History of Henry and Fulton counties, Ohio : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 69

Author: Aldrich, Lewis Cass, ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 852


USA > Ohio > Henry County > History of Henry and Fulton counties, Ohio : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 69
USA > Ohio > Fulton County > History of Henry and Fulton counties, Ohio : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 69


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HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.


In this capacity General Scott entered upon the discharge of his duties soon after the first of January, 1866 ; he satisfactorily adjusted the difficulties ex- isting between the whites and blacks ; protected the interests of the loyal white residents and controlled the disposition of the abandoned lands in the State. He was vested with wide discretionary powers and much latitude in the trans- action of the business of his office; many abuses were corrected and the affairs of the State were placed on a firm basis. Notwithstanding the scope of his duty and the many opportunities that were presented for self advancement and gain, General Scott was never charged either with malfeasance or mis- feasance in office, and in this regard he was almost the only officer so invested with power against whom no charge of corrupt practice was made, or against whom no word of suspicion was uttered. While in the performance of his duties here, at the request of many citizens of Charleston and of the State gen- erally, the muster out of General Scott from the service of the United States was suspended, but in July, 1868, his resignation was accepted. In the same year, having gained a residence in the State, General Scott was placed in nom- ination by the Republican State Convention for the office of governor, and at the polls was elected by a majority of 45,000. Two years later he was re- elected to the same office, although by a less majority of votes.


This was a period of reorganization. During his first official term Governor Scott was ably assisted by the most capable of the financiers and statesmen of the Commonwealth ; and there was but little political opposition to his admin- istration ; but during his latter term of service his administration was con- stantly hampered and embarrassed by the designs of unscrupulous money- getters, carpet baggers and other obstructing elements against whom he had to contend. Still further, the Democracy of the State again became organ- ized and sought, by all schemes and measures, to overrun the Republican or- ganization, which was eventually accomplished.


It would be a useless task to attempt to set forth the every act that marked the official life in the South of Governor Scott, nor is it considered an impor- tant feature of this sketch. Suffice it, therefore, to say that his administration was a success ; his duty lay plainly before him and faithfully and fearlessly did he fulfill it; and notwithstanding the clamor of certain of the chivalric opposi- tion, the governor's efforts toward building up a safe governmental structure for the State were materially assisted by a large contingent of the honest and conscientious residents of the city of Charleston and elsewhere.


For a period of some six years after his retirement from official life Gov- ernor Scott continued to reside in Columbia, where he was engaged in 'busi- ness, mainly in dealing in stocks and bonds, besides giving some attention to farming, but in July, 1878, he, with his family, returned to Napoleon, and his long neglected real estate interests in this locality. From that until the pres- ent time he has been one of the most extensive and successful dealers in lands


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of Northwestern Ohio, and even beyond the State, for his investments in the west are known to be large. Within a few years past he has purchased a tract of over two hundred acres of land lying, nearly all, within the limits of the city of Toledo, but after the purchase was completed he took partners in the en- terprise. The development and sale of this in lots is now occupying, in the main, the attention of our subject, but his other vast interests, ramifying as they do throughout this whole section, demand some portion of his time and care.


Such, then, is a brief résumé of some of the principal business and other operations of Robert K. Scott. If it indicates anything it is that he is a re- markable man in his capacity to grasp and successfully direct large enterprises. In such undertakings, the detail of which would distract and paralyze the powers of men less favorably constituted for such operations, General Scott has seemed to see the end from the beginning. He looks over his ground, forms his own judgment with rapidity and almost unerring accuracy, and after that proceeds to the execution of his plans with the serene confidence that the result will be in accord with his expectation. He has been, and is as must be seen, a very busy man; but his manifold interests never worry him ; in all these his power has proved sufficient for any emergency and his time adequate for all require- ments. And he has found time, too, for other duties than those confined to his business operations ; indeed, to every improvement that has promised to add to the welfare or beauty of his village and county he has been a generous contributor.


