History of Lorain County, Ohio, Part 32

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 626

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WILLIAM O. CAHOON came, with his father Joel Cahoon, to Dover, Cuyahoga county, in 1810, when four years of age. He grew to manhood on his fath- er's farm. Ile first came to Elyria in 1826, and worked at chopping, but did not settle in town with his family until 1831. llis wife was a daughter of Judge Moses Eldred. Ile was a stone mason by trade, and followed that business until his death. Ile owned a stone quarry on the east branch of the river, and a very large portion of our excellent side- walks were put down by him. He was a model of industry, and worked until the day of his death, which occurred on the 20th of July, 1828. Ile was seventy-two years of age. Mr. Cahoon was for many years a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ILARLOW WELLS came from Connectieut with his brother-in-law, Hezekiah Kelsey, to Elyria in 1827. and settled on the farm where he now resides. It was then an unbroken forest, but he cleared up the land and made himself a pleasant home. He has lived a life of quiet industry, and now, at an advanced age, is enjoying the fruits of his labor.

JONATHAN T. PARSONS Came also from Connecticut to Elyria in 1828. Ile settled on the farm on Lake avenue which he afterwards sold to Arad Smith. He died October 31, 1838, leaving a wife and two sons, one a babe and the other five years of age.

EDSON A. GRISWOLD was born in Wintonbury, Con- neeticut, in the year 1805. Ile removed to Elyria in 1832, and bought the farm on Lake avenue on which he now resides. It was at that time a wilderness.

He has served two terms as a magistrate, and been a prosperous farmer. IIe has retired from active labor, and has transferred his farm to his son Arthur E. IIe still lives, at the age of seventy-three, in the en- joyment of good health of body and mind.

ARAD SMITH, of Amherst, Mass., married Miss Salome Elmer, of Virginius, Vt., in 1799. He re- moved to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where he remained till 1833, when he came to Elyria and purchased the farm of Jonathan T. Parsons, lots thirty-seven and thirty-three, west of the river, sixty- six acres now occupied by his son Stephen Smith. He died in 1859, his wife having died in 1827. Ile was the father of thirteen children, five of whom are living. Stephen Smith has added to the old home- stead, and now has one hundred and fifty-five acres.

COL. WILLIAM GREGG, from Londonderry, N. H., married Hannah Jewett, of Stratham, N. II. They came to Elyria in 1834, and settled on the ridge road sonth of Arad Smith. Col. Gregg died August 31, 1874, at an advanced age. He was a valuable citizen. The children were William B., who married Mary Ann Bailey: they reside on the old homestead; Henry .B. died in 1839; John died in California. Mrs. Gregg, relict of Col. Gregg, is still living, at the age of seventy-five.

EBENEZER WHITON came to Elyria from Lee, Mass. We are unable to give the time of his arrival. He was appointed elerk of the court of common pleas at its first session, which commenced August 12, 1824, and held the office until the time of his death, which occurred Angust 31, 1834. Ile purchased lots sixty- two and sixty-three, and built the house next west of Mrs, Haines, which is still occupied.

Mrs. Whiton removed with her children to Wis- consin many years ago, and died in December, 1878, aged eighty years.

EBENEZER GRIFFITH came from Allegany county, N. Y., to Elyria, in 1827, and in company with his brother, Luther N. Griffith, purchased the hotel built by George Douglas, then standing on the site of the present Union Block, After a few years the brothers dissolved, and Reuben Nichols (who came with his family from Vermont) became the partner of Mr. Griffith. They soon erected a new brick hotel on the same ground, called the Mansion House.

This was considered a fine building for that day. It was two stories in height, with a veranda occupy- ing the entire front, supported by massive columns. This hotel was kept by the parties for many years, and was the best in town until the erection of the Beebe House. Mr. Griffith filled the office of sheriff for one or two terms, and other positions of honor and responsibility. He raised a family of eight children, live of whom are living. Of these, two only reside in Elyria, viz: Lomida M., wife of S. Bodwell, and Arvilla L., wife of Ira B. Sekins, Mr. Griffith died in December, 1866.

CLARK ELDRED. - This venerable relic of pioneer times has been noticed in preceding pages of this

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IHISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

history. He was the son of Moses Eldred, who settled two miles east of the village in 1813, and for many years kept a hotel. The subject of this sketch, though a boy of sixteen, was for a short time a soldier in the war of 1812. After Hull's surrender of Detroit, there was great alarm among the pioneer settlers along the south shore of Lake Erie, They were but few in number, and their dwellings were isolated and scattered. The British had induced all or nearly all of the Indian tribes of the west to become their allies. The savage murder of defenceless families was a com- mon occurrence.

