1795, he married Miss Elizabeth Pettingill, whose date of birth was Friday, January 16, 1773 ; and on the 10th day of October, 1810, Mr. and Mrs. Corn- ing became residents of Mentor township, then in Geauga County. He came hither from Acworth, New Hampshire, where he had resided a few years pre- viously, and accomplished the long journey with a six-horse team, driven before a large covered wagon, which contained his family and his household goods. He was accompanied by a number of others, who, like himself, were journeying to the then far west to find homes for themselves and their children. He was given charge of the moving caravan, and so efficient were his services that his compan- ions gave him the title of colonel, a name he retained ever afterwards. His family at this time consisted of his wife and seven children, and two other children were born subsequently. He effected a settlement on what was then known as the Ward farm. His house was a rude shanty some fifteen feet square, with oiled paper for window glass, and their surroundings were in wide contrast to their pleasant New Hampshire home they had so recently left. Both he and his com- panion felt deeply the change, but not a word of complaint was spoken by either until one Sunday morning, while walking out to the rear of their cabin, each silent, with no doubt their thoughts engaged upon their New England home, they sud-

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M Corning

Warren Conning

MRS. NATHAN CORNING

MRS.D. B.HART.

D. B.HART.

LITH. BY L. H. EVERTS, PHILA.

RESIDENCE OF D. B. HART. MENTOR TE, LAKE CO, O.

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UITH. BY L. W. EVENTS, PRIMA.P !.

RESIDENCE OF ELEAZAR BURRIDGE, MENTOR TE, LAKE CO, OHIO.

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HISTORY OF GEAUGA AND LAKE COUNTIES, OHIO.

denly came upon a huge rattlesnake that lay coiled up in their path before them. The colonel, after killing the reptile, spoke to his wife and said, " Elizabeth, do you like this place ? are you contented here ?" She burst into tears and con- fessed that she was not happy. He soon thereafter effected an exchange for what was known as the Bacon farm. This happened probably the next year after his arrival. It was a much pleasanter spot, and he went immediately to work with energy to subdue the forests and to make the soil respond to efforts at cultivation. During the war of 1812 he was drafted, but sent a substitute and remained at home, attending assiduously to his farm duties. In 1813 or in 1814 he raised a thousand bushels of corn, for which he received the neat sum of two thousand dollars. He raised some wheat also, which brought him three dollars per bushel. He erected a frame house on this purchase in 1814,-the first frame house erected in the township of Mentor. His untiring industry brought to him its reward. He prospered. He was recognized by all as the leading man of his township. He became the owner of a flouring-mill in Kirtland, and built a distillery in his own township. He added largely to his landed possessions. About the year 1830 he made a division of his property for the benefit of his children. Colonel Corn- ing took a great interest in improving the condition of the roads of his town- ship, and such was his influence among his neighbors that they all willingly responded to the call he made upon their time and purses in this direction.

After he had made a distribution of his property he and his companion made their home with their son Nathan, a wing being added to Nathan's house for their accommodation. Here he lived the happy days of retirement, watching with interest the progress in life his children and his grandchildren were making, deeply interested in all matters relating to his own neighborhood, and not oblivious by any means to the affairs of state. He was a life-long Whig, and an influen- tial and devoted member of the Disciples church. His habits were temperate, his convictions of duty and of right were strong, and he commanded the respect and high esteem of all who knew him.

His wife died July 8, 1845, nearly seventy-two years of age; and his own death occurred March 12, 1852, in the eighty-first year of his life. Colonel Corning's children were as follows: Warren Corning, Jr., born April 11, 1798 (Wednesday) ; Nathaniel, December 22, 1799 (Sunday) ; Mindwell, born March 29, 1801 (Sunday) ; Ariel, September 13, 1802 (Monday) ; Nathan, February 17, 1805 (Sunday); Lima, December 20, 1806 (Sunday) ; Solon, February 2, 1810 (Friday); Rachel, July 17, 1814 (Sunday) ; Harriet M., May 8, 1817 (Thursday). Three are now living, viz. : Mindwell, who became the wife of Elias Randall, then of Mentor, and now lives in widowhood in Peoria, Illinois; Nathan, who resides at Mentor Centre; and Harriet, who became the wife of James Dickey, and lives in Mentor.

