History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 102

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1014

USA > Ohio > Medina County > History of Medina county and Ohio > Part 102

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another one was built on Mr. Bleekman's farm, a short distance west of his residence. This school building was attended by children liv- ing in the northwest corner, and also by those living north of the Center. The house was a frame, built of lumber sawed at one of the mills on Mill Creek, and costing at the rate of $5 per one thousand feet. It is said that more young men and women, who afterward taught school, were "graduated " at this house than at any other ever in the township. This house was used until about 1856, when a re-division into school districts made the erection of a schoolhouse in the northwestern part neces- sary. A school edifice was built in the north- eastern part, at an early day. After a num- ber of years it was burned, and has been suc- ceeded by two others, the last being built about twenty years ago.

La Fayette Township has the reputation of having a greater number of churches, com- pared with the population, than any other township in the county. In 1834, Rev. Joel Goodell came from abroad by invitation, and preached in the Harris Schoolhouse, and on that day the first religious society-Congre- gational-was organized. Among the first members were the following persons: Abra- ham and Asenath Brooks, Ira and Fanny Brooks, Peter Brooks, Tabitha Brooks, Bos- well Williams, Martha Lucas, Jeremiah and Susan Doty, Matthew and Eveline Leffingwell, George Wallace, Amelia Doty; Rozetta Doane, and Milo and Lucy Loomis. The society grew in membership and wealth, and, some eight or ten years after their organization, a small church was built, the township assist- ing in defraying the expense with the under- standing that the church was to be used in which to hold township elections, etc. This oc- casioned considerable dissatisfaction, which continued to increase until 1854, when the Congregationalists built a large, fine frame

church in the village at a cost of about $2,200. Here they have assembled since. In the year 1835, Rev. William Kellum, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, came to the township, where he preached and organized a class. The members assembled in schoolhouses and other buildings, until 1853, when they erected a frame church a short distance south of the Center, at a cost of $1,300. This building was occupied by the society until some four years ago, when they sold their church and purchased the one owned by the Baptists, the latter society having become so reduced in membership as to make the sale of their church advisable. The Christian Church was first organized in the year 1837, under the management of Rev. William Moody; and the society, at its beginning, met with consider- able opposition from members of the religious organizations already established in the town- ship. Among the first members were Earl Moulton, Azariah Foster, John Bowman and their families, and others. Notwithstanding the opposition to the organization of the so- ciety, the membership, in less than three months, was sixty, and this continued to in- crease. Rev. Mr. Moody was given charge of the society, and, under his energetic control, it grew in strength and grace. Services were held in schoolhouses until about the year 1853, when a large frame church was built at a cost of about $2,000. The society is doing well at present. The Baptist society was first instituted in about the year 1834. The mem- bers for many years were compelled to meet in dwellings and schoolhouses; but the society continued to grow steadily, until finally, in 1853, when the church-building mania swept over the township, a frame church was erected at a cost of $1,300. Here they continued to assemble until some four years ago, when they sold their church to the Methodists. Some thirty-six years ago the United Brethren or-

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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY.

ganized a society in the northwest part, and among the first members were the following: Henry Waltz, George Waltz, Robert Eakin, Jacob Miller, Daniel Dobson, W. A. Carlton, C. P. Lance, and their wives, besides several others. They gathered in schoolhouses until 1854, when their church was built at a cost of $1,000. Rev. Edwin Wood became the first Minister, and Henry Waltz was elected Class- leader. The first Deacons were George Waltz, C. B. Lance and W. A. Carlton. The society has a present membership of eighty. An Old School Presbyterian Society was insti-

tuted in 1850, in the southeast part, by Rev. Varnum Noyes. The first four Deacons were Henry Shane, Thomas Day, William Patton and John Lea. The society has a small church in the eastern part. A United Breth- ren class was early organized in the same locality, and, though it disbanded at one time, yet it was afterward revived, and is now in prosperous condition. In 1860, no church society in the township had a membership less than fifty-five. This speaks well for the relig- ious interest in La Fayette.

PART III.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

MEDINA TOWNSHIP.

