History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 106

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 106

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E. E. SHEPARD, dry goods, Medina ; was born in Franklin Co., Vt., Nov. 9, 1834. At the age of 15, he engaged as clerk in the dry goods business in St. Albans, Vt., since which time he has been identified with the trade. In 1852, he came to Cleveland, Ohio, and clerked five years with Lewis & Burton, after which he formed the partnership of Lewis & Shepard. In 1860, he came to Medina, and lived here two years, moving to Akron, where he re- mained until 1877, when he again came to Medina. Nov. 9, 1863, he married Miss Hattie Chidester; she was born in Medina, Ohio. They have three children-Sarah B., Jessie P. and Hattie.

R. S. SHEPARD, dry goods, crockery, glass- ware, wall-paper, floor oil-cloths, cte., Medina ; is a native of Vermont. He was born in Franklin Co. April 1, 1837. His early life was spent on the farm, and his schooling was con- fined to those of his district. On becoming of age, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and engaged as clerk with Lewis & Shepard, doing a dry- goods business, and from this time thereafter he has been identified with that trade. About

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1872, he engaged in the business in Medina, in partnership with C. J. Warner, the firm War- ner & Shepard continuing about six years; he then withdrew, and, upon the completion of the Barnard Block, he occupied the corner room, where he has done business sinee. He married Miss Hattie Loring; she is a native of Ohio. They have one child-Carrie E.

D. H. SHAW, proprietor Union Hotel, Me- dina ; was born in Dunville, Canada East, Feb. 2, 1818, and is the oldest of a family of ten children born to H. D. and Lucy (Burbank) Shaw. They were born in New Hampshire, aud were married in Canada, whither they moved with their parents when young. The business of their life was farming. In 1848, they moved to Wayne Co., Ohio, and returned to Canada some years later, where they resided until their deaths. D. H. lived at home until he was 20 years of age. He then moved with a family by the name of Parsons to Wayne Co., Ohio. While in Canada, he learned the boot and shoe making trade, and followed the same in Wayne Co. for eighteen years. In 1859, he moved to Lodi, Medina Co., and worked at his trade there for eight years. He then kept hotel there for three years, when he occupied a farm he had bought in Litchfield Township, and the follow- ing year he moved to Medina, buying the Union Hotel, which he has conducted since. In 1877, he built a large, new house, which has greatly increased his facilities for doing business.

THOMAS SHAW, farmer and stoek-raiser ; P. O. Medina ; was born on his father's farm in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., July 22, 1833, and is the fourth in a family of nine children born to William and Hannah (Peacock) Shaw, who were natives of England. They were married there, and came with two children to the United States about the year 1829, settling as above iu St. Lawrence Co., where they lived until 1834, when they came to Ohio, aud settled in the woods in York Township, Medina Co. They bought wild land, and cleared and improved a farm out of it, upon which they lived eighteen years, when they sold out ; bought aud occupied a farm one mile south of Medina, upon which they lived until the death of Mr. Shaw, Sept. 2, 1869. Mrs. Shaw then moved to the town of Medina, where she lived until her death, Nov. 26, 1880. Thomas (the subject), lived with his parents until his marriage, Oct. 26, 1866, to Miss Mar- tha A. Abbott, a native of Montville Township,

Medina Co., and was the youngest of a family of three children, born to Leverett and Adaline | (Lyman) Abbott. They were natives of New York and Connecticut, and came to Medina Co. at an early day, and followed farming until their death. He died Feb. 8, 1878, and she died in November, 1861. Mr. Shaw has two children-Willis L. and Addie May. He has 100 acres of land, well improved, principally the result of his own labor and energy. Mr. Shaw is a Democrat.

ANDREW S. WALKER, farmer ; P. O. Me- dina ; was born in Dalton, Mass., Feb. 1, 1820, and is the oldest son of Seth S. and Hannah (Curtis) Walker. He remained at home until he became of age, when he went to Mellville, N. Y., where he attended school for about two years. He then entered Oberlin College, Ohio, remaining about eight months, after which he went to Miehigan and apprenticed himself to the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he fol- lowed there for about twenty-nine years. He was married, Jan. 1, 1849, to Miss Olive A. Crandall, a native of Wayne Co., N. Y. For ten years they made their home in Adrian, Mich., where he followed his trade. He then removed to Hudson, Mich., where he opened a meat market, which business he continued ten years. He then removed to Toledo, where he worked at his trade, and also did some butch- ering. In 1878, he came to the old homestead, and has managed the same ever since. His marriage was productive of four children, of whom three are living-Elmer D. and Cass B. both live in Toledo ; Zula B. lives at home. Mr. Walker has always been a Democrat.

