History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 109

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 109

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ROBERT BELL, farnier ; P. O. Seville. Among the early pioneers of Medina Co. who had to forego the luxuries, and, in many in- stances, the necessarics of life in order to seeure

homes for their families, we take pleasure in mentioning the Bell family, who were among the first settlers of Guilford Township. The first of whom we have any record is William H. Bell, who was born in Vermont, and from there accompanied the family Cortland Co., N. Y., where he was married to Miss Harriet Owen, who was born in Massachusetts, leaving there a few years previous to her marriage. In the year 1819, they came to Medina Co., and, being among the first adventurers, had to endure many hardships before their farm became suffi- ciently productive to render their situation one to be envied. Mr. Bell died in July, 1829, leaving a family of five children, four of whom grew to maturity and are now living. Mrs. Bell was again married, to John Bell, a brother to her first husband, and, in 1844, removed to Wisconsin, where she passed the rest of her life. Robert, one of the sons, was born Sept. 28, 1827, and followed the family fortunes until of age, when he returned to his native county of Medina, and has since been one of the respected citizens. During the winter of 1850-51, he clerked in a store in Medina, and, then coming to Seville, followed the same vocation until 1863, when he went to farming, and is one of the successful tillers of the soil. He was mar- ried, April 17, 1854, to Margaret, daughter of Isaac and Mary L. (Russell) Gray. She was born Mareh 20, 1828, in Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., and came to this county in the year 1831. Their union has proved a happy and prosperous one, and has been crowned with two children-Elbert J. and Helen M. Death, the eommon enemy of all, has visited the family and robbed it of one of its brightest ornaments, the daughter being taken from them Aug. 21, 1879, when in her 19th year. The son is asso- ciated with his father in the management of the homestead, and already possesses a farm of his own. Mr. Bell cast his first ballot for John P. Hale, and is a strong adherent of the Republican party.

PLATT E. BEACH, physician and surgeon, Seville; is the eldest son of Dr. A. P. Beach, and was born Sept. 13, 1855, in Wayne Co.,

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Ohio. He received a good common-school education, and, when only 15 years old, com- menced clerking in a store. He followed this business for three years, when he resolved to adopt the medical profession, and entered the office of his father. Here he was a careful student, and, less than two years later, he en- tered the medical institute at Pittsburgh, Penn., where he remained about one and one-half years, and then attended the University of Michigan nearly the same length of time. Wishing to complete the course at an Eastern institution, he entered the Long Island College ! and Hospital, from which he matriculated June 21, 1877. Contrary to the general rule, be lo- cated in his native village, and soon established a lucrative practice, which he yet retains. He was married, April 18, 1878, Miss Sue Love- less becoming his wife. Their union, although a happy and interesting one, was of brief dura- tion, her death occurring April 2, 1879. She was born in London, Ontario, Province of Can- ada, on the same day as her husband, Sept. 13, 1855. Dr. Beach is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Repub- lican.

J. C. BOISE, druggist, Seville ; was born Oct. 23, 1843, in Milton Township, Wayne Co., Ohio. His father, William P. Boise, was born in the Empire State, and, when 12 years old, with his father's family, came west to Huron Co., Ohio, being among the early settlers of that county, where they remained for several years, when they came to Medina Co., and, after a few years' residence, the father returned, and passed the rest of his life in Huron Co. Will- iam P. was married at Seville to Lydia Saver- cool, who came here from New York State when 10 years old. With the exception of two years, he lived in Wayne County shortly after his marriage. Mr. Boise lived in this county until recent years, when he moved to Lorain Co., where he now lives. The subject of this sketch was one of the patriotic young heroes who hastened to the defense of his country in her hours of peril. He was only 17 years old when he enlisted in Co. B, 42d O. V. I., under Col. (afterward General) Garfield. After serv- ing two years, his health became so much im- paired that he was discharged and sent home, and, although he receives a pecuniary recom- pense, it is only a slight compensation for his great loss. He was engaged in the manufacture

of carriages, buggies, etc., at Spencer Center, a short time, but relinquished that for his present business, keeping one of the finest lines of drugs to be found in Medina Co. He was mar- ried, Aug. 12, 1865, to Lorinda, daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Lance) Wideman. She was born in Medina Co., Chatham Township, March 13, 1847, and has crowned their union with one child-Lura, born Dec. 26, 1867. Mr. Boise is a successful business man, and in poli- tics is found in the Republican ranks.