The people of Ridgeville, with their wives and little ones, fled through the forest, driving their live stock, and took refuge in a log fort that had been built in Columbia. Young Eldred's father had been severely wounded in a skirmish with the Indians on the Penin- sula, and was borne from the field to the late Joshua R. Giddings. It was under these circumstances that the hoy Eldred went to the front and commenced the life of a soldier. The capture of the British tleet by Commodore Perry, on Lake Erie, soon after relieved the pioneer settlers of all their fears, and those who had joined the army returned to their homes.

"The first brick manufactured in Elyria were made by Mr. Eldred. The first land sold in the township was purchased by him; the first clearing was made by him; the first frame building raised without the aid of whisky was his. He was one of the first mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church in this place, and has continued a faithful member to the present time.

RANSOM REDINGTON was the son of Eliphalet Red- ington, who removed from Massachusetts and settled in South Amherst, in this county, at an early day. Ile came to this township as early as 1819, then a young man. He was for several years a clerk in the store of Thompson Miles, and afterward a partner. lle was also in partnership with Raymond Starr, after Mr. Miles retired from business. In 1832 or '33, he opened a dry goods store in the Ely Block, and con- tinued in trade for eight or ten years, when he sold ont. In 1842, he, in company with Charles Parsons, opened a book store-the first in Elyria. In 1844, they sold out to E. C. Griswold, who continned the business until 1827. Mr. Redington, for the rest of his life, was engaged principally in the law book trade through Northern Ohio. At the same time, he purchased of miscellaneous books for himself and friends every book that was rare, ancient or valuable, and many choice pictures and works of art. There is scarcely a pleasant home in this part of the State that is not adorned with pictures of his selection. He possessed remarkable taste in making such selec- tions. He was also an amateur in the cultivation of choice flowers, and supplied himself and friends with the choicest bulbs and flower seeds. The influence of such a life for good in any community can hardly be over-estimated. He was a profound thinker, and speculated much on theological subjects. He was

married in 1826, to Miss Pamelia Manter, sister of Dr. Manter, who is still living at the age of seventy- eight, in full possession of her faculties of mind and memory. She is a highly cultured Christian lady, and, with Mr. A. Beebe, is the only remaining pioneer of this township. Mr. Redington died May 9, 1870, aged seventy years.

MEDICAL HISTORY,

DR. JOHN F. BUTLER must have come to Elyria as early as 1819, as he was a voter at the first election in the township in 1820. We are unable to state the place of his nativity, and only know that he was a graduate of the Fairfield Medical College, in Herki- mer county, N. Y. He was a man of fair attainments, and a faithful, attentive physician, thoroughly devoted to his calling. Families who employed him had great confidence in his skill, and cherish his memory. He removed to his farm in Ridgeville, where he continued in the practice of his profession for many years. He died in 1858.

DR. AUGUSTUS WOLCOTT came to Elyria, also, in 1819, and practiced his profession for several years. He too graduated at the Fairfield Medical School. Ile retired from practice and settled on his farm in Sheffield in 1829. He was a man of close observation and sound judgment, and his prognosis in a case of disease, in the opinion of his patrons, settled the question of life or death. He died of cancer of the face May 17, 1841, aged sixty-one years.

DR. NATHAN MANTER was born at Ashfield, Mass., August 23, 1792. His father, Dr. Francis Manter, died early, leaving him to the care of a devoted mother, who carefully trained him for a life of useful- ness. The love and care of this faithful mother were met by the filial affection of the son, which was strikingly manifested during the whole course of her life. Dr. Manter was educated at the Fairfield Academy, in Herkimer county, N. Y. He pursued his medical studies with his uncle, Dr. Nathan Har- wood, of that State. When he had completed the usual course of study, he came to Ohio, then almost a wilderness, and settled in Enchd, Cuyahoga county, in 1815. Here he seenred a successful practice, and remained until 1824, when he removed to Elyria. In 1823, he married Miss Susan Miles, mother of his four children, who died November 29, 1836. She was a devoted wife, a tender and careful mother, and a faithful Christian, HIe afterward married Mrs. Pamelia Clapp, who died July 29, 1848, Dr. Manter was fortunate in both of his marriages; he was happy in his domestic relations. Pure refinement and affee- tion characterized his home life.