NATHAN CORNING,

the son of Warren and Elizabeth Corning, born in Acworth, New Hampshire, February 17, 1805, the subject of our sketch, was the fifth of a family of nine children.

He came, with his father, to Mentor, Ohio, when not quite six years of age.

His education was obtained at the common schools, with a short course of in- struction at a select school in Painesville. His first ownership of land was in 1827, when his father deeded him a farm of one hundred and seventeen and seventy-four hundredths acres at the centre. That portion lying south of the road is now owned by Daniel B. Hart, and that on the north side by the widow of Abram Van Etten.

To this, and adjoining it on the north, he added, in the year 1853 or 1854, two hundred and seven acres, from what was then known as " the Perkins tract."

Having previously disposed of the southern portion, his farm now consisted of three hundred acres, which he sold, in 1865, to Mrs. Van Etten.

A few months after he bought the farin formerly owned by his brother Warren, adjoining that of his sister, Mrs. Dickey, now owned by General Garfield, known as the " Aldrich farm." This he retained until the spring of 1866, when he sold to Mr. Aldrich, the father of the present owner.

In 1828, September 18, he was united in marriage to Phoebe E. Wilson, daughter of David and Phoebe Wilson. She was born in Pittstown, New York, in 1809, and with her parents removed to Mentor when she was in her sixth year. Her parents settled on the farm adjoining that first owned by her hus- band's father. Thus they were playmates and acquaintances in childhood and · youth. After marriage, their house was often an asylum for the homeless ; and a deaf ear never was turned upon those in distress or want. Mrs. Corning was of Quaker descent through her mother, who believed their lineage could be directly traced to George Fox. Her great-grandmother was Phoebe Fox. " Uncle Sam," used as a synonym for the United States government, was first applied to her father's brother, Samuel, usually known among his acquaintances

as Uncle Sam. He, with his brother Ebenezer, were inspectors of government stores, contracted by Elbert Anderson for the army, in the war of 1812. These were marked " E. A., U. S." A workman being asked the meaning of the letters, answered : " He did not know, unless they meant Elbert Anderson and Uncle Sam." U. S. really meaning United States, the joke was readily appropriated, and Uncle Sam was often congratulated upon his increasing possessions.

Mrs. Corning's useful life ended August 27, 1878.

To Mr. and Mrs. Corning were born the following-named children : Emily, Nelson D., James N., Mary L., Phoebe Elizabeth, Huldah W., and Elizabeth Phobe. Emily Corning became the wife of J. Mills Bradley, formerly of Mentor, but at the time of their marriage a resident of Troy, New York, where for several years he was associated with James E. Kimball in the flour commission business. He was a member of the board of supervisors of that city two terms, which body in that State reviews the financial interests of public affairs. His death occurred in 1869. Mrs. Bradley now resides in Mentor. Nelson D. married Adeline Tyler, is a farmer, and also resides in Mentor. Mary L. married James M. Blish, who died in the service of his country in the war of the Rebellion.

She afterwards married Henry A. Hills, a farmer, and is now living in High- land, Kansas. James N. married Mary A. Thompson, and is a justice of the peace at South Bend, Indiana.

Huldah W. married Selden B. Kingsbury, who for several years was principal of the high school of Constantine, Michigan, and is now a lawyer of that place. Elizabeth Phobe married Wm. W. Mills, a civil engineer, and lives at Oakland, California. Phoebe Elizabeth died in infancy.

Mr. Corning's occupation has been that of a farmer, though he has been also a manufacturer of brooms and a dealer in real estate. He has been honored by his fellow-men with several offices of public trust, the duties of which he has dis- charged in an efficient manner. The office of coroner of Lake County he held three terms. He has also held the offices of township treasurer and assessor. At the first election held in the incorporated town of Mentor he was chosen mayor, and also at various subsequent elections. He held the position of township trustee for several years, and was a member of the school board more than twenty years. He has always taken an active part in every project looking to the advancement of public interests, and sometimes made his individual interests subservient to them. In business transactions he has ever been a man of whom it can be truly said, " his word is as good as his bond." He is a stanch Republican, and an influential member of that party in his township.