During his years of residence in Henry county he has been an active worker in the political field, on the Republican side, though never for his own advance- ment ; he has not sought or accepted office, but his time and means are al- ways ready for the good of the party, and when the government was threat- ened by internecine foes, none was more active and liberal in its support than he. Though not personally connected with the church all religious organiza- tions receive of his sympathy and material aid. In short, General Scott has not only succeeded in erecting a business and financial fabric of large propor- tions, but has been, in all respects a useful citizen, to whom the confidence and respect of his townsmen are not the least appreciated of his rewards.


It was during his residence at Florida, in this county, that Robert K. Scott was united in marriage with Rebecca J., the daughter of John Lowry, a pio- neer and prominent resident of the county. Two children, a son and a daugh- ter, were the fruits of this union. The daughter died during the parents' resi- dence in the South. A curious fact is that ever since the Revolutionary War one male member of every generation of the Scott family has held some mili- tary title. The son (R. K., jr.) of the subject of our sketch holds the title of captain, and according to the Adjutant-General's report is the youngest captain in the United States.


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HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.


B ROWN, HON. L. W. When Levi W. Brown entered upon the discharge of his duties as probate judge of Fulton county, it is said, and with much truth, that he brought into that office as thorough a knowledge of its legal points as any incumbent that has occupied the position since the county's erec- tion. Judge Brown is not a member of the legal profession, save ex-officio, but before he was called to fill the office referred to, he had studied the law, and had an excellent understanding of its maxims, principles and application, and these are the elements upon which those "learned in the law" most largely de- pend for success; therefore it can be no exaggerated statement on the part of the members of the profession in giving utterance to these thoughts.


Judge Brown was a native of Fulton county, a son of one of its early set- tlers, and one of its highly respected citizens, Benjamin Brown, a former resi- dent of Addison county, Vt., from which place he came to Ohio in the year 1837, and took up his abode in the wild and sparsely settled region of country that was subsequently erected into this county.


Levi Walter Brown, the subject of this sketch, was born in Franklin town- ship on the 21st of December, in the year 1841. Of the four children born to Benjamin and Ruth (Reynolds) Brown, he was the youngest. The father was a farmer, and Levi was brought up on the farm, where he worked during the spring and summer, and in attending school in the winter, until lie became eighteen years old. He then commenced teaching in season, and was thus en- gaged, alternating between the farm and the school-room, for a period of about four years. At the age of twenty-five years, having accumulated a small sum of money, the result of his industry, Mr. Brown embarked in the mercantile business at Elmira, this county, having a small stock at the outset, but gradu- ally enlarging it as his means permitted and the increasing trade required, un- til he became known as one of the most successful and reliable country mer- chants of the county. For about seven years Mr. Brown was engaged in the mercantile business, when a partnership was formed only to continue for a brief time, when Mr. Brown again became sole proprietor, and so continued un- til about 1872, when he sold out and moved to his parents' farm, they then be- ing in impaired health and strength on account of their advanced years. Up- on their death Mr. Brown became owner of the farm, he paying legacies to the other heirs to abundantly compensate them for interests in the property. He continued his residence on the farm until February, 1879, when he moved to Wauseon to assume the office of probate judge.


As a farmer Mr. Brown was as successful as in mercantile life, and in con- nection with agriculture he engaged extensively in stock growing, both cattle and sheep, and in this department he was among the largest stock growers of Northwestern Ohio, and from this branch of industry Judge Brown has not re- tired, as he is now the owner of a large and well-appointed stock farm, situate south of and near Wauseon, and has thousands of dollars invested in fine stock,


L.W. Brown


A LITTLE. PHILA.


