History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 112

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 112

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YORK TOWNSHIP,

Theodore C., Almeda M., Lucretia, Fanny A., Chloe M., Lydia L., Eva A., Harry R., Martha H. (deccased), and one unnamed that died in infancy. Theodore is a merchant in Mill- brook, Mich .; Almeda married a Mr. Pond, and lives in Brooklyn, N. Y .; Lucretia is the wife of B. H. Hale, and resides in York Township ; Fanny is a missionary among the idol-worship- ing inhabitants of Japan ; Chloe is the wife of E. L. Phillips ; Lydia is the wife of H. F. Cum- mings, and both reside in Mecosta Co., Mich .; Eva is the wife of J. D. Holcomb, and resides in York Center ; Harry is a young man not yet of age, and is attending business college in Brooklyn, N. Y. Mrs. Gardner was born Jan. 19, 1822 ; her parents came to York Township in 1830, and were among the earliest settlers in the township. Mr. Gardner is a Republican in politics, while he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church at York Center. They own a large and well-improved farm.

JACOB GAYER, farmer ; P. O. Medina ; was born in Germany Feb. 4, 1808 ; he is a son of Charles and Susan (Miller) Gayer, who were parents of seven children, only four of whom are yet living. In 1823, Jacob, with his parents, emigrated to the United States, coming direct to Medina Co., settling in Liverpool Township. In 1834, he was united in marriage with Frances R. Gollmer, daughter of Joachim Gollmer. In 1850 he purchased his present place, where he has lived peacefully ever since. He now owns 76 acres of well-improved land, about one mile northwest of Mediua. Mr. and Mrs. Gayer's children are as follows : John (dead), Caroline (dead), Henry, Gotleib, Charles, Frances, Jacob, William, Augustus (dead) and Caroline. Henry married Sarah Keller, and lives in Medina ; Gotleib married Mary Katzmier, and lives in Wood Co., Ohio ; Franees is the wife of George Sheldrick, and lives in Medina; Jacob married Frederika Mayer, is a carpenter and lives in Akron, Ohio. William married Christina Beck, and is in the same business with his brother Jacob in Akron. Mrs. Gayer's parents came to Liver- pool Township, Medina Co., Ohio, from Ger- many in 1830, and they were the first Germans in the county, and to their coming can be at- tributed the German element now in Medina Co .; Caroline, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gayer, is a young lady of more than usual ac- complishments, upon whom the parents have

bestowed a finished education. She has taught in a number of colleges and normal schools of Northern Ohio, and is a competent and thor- ough instructor in Greek, Latin, German and English. Heury and Gottleib were brave and efficient soldiers in the late war, and served their country faithfully. Mr. Gayer is a Dem- ocrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the German Lutheran Church.

FRANCIS GARDNER, farmer and Post- master, Abbeyville ; was born in Baden, Ger- many, in 1823; he is one in a family of six children, only three of whom are yet living. The parents of this family were Franeis and Genevieve (Burkard) Garduer, who were also natives of Germany. The father was a miller by trade, and Francis, Jr., learned this trade thoroughly of his father. In 1845, he was united in marriage with Clara Slaughter, daugh- ter of Francis Slaughter. In 1849, Mr. Gard- ner, with many others of his countrymen, re- belled against the King of Germany for his tyranical eonduet, and he was immediately as- signed to Gen. Franz Sigel's corps with the rank of Lieutenant. The history of that rebell- ion is well known, and is needless of a repeti- tion here. Mr. Garduer served gallantly in this war, but, with the rest of the troops, was com- pelled to surrender after a bloody struggle, Gen. Sigel barely escaping with his life to Switzerland. After his capture, and when the insurrection had ceased, a great many of the promineut offenders were executed, aud Mr. Gardner expected daily that his turn would come next. Finally, by the aid of frieuds, he escaped, and, boarding a vessel bound for America, sailed for that refuge beyond the Atlantic. He arrived in New York in 1852, after a voyage of forty days ; he remained here a short time, and then, together with his fam- ily, came to York Towuship, Medina Co., Ohio, and has ever since made that his home. To his union with Miss Slaughter, there were born eleven children, all being dead but the follow- ing : Philomena, Maria, Caroline, Theressa and Lucy. The mother died in April, 1864. On his arrival in York Township, Mr. Gardner pur- chased the mill at Abbeyville of Martin Flick, and after four years of adversity sold out and commenced butehering, and this he followed about six years. In December, 1869, he pur- chased 150 acres of his present farm, and that, with the little lot he owned besides, made him