SETH S. WALKER, retired, Medina; was born in New Salem, Hampshire Co., Mass., Sept. 2, 1794. He was bound out on the farm until he was 18 years old. In 1814, he enlisted un- der Capt. Leonard, in 40th Regt. "Sea Fenci- bles," and served until the close of the war, in the early part of 1815. He then engaged at $14 per month to a brick-maker for the sum- mer. The next year he went to Dalton and en- gaged in burning kilns at various points, which business he followed for nineteen years. He also made brick for himself at Dalton, Mass. In 1835, he came to Ohio and settled on his present place. He came by team via Michigan, and was forty odd days on the road. Bought land from a party who had some improvements, aud has lived on it ever sinee. While a citizen

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of Dalton, Mass., he joined a militia company, of which he was made drummer, and was pro- moted step by step until he became Captain of the company. July 14, 1817, he was married to Miss Hannah Curtis, a native of Massachu- setts. Eight children was the result of this marriage, all of whom are still living-Andrew S., lives on the old homestead ; Washington, lives in Lorain Co .; Seth S., Jr., lives in Lena- wee Co., Mich .; George, lives adjoining the homestead ; William, lives in Medina Township; Harriet, now Mrs. Knapp, lives at Hndson, Mieh .; Martha C., now Mrs. Buek, lives at Adrian, Mich .; Mary, now Mrs. Vandorne, lives at Hadley, Mich. Mr. Walker and his good wife, after a long life of toil and care, are spend- ing the evening of their days on the old home- stead with their son Andrew, who kindly eares for them in their declining years. The old gen- tleman has been a life-long Democrat, and cast his first Presidential vote for James Monroe, whose signature was on his land warrant, re- ceived for serviees in the war of 1812. Jesse Walker, his father, was one of four brothers who emigrated to Ameriea in an early day. They all served in the Revolutionary war, and all were slain bnt Jesse. The subject, Capt. Seth S., served in the war of 1812, as already noted, from which he was honorably discharged. July 9, 1867. he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding, at which were gathered chil- dren and grandehildren to the number of thirty- six, together with numerous friends. It was the first golden wedding in Medina, and the Rev. Mr. Shanks renewed the matrimonial bonds of the aged couple, and elosed the ceremonies by an appropriate prayer.

WILLIAM WITTER, farmer; P. O. Me- dina ; was born on his father's farm in Granger Township, Medina Co., Ohio, April 26, 1837. He is the second of a family of ten ehildren born to William H. and Catharine Randall Witter, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Onr snbjeet lived at home until he beeame of age. After which he worked on the farm summers and tanght school winters. He also aeted for a number of years as agent for some agrieultural implements, and also was general agent for a book entitled " Randall's Travels in the Holy Land." Nov. 24, 1864, he married Sarah M. Huntley, a native of Sharon Township, Medina Co., Ohio. After his marriage, he began farm- ing his farm, which he had previously bought.

In 1868, in company with Mr. G. P. Huntley, he engaged in the jewelry business at Clyde, Ohio, where he remained until the following spring, when he returned to his farm, which is located abont three miles east of Medina. Mr. Witter has served as Assessor for two terms ; he has also been Township Trustee for several terms. His property consists of 103 acres, which he has earned principally by his own labor. By the marriage, there have been five children-Alieia E., William P., Frances M., Harry S. and Ezra W.

B. H. WOOD, of B. H. Wood & Co., lumber, coal, wool and prodnee, Medina ; was born in Worcester, Mass., Feb. 19, 1828, and lived there abont thirteen years. The family then moved to Terre Hante, Ind., where they remained one year. They then moved to Richfield, in Sum- mit Co., Ohio, where his father conducted a mercantile business. B. H. assisted in the business, and, in 1844, became a partner of the firm of B. Wood & Son. Shortly after the war, Mr. B. Wood withdrew, and B. H. conducted the business until 1872, when he sold ont and eame to Medina, where, in company with his son, H. O. Wood, he established the present business, under the firm name of B. H. Wood & Co. In May, 1848, he married Miss C. M. Oviatt, a native of Vineennes, Ind.

H. O. WOOD, of B. H. Wood & Co., Inmber, eoal, wool and produce, Medina ; was born in Greeneastle, Ind .. March 29, 1853. He carly began in mereantile pursuits, assisting in the store. Upon coming to Medina in 1872, he be- came a partner in the firm of B. H. Wood & Co. In the fall of 1875, he went to Brazil, Sonth America, where he remained abont one year, during which time he owned and worked a dia- mond inine about 800 miles inland from Rio De Janeiro, in which business he was fairly snc- sessful, but which he abandoned in consequence of the floods, characteristic of that region dnr- ing the wet season. He left his mine in Novem- ber, and arrived in Medina, Ohio, in March fol- lowing. May 29, 1878, he married Miss Hen- rietta Orrok, who was born in New York City. They have one child-Walter.