S. T. ADAMS, farmer ; P. O. Medina ; was born in Albany Co., N. Y., July 11, 1817, and when a few months old, his parents removed to Saratoga Co., where they lived about nine years, then removed to Otsego County, where his father began farming on the top of Crumb Horn Mountain (previously he had followed blacksmithing, also did a little at farming). They lived here until May 14, 1832, when they removed to Wattsburg, Erie Co., Penn., where subject lived with his brother-in-law on the

farm until 1836. He then took charge of bis father's farm located in Girard Township, Erie Co., and managed the same for three years ; he then became an assistant on the Engineer Corps, Conneaut line of the Erie extension of the Pennsylvania Canal, and remained on the corps for three years ; he next taught for seven months in the public schools of Girard ; then clerked in a general store, in Girard, for a few months, after which he came to Warren, Trum- bull Co., Ohio, and, in company with his broth-

er-in-law, carried on a dairy business one sea-

son ; he then clerked one year for Smith & Mc- Comb, general merchants of Warren. He then returned to Girard, Penn., where he took charge of a farm belonging to Olan & Wells ; also as- sisted in their store during his leisure moments when the farm did not demand his attention. This business continued for one year, when, ow- ing to an accident with a team, in which bis shoulder was injured, he spent the following summer visiting his old home in New York, and in the fall returned to Trumbull Co., Ohio, where his father had removed some time pre- vious and was then residing, and took the management of his father's farm for one year.

Ilis father, in 1837, was sold out, in conse- quence of an indorsement for a friend, and, from that time until fortune again favored him, S. T. (the subject) turned in all his earnings to the family, his desire being to educate his brothers and sisters. 'In 1847, his father, having recov- ered from his reverses, bought a farm at Aurora, which he deeded to his son, in consideration of his past conduct to the family. It was, how- ever, only at the earnest solicitations of the family that he accepted it. He occupied it in the spring of 1847, and May 1, 1848, he was married to Miss Sarah H. Gardiner, in the pres- ent house, his father having purchased this place the February previous. After his mar- riage, he returned to his Aurora farm, where he lived until the spring of 1856, when he sold it and occupied his present place. While at Au- rora, he, in company with the Hon. C. R. Har- mon, took a contract for building some sections of the Cleveland & Mahoning R. R. The hard times of 1854 delayed the work and finally pushed all the contractors to the wall, and

caused them to throw up their contracts. But

Mr. Adams was firm in his intention to com-

plete his job, and only succeeded in doing so after the loss of his property ; his partner shared his loss, but, being wealthy, could stand

it without much inconvenience. After the completion, the railroad company made the

firm a present of $7,600, in stock, in compensa-

tion for their loss. He has had nine children

born to him, of whom four are living, viz .: Emma V., now Mrs. Fitch, lives on the old homestead ; Mary E., now Mrs. Newton, lives in West Richfield, Summit Co .; Jennie M., now Mrs. Fitch, of Medina ; William E., lives on the

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

old homestead. Mr. Adams has always been a Demoerat, and, in 1860, was a " War Democrat," and liberal in all measures for the prosecution of the war. In the campaign of 1880, he be- came Republican in the belief that the South- ern branch of the Democratic party would not permit a free ballot, and, this being contrary to his ideas and training, he climbed over on the other side of the political fence ; indeed, he has voted the Democratic ticket since the war, un- der protest, and finally determined to do so no longer, but to seek admission into the Repub- lican fold. He has been a consistent member of the Disciples' Church for the past eleven years, and is active in its support ; Mrs. Adams has been a member of the same denomination since she was 11 years old ; was baptized in Niagara River at that early age.

P. C. ALCOTT, farmer ; P. O. Medina ; was born on the farm in New Haven Co., Conu., Dec. 2, 1817. He was brought up on the farm, and received but a limited schooling at the dis- trict schools. Aug. 12, 1838, he married Miss Emily Horton, a native of New Haven Co. They came to Ohio in 1838, and settled in Me- dina, he working in the neighborhood at farm- ing, brickmaking, etc. April 1, 1842, he was called to mourn the death of his wife. By the marriage, there was one child, viz., Esther, now Mrs. H. K. Braee, of Cleveland. Feb. 5, 1846, he married Miss Sarah A. Welton, a native of Medina Co., Ohio. In 1846, Mr. Alcott en- gaged in the grocery business in Medina, in company with Mr. J. J. Williams ; they con- tinued one year, after which Mr. Aleott devoted his time to stock-dealing (cattle), a business he was identified with for upward of twenty years, he frequently driving stoek to Dutchess Co., N. Y., the trips varyiug from forty to sixty days. About 1859, he took np his residence in Medi- na, and has made this his home sinee. Aug. 8, 1877, Mrs. Aleott died, leaving thrce ehildren- Mary E., Sarah L., now Mrs. Pomroy, of Medina ; and Eva May.

