History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 104

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 104

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ANDREW GRIESINGER, boots and shoes, Medina; was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, December 22, 1832, and lived there twenty-two years, during which time he learned the shoe- maker's trade. In 1854, he came to the United States, and worked at his trade for three years iu New York City. He then came to Medina Co., Ohio, and worked as jour for about three years. He then engaged in the business, be- ginning with a very limited stock, which he kept steadily increasing, until now he carries the largest stock of boots and shoes in the county, besides conducting a custom depart-

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ment employing five hands. In 1870, his busi- ness was destroyed by the great fire, he losing, over and above insurance, about $1,000. De- cember 1, 1870, he completed and occupied his present briek store. Nov. 29, 1859, he married Miss Catharine Kunstner. She was born in Germany, and came to the United States when young, her folks settling in Liverpool Township, this county. By the marriage there have been nine ehildren, six of whom are living, viz .: Christian, Louisa, Andrew, William, Mary and Georgia.

G. B. HAMILTON, farming ; P. O. Medina ; was born on his present plaee Nov. 17, 1822, and lived here until he was 22 years of age, when he engaged as elerk in Medina, which he followed about five years. He was then, Mareh, 1849, appointed Postmaster under Gen. Tay- lor's Administration, and served four years. In 1850, he engaged as telegraph operator at Medina, his being the first office of the kind in the county ; he continued the business about four years. He then served two years as gen- eral agent for contractors on the Medina & Wheeling Railroad, after which he served one year as Treasurer of that company. He then eame back to the farm, where he remained until March, 1861, when he was appointed Govern- ment Mail Agent, Cleveland to Cincinnati, and run for four years ; he then served one year as Special Agent, post office department, after which, he again returned to his farm and has lived there since. Sept. 19, 1850, he married Miss Flora A. Sellkirk, a native of Medina Co., Ohio; she died in April, 1877. They had four children, viz. : Aehsah, now Mrs. Pratt, of Me- dina ; Letta, now Mrs. Pratt, of Lorain County ; Julia and Gale. In September, 1879, he married Mrs. Blanchard, formerly Miss Harriet Smead- ley, a native of Massachusetts; she eame to Medina County during her infaney.

MATHEW L. HAMILTON, retired farmer ; P. O. Medina; was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., Jan. 20, 1797, and lived on a farm in his native State for twenty-one years. In 1818, he and his brother Arzy came to Ohio, by sleigh, to Medina County, where their cousin, Zenas Hamilton, lived. Mathew entered 100 acres of land, where he now lives, and his brother en- tered adjoining. They worked for the neigh- bors, and, late in the fall of that year, he went back to New York afoot, the whole distance to Delaware County. He also visited relatives in

Connecticut, and the following summer worked at carpentering. In August, 1821, he married Miss Aehsah Beardsley, a native of Connecti- cut. They married in Delaware Co., N. Y., whither her parents had moved. The fall of his marriage he came West in a two-horse wagon, and occupied his place, building a log house, and began clearing his land. In 1839, his wife died, leaving four children, of whom three are living, viz .: G. B., on the old home- stead; William and Lewis farm adjoining places in Washington Co., Iowa. In 1840, Mr. Ham- ilton married Miss Sallie Beardsley, a sister of his first wife; she died in 1873. About 1872, he became paralyzed, and has been an invalid sinee. His parents, Eden and Zellar (Linds- ley) Hamilton, were natives of Connecticut ; they followed farming; of their nine ehildren, Mathew L. alone survives. Eden Hamilton was a drummer boy in the Revolutionary war, his eommand serving at West Point, when Andre was hung.