S. B. WOODWARD, lawyer, Medina ; was born on a farm in Summit Co., Ohio, Oct. 26, 1820. His father died in September of the same year. The following year, he and his mother came to Medina Co., living with his grandfather in Granger Township. In 1859, Mr. Woodward

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came to Medina and read law with Messrs. Hills and Prentis, and during the same year he was admitted a member of the bar, he having pre- viously read at home from the time he became of age. Soon after being admitted, he became a partner with the Hon. H. G. Blake, and con- tinued with him through several firm styles until 1876, when Mt. Blake died. After which, the firm of Woodward & Licey was formed, and later, Mr. Joseph Andrew became a member of the firm -- Woodward, Andrew & Licey. The latter withdrawing in 1879, the firm style became Woodward & Andrew, they continuing at the present time. In 1861, Mr. Woodward was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the county, and was re-elected in 1863, and again elected to the same position in 1879. He has also served as Mayor of Medina. In 1849, he married Miss Mary F. Swan ; she was born in Canada, and came to Sharon Township, Medina Co., when young. Her parents, Silas and Sallie (Bur- ronghs) Swan, were natives of New Hampshire. Mr. Woodward's parents, Stephen and Abigail (Hills) Woodward, were natives of Vermont and New York. They were married in Granger Township, Medina Co., in November, 1819, and were probably the first couple married in that township. He died in Portage Co., Ohio. Mrs. Abigail (Hills) Woodward died in Medina Co., in 1856. They had but one child-S. B.

A. R. WHITESIDE, stationery, books, wall paper and notions, Medina ; is a native of Penn- sylvania. He was born on a farm in Chester Co. Feb. 28, 1818, and soon after, his parents moved to Jefferson Co., Ohio, where they farmed for twelve years. In 1830, they moved to Guil- ford Township, Medina Co., Ohio, making the trip by team in five days. They bought 73 acres near Seville and occupied same. In 1838, onr subject apprenticed to the carpenter and join- er's trade, and served two years ; he then worked about one year at his trade, when he entered the Western Reserve College, at Hud- son, and remained there for three years, after which he read medicine with Dr. Witter, of Seville, for two years. He then concluded to discontinue his study of medicine, and began working at his trade. In 1851, he and his brother James engaged in the cabinet business, and later, Mr. David Johnson became a member of the firm, Whiteside & Johnson. Dec. 24, 1859, Mr. Whiteside met with an accident in his mill, from which he lost his arm. In the fall of

1862, he was elected Anditor, and served two terms. Upon his election, he moved to Medina, where he has since lived. June 24, 1845, he married Mrs. Marks, formerly Miss Mary McCurdy ; she was born in Pennsylvania. They had two children, viz., Thomas A., now clerking in his father's store, and Mary E., now Rev. Mrs. Kerr, living in Logan Co., Ohio. Mrs. White- side had three children by her former marriage, of whom but one is living-Samuel J. Marks, living in Doylestown, Ohio; of the two de- ceased, William I. served in the 8th O. V. I. until his death at the battle of Antietam. Mr. Whiteside's parents, Thomas and Mrs. Ann Rus- sell (Neil) Whiteside, were natives of Chester Co., Penn. ; they died in Seville in March, 1864 ; of their eight children, but two are living-A. R. and William ; the latter lives in Wabash, Ind. Mrs. Thomas Whiteside had one child by her former marriage-Jane Neil.

PHILIP WARREN, proprietor American House, Medina ; was born in Berkshire Co., England, in April, 1828, and is the son of Edward and Mirah Warren. They came to the United States about the year 1836. They settled in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, where our subject lived the greater part of his time until 1868, when he came to Medina and bought the American House, which he conducted until 1875. He then sold out and moved to Colling- wood, where he built the hotel known as the Warren House, and conducted the same nntil 1878. He then sold out and returned to Me- dina, buying back his former property (the American House), and has conducted the same since. In connection with the house is a first- class livery. A free omnibus attends all trains, and the house enjoys a full share of the pat- ronage of the traveling public.