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and in which he takes great delight. While our subject has for many years taken an active interest in the political welfare of the country, he did not be- come engaged therein to any considerable extent prior to his advancement to the judgship of the Probate Court ; he had, however, held the office of clerk of the township in which he lived. As has already been stated, he took his seat as probate judge in February, 1879, and was twice thereafter re-elected. Since his residence at the county seat Judge Brown has been one of the ac- knowledged leaders of the Republican party in the county, and his ability as such, and as an organizer as well, has made him a prominent figure in the pol- itics of the State. In 1886 he was a candidate for nomination for the office of representative in Congress, but was defeated in the nominating convention, Hon. M. M. Boothman being the successful aspirant. He was subsequently elected, and his success was largely due to the efforts of Judge Brown, who so throughly organized the district as to make his election possible, there being in the district a standing Democratic majority of not less than one thousand. In the year 1887 Judge Brown was made chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, a position that called forth his greatest effort as an organ- izer; but that this trust was well-placed is shown by the result of the recent election and needs no comment in this place.


The gallant Governor Foraker and his friends fully appreciate the work of the campaign, a campaign almost national in the interest taken by both parties throughout the country and the results likely to follow therefrom. A recog- nized factor in the politics of Ohio, the judge naturally takes a deep interest in national politics, and took an active part in the organization of the National Re- publican League, being a delegate in attendance and member of the executive committee, representing Ohio in the first national convention held in New York city December 15, 1887.


While Judge Brown has always been a pronounced Republican, active in the councils and work of party organization, and his fighting qualities recog- nized and felt by his political opponents, yet each time he has been a candidate before the people, he has secured a large number of Democratic votes, and no personal warfare has ever been made against him.


It would seem, under ordinary circumstances that a man whose time was so fully occupied with the cares and duties that have been allotted to him would give but little heed to matters pertaining to the church, but in this instance, such is not the case. Judge Brown was born of parents who were humble and devoted worshipers and members in the M. E. Church, and in the teachings and faith of that denomination has our subject been educated. For the last twenty-five years he has been a member of the church. He has, moreover, been a member of each lay conference that has assembled since that feature of the church's government was adopted, and was a delegate to the last General Conference held at Philadelphia during the month of May, 1884. In other so-


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HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.


cieties and orders he has also been prominent; in the Masonic fraternity he has risen to the degree of a knight templar. His membership in the order is of twenty years' standing. He is also prominently connected with the society known as Knights of Pythias.


Levi W. Brown has been thrice married. His first wife, Nancy A. Ames, he married June 14, 1863. Four children were born of this marriage. His wife died in 1874. On the 14th of September, 1875, Mr. Brown married Eliz- abeth Gigax, of which marriage one child was born. The second wife died February 14, 1881. On the 16th of January, 1882, he married Esther Stone, of Cayuga county, N. Y. Of this marriage one child has been born. Mrs. Brown is a lady of fine culture and an able second in all her husband's pub- lic enterprises, both church and State.


C ANFIELD, HEMAN A. On an island of several hundred acres area, in the Tiffin River, or, as it is more generally known, Bean Creek, stands the comfortable residence and excellent farm of Heman A. Canfield. In Gorham township, which has been his residence for the last twenty-five and more years, this man is well known and highly respected for his moral integrity and sterling worth ; a man, who, by thrift and untiring energy, has built for himself and his family a comfortable fortune.


But the time of residence on this island by no means represents the dura- tion of his residence in the county, for in this regard he antedates the county's existence by a dozen or more years. He first came to the territory embraced by the present township of Chesterfield while its lands formed a part of Lucas county.


Heman Arza Canfield was a native of New York State, born in the town of West Bloomfield, Ontario county, on the 25th day of January, in the year 1816. His parents were Titus and Orpha Canfield, and they lived on a farm in Ontario county, and there brought up a family of five children, of which our subject was the second.


Soon after arriving at the age of twenty-one years Heman came to Ohio and took up a tract of land, two hundred and forty acres in extent, for which he paid $1.25 per acre. This land is located in Chesterfield township, and was a part of what has been styled the "Oak Openings." Here Mr. Canfield built a log cabin, but, being unmarried, boarded one summer with the family of Azariah Shapley, a pioneer of the region.