WILLIAM BIGHAM, physician and surgeon, Seville; was born in Holmes Co., Ohio, Sept. 11, 1834. A family of this name emigrated to Wayne Co., Ohio, as early as 1812, James Big- ham being the head of the family. He bought a farm near where Wooster now stands, but which then contained only a solitary cabin, and commenced the battle of making a home in the dense forest. The following year, they be- came alarmed at the reported ravages of the Indians, and, burying their cooking utensils, returned to their native county in the Keystone State, where they passed one year, and then again ventured to return to their pioneer home in the wilds of Ohio. They lived here the re- mainder of their lives, and passed away peace- fully many years ago. Ebenezer, one of their sons, was about 10 years old when they came here, and his early life did not differ materially from that of other pioneer children, and, after arriving at mauhood, returned to Westmoreland Co., Penn., and married Mary Cunningham. They lived in Wayne Co. one year, and then removed to Holmes Co., where they passed the rest of their days developing a fine property and creating a truly interesting home. She died in 1858, and was followed by her husband in 1876. The subject of this sketch received a good common-school education, which was sup- plemented by a business course, and in 1855 he went to Cumberland, Va., where he was book-keeper for Cyrus Prentiss, a dealer in fire- proof brick in the New Orleans market. In the political campaign of 1856, he was one of the twenty Free-Soil citizens that resided in that county, and these were all men of North- ern birth or else Northern education. This

handful of patriotic souls raised the first pole ever.dedicated to their cause in Virginia soil -- a monument to their fearlessness and heroism. He commenced the study of medicine in 1858, and during the winter of 1861-62 attended the

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University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. In

April, 1862, he located at Seville, where he has since practieed, except during the time he was in the army. He was Captain of the 166th O. N. G., Co. F, and located at Fort Richardson. He seeured the right of way for the C., T. V. & W. R. R. through this seetion of country, and was instrumental in seeuring the necessary local support. He was surgeon of the road from 1872 to 1875, and was elected Mayor of Seville in 1862, and again in 1864 and 1878. His marriage was celebrated May 27, 1856, Amanda L., daughter of Solomon and Martha (Davis) Geller beeoming his wife. She was a resident of Mt. Gilead, Ohio. They have one child-Mattie M., born Aug. 7, 1857. He is a Republican.

VAN BELL, hardware, Seville ; was born in Guilford Township, Medina Co., Ohio, Feb. 3, 1835. His father, Nathaniel Bell, came here from New York State at a very early day, per- haps in 1819, being a single man at the time. He was prominently identified with the grow- ing interests and improvements of the county during the pioneer times, and was married to a lady reared under like circumstanees as him- self, coming to the eounty during her early life, and also schooled to adversity. Her name was Sarah L. Cook, and, in 1837. they gathered together their worldly effects and moved to Wisconsin, where they passed the rest of their lives, she dying in 1849 and he in 1868. When 15 years old, Van returned to this eounty from Wiseonsin and attended sehool for three years, and then, after living at home one year longer, came here and learned the carpenter's trade. He remained three years, and the same length of time he passed successively in Wiseonsin and Illinois. The golden land of California next attracted his attention, the journey being made by the overland route. There he worked at the trade of millwright for three years, and, having been successful, he resolved to again visit Ohio. He came to Seville, and, after five years' experience in the furniture business, he engaged in the hardware trade, which has proved successful. He was married, in Febru- ary, 1857, to Emeline Caughey, at Seville. She died in May. 1871, having borne three children -Wallace (who died when young), Mary and Maggie. In 1876, he was united to Nellie Harper, a native of this county. Mr. Bell was a Democrat in early life, and east his first

Presidential ballot for Stephen A. Douglas. He is now a Republican.