W. H. WITTER, farmer; P. O. Medina ; whose portrait appears in this work, is a son of William and Beulah (Carter) Witter ; they were natives of Connecticut, and, marrying, moved in 1818, to Ontario Co., N. Y., where Mrs. Witter died. Four children were born of this union, two of whom, W. H. and Warren B., are living. Mr. Witter married, for his sec- ond wife, Miss Annis Pickett, a native of Con- necticut, who is still living, at the age of 84, on the old homestead in New York, with her step- son, Warren B. Of this second marriage, two children were born-Rebecca and Beulah. The subject of this sketch was born in Connecticut

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Jan. 20, 1811; moved with the family to New York, and remained there until the age of 26. In 1837, he moved to Ohio, settling in Granger Township, in Medina Co. The journey was made by team, consuming fourteen days on the way. Here he bought 50 acres, built a good frame house and barn, and worked the place for some eight years. He then sold out and bought 140 acres in Montville Township, where he lived until the spring of 1878, when he moved into the village of Medina. Dee. 16, 1832, he married Miss Catharine Randall, a na- tive of New London Co., Conn., being born Jan. 16, 1815. Ten ehildren have been boru to them, seven of whom are living-Edwiu R., lives in Polk Co., Iowa, a farmer; William, lives in Medina Co., Ohio ; David A., lives in Montville Township ; Sarah S., now Mrs. Hill, lives in Montville Towuship ; Henry W., lives in Montville Township ; Esther E., now Mrs. Collins, lives in Wood Co., Ohio ; Cora B., now Mrs. Cole, lives in La Fayette Township. Mrs. Witter's parents, James (born in 1778) and Joana (born in 1780) (Pemberton) Randall, were natives of Connecticut. He was a black- smith by trade, a business he followed until late in life. In 1815, he moved with his family to New York State, and, in 1840, they came to Ohio, settling in Granger Township, in this county. After following the business of farming here for a number of years, they moved to Rieh- ficld, Summit Co., Ohio, where Mr. Randall died, March 12, 1849, and his wife Aug. 8, 1854. Four out of seven children born to them are living-Pemberton, living in La Fayette Town- ship ; Delano P., living in Sharon Township ; David A., living in Cleveland, Ohio ; Catharine, now Mrs. Witter, in Medina village.

FRANK YOUNG, physician, Weymouth ; is the oldest of a family of four children born to Robert. and Abigail (Recse) Young ; was born on his father's farm in Granger Township, Medina Co., Ohio, Sept. 13, 1843, where he lived for seventeen years, when he went to Illinois, and worked on a farm about six months, and thenec he went to Michigan, where he lived about one ycar. Aug. 11, 1862, he enlisted for three years in the 25th Mich. V. I., and served until the close of the war. Hc was with his regiment in the siege of Knoxville, battle of Resaca, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Dalton, Atlanta campaign, Nashville, Wilmington, N. C., Raleigh, and the surrender of Joe Johnston's army ; in all, he was in twenty-two regular engagements. He was discharged at Jacksou, Mich., after which he came home. Feb. 22, 1866, he married Miss Hattie Lendsay, a native of Summit Co., Ohio. After his marriage, he bought and farmed a place near the old homestead. In 1869, he took a course in the Cleveland Medical College, graduating in 1872 ; after which, he began the practice in his present place. By his marriage, there have been two children, of whom one is living-Sadie J. Mrs. Young's parents, James and Sarah W. (Woodley) Lendsay, were natives of Vermont and Pennsylvania; he came to Summit Co., Ohio, in the year 1818, and she came to Grauger Township about 1839. Her parents, George and Sarah (Green) Woodley, were natives of Pennsylvania ; he died in Grauger Township, Medina Co., Ohio, in 1852 ; she died in Weymouth, about 1872. Of seven children, five are living, but one of whom (Mrs. Lendsay) is living in this county. Mr. James Lendsay died in 1857. There was but one child by the marriage, viz., Hattie, now Mrs. Young.

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WADSWORTH TOWNSHIP.

DR. GEORGE A. BABBITT, physician and surgeon, Western Star ; received his first in- struction in the common schools of Bethel, Windsor Co., Vt., the place of his nativity, after- ward attending the West Randolph Academy, spending his vacations in assisting with the farm-work and learning the business connected with a printing office, becoming quite proficient, in a short time, as a typo. He was born Dec. 30, 1852. His ancestors were of that good old New England stock of English-Scotch descent. His parents, Simeon C. and Emily K. (McKin- strey) Babbitt, were also natives of Bethel, Vt. At about the age of 20 years, George began the study of medicine, in West Randolph, with Dr. C. L. Stewart, with whom he remained one ycar ; then attended one term of lectures at Dartmouth College ; then entered the Long Island College Hospital at Brooklyn, N. Y., from which place he graduated in June, 1875, receiving the appointment immediately of Resi- dent Surgeon, which position he occupied for one year, treating, during that time, about twenty thousand cases. From Brooklyn, he went to Los Angeles, Cal., where he engaged in the practice of medicine for some months with a young medical friend ; but, on account of poor health, was compelled to seek a different cli- mate. After visiting for a time in Northeast- ern Ohio, he came to his present location at Western Star in October, 1877, where he has established himself in an extensive practice. He is a member of the Summit County Medical Association, also of the Northeastern Ohio. He is a stanch Republican, at present holding an important office in the village, with the respect and good wishes of a large circle of friends.