After ten acres were cleared, in the spring of the year 1838, corn and pota- toes were planted and cared for until fall, when Mr. Canfield returned to On- tario county and was married to Amanda G. Brown, a most excellent young woman, a resident at that time of West Bloomfield. This devoted husband and wife have lived in the most agreeable companionship for a period of nearly a half century. They have raised to maturity a family of six children, three


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sons and three daughters, all of whom are still living and well situated in life. They are as follows: Delia S., who married John Smith, now living in Massa- chusetts ; Henry T., now engaged in the agricultural implement business in Texas; Ellen L., who became the wife of Daniel A. Bennett, and now lives at San Jose, Cal .; Clara G., who married Henry T. Kurtz, of Allentown, Pa .; Ed- ward T., a progressive farmer of Dover township, and Arthur B., who resides near the parental home on the island.


As a farmer of Chesterfield township Mr. Canfield was thrifty, thorough and practical; his farm, when first purchased, was of such land as abounded in the region, forest lands and oak openings, but, through his persevering efforts it was made one of the best and most productive of the locality. In connection with his agricultural pursuits he is remembered as having been an extensive cattle dealer and drover at an early day, taking live stock as far east as Syra- cuse, in New York State, and to other markets in that State. At a later period, being found capable and worthy of confidence, he has been entrusted with the management of several estates, and in each and every trust reposed in him he has answered fully and faithfully its requirements.


In the matter of the drainage of the Carroll swamp Mr. Canfield was a prime mover, and although a long and tedious litigation followed, he held firmly to the project and became, eventually, successful. In this and every measure looking to the advantage of his locality he has been among the fore- most advocates, and has cheerfully contributed of his means and personal endeavor to their accomplishment. In the political history of the county, and of his township, too, Mr. Canfield has been an influential though not con- spicuous person. He never asked for or sought an office, but has held nearly every position within the gift of his townspeople. From 1871 to 1874 he filled the position of county commissioner, and performed his part with ex- ceedingly good judgment and to good purpose.


For a period of twenty-two years Mr. Canfield was a resident of Chester- field township, but in 1860 he sold his lands there situate and moved to Gor- ham township, on the island in the river, as mentioned heretofore in this sketch.


Our subject is now beyond the three score and ten years allotted to man, but still is he in the enjoyment of health and strength, conscious of having performed well his part in the battle of life, and content now to remain in com- fort and domestic peace and happiness, awaiting the Master's call.


D EYO, HON. ALBERT. In the northern part of Chesterfield township, about two and one-half miles east from Morenci, stands a large and elegant brick residence, and within a few rods from it are standing as commodious and well-appointed farm buildings as can be found in northwestern Ohio. The owner and occupant of this comfortable home is known as one of the most


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HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES.


stirring, progressive, and capable business farmers of Fulton county-one whose name has been, perhaps, as prominently before the people of this county as can be found within its borders.


Albert Deyo is remembered as the recently retiring member of the State Legislature, having served therein with honor to himself and to his county two terms. He was first elected in 1883, and again in 1885, and his majority at the polls was, to say the least, very flattering. Still earlier he is remembered as having held, for six years, or two terms, the office of clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, being first elected in 1872, and re-elected in 1875. As early as 1863 he was elected township clerk of Chesterfield, and was the incumbent of that office for nine consecutive years.


Again, Albert Deyo is remembered as a man closely identified with the growth, development, and improvement of Fulton county. Especially has his efforts been directed toward the graveling of the roads of the county, which efforts, although not yet accomplished, certainly show commendable enterprise on his part. In this he has met with much opposition from certain quarters, but he is still confident that the improvements advocated and publicly urged by him upon all proper occasions will be finally adopted and fully carried out. His fine farm and its improvements shows his thrift, enterprise, and determina- tion. From a very early day he has taken a deep interest in the educational advancement of the township, has insisted upon establishing a uniformity of text books, and the erection of better school-houses.