LEVI J. CONKEY, farmer ; P. O. Seville. Among the early settlers of Medina Co. that lo- eated in what is termed Gnilford Township, we take pleasure in mentioning the Conkey family, who first eame here in 1828. Ezekiel Conkey, Sr., with his family, were residents of Hamp- shire Co., Mass., and, wishing to better his cir- cumstanees in life, lived a short time suc- cessively in the States of Vermont and New York. He finally removed to Ohio in the year 1818, and located in Jefferson Co., where he lived ten years before he eame to the county of Medina, and even then lived here only a short time, during which they erected a cabin and started a home in the forest. Returning to Jef- ferson Co., they remained there until 1833, when they onee more removed to this county, where they ever after lived. Ezekiel Conkey, Jr., who was born about the year 1796, fol- lowed the fortunes of the family and bought the farm in Medina Co., which he himself de- veloped, there being 250 aeres at first, a part of which he sold. Oet. 25, 1841, he was married to Elizabeth Haughey. She was born in Allen Creek Township, Jefferson Co., Ohio, March 9, 1819, her father being a uative of New Jersey, and her mother of Erie Co., Penn. In 1837, they removed from Jefferson to Wayne Co., Ohio, where he entered a tract of land, on which he lived nntil 1864, when he removed to Indi- ana, where he died. After his marriage, Mr. Conkey settled on the farm he had secured, where himself and wife struggled bravely and successfully with the world, and were bounti- fully rewarded for their labors. He died Nov. 8, 1868, having devoted the greater part of his life toward the improvement of Medina Co. Their uuion gave four children-Robert F. (born Aug. 19, 1845), Hannah M. (born July 9, 1847), Levi J. (born March 12, 1849) and Caro- line L. (born March 18, 1851). The oldest son is married and lives in Williams Co., Ohio. The daughters died young, and the youngest son still lives under the parental roof. Both mother and son are consistent members of the United Brethren Church. and have recently erected a tasty and attractive residenee in the northern part of Wayne Co., to which they re- moved in the spring of 1880. They still retain the old homestead, and thus the eounty of Me- dina contains many associations dear to them.

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MARY E. COOK, Scville ; was born July 30, 1840, in Medina Co., Ohio. Her father, Charles C. Mead, was born and reared in Cayu- ga Co., N. Y., and learned the trade of tanner and curricr in the city of Auburn. He was mar- ried to a lady by the name of Nancy Lyon, who was born at Saratoga, N. Y., and went to Cayu- ga Co. when 10 years old ; she was a daughter of David and Nancy (Cotter) Lyon, both of whom were natives of Westchester Co., N. Y. Her father served in the Revolutionary war, and at one time both he and his father were cap- tured, but managed to escape shortly afterward. In the spring of 1829, Mr. Mead moved to what is now known as Mcdina Co., Ohio, and built a tannery, which he conducted as long as his health would permit. He then became a farmer, cleared a farm from the dense forest, and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits until November, 1857, when he moved to the town of Seville, where he ever after lived, following the trade of painter. He died Feb. 14, 1876, and his wife and two children survive him. The younger, who is the subject of this sketch, received a good com- mon-school education, which she completed at Medina, and commenced teaching when 17 years old. Dec. 12, 1860, she became the wife of Lam- bert E. Cook, who came here from New York State when only 8 years old. He was born May 27, 1809, and throughout his life was an indus- trious and frugal man. He passed the latter part of his life a resident of Seville, having a pleasant home in the suburbs of the town. He died July 20, 1876. Their union had given two children, one dying in infancy. The one living is named Bert A. Mrs. Cook is a member of the M. E. Church, her husband also having been a member many years before his death.

JOHN COOLMAN, farmer ; P. O. Seville ; was born April 15, 1815, in Stark Co., Ohio. His father, George Coolman, was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., and from there went to Center Co., where he married a lady by the name of Susannah Emrich, who had also come therc from Dauphin Co. Farming was his principal occupation in life, although he worked occa- sionally at some trade, being somewhat familiar with several different ones. In 1811, he re- moved to Stark Co., Ohio, and, while liviug there, entered the army as a musician, serving two different enrollments in the war of 1812, one being as a substitute for his brother. In the autumn of 1817, he removed to Wayne Co.,

Milton Township, and remained therc until the spring of 1826, he came to Guilford Township, Medina Co., where he passed the rest of his life, dying in 1828, having just got his clearing fair- ly started and an independent life assured. There were cight children then living, and the eldest sons developed the farm and finished the work left by the father, thus assuring an inde- pendence to their mother, who died November 17, 1880. John commenced doing for himself wheu 18 years old, and worked out for two years at $10 per month. With the wages re- ccived, he bought his first farm, where he now lives, consisting of 54 acres, at $4 per acre. It was all forest except enough for a potato patch, and, hecding the old command of " It is not good for man to be alone," secured a companion in the person of Miss Anna King, the ceremony being performed in February, 1836. Together he and wife battled with the elements of nature, and were successful from the first. He now owns 220 acres of land, much of which he has cleared himself, besides assisting his children when starting in life. With the exception of two terms, he has been Justice of the Peace for thirty years, and held other township offices much of the time. In such business as admin- istrator, guardian, ctc., he has had more expe- rience perhaps than any other man in the county. His wife died Nov. 1, 1874, having borue six children, four of whom are living, and all are married-Jacob, Ephraim, Sarah and Susannah. All the family are members of the Lutheran Church, which Mr. Coolman joined when 18 years old, and in which he is Elder. He is a Democrat, and voted first for Van Buren for President.