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a nice farm of 162 aeres. In April, 1876, he was commissioned Postmaster at Abbeyville, and has retained that office up to the present. Mr. Gardner is a Republican and a member of the Catholic Church, and is an intelligent and influential eitizen.

ELI HUBBARD, farmer ; P. O. Mediua ; is a native of the "Nutmeg State," and was born Jan. 23, 1828. He is a son of A. W. and Miranda (Prinee) Hubbard, who were parents of a family of six children, four of whom are yet living-Almira, Eli, Julia, Lysauder T., Cynthia A., deceased ; and one child, a twin brother to Eli, who died iu childhood without being named. The parents of these children were from New England. They came to York Township from Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1837, and are classed among the early settlers of York Township. These parents were honest and industrious, and were among the town- ship's best and most highly respected citizens. The subject of this biography was reared on a farm, receiving a common-school education in youth. Sept. 15, 1855, he was united in marriage with Emily C. Goodrich, daughter of Joshua Goodrich, descendant of an old family. To his marriage with Miss Goodrich, there were born two children-Melva J., now wife of Henry Caswell, and Frankie A. The latter is a young man, single, and resides with his parents in York Township. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard are members of the Congregational Church in Medina. Mr. Hubbard owns 100 acres of fine farming and grazing land. Is a Republican in politics, and a kind, enterprisiug gentleman.

J. R. HOLCOMB, of the firm of J. R. Hol- eomb & Co., Mallet Creek ; was born in Hud- son, Ohio, June 15, 1847. He is a sou of Walter and Jane E. (Candee) Holeomb, who were parents of five children. Of this family, only J. R. and Charles F. are now living. The parents are yet liviug, and their home is in York Center. The Holeombs, like a large pro- portion of the earliest settlers, and like inany who came to Ohio in later years, were from the New England States, and were honest and in- dustrious people. Prior to his becoming 18 years of age, J. R. Holeomb spent much of his time going to school. After that, and until 1870, he followed the occupation of house- painting, and, during the next three years, fol- lowed a variety of pursuits. In 1873, he came

to York Center, and, with only a small hand printing-press, began a general business of card printing. By degrees, and by judicious advertising and close attention to business, Mr. Holcomb increased the scope and extent of the enterprise, until it afforded him a fair revenue. Soon after his eommeneemeut in York Center, he, in connection with his card-printing, started a general novelty business, and this he has eon- tinued ever since with success. In 1875, his business had so increased as to render necessary the building of a larger establishment, and ac- cordingly he erected a large aud commodious two-story building, in which is uow earried on the business of the partnership. In September, 1879, J. R. and J. D. Holcomb formed a part- nership, the firm name being J. R. Holcomb & Co., the latter partner owning one-third of the stoek. During the spring of 1880, Charles F. Holcomb was admitted as a partner, the name of the firm not undergoing any change. Each of the partners owns an equal share of the stock. It was during the year of 1875 that Mr. Hol- comb commenced the publication of a small sehool journal entitled The Teacher's Guide, This little journal met with profitable support, and to-day it ranks among the first in the United States as a school journal, with a circu- lation equal to any. The Teacher's Guide was first issued bi-monthly, but in 1880 it was changed to a monthly periodical. It is ably edited by J. D. Holcomb, who is deeply inter- ested in the educational work. It is an invalu- able assistant to the teacher and normal con- ductor, and is warmly commended by able educators. J. R. Holcomb & Co. do a most extensive business. They have in store, among a great many other novelties, school supplies of all kinds, improved elastic rubber stamps, musical instruments, both foreign and domestic, books, ete. In 1878, J. R. Holcomb invented an automatic telephone, and it proves to be one of the best. The popularity of these instru- ments is attested by the sales, which amount to over teu thousand sets since their invention. In order to give a short sketch of the business done by this firm, we can say, that, in 1875, J. R. Holcomb was commissioned Postmaster at York Center, with a salary of $200 per annum, Their business has so increased since that time, as to give the Postmaster a salary of $1,400, owing almost wholly to the increase of patron- age to this firm. They have two commodious