Albert Deyo was not born in Ohio. He is a native of New York State, born in the town of Windham, in Greene county, on the 21st day of August, 1828 ; but the ravages of time and almost ceaseless toil scarcely show upon him, and he might readily be taken as a man of fully fifteen years less than he in fact bears. In the family of his parents, Aaron and Anna (Ford) Deyo, were five children that grew to maturity, and of these Albert was the youngest. When he was but six years of age his father's family left New York and came to Seneca county, in this State, where he worked a farm for four years, after which he moved to Huron county and resided there until his death, in the year 1842. Aaron Deyo was an honest, hard-working farmer, who, by his toil had acquired some means, but by circumstances beyond his control, he was stripped of his property, and that, too, at an age in life when further labor could not repair the loss. After his death the mother, with Albert and two other of her sons, kept the family together for three years.


About this time, or when he became eighteen years of age, Albert com- menced teaching school in the winter, and did carpenter work during the work- ing season, and so continued most of the time until his marriage, in 1854, and even later, for we find that during the winter succeeding his marriage, he taught school in Huron county.


It was on the 18th of October, 1854, that Albert Deyo was married to


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Margaret Kishpaugh, the daughter of Henry Kishpaugh, of Huron county. The succeeding spring with his wife and a hired conveyance, Mr. Deyo came to Fulton county and took up his residence in the then wild region of Chesterfield township, on a tract of land situate within a half-mile from where he now resides. He had here purchased a tract of unimproved land of one hundred and sixty acres, making a payment of about eight hundred dollars, money that he had previously earned, and encumbering the property for the balance. He built a log house in the woods and commenced an improvement. The clearing, however, was not wholly done by him, as he worked at his trade as a carpenter during the summer, hiring the necessary work of the farm to be done.


On this farm our subject lived until 1863, when it was sold, and he pur- chased the two hundred and twenty-six acre tract now occupied and so greatly improved by his labor and industry. This occurred during the time of the late war, in the events of which Mr. Deyo took more than a civilian's interest. He was the captain of a militia company, receiving a commission from Governor Todd; but desiring a more active service than that of home guard, he enlisted for the hundred-day service as a private of Company D. He was afterward promoted to orderly sergeant. The command was attached to the One Hun- dred and Thirtieth regiment, and served therewith until the expiration of the term of enlistment. Subsequently the company was reorganized and he was unanimously elected its captain.


The interest taken by our subject in the civil, social, and political affairs of the county are well evidenced by the early part of this narrative, and need no further comment in this sketch. The record made by him in the Legislature of the State was wholly satisfactory, both to the man and his constituents. During the first term of his service there, the Democratic party was in the majority, and not being a member thereof Mr. Deyo expected no favors ; he received none, he asked none; yet he did his duty fearlessly and well. The next term found his own-the Republican party-in the ascendency, and with that came work and responsibility, for he was made chairman of the Fees and Salary Committee, second on Agriculture, second on the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, besides performing important service on special committees selected on various occasions.


Now having reached the sixtieth year of his life, Albert Deyo is content to yield the active participation in the arena of politics to younger aspirants, and to retire to the quiet and comforts of his home, where, surrounded by family and friends, he enjoys the fruits of early toil and labor. Still, not infrequently, does he enjoy the pleasures of travel, learning more and seeing more of this broad and progressive country. Mr. Deyo's family, besides himself and wife, consists of three children-one daughter, the wife of a promising young physi- cian, of Wauseon, and two sons, the elder in business in Nebraska, the younger possessing the same habits of industry and energy that characterized his father,


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resides at home and has charge of the farm, stock, etc., thus relieving his father of the entire charge of the same.


E LY, LA FAYETTE G. In the western part of Franklin township, near the Williams county line, is the excellent farm and elegant home of La Fay- ette G. Ely, a man well known throughout this county as a successful farmer, a thorough-going business man, a trusted public servant, and a man of strict integrity and moral worth. All this is said of him by persons whose acquaint- ance with Mr. Ely is of long standing.




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