A. M. BECK, of A. C. Beck & Son, boot, shoe and leather storc, Wadsworth ; was born June 3, 1843, in Wadsworth ; is a son of A. C. and Mary (Miller) Beck, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter a native of Wadsworth. His father came to this place about the year 1842, and engaged in the tanning and currying business, in which he continued until about the year 1862, when he engaged in the boot, shoe and leather business, in a small frame building

on Main street, north of where their large and commodious building now stands, in which they are now transacting business. They built and moved into their present room in 1870. The subject of this sketch attended school in Wadsworth until he was about 18 years of age, when he enlisted in Company I, 2d O. V. C., in which he served two and one-half years, then was transferred to the 103d O. V. I., in which he served until his discharge, Aug. 20, 1864, after having served faithfully his term, with the exception of one month, in all parts of the invaded country. He was married in March, 1877, to Miss Jennie Fasig, daughter of John Fasig, of West Salem ; there have been no children. Mr. Beck has lield the office of township Clerk, and is now serving his sec- ond term as Village Treasurer. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN A. CLARK, publisher, Wadsworth ; was born on the 7th day of January, 1837, in Guilford Township, Medina Co., Ohio; he was the oldest son of Aaron Clark, who had married Susannah Rigelman. His father died in 1848, and his mother is still living. The care of the family largely devolved upon him, which, with the scanty means possessed by the pio- neers of those days, limited his education ; Though his passion for reading, and strong de- sire to penetrate the mysteries that present themselves to man, impelled him to acquire, at least, the rudiments of a fair education of a practical . character. At the age of 20 years, he attended the Seville Academy, where he stood among the first in his classes. For about twelve years he taught school during the winter season, and labored on the farm during the summer. In May, 1860, he married Emily U. Calhum, from which union five children were born, three daughters and two sons, all living. In the spring of 1866, the family moved to Wadsworth, where Mr. Clark started the Wads- worth Enterprise, a weckly local paper, of which he has been the editor ever since. He has always been a close student, and active in all his efforts. The business grew gradually

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until 1874, when he purchased a child's paper, which added very largely to his business, and for a time he employed thirty hands, and made large investments. The hard times finally reached him, and, being unable to realize from his investments, the business rapidly fell off, and Mr. Clark suffered reverses, though he bore them with commendable fortitude during the winter of 1869 and 1870 ; he was employed as Prineipal of the village sehools, and took the first steps toward organizing them under the Union system, with satisfactory results. Soon after his arrival in Wadsworth, he was ehosen to the office of Village Clerk, and sinee then has constantly been honored with office of some kind-Clerk of village, Clerk of township, Couneilman and Mayor of the village, from 1872 to 1874, and ean point with pride to all his official records. The energy and public spirit that Mr. Clark has always manifested, his devotion to temperanee and other moral and religious principles, have placed him in the advanee on those questions ; but, as a matter of course, antagonistie interests are arrayed against him in all their power. He is also an aetive Republiean, and stands as a eonspieuous citizen ; he is at preseut editor of the Enter- prise, member of the Village Couneil, and as a Notary Public gives some attention to law and eonveyaneing.

W. P. CURTIS, druggist, Wadsworth ; was born Oet. 26, 1822, iu Onondaga Co., N. Y. He is a son of Cyrus and Orra (Lawrenee) Cur- tis, who moved to the eastern part of this town- ship quite early in its settlement, and engaged in farming for a few years. His mother died April 19, 1826, when he went to live with an intimate friend of hers, who eame with the fam- ily to this State. He attended the distriet sehool until about 16 years of age, and after- ward attended the academy at Sharon, this county, for several terms, then attended the academy at Wadsworth for a time, and then engaged in teaching for several terms, after which he began his mereantile pursuits, elerk- ing in Sharon for about ten years, when he moved to Seville, where he engaged in the drug business, and lived for about seven years. At the expiration of that time, he sold out and moved to Wadsworth, where he purchased the property in which he is now transaeting busi- ness. He was married, May 28, 1856, to Ar- delia Lyman, daughter of Elijah and Margaret

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History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 106

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