C. C. DAY, editor and proprietor of the Se- ville Times, Seville ; was born March 6, 1842, in Susquehanna Co., Penn., and is the youngest of a family of thirteen children born to Lysan- der and Hannah (Smith) Day. Both were na- tives of the "Old Bay State," from which they moved after their marriage to Pennsylvania, and there passed the rest of their lives. His father was a wagon-maker by trade, and at the same time conducted a farm. The subject of this sketch went into a printing office when 14 years old, but shortly after quit to attend school, as he saw the necessity of a morc thor- ough education if he wished to succeed in his chosen profession ; accordingly, he attended two years at Homer, N. Y., and then finished

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his education at the "Mount Rose Normal School," conducted by Prof. Stoddard. While in the latter school, he worked in a printing of- fice during vacations, and has ever sinee been engaged in the business. He has conducted a number of different papers, the first he ever owned being at Corry, Penn. In January, 1875, he came to Medina, Ohio, and was mana- ger of the Medina Gazette one year. He then bought the Seville Times, and, under his eareful management, it has prospered as never before. He was married at Jamestown, N. Y., July 4, 1865, Miss Mary E. Harris, of Corry, Penn., becoming his wife. They have four children living-Eddie, Frank, Mellie and Ross.

JOHN DE WITT, marble-dealer, Seville ; was born at Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 20, 1849, and is a son of William and Hannah De Witt, both of whom were reared in Germany. His father was born in the eity of Berlin, received a splendid education, and for some time was one of the Government officers. He came to America soon after his marriage. and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where he ever after lived ; for many years he was a contractor in earpen- ter work in that city, although he did not work at the trade himself; he relinquished it for the practice of law, for which he seemed fitted by nature, as well as adoption, and which he fol- lowed about fifteen years before his death. He died in 1878; his wife survives him. John went to work in a marble-shop when 14 years old, and thoroughly mastered the trade, which he has since followed, although he has done little work in the last few years. In the latter part of the year 1876, he came to Seville, Ohio, where he has conducted a shop of his own to good advantage. He was married Dec. 28, 1872, to Miss Emma Cannon; she was born Feb. 7, 1850, and is a daughter of I. J. and Margaret Cannon. In 1873, Mr. De Witt en- gaged in the mercantile business, keeping dry goods, notions and millinery goods, the busi- ness being condueted principally by his wife. Their union has been crowned with one child, a boy named Frank. Both he and wife are members of the Grace Reformed Church of Akron, Ohio. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and has held municipal offices. He is a Republican.

JOHN GEISINGER, farmer ; P. O. Seville ; is one of the enterprising and prominent farm- ers of this township, in which he was born

April 2, 1849. His father, whose name was also John Geisinger, was born Oct. 18, 1792, in Northampton Co., Penn. He learned the trade of weaver, and also to run a saw-mill. He married a lady there by the name of Susan Histand, who bore him one son, named Nathan- iel. In 1833, he came to Medina Co., Ohio, where he had previously bought 832 aeres of land, paying for the same the sum of $3,300. It was all located in Guilford Township, and, being forest land, he erected a saw-mill on a small stream that passed through the farm, which he couducted for a number of years. It is said that he had his loom in the mill, and, while the saw was slowly making its way through the log, improved the time by weav- ing. His wife having died, lie condueted his own household duties for several years, when he secured another companion in the person of a Mrs. Briuer. He was an energetie, thriving and successful man, clearing the greater part of his farm before his death, at that time being the largest landholder in the township. He died Feb. 25, 1854, and his wife, March 30, 1856. John, being the only child, and then only in his childhood, passed through various ordeals before reaching manhood. He lived one year with his guardian, Samuel Miller, and then eight years in Summit Co., when he re- turned here, where he has since lived. He owns over 400 acres of land, on which he has placed improvements that render his home one of the best in the township. He was married, Sept. 16, 1870, to Amelia T., daughter of Joseph A. and Margaret Overholt. She was born June 3, 1851, in Medina Co., and has crowned their union with four children-George G., Edwin F., Isaae N. and Samuel A. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He has served as Constable four years, and also as School Director. He is a Demoerat.