PETER R. HUNTINGTON, farmer ; P. O. Medina ; was born in Norwich, Conn., Aug. 20, 1809, and lived there sixteen years ; he then eame to Ohio, taking the water-route via New York City, Albany, Buffalo and Cleveland ; thence, he rode with a stranger to Medina Co., where he lived with his brother-in-law, until 1827 ; he then went to Cleveland and worked on the Government pier, and in that fall he went back to Conneetieut and worked on a farm ; the following winter he spent with his brother in New York, and worked during the summer on a farm in New Jersey ; he then returned to Connectieut, and worked on a farm until 1832 ; in December of that year, he came to Ohio and clerked in his brother-in-law's store in Medina. In the following spring he entered 96 aeres of land and began clearing the same. Feb. 22, 1834, he married Miss Jane Simmons, of New York, who was then visiting her sister in Ohio. After the marriage, he bought 100 acres of land, the same he now resides on. He occupied the place in 1836, and has lived on the same ever since. Mrs. Huntington died April 1, 1878 ; of their five ehildren, but one is living-Sophia, who lives on the old homestead. His parents, Levi and Catharine M. (Richards) Huntington, were natives of Norwich, Conn. They were mar- ried Oct. 23, 1802. He died in Norwich July 1, 1838, and she died Aug. 6, 1818 ; of their five children, two are living, viz., Peter R., here

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in Medina, and Elizabeth Bowers, of Brooklyn, N. Y.

DANIEL HEMMETER, Medina Marble Works, Medina ; was born in Syracuse, N. Y., Aug. 4, 1848. During his infancy his parents moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where our subject grew up, and at the age of 16, was apprenticed to the marble-cutting trade, serving three years with J. M. Martin, after which he worked as journeyman in Cleveland and Massillon. Aug. 4, 1870, he married Miss Louisa Kiihr, who was born in Massillon. They had five children, four of whom are living-William, John C., Lilly and Ralph. Charles died in Medina in 1876. Mr. Hemmeter came to Medina in 1872, and estab- lished the Medina Marble Works, at first doing the work himself. His business now employs from three to six skilled workmen, and affords the best facilities to his customers, who buy of him at prices which do not include the agents' commission, city rents, etc.

GEORGE HAYDEN, County Clerk, Medina. The subject of this sketch was born in Sharon Township, Medina Co., Ohio, April 5, 1840. He was born on his father's farm, where he lived until he became of age, during which time he assisted in the labors on the farm and attended school. (In addition to those of his district, he also attended at Sharon Center and Medina.) He also taught several terms of district school dur- ing winters. In 1861, he went to Hiram Col- lege, Ohio, and remained there until September 20 of that year, when he enlisted in Company A, 42d O. V. I. (Garfield's Regiment), and served for twenty months, when, owing to sickness, he received his discharge. Among the battles in which with the regiment he took part, were Cumberland Gap, Chickasaw and Arkansas Post, he receiving his discharge after the latter, and returned to Medina. After a few months, he engaged in farming in Sharon Township, where he remained until 1876, during which time he served two terms as Assessor and part of a term as Justice of the Peace. He was then elected County Clerk on the Republican ticket, and was re-elected in 1879. Upon his election in 1876, he removed to Medina, where he has since lived. In the fall of 1864, he mar- ried Miss Helen Brown ; she was born in Sharon Township, Medina Co., Ohio. They have one child-Edna G.

FRANK S. JONES, physician, Medina ; is the son of John S. and Lora (Coy) Jones, who

were natives of New York and were married in Medina Co., Ohio, whither they had come when young. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, which he followed in connection with his farm. In 1860, he retired from the farm and lived in Medina, until his death, in April, 1864. His wife died in March of the same year. Of

their seven children, five grew up to maturity ; of the latter three are living, viz .: Mrs. Har- riet E. Henry, of Chicago ; Ella, living with her sister ; and the Doctor, Frank S. He was born in Medina Co., Ohio, May 18, 1846, and made his residence at home until the death of his father in 1864, after which he engaged as clerk in the grocery store of Davis & Warner, in Medina, and clerked with them for one year. In 1865, he engaged as clerk in the drug store of A. M. Armstrong, and later served one year in the same business in Cleveland, after which he returned to Medina and soon after went to New York City, where he attended the New York College of Pharmacy for three seasons, graduating in the spring of 1872 ; he also took a special course at the School of Mines, New York; he remained in New York in the drug business until the following fall, when he at- tended the Rush Medical College of Chicago, Ill., graduating there in the spring of 1876. He returned to Medina in April following, and be- gan the practice, which he has continued since. Oct. 30, 1877, he married Miss Marie, daughter of Judge Humphreville, of Medina, Ohio.