Ile had an extensive practice, and for many years was recognized as the leading physican in this section of the country. He was a skillful surgeon, and did most of the business in that branch of his profession until younger men relieved him, by his own request, in the more difficult and delicate operations. We quote

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HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

from an obituary notice written by a professional friend, * published after his death :

" After continuing in what is called regular practice for more than thirty years, Dr. Manter gradually changed to the system of Hanneman. This change, while it deprived him of the professional sympathy of his former medical associates, did not deprive him of the personal friend- ship or esteem of any one of them; whatever reasons or motives others may be supposed to have for a similar change, no one doubted the con- scientiousness of Dr. Manter. Two years before his death he was stricken with paralysis. This attack was doubtless brought on by the death of his son, Col, Frank H. Manter, in the army. During his two years of suf- fering he exhibited a remarkable degree of patience and resignation. ITe was tenderly cared for by his children, who with devoted affection ministered lo every want. He died February 19, 1866, aged 73. Dr. Manter was a close student during his whole professional life, and was thoroughly conversant with the medical literature of his day. He was a man of close observation, and faithful in his attention to his patients. His mind was not distracted by political ambition or disturbed by outside influences. He was not only " the good physician " Lo most of the early inhabitants of the village, but their confidential friend. He was genial and courteous in his manner, polite and dignified in his social intercourse with all. In stort he was an accomplished christian gentleman of the old school. For more than thirty years he was an influential member of the Presbyterian church, and by his life he adorned his profession.",

DR. SAMUEL STRONG was educated at the Fairfield Medical School in the State of New York, and removed to Brownhelm in this county, abont the year 1828. After two years of successful practiec he changed his residence to Amherst, where he remained about two years. In 1833 he removed to Elyria and formed a co-partnership with Dr. N. H. Manter, This connee- tion continned six or eight years, when it was dis- solved. He continued in practice in Elyria until his decease. He died March 26, 1850, aged forty-four years.

Dr. Strong was in many respects a remarkable man. lle was an enthusiast in his profession and obtained a reputation for carrying through safely apparently hopeless cases of disease. Ile pursned the heroic plan of treatment, and would sit by the bedside of impor- tant and dangerous cases for whole days and nights watching the course of disease and the effect of reme- dies, and in this way would generally carry them through in safety. He was a decided optimist, always looking on the bright side. This led him into some unfortunate speculations, but he enjoyed the respect of the community and the love of his friends while he lived. He was warm-hearted and generous, and seemed to enjoy more pleasure in performing acts of kindness for others than in promoting his own inter- ests. tle left a widow and two children. Mrs. Strong afterwards became the wife of Mr. Otis Briggs, and is still living. His daughter, Carrie, married Mr. Edwin Mussey, who was for a long time a merchant in Amherst. His son, Samuel, has for many years been at the head of the great wholesale drug house in Cleveland of the firm of Strong, Cobb & Co.

DR. ASA B. BROWN, a native of Vermont, and a graduate of Berkshire Medical College, settled in Elyria, in 1832, and soon built up a respectable prac- tive. In the fall of 1834, having lost his young and beautiful wife and feeling greatly depressed, he retired from practice, and soon after took charge of the Elyria High School. Hle conducted this school for

several years, when he removed to the State of Michi- gan, where he soon died. Dr. Brown was a man of more than ordinary ability. Had he adhered to his profession he would doubtless have risen to eminence.

DR. RICHARD L. HOWARD was the successor of Dr. Brown in the practice of his profession in Elyria. He was born in Andover, Vt., in the year 1809.

At the age of seventeen his father died, and he was left with the care of a widowed mother. With that indomitable energy which characterized his whole life, he discharged the new responsibilities with pru- dence and entire success. Ile began the study of medicine when quite young, and gradnated with honor at the Berkshire Medical College at the age of twenty- two years. Ile moved to Windham, Portage county, and commenced the practice of his profession, and on the retirement of Dr. Brown from practice in 1834, he came to Elyria and took his place. He soon gained a large practice both as a physician and surgeon, and remained in Elyria until 1844, when he removed to Columbus, Ohio, where he soon secured a leading practice. He was mainly instrumental in establishing the Starling Medical College in that city, of which he became Professor of Surgery. The late Lyne Starling, a wealthy citizen, donated the munitieent sum of thirty thousand dollars, which, with an additional amount, mainly furnished by Dr. Howard, was expended in the erection of that beautiful college building which now adorns the Capital City.