J. T. GRAVES, Mayor and attorney, Seville ; was born June 22, 1838, on the banks of the Erie Canal, in Niagara Co., N. Y., and is a son of Ansel and Sophia (Leland) Graves. His father was a practical farmer, and, in 1846, moved to Medina Co., Ohio, and located on a farm in the southern part of Guilford Town- ship, near Wayne Co. He lived there until re- cently, when he disposed of his farm and moved to Seville. The subject of this sketch received a good common-school education, which he im- proved by attending the Medina High School.

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GUILFORD TOWNSHIP.

When 18 years old, he commenced teaching sehool, which he followed for many years dur- ing the winter season. In 1864, he served a short time in his country's service, being in Co. F, 166th O. N. G. He commenced reading law about the year 1861, although he had no idea, at that time, of practieing the profession. His health would not admit of elose application to study, and he ultimately came to the conclu- sion, that, for his own good, he had best forego the completion of his studies. However, he was admitted to the bar in 1871, and, in the summer of 1875, entered Johnson's office at Seville. The same year, he received the nomi- natiou of the Republican party for Prosecuting Attorney, unsolicited on his part, and held the office for four years. He was elected member of the Town Couneil in 1879, and, the follow- ing spring, was elected Mayor of Seville.

JOHN P. HARRY, physician and surgeon, Seville; was born in Lewistown, Mifflin Co., Penu., Dec. 21, 1816, and is a sou of Joel and Hannah (Chorel) Harry, both of whom were natives of the Keystone State. In 1818, they removed to Ohio, and settled in Wooster. Mr. Harry, being a man of business tastes and habits, at once embarked in the mereantile business, which he followed the rest of his life, dying about the year 1825. The mother, with the assistance she received from her sons, kept the family bonds unbroken, and reared her family to maturity. She died in 1877, at a ripe old age. John received a good common- school education, and, while yet in his youth, commeneed clerking in a store. His health becoming somewhat impaired, he commenced reading medieal works for the purpose of bet- ter understanding the nature of his dis- ease and the remedy therefor. He subse- quently resigned his position in the store and entered the office of Dr. Overholt, of Wooster, with whom he remained two years, and then entered the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in 1844. Locating at Wooster, he practiced there some eight years, and then came to Medina Co., where he has since resided, and enjoyed a lucrative practice, his first location in this county being at River Styx, afterward at his present home north of Seville. In 1848, he was married to Mary Sheller, of Wooster, Ohio, her birthplace being in Pennsylvania. By this union, two children have been born ---

Franklin and Mary Jane, the younger of whom died in infancy. The son is married, and con- ducts his father's farm. Dr. Harry cast his first Presidential ballot for Gen. Harrison, and is now a Republican.

JOHN N. HIGH, hardware, Seville; was born Sept. 1, 1834, in Onondaga Co., N. Y. His father, Nathan High, was born at Sandy Hill, Washington Co., N. Y., Jan. 25, 1799, and was a son of an emigrant from Scotland. He was a saddler by trade, and married while residing in the Empire State, Maria Gray. In the month of May, 1836, he removed to Ohio, and passed the rest of his life a resident of Seville, one of the flourishing villages of Medina Co. In 1852, he followed his eldest son to the Golden State of California, and re- mained there two years, when he returned to Seville. He died Aug. 27, 1879. His eom- panion preceded him several years on that "mysterious journey from whose bourn no traveler returns," dying March 28, 1872. John learned the trade of carriage trimmer, and worked for E. Briggs, of Medina, six years, and afterward at various places throughout the country, but, wishing to engage in business of a more permanent nature, he relinquished it and went into business at Seville. He first engaged in the boot and shoe trade, and, after following it two years, engaged in the clothing business for the same length of time. He again went to work at his trade, and, in the latter part of the year 1869, secured an inter- est in his present business with J. C. Stoaks, as partner. In 1871, Mr. Bell became a mem- ber of the firm, and, Mr. Stoaks withdrawing in 1876, the business has since been conducted under the firm name of High & Bell. They have undoubtedly the best assortment of goods as well as the best trade in Medina Co. Mr. High was married, Oct. 16, 1856, Miss Rebecca Ross becoming his wife. She is a daughter of Thomas and Lucinda (Shane) Ross, and was born Oct. 22, 1836, near Steubenville, Ohio. Laura Wilson, now the wife of William Dodge, was the recipient of kindness from them, and reared by them from her childhood. Both Mr. and Mrs. High are members of the Presbyte- rian Church.

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History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 109

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