SAMUEL KENYON, farmer ; P. O. Bruns- wick ; is a native of Rhode Island, and was born Oct. 31, 1813. He was raised on the farm and obtained his education by a limited attendance at the district schools. At the age of 17, he went to Monroe Co., N. Y. (whither his parents had gone), and lived there until 1838, working on the farm. In that year he came to Medina Co., Ohio, and worked on the farm in Granger Township. July 4, 1839, he married Miss Amy Clark, a native of Rhode Island. There have been six children born to the marriage, of whom but one is living, viz .: Charles C. Throughout his life, Mr. Kenyon has followed agricultural pursuits, in which he has been successful, starting with a purchase of 10 acres, he has steadily increased his prop- erty, until now he owns about 200 acres, fur- nishing an ample competency for himself and wife in their declining years.

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MEDINA TOWNSHIP.

CHARLES C. KENYON, farmer; P. O. Brunswick ; was born on his father's farm in Medina Co., Ohio, Jan. 18, 1847; he married Miss Lucy Gouldin, Feb. 16, 1868. She is a native of Summit Co., Ohio. They have three children, viz .: Alfred M., Herman C. and John S. His wife's parents, John aud Hannah (Hu- soug) Gouldin, were natives of Ohio and now reside in Summit Co.

R. L. LOVELAND, farming and stock-deal- ing ; P. O. Medina ; was born iu Trumbull Co., Ohio, April 6, 1821, and is a son of David and Amy (Lowry) Loveland, who were natives of Hartford, Conn., and emigrated with their par- ents to Trumbull Co., when quite young, and where they were married. They removed to Delaware Co., Ohio, about the year 1826, where they farmed for five years ; they then sold out and moved to the Illinois River country, the winter the Mormons went to Nauvoo, expecting to meet friends there, but, upon arrival, found they had joined the Mormons, and had removed with them to their new city (Nauvoo). They determined to return to Ohio, and arrived in Delaware Co. about the middle of February, and in the following spriug they bought and occupied a farm in Huron Co., where they lived three years, then moved to Ashland Co., where they lived for twenty-five years, when they re- turned to Huron Co., and resided there until their death. She died in 1859, at the age of 64, and he died in 1861, at the age of 66 years. They had four children, of whom R. L., the sub- ject, is the second. He lived at home and as- sisted his parents until his marriage, which took. place March 28, 1848, to Miss Catharine Mc- Guire, a native of Peunsylvania, and who, when young, removed with her parents to Ashland Co. After marriage, he removed to Lorain Co. aud bought 54 acres of land, which he occupied and improved. He dealt largely in sheep and was successful with them. He lived there twenty-six years, and increased his land to a fine farm of 262} acres, well stocked ; he also had a dairy of forty-one cows. In 1874, he came to Medina and bought his present place of 194 acres, one and one-fourth miles east of Medina, on which he has since built an elegant brick residence, and has probably the best farm improvements in thecounty. He formerly kept a dairy here, having at one time sixty cows, here and in Lorain together, but recently he sold his dairy, and has turned his attention to

sheep, keeping 160 fine-wool sheep. Ten chiil- dren have been born to him, viz .: Newton W., married, and lives in Kansas ; Elmer H. and Mary, at home ; Emma, now Mrs. Collins, lives in Medina Township; Charles mauages his father's farm in Ashland Co .; Hubert P., Hat- tie P., Agnes, Cora and Lucy are at home. Mrs. Loveland died March 3, 1880, of nervous pros- tration, brought on in consequence of a long drive over bad roads. She received information of the illness of her sister, Mrs. Simanton, in Ashland Co. It was too late for a train, and, in her anxiety to reach her sister, drove the distance, arriving just in time to see her alive. In a few days after, Mrs. Loveland died, liter- ally sacrificing herself through affection for her sister. She was highly respected by her many friends, and by all who shared iu her many acts of kindness. Her remains were brought home, and placed in the vault in Medina Center.