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YORK TOWNSHIP.

buildings, ereeted and especially arranged to meet the requirements of their business, in which they have three steam printing-presses, several hand-presses, latlies and other maehin- ery, a full assortment of modern styles of type, aud a large aud complete stoek of specialties. Their varied stoek and extensive eonneetion with the trade in the great eommereial eenters enable them to supply promptly all goods in their line, whether found ou their regular lists or not. More of this firm will be found in the history of York Township, in this volume. In eonneetion with the post office, J. R. Holeomb owns a grocery and provision store. This gen- tleman was married to Miss Minnie Damon, of Litehfield Township, in October, 1876. This lady died in 1878, and, some time afterward, Mr. Holeomb married Miss Hattie M. Nicker- son, of Wadsworth. Mr. Holcomb is a promi- nent and influential man, and a staneh Repub- liean in polities.

JOHN B. KNAPP, farmer ; P. O. Mallet Creek ; was born in Medina Township, Medina Co., Ohio, Mareh 10, 1822. He is a son of Jo- seph and Betsey (Hagerman) Knapp, and grand- son of John B Knapp, after whom our subjeet was named. Joseph Knapp was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., Aug. 3, 1792. He lived with his par- ents in this eounty until 1810, wheu his mother died, and young Knapp paeked all his possessions in a little bundle, which he earried over his shoulder, and thus started out, as many had before, to seek fame and fortune. His first stopping-place was in Dutehess Co., N. Y., and, liking the people, and the "lay of the land," young Knapp concluded to tarry awhile here. He was well received by the people, and, instead of going on as he expected, he remained there nine years, gaining a wife in the mean- time. He was married in 1817, and two years later, started overland with his wife and two babies, for Ohio. His traveling outfit consisted of a horse hitehed before a yoke of oxen, that were yoked to an old-fashioned wagon, in which were seated Mr. and Mrs. Knapp and family, with what little belonged to them. Thus equipped, they started on their long journey to Ohio, via Pittsburgh. They arrived in Me- dina Township, Medina Co., Ohio, in Oct. 1819, and immediately located at "Hamilton's Cor- ners," where they lived until March, 1833, when they moved to York Township, and eleared and settled on the farm now owned by Lewis

Moloek. They had lived here but five months, when the mother died, in August, 1833. Mr. Kuapp remarried iu July 1834, his wife being Betsey Lampson, who died October, 1863. Mr. Knapp died May 1863. Mr. Knapp's union with his first wife, was blessed with these children-Sarah, Mary, Charles, John, Zenas, Gilbert and Betsey. John B. lived with his parents until his mother's death, when he went to live with L. L. Chapin, with whom he remained until he reached his majority. He was married Jau. 11, 1854, to Sally M. Crawford, daughter of Josiah Crawford, aud by her had the following family-Joseph L., one that died without being named, Charlie J., Emery J. (deceased), and Catharine R. Mrs. Knapp was born Feb. 9, 1832, and her folks were old set- tlers, eoming to Medina Co. in 1821. Mr. Knapp is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Protestant Methodist Church.