Mr. Corning possesses, as he justly merits, the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, and is loved and revered by his family and many friends.

ELEAZAR BURRIDGE,

one of the substantial citizens of the county and identified with its history for more than half a century, Captain Burridge's career is one that is well worthy of record. Born in Perry township,-now Lake County, but then Geauga County,- January 14, 1822. He was the fifth child of Samuel and Harriet Burridge. His parents were New England people, his father being born in Boston, April 5, 1783, and his mother in Brandon, Vermont, in 1792; they removed to Ohio in 1814, at which time there were only three other families in Perry township, where he settled. His father was a worthy citizen, and reared a large family, whose names and births are as follows: Nancy, born October 21, 1810, at Moriah, Essex county, New York ; Polly, born December 18, 1812, at Moriah, Essex county, New York, died July 17, 1845; Betsey, born September 3, 1814, at Painesville, Ohio; Samuel, born December 25, 1818, at Perry, Geauga County, Ohio; Elea- zar, born January 14, 1822, at Perry, Geauga County, Ohio ; Sarah, born October 22, 1824, at Perry, Geauga County, Ohio ; David, born December 11, 1826, at Perry, Geauga County, Ohio; Levi, born July 15, 1829, at Perry, Geauga County, Ohio; Eliza, born September 24, 1831, at Perry, Geauga County, Ohio.

The subject of this sketch received an ordinary common-school education, with a term of three months' study in New York. His intention at one time was to enter the profession of dentistry, but afterwards he changed his mind, and resolved to become a farmer. When about twenty-three years of age he went to Illinois, and, near a place now known as Warren, in that State, he purchased an interest in an improved farm, Mr. Phineas Wilcox being his joint partner in this purchase. The price paid was five dollars per acre, and the land now lies immediately adjoining the town site of the above-named town. At this time the cholera was raging very seriously at Galena, twenty-eight miles from his purchase, and a number in his immediate vicinity became victims to the scourge. He and a companion-by name John Minor-thought it prudent for their own safety to get away from the village or tavern, where deaths were daily occurring, and they built a rude retreat in the country ; but his friend and bedfellow was taken down

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with the dread disease the first night after getting away from the hotel, and, despite all Mr. Burridge could do for his relief, died in the morning, and, with the assistance of others, Mr. Burridge buried him the next night. He resolved to sell his farm at the very first opportunity, and betake himself away from such imminent danger to his life. His opportunity came, and with that which repre- sented his farm strapped about his person, in the form of a belt of gold, he started for Ohio, where he arrived safely after an absence of about three years. On his return he purchased the old Kerr farm, near the Mentor depot, consisting of two hundred and twenty-five acres, and about five years thereafter sold it and pur- chased where he now lives, then known as the Cobb farm, and has gradually added to his original purchase of one hundred and sixty acres, until he is now the owner of a little more than four hundred acres, and which is now one of the finest farms in northern Ohio.

In the mean time he had the good fortune to find for himself a most excellent wife in the person of Miss Margaret Macomber, whom he married November 22, 1852. This lady was then a resident of Painesville, and is the daughter of Seranus and Catherine Macomber. Mrs. Burridge has ever been a true helpmeet to her husband. With excellent executive ability, business tact, and indomitable will, she unites in a high degree the qualities of true womanhood, and has ever made Mr. Burridge's hearth all that the word " home" in its true and broadest meaning implies. The names of their children are as follows: Levi S., born Jan- uary 11, 1854; Sarah E., born November 1, 1856; Emma H., born May 27, 1857 ; Ehrich P., born July 15, 1859 ; Eleazar, Jr., born April- 12, 1865; Kittie L., April 20, 1869.