During the time he occupied the chair of surgery, he visited France, and spent some time in the famous hospitals of Paris. He returned, richly laden with the latest improvements in modern surgery. He died in the prime of life, at. Columbus, JJanuary 16, 1854. He was, for several years, considered the leading sur- geon in Central Ohio, and was an excellent teacher. Until his health failed, he edited the Ohio Medical and Surgical Journal. Dr. Howard was. in many respects, a remarkable man. Not naturally brilliant, he made it up by his indomitable energy and perse- verance. He was ambitions, but his ambition run only in the line of his chosen profession. He placed his standard high, and turned neither to the right nor left until he had reached the object sought. He had ae- cumulated a handsome property, which he left to his widow and children.

A sketch of the life of Dr. LUTHER D. GRISWOLD is given elsewhere in this volume.

DR. EBER W. HUBBARD was a graduate of the Fairfield Medical College. He located in La Grange, near the time of its first settlement, and had a large practice in that and adjacent townships. He re- moved to Elyria, in 1838, and from that time until 1852. when not in public life, practiced in his profes- sion. He was one of the associate judges of this county, for six years, before he settled in Elyria. He was three times elected to the lower branch of the gen- eral assembly, and was an able and influential member. He served for three years as bank commissioner, and the same length of time as fund commissioner. While

* Dr. Norton S. Townshend.

Photo, by Lee, Elyria, O.

Edwin Colony

The falsity of old proverbs or trite sayings are often shown in the history of men. " A prophet is not without honor except in his own country" is altogether wrong, as applied to Dr. Edwin C. Perry.

Abel R. Perry and Lucy Ackley moved into Ohio, from Ferrisburg, Vt., in 1833, settling at Ridgeville, Lorain Co., Ohio. Mr. A. R. Perry removed to Elyria in 1854. His family embraced six children, all of whom are dead ex- eept the fifth (whose genial face heads this article). He yet remains, with his wife, at Elyria, a respected citizen, and justly proud of the success of his remaining child.

Dr. E C. Perry was born at Ridgeville, as above, Jan. 20, 1840. The doctor owes much to the "New England energy" that made and moulded so much Lorain County character.

His mother, in the early life of her son, gave him the home teachings of Mrs. Adelia Ferris, who was more com- petent than the common-school teacher. This, however, was but limited, and not until the removal of his father did he get much educational privilege.

Under the teachings of Mr. Oatman, Mills, aud others, at the Union School of Elyria, he distinguished himself as a scholar, graduating with honors. Soon looking the " problem of life" in the face, he determined to become a physician. Reading medicine in Elyria the proper time, he attended the full course of lectures at the Eclectie Medical Institute, of Cincinnati, Ohio. With high standing he graduated Feb. 6, 1861, at the early age of twenty-one.

Commencing at once the high function of a physician,

in spite of any and every prejudice, so often existing in all communities against the "boy" who essays his mark, he was not long in gaining his reputation of a " careful healer,"-one whose mere kindly presence ever brings re- lief to the sufferer.

Dr. Perry was married May 30, 1871, to Eliza Holbrook, daughter of Dexter and Jerusha Pomeroy Holbrook, both of New Fane, Windham Co., Vt. Mrs. Perry's parents, at an early day, moved into Pittsfield, Lorain Co., Ohio, removing to Elyria, where they now reside.

Dr. Perry, with justifiable pride, remembers that his wife, on the mother's side, was a great-grandehild of Gen- eral Pomeroy, who, at the battle of Bunker Hill, stepped into the place of General Warren as he was slain ; and on the father's side, great-grandchild of Mr. Holbrook, who was with General Ethan Allen at the surrender of Ticonderoga.

Not conforming always to the rule of his partienlar school, Dr. Perry is everywhere an eclectic in its broadest sense. Ever ready to consult with the disciples of other schools, he lives to learn from all that which shall enable him to become of greatest service to his fellow-man in his profession.

As a citizen, he is notably charitable. During the war of the Rebellion he procured a man to fill his place in the field. Ile is ever ready to lend a helping hand to all Elyria's im- provements. Ile is the medical examiner of Couneil No. 57 of the Royal Areanus of Elyria. Possessing a reputation unsullied by any act as a man, private or professional, he is a living example of one of Elyria's present self-made men.