LIBANUS ALLEN, retired, Medina ; was born on his father's farm, in Lewis Co., N. Y., May 7, 1810. His early life was spent on the farm and in teaching school. In April, 1834, he came to Ohio in company with his brother ; by the canal to Buffalo, thence to Clevelaud, by the lake ; thence to Medina afoot. Soon after, he bought 78 aeres, about one mile southwest of town, on which he built a frame house, prob-

ably the first in La Fayette Township. In July following, he sold out and moved to Wadsworth, where he bought a farm, and lived on the same until 1851, when he sold out and moved to Berea, and the following year they moved to a farm in Brunswick Township, this county, where he lived for twenty-four years, since which time he has lived retired in Medina. Sept. 19, 1835, he married Miss Lora Hard, who was born Jau. 3, 1809, in Franklin Co., Vt., and came with her parents to Summit Co., Ohio, in 1816, and to Medina Co., in 1818. Though but a child at the time, Mrs. Allen remembers going with the family into the yard in Vermont to listen to the cannons firing in McDonough's fight on Lake Champlain. By the marriage, there have been seven children, of whom two are liv- ing-William C. B., editor of the Rural Ne- braskan, at Omaha, and Adelaide, now Mrs. H. T. Mead, of Huron Co., Ohio ; of the five de- ceased, three died in infancy while at Wads- worth, one died in Brunswick Township, and the other, Charles E., died in the army in 1863 ; he was a member of the 5th Company of Sharpshooters. Mr. and Mrs. Allen belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they have long been members, he since 1832, and she since 1834.

JOSEPH ANDREW, lawyer, Medina ; was born in Rochester, N. Y., Oct. 4, 1840. His par- ents moved to Ohio when he was but 1 year old, and settled on a farm in Sharon Township, Medina Co., where young Andrew grew up, he assisting on the farm and attending sehool. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the 42d (Gar- field's Regiment) O. V. I., he being a private in Company K, and served for two years. He par- ticipated in the battles of Middle Creek, Cum- berland Gap, Tazewell, Big Springs, Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg campaign and the other battles of the regiment up to Champion Hills, where he was wounded, from the effects of which he lost his arm. In the fall of 1863, he returned home and attended school at the Baldwin University at Berea. In the fall following, he was elected Treasurer of Medina Co., and was re-elected in the fall of 1866, serv- ing in all four years. In 1865, he began read- ing law with Messrs. Blake & Woodward, of Medina, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1867. In 1869, he was elected Clerk of the eourt, which position he held for six years, after which he associated in partnership with Mr. S. B.

MEDINA TOWNSHIP.

683

Woodward, the firm style being Woodward & Andrew, they continuing at the present time. Oet. 10, 1866, he married Miss Imogene, dauglı- ter of Jerome and Emily (Hall) Simmons ; she was born in Granger Township, Medina Co., Ohio. They have three children, viz., Vernon R., Imogene C. and Edith.

JAMES H. ALBRO, banker, Medina ; was born in Cummington, Hampshire Co., Mass., April 17, 1820. He lived there until 15 years of age, when he eame with his parents to Ohio, stopping for one year in Maumee City, and in 1836, removed to Medina, where his father em- barked in mereantile business. James H. as- sisted in the store until he was 22 years of age, when he bought his father's business from the savings of his wages, going in debt for a small balanee. He remained two years in Medina, then moved his store to Seville. He continued there two years in company with his father and grandfather as J. Albro & Co., during which time his father built a large frame store where Mr. Bonlt's store now stands. On the comple- tion of this house, the Seville store was moved to this place, and the firm of J. Albro & Son was formed and continued for twelve years, when James H. again bought ont his father. Two years later, he sold out and engaged in other lines of business, viz., dealing in sheep, broker- ing, ete. The business of broker was continued until 1873. when, in company with Hon. H. G. Blake, he organized the Phoenix National Bank, Mr. Albro as President, a position he still holds. From his first start in life he has been sueeess- ful. He was married Mareh 12, 1846, to Miss Julia'M. Chase ; she was born in Medina, Ohio, Aug. 13, 1828. Three children were born of this marriage, two of whom are living-Willis H. and Mary E., now Mrs. Beach, of Medina. Mr. Albro's parents, John and Mary (Bradley) Albro, were natives of Rhode Island and Con- neetieut, Mr. Albro being born July 9, 1796. They were married in Suffield, Conn., moved to Massachusetts, and in 1835, moved to Ohio. He died about 1859 ; she lived in Medina until her death, which oeeurred May 15, 1880. They had seven ehildren, of whom James H. (our subject) is the only survivor. He has always given his support to the Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Albro has long been a member.