When the war for the Union was declared, Mr. Burridge, although a life-long Democrat, and deeply regretting the necessity of resorting to the arbitrament of the sword, was prompt in offering his services in defense of his country's honor and life. He was very influential in raising'men enough to form a company, as a member of which he enlisted in August, 1861, and was mustered into service the 28th day of September following, at Camp Giddings, Jefferson, Ohio. His company, of which he was at this time but a private member, was named " F," and was attached to the Twenty-Ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On the 24th day of October occurred the election of officers, by virtue of which his company was officered, and he was chosen to the position of second lieutenant, with John F. Morse as captain, and H. Gregory first lieutenant, the colonel of the regiment being the gallant Lewis P. Buckley. Leaving Camp Giddings on Christmas-day of 1861, the regiment was ordered to Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, where it remained until the following January, when it was called upon to enter active service. Upon leaving Camp Chase, though it was in midwinter, no soldier was permitted to take with him but a single blanket for his protection against the cold. Besides, they were allowed no tents. The regiment was ordered into West Virginia, and the winter was indeed a severe one. It was as rigorous in that locality that year as along the shore of Lake Erie. Mr. Burridge with- stood the exposure well, and never saw a sick day or lost a single drill while with his regiment. It was no unusual thing for him and his comrades to lie down on mother earth stretched upon a board, if they were so fortunate as to procure one, and awaking in the morning find themselves covered with a mantle of snow, per- haps several inches in thickness. The captain's Yankee ingenuity sometimes as- sisted him to an advantage others less ready with expedients would not enjoy.

At Winchester, Virginia, occurred the first engagement in which he was an actor, March 23, 1862, and though Mr. Burridge escaped without injury, he

received one bullet through his coat and another through his haversack. So gallantly did he conduct himself that he was promoted to captain, April 13, following closely upon the heels of the Winchester affair.

On the 9th day of June, 1862, his company and regiment was brought into action in the battle of Port Republic, Virginia, where he was severely wounded in the head by a piece from an exploding shell, fracturing the skull. He was taken to Washington, under the care of Dr. Burrows, of Geneva, and when arrived in Washington he was kindly taken to the home of a lady living on Penn- sylvania avenue, and in the course of a few weeks so far recovered as to be able to return to his home. In October of 1862 he rejoined his regiment; but find- ing that his wound had rendered him unfitted to withstand the severe duties of army life, he resigned his captaincy February 12, 1863, and returned home.

We have space here for but one incident from the captain's army-life, which is rich in experience of an interesting kind, and which loses nothing of its enjoy- able nature when one is permitted to listen to its narration from the captain's own lips. One evening the regiment had encamped near the residence of a lady who was proprietress of a rich plantation, and a plenty of this world's goods. She was a lady of the thorough southern type, and made an earnest request of the officers of the regiment that a guard should be furnished her to watch through the night her hog-pen and hen-coop. The former contained a dozen or more fine porkers, and the latter a fine supply of chickens. Her request was granted, and to Captain Burridge was assigned the important duty of protecting the lady's property. The distance between pen and coop was several rods, and the captain passed the hours of the early part of the night in walking to and fro from the one to the other. About midnight, when all was still, and just as he had reached the chickens' place of habitation, he heard a pig squeal. He ran hastily to its protection, but it had got beyond the reach of his assistance before he reached the pen, when lo! the hens began to cackle. Running back to rescue the fowls, an- other pig began to squeal. In his endeavor to save both pigs and chickens (and there is no doubt he did his utmost) he found himself in the painful dilemma, in a very few moments, of having not a pig nor a chicken left to guard. In the morning the lady reproached him for lack of vigilance, exclaiming, " It is too bad ; here you have been guarding my pigs and chickens all night, and now they are all stolen." The captain expostulated that he had faithfully executed his trust, and explained to her that the fault was wholly her own ; " for," says he, " if you had kept guard with me, and had watched the chickens while I was protecting the pigs, then we might have saved both, but how could I be in the two places at the same moment ?" This seemed to satisfy the lady that at least the captain was not to blame. The next morning he found in his tent a fine large chicken, splen- didly cooked; and though his heart grieved for the woman his appetite had a keen relish for the roasted fowl.

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History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio, Part 97

Author: Williams Brothers Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages: 443

Author: Williams Brothers
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 443