O. N. LEACH, clothing and gents' furnishing goods, Medina ; was born in Sullivan, Ashland Co., Ohio, in 1841. In 1858, he entered the Preparatory Department of Oberlin College, and remained there until 1860. He then engaged as clerk in the general merchandise business of Baldwin, Laundon & Co .; in 1868, he formed the partnership of Fitch & Leach, they doing a clothing and gents' furnishing goods business. July 16, 1866, he married Miss Electa Fitch, a native of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. They had four children, of whom two are living-Frank H. and Florence A. In 1872, Mr. Leach came to Medina, and opened business in the Empire Block, and later moved to the Dental Block, but, not having sufficient space to accommodate his trade, in the fall of 1878, built his present brick store, thus securing an elegant room, 242x80 feet, in which he has placed a mammoth stock. Prominent among the many advantages he offers the trade, is his one-price cash system, which unites satisfaction and cheapness for the buyer. Mr. Leach has also an admirably man- aged custom department that cannot fail to be appreciated by all who love a snug fit.

MAJ. G. W. LEWIS, lawyer, Medina ; be- gan reading law with Mr. John B. Young, in Medina, in October, 1865, and read with him until February, 1867. He was elected Probate Judge in the fall of 1866, and was re-elected in 1869, serving, in all, six years. In January, 1872, he was admitted to the bar by the Su- preme Court. In February following, he be-

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eame a member of the law firm of Blake, Wood- ward & Lewis, which dissolved in 1875, since which time he has followed his profession alone. The Major is a native of Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., he was born April 13, 1837; in 1840, his parents eamc to Ohio and settled on a farm in Speneer Township, Mediua Co. He lived at home until he became of age; his education was obtained in the Speueer and Medina dis- triet sehools ; he also attended the Oberlin Col- lege ; he begau teaching during the winter of his 19th year, and taught some thirteen terms in all. In the fall of 1860, he went to Illinois, and took charge as Principal of the public schools of Ashley, in Washington Co. In 1861, he raised a private school of sixty seholars. The term was to begin April 15, of that year. But, owing to the breaking-out of the rebellion, he volunteered and was assigned to the 11th Ill. V. I., he being a private in Company C, he served four months, and theu returned to Medina, Ohio, and taught sehool the following wiuter, and, iu the spring, he hired on the farm of Mr. James Eglin for $14 per month, and worked for him until Aug. 12, 1862 ; he then, with about forty others, enlisted at Spencer ; they were sworn in by Abel Wood, and went to Cleveland, where they were known as the West Medina County Company. They had no officers until in September. The County Military Com- pany obtained leave of Gov. Tod, for the com- pany to eleet its own offieers, which resulted in the election of G. W. as Captain, and they were assigned to Company B, 124th O. V. I., and served until the elose of the war, participating in the battles of Chickamauga, Oreliard Knob, Mission Ridge, Roeky Faee, Resaca, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville and others; at the bat- tle of Nashville, our subject was wounded, losing his left arm, and served thereafter as Major, he being promoted for gallant eonduet in that fight ; his commission as Major was by Gov. John W. Groff, and dates Jan. 18, 1865, and, iu June following, he was eommis- sioned Lieutenant Colonel ; from the army he came to Medina, and began reading law. Oct. 19, 1862, he married Miss Mary F., daughter of Leonard and Sallie (McDougall) Ashley, she was born in Greenfield, Huron Co., Ohio, where her parents were early settlers. Four children have been born by this marriage, two of whoni are living, viz .: Dan Ashley, born Aug. 4, 1866 ; and Jennie G., born Oct. 18, 1868 ; Frank MeS.,

was born Oct. 3, 1875, and died July 28, 1876 ; Mary E. was born Aug. 18, 1877, and died Sept. 23, 1880.