SAMUEL BOWMAN, farmer ; P. O. Medina ; was born in Shippensburg, Penn., Aug. 16, 1814 -- in the same year that the British eame to

Baltimore-and is the fourth of a family of ten children, born to John and Jane (Scott) Bow- man, who were natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They were married in Pennsyl- vania, and moved to Virginia probably about the year 1820, and settled in the vieinity of Wheeling, where he followed his trade of blaek- smithing. About 1830, they removed to Youngs- town, Ohio, where he engaged in farmiug, a business he followed until his death, which oe- eurred about 1860. His wife died three years previously. Samuel (the subject) lived at home until he was married, an event that took place Aug. 18, 1836, to Miss Caroline H. Stall, a na- tive of Youngstown. She was the second and only survivor of three children, born to George and Elizabeth (Hull) Stall, natives of Ohio and New Jersey. They were married in Ohio, and followed farming near Youngstown, where he died about 1830, and she about 1850. After his marriage, Mr. Bowman (the subjeet), worked at his trade of ax-making, to which he had served an apprenticeship of two years, begin- ning when he was 19 years old. He worked some three years at Youngstown. He then went to Garnettsville, where he worked at his trade for Harvey White, remaining with him and working at other points for abont sixteen years. He came to Medina the week after the first fire and engaged in the Medina Ax Fac- tory, where he worked about three years. He at first lived in the village, but the third year he bought and oeeupied liis present place, and has lived on it ever sinee. He has followed farming sinee the three years spent in the Medina Ax Factory. They have eight ehil- dren, viz., Frank, hardware merchant, West Salem, Ohio ; Albert L., boot and shoe dealer, Akron, Ohio ; James S., elerk in a hotel, New York City ; Mary, now Mrs. Fineh, lives at Anna, Ill .; Ida, now Mrs. Moore, Akron, Ohio ; Charles E., printer, Medina ; Park W., elerk, Akron, Ohio ; Louie B., at home.

G. D. BILLINGS, dentist, Medina ; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Nov. 10, 1842. His early life was spent on the farm. At the age of 17, his folks moved into the village of Oxford, where he finished his sehooling, and assisted in his father's broom factory. Sept. 5, 1861, he en- listed in the 50th O. V. I., as a musician, and, the following December, his eompany was trans- ferred and formed Co. B, 69th O. V. I. After the first term of service of the 69th, he and

684

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

some sixty others were transferred to Co. A, 2d O. V. I., serving with that command about two months, when they were returned to the 69th (which had re-enlisted), with which com- mand he served until January, 1865. He was with the regiment in the battles of Stone River, Resaca, Buzzard's Roost, Atlanta, Marietta, Jonesboro, Savannah, Mission Ridge, Atlanta campaign and the "March to the Sea." He received flesh wounds at Stone River and Peach Tree Creek. After his discharge, he returned to Oxford and entered the office of Dr. G. W. Keely, dentist, with whom he remained for two years and four months. He then came to Me- dina and bought the business of Dr. G. W. Dunn, dentist, and has followed the profession since. Oct. 3, 1867, he married Miss Ollie M. De Witt, a native of Oxford, Ohio ; she dicd Fcb. 27, 1877, in Medina. Oct. 1, 1878, he married Miss Mary J. Welty, a native of Oxford, Ohio. They have one child-Suzie Maybelle, born June 4, 1880. During the great fire in Medina in 1870, the Doctor's office and household goods were destroyed, and he had his hands seriously burned while he was trying to save his prop- erty, and only escaped himself by dropping from a window of the burning building.

W. H. BRADWAY, proprietor Medina Hol- low-ware Company, Medina; was born in Mun- son Township, Hampden Co., Mass., Feb. 23, 1814. He was brought up on a farm until he was 16 years of age, when he engaged in brick- making, and worked at that business for five years. His schooling was limited to a few win- ter terms of district schools. He apprenticed, at Springfield, Mass., to the molder's trade for one year, he receiving $100 and board, and fol- lowed the business most of the time until 1851, when he farmed for three years. In 1854, he came to Ohio, and settled in Hinckley Town- ship, where he resided some eighteen months. He then came to Medina, and worked in a small foundry, where he made a new style of plows. After one year, he went to Ft. Wayne, Ind., where he engaged as foreman in Bass & Hannah's foundry, and, after six months, he went to Galion, Ohio, and took charge of A. C. Squire's foundry for twenty-two months, when he came to Mcdina and began clearing some land he had bought. In April, 1876, he en- gaged in his present business, renting the place of the owners, and, in 1877, he bought the en- tire business, and has conducted it since. He

married Miss Sallie E. Squier in July, 1837. She was a native of Massachusetts, and died July 8, 1879. They had two children ; one liviug, viz., Orlando. He is married and lives in Ft. Wayne, Ind., where he follows his trade of brass molder in the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad Co.'s shops.