Photo. by Lee, Elyria, O.

DR. CHARLES F. CUSHING.

The early annals of Seitnate, Mass., show on their records frequently the name of Cushing. Francis Cushing was born at Scituate, and was a ship-builder. To him was given the honor of being one of the master-builders of the United States ship of war the "Old Constitution." Charles, his son, followed the calling of a farmer ; was born at Seituate, and married Miss Sally R. Thayer, whose ancestors were of the Turner family, a name so common to the antiquarian who studies the early history of New England. Charles and his wife, Sally R., were the parents of ten children, one of them, Dr. C. F. Cushing, being born in 1829.

His early life was that of the average New England boy ; work on the farm, the common school, and three months' study in the select school found him seventeen years of age. Then buying his time of his father for one hundred dollars, the next four years were spent in work as he found it, now on the farm and again as a school teacher. Funds thus earned repaid the debt to his father, and were used for better educational privileges at Lewiston Falls, Maine.

Now with the world before him, the vocation of teacher was pursued by him at the South for three years,-years of much pleasure and of mental profit to him.

The spring of 1854 gave to him a new home, and greater opportunities of self-improvement. With the exception of a short visit to the East, the following five years were passed in California. Varied was his experience there: now in the city, now at the diggings, now proprietor of a hotel in the mountains ; again, in connection with a friend, a tract of land is taken up, fenced, prepared, and planted with fruit- trees and the grape-vine. This contract was made between the friends: " He who first marries, to him shall this property belong." The friend gained the " ranche," Elyria won her courteous physician.

Mr. Cushing commenced the reading of medicine with Dr. Norman, of Suisun Valley, California. These read- ings were completed with Dr. John Wheeler, at Cleveland,

Ohio. Entering the Western Homeopathic College, of the same city, he graduated with honor in the spring of 1861.

Soon after taking up his residence in Elyria he engaged in the practice of his profession ; his first two winters, how- ever, being spent at Cleveland, where, at his Alma Mater, he was demonstrator of anatomy, virtually filling that ehair,

Commencing at Elyria as an exponent of the Hahnemann idea of medicine,-an idea yet unpopular with the many,- slow but sure was his steady progress in his profession, and marked was the esteem he daily gained as a citizen. This esteem showed itself in this way. Requested in 1862 to form a company of " squirrel hunters," with alacrity did he respond. Many a young man of Elyria will ever remem- ber his departure from Elyria ; the camp of weeks' duration upon Gen. W. H. Harrison's old homestead ; the thanks with which Governor Tod sent them home under Captain Cushing, who as captain, physician, and friend performed those various duties so well.

In 1866 he wedded Miss Mary L. Hayward, of Brooklyn, N. Y. Thus did the grandson of the builder of the " Old Constitution" become the husband of the granddaughter of Mr. Lyman Knowles, who, at the request of " Boston's solid men," built, at Amherst, Mass., the famous carriage for General Jackson from the historical timbers of said " Old Constitution." Of this marriage little Charlie alone re- mains to make the parents' home gladsome, two little sisters having passed away.

Now in the full vigor of manhood, with ever-increasing practice; honored by the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad Company with the position of surgeon of said road, after the death of the late Dr. E. P. Haines, which position was filled by Dr. Cushing until general order abolishing such office; with the most courteous relations existing between himself and brother physicians, no matter of how different schools ; with the respect of all, as citizen and physician, he lives one of Elyria's prominent men.

Photo, by Lee, Elyria, 0.

FREDERICK S. REEFY.

Frederick S. Reefy* was born in the village of Boczingen, at the foot of the Jura, in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, Sept. 1, 1833, and the following year emigrated with his parents to the United States, and located on a farm near Mount Eaton, Wayne Co., Ohio. Here he spent his early boyhood, the summers at work upon the fields, and the winters at school, where he received his rudimentary education in the English language, and was instructed to read and write the German by his parents. Being of a studious habit, he took at an early age the first rank in his classes, and in a few years mastered the branches taught in the district schools. In the fif- teenth year of his age the family moved to Tuscarawas County, near Wilmot. Here four more years were spent on the farmu and at school, when he began teach- ing in the winter, and during the summer pursued the higher branches of education. This course, alternat- ing as a teacher and student, continued seven years; and having acquired his education mainly by his own

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History of Lorain County, Ohio, Part 32

Author: Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia, Williams brothers Number of Pages: 626

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 626