JOHN F. MILLER, farmer ; P. O. Medina ; was born in Soham, Cambridgeshire, Eug., July 15, 1814, and lived there until 1840 ; received but a limited amount of sehooling. In 1840, he and a brother and sister came to the United States, aud finally to Medina, Ohio, where a brother already resided. The new emigrants, bought, together, a farm of 90 aeres, about two and one-half miles north of Medina, which they occupied and farmed in partnership for about four years, when the partnership was dissolved, and John F. (the subject) bought 56 aeres two and a quarter miles north of Medina, upon which he built aud which he still owns. In 1870, he came to Medina, where he has sinee resided (had lived in town twice before, for short periods) ; he was married, December 31, 1843, to Miss Lora Clark, a daughter of Ran- som and Betsey (Adams) Clark, who were na- tives of Connectieut and Pennsylvania, and who came to Ohio while young ; they were married in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, in May, 1819, and lived thereafter in Medina. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of four children, two of whom are living-Marietta, now Mrs. Hills, living on homestead ; Deborah at home. In politics, Mr. Miller has always been a Republican.

J. S. MASON, photographer, portrait and landscape, Medina ; was born in Oneida Co., N. Y ., May 30, 1844, and came to Medina Co. with his parents in 1850. They at first located on a farm in Brunswick Township, where they lived two years. They then moved to Medina Township, where they rented a farm, and, two years later, bought the same. Our subject lived at home until 1857, when he went to Oberlin, Ohio, and, iu 1858, he apprenticed to the printer's trade, in the Oberlin News office, and served there four years. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Co. F, 103d O. V. I., aud served with that command until June 23, 1864, when he was wounded on the skirmish line on the Chatta- hoochie River, in Georgia, he receiving his dis- charge in Columbus, Ohio, in October follow- ing. Shortly after his discharge, he visited the East, and, in 1866, he engaged in the pho- tographing business in Rome, N. Y. He came to Medina the following year, and has been identified with the business sinee, operating at Mediua, Norwalk, Cleveland and Crestline, es-

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tablishing his present business in 1873. In 1868, December 28, he married Miss Mary Al- len, a native of Medina Co., Ohio. They had two children ; one living, viz., Ezra A. Mr. Mason's pareuts, Ezra and Lucy (Seymour) Mason, werc natives of Massachusetts and Con- necticut. They came to Medina Co., Ohio, in 1850, and, except four years' residence at Ober- lin, have lived here since. They had two chil- dren ; one living, viz., J. S. Mr. Ezra Mason had one child by a former marriage, viz., El- len J.

O. H. McDOWELL, of McDowell Bros., drugs, books, etc., Medina; was born in Ox- ford, Chester Co., Peun., Sept 27, 1843, and lived there about six years, when, with his parents, he moved to Union Co., Penn., and lived there two years. They then came to Ohio, and rented a farm in Medina Co., and, soon after, bought a place in Wayne Co., and settled on the same, where young McDowell lived, assisting on the farm and attending school, until, in 1861, in August of that year, he enlisted in Co. I, 2d O. V. V. C., he beiug ap- pointed Commissary Sergeant, and remained in the army until the close of the war, having re- enlisted in 1863. Upon his return from the army, he attended school in Seville for six months. He then came to Medina, where, in company with his brother (R. M.), he bought the drug business of A. M. Armstrong, which they have since continued, O. H. taking the act- ive management of it. The firm is also inter- ested in the Medina Evaporating Company. He was married, Dec. 13, 1866, to Miss Helen M., daughter of Hon. H. G. Blake, of Medina. Two children have been born to them, one of whom is living, viz., Helen Percy. Harry O. died June 2, 1880, aged 6 years 6 months and 21 days.