S. H. BRADLEY, of S. H. Bradley & Son, hardware, Medina ; was born in Blandford, Mass., Sept. 24, 1818, and lived there seven- teen years, he assisting at home in the hotel and attending the district school. In 1835, the family moved to Maumee City, Ohio, and, in 1836, they came to Medina, where his father formed a partnership in the cabinct manufact- uring business, the firm being Blair & Brad- ley. S. H. engaged his time in clerking in the general merchandise business until 1840, when he went to Cincinnati as book-keeper for Messrs. Albro & Co., with whom he remained one year ; he then returned to Medina, and, on the 20th of November following, he married Miss Maria L. McClure. She was born in New York, and came to Ohio with her parents about the year 1828. After the marriage, he kept the American House in Medina, and, in the spring of 1843, he moved to Litchfield, where he kept hotel until the summer of 1844. He then engaged in the livery business in Tiffin, Ohio, and, in 1845, he came to Mcdina, and served as Deputy Auditor for four years. In the fall of 1848, he was elected Auditor, and was re-elected in 1850, in both instances being the only one elected on the ticket. In 1853, he became a member in the partnership of Brad- ley & Boult, the latter being at the time Audi- tor ; but he officiated in the store, and Mr. Bradley acted as Auditor. In 1857, Mr. Bradley bought Mr. Boult's interest in the business, and, in 1861, he sold out to Messrs. E. G. & E. J. Fenn, and bought out the hardware business of H. W. Brown, and has been in that line ever since. In 1870, his business was destroyed by the great fire, his loss reaching $9,500, on which there was an iu- surance of $6,000. He soon rc-built, and added queens and glass ware and pottery to his line of hardware. He also took his son into partner- ship, the style of the firm being S. H. Bradley & Son. By the marriage, there have been two children-John A., partner in the business, and Fannie M., who was drowned in 1864. Mr. Bradley's parents, Thomas and Lucretia A.

685

MEDINA TOWNSHIP.

(Boice) Bradley, were natives of Suffield, Conn., and Blandford, Mass. They married in Bland- ford in 1816, and came West, as stated. He followed his cabinet business until 1845. Feb. 2 of that year, he died. Mrs. Bradley coutin- ucd her residence in Medina until her death, in July, 1865. Of their three children, two are living-S. H. and L. L., who, since 1850, has resided in California. Mary E. died about the year 1853.

JUDGE SAMUEL G. BARNARD is a na- tive of this county, and the fifth in a family of eight children born to Capt. Abner and Diana (Blanchard) Barnard. Abner Barnard, son of Capt. Samuel and Roxana Barnard, was born in the town of Simsbury, Scotland Parish, Hart- ford Co., Conn., Nov. 3, 1779 ; he married Diana, daughter of Thomas and Sylvia Blanchard, of Windsor, Poquonock Parish, Hartford Co., Conn., Feb. 22, 1820, and left his native State for the Reserve on May 10, 1827 ; journeying in wag- ons to Albany, he took the canal-boat there to Buffalo, where he embarked his family, consist- ing of a crippled daughter and a little boy of less thau 2 years of age, on the steamboat En- terprise, for Cleveland. Arriving at a point three miles from that city, the captain of the vessel refused to go farther -- it is said, because of some previous misunderstanding with the officials of the city-and the passengers were obliged to trust themselves to the open boats. These, ladened down nearly to the gunwale, in the darkness of the night, made their tedious way to what was then the hamlet of Cleveland, the passengers touching the water when resting their hands on the sides of the boats. Fortu- nately, the passage from the steam boat was made without accident, and the little family came with teams from Cleveland, on the old pike, to a point on this road in Guilford Township, nearly a mile north of the village of Seville, settling on what is known as the Martin farm. Of the children, Abner was born in Connecti- cut Nov. 3, 1799 : Diana was born in Connect- icut Feb. 15, -, deceased Aug. 26, 1877 ; Mary W. was born in Connecticut Dec. 31, 1822, deceased May 6, 1850 ; James E. was born in Connecticut Aug. 22, 1825 ; Samuel G. was born in Ohio April 4, 1828 ; Albert G. was born in Ohio Oct. 14, 1831 ; Charles H. was born in Ohio Sept. 12, 1836, deceased April 4, 1852 ; Hercelia M. was born in Ohio April 25, 1842. Samuel G. was born in Guil-

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History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 102

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1014

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1014