R. M. McDOWELL, Cashier Phoenix Na- tional Bank; P. O. Medina. The subject of this sketch was born on his father's farm in Chester Co., Penn., Oct. 13, 1837, and lived there until he was 7 years of age, when they moved to the village of Oxford, and re- sided there four years. They then moved to Juniata County, in the same State, where his father carried on a lumber and bark business for two years. During the latter year, R. M. spent a portion of his time canal-boating on the Susquehanna Canal. In 1851, the family moved to Ohio; they first stopped about six

years in Medina Couuty, and then bought a farm in Wayne County. Our subject received a liberal cducation at the Seville Academy, and the Hayesville and Hudson schools. At the age of 17 he began teaching, and taught during the fall and winters thereafter for several years. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 2d O. V. C., and the following spring he was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant, and by order of the Secretary of War, was transferred as an aidc to the staff of Gen. E. B. Tyler, in which position he served until the close of the war. Feb. 16, 1863, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of the Hon. H. G. Blake, of Medina. Mr. McDowell was, at this time, located at Columbus, Ohio, and was soon after transferred to the Army of the Potomac, and from thence with Gen. Tyler to the 1st (separate) Brigade, 8th A. C., with headquarters first at Baltimore, then at the Re- lay House, and afterward, for a short time, served in the Department of Western Virginia. It was his good fortune to be so situated that his wife could accompany him during a portion of his term of service, which she did, their daughter Bessie being born at the Relay House in January, 1865. On his return from the army, he taught the Medina High School. In the following spring, he engaged in the drug and book business, with his brother, O. H. Their business was destroyed by the great fire in 1870 ; after which, and upon the completion of the Phoenix Block, they resumed the busi- ness and have continued the same since. They have also been identified in several other busi- ness interests of Medina. They, for eleven years, were the proprietors of and operated the Medina Cheese Factory. In 1873, Mr. Mc- Dowell engaged as Assistant Cashier in the Phoenix National Bank of Medina, and was made Cashier in 1876, upon the death of Mr. Blake, which position he still holds. In addi- tion to his duties as Cashier, he has established and conducts an insurance agency, which repre- sents many of the most popular companies. By his marriage, there has been four children- viz. : Bessie, born in the army at the Relay House, Maryland, H. G. Blake, Thomas Cor- win and Kate, born in Medina, Ohio.

F. R. MANTZ, County Recorder ; P. O. Me- dina ; was born in Lynn Township, Lchigh Co., Penn., Aug. 31, 1833. In 1837, his parents and grandfather, Phillip Mantz, also an uncle, came to Ohio and settled upon some land in

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Homer Township, the location being selected in 1836, by his uncle, Joseph Mantz. When about 14 years of age, F. R.'s parents moved to Harrisville Township, where he lived until 1852; during this time F. R. had worked on the farm and received his schooling iu the schools of his district. In 1852, he engaged as a farm hand in Moutville Township, receiving $10 per month; the next summer he worked with his brother at the carpenter's and joiner's business. Aug. 31, 1854, he married Miss Phobe J. Edson, she was born in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. He continued at the carpenter's trade until Aug. 9, 1862, when he enlisted as a recruit in Company K, 42d O. V. I. (Garfield's regiment), with which command he served un- til it was mustered out ; he was then transferred to Compauy E, 96th O. V. I., and served uutil the close of the war; prominent among the battles in which he took part are Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mobile, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely and others. After the war, he returned to Mediua County and engaged iu farming, which lie continued until the fall of 1875, when he was elected on the Republican ticket as County Auditor, and was re-elected in the fall of 1878. Upon his election in 1875, he moved to Medina and has lived there since. His family consists of five members-the chil- dren are Corydon F., who is ou his father's farm in Chatham Towuship; Cassius C., who is Assistant Recorder ; Charlie A., at home attend- ing school.

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History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 104

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