THOMAS MILLER, farmer ; P. O. Medina. The subject of this biography was born in Cam- bridgeshire, England, Feb. 24, 1826. He is a son of Robert and Ann (Poolly) Miller, who were also natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were parents of eleven children, all dy- ing in childhood exeept four. Mr. Miller died, and was buried in England, in 1838. Mrs. Miller continued to reside in England until 1849, and then, complying with the request of friends in the United States, took three of her ehildreu and set sail for that country. After a long and eventful voyage of eight weeks on the Atlantie, and a total of ten weeks from the time they left England, Mrs. Miller and children arrived in Medina Co., Ohio, where her deceased husband's brother then lived. She purchased the farm now owned by her son, and immedi- ately located on it. She continued to reside in Medina Co. until the time of her death, which event oeeurred at her daughter's residenee in Medina, in about 1871. This family, for some reason, has been very unfortunate, and, out of a large family of eleven, only the suhjeet of this memoir is living. He was reared on a farm, working hard for the support of his wid- owed mother. In 1854, he married Miss Lou- isa Clara, and by her had two children-Rob- ert W. C., and one daugliter, who died in in- faney. His wife died in 1856, and, Jan. 27, 1857, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with his preseut wife, Miss Sarah H. Clark, daughter of Robert and Mary (Slater) Clark. To this

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union were born eight children, as follows : Lizzie M., Ann M., John T., Laura M., David A., Susie B., Electa R., and Mattie, who died when 5 months old. Mrs. Miller was born in Derbyshire, England, July 18, 1834. This fam- ily is of pure English extraction, and there is not a more intelligent family in York. Mr. Miller owns 86 acres of land in York, and 21 acres in Medina Township. He is an earnest advocate in the advancement of education, and is an influential citizen. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.

L. D. NETTLETON, farmer. Among the many excellent farms in York Township, Me- dina Co., Ohio, is that owned by L. D. Nettle- ton. This farm consists of 108 acres of finely improved farmiug and grazing land, and is sit- uated in Tract No. 2, on the diagonal road run- ning from Medina to York Center. Mr. Nettle- ton, the owner, is a native of Litchfield Co., Conn. He was born March 7, 1822. His par- ents, Daniel and Polly (Clark) Nettleton, came with their family to Medina Co. in 1832, and were among the pioneers of Medina Township. The names of their children are Clark, Derwin, Harmon, Noble, L. D. and Mary ; Harmon is now dead. Mrs. Nettleton departed this life in 1866, and, two years later, Mr. Nettleton joined her in the spirit land. These parents were among Medina Co.'s best and most honored citizens. They were members of the Congre- gational Church, and their death was deeply de- plored by a large cirele of friends and acquaint- ances. L. D. Nettleton passed his youth on a farm, receiving a good education. He was mar- ried, Oct. 6, 1846, to Charlotte Buekingham, and by her had a family of six children-Charles (dead), Frank, Winthrop, Willie (dead), James (dead) and Carrie (dead). The two sons, Frank and Winthrop, are both married, the former to May Holeomb, and the latter to Miss Fanny Baird, both living in York Township. Mr. Nettleton's wife died Nov. 14, 1861, and, April 1, of the next year, he married Mary Pritchard, daughter of Joseph Pritchard. The Pritch- ards were old settlers, coming to Medina Co. in 1820. Mr. Nettleton is a Republican in poli- tics, and takes an active part in the advance- ment of education. Mr. Nettleton is an intelli- gent, enterprising farmer.

JOHN PEARSON, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Mallet Creek. The deeds of lincal ante- cedents are always of great interest to members

of a family who love to review the motives of their ancestors, and boast, in a quiet way, of having descended from a wise, a hardy or a noble stock. The details of family life are al- ways interesting to its members, some taking a greater and some a lesser interest. No family in Medina Co. takes greater pains or more pride in their family record than does the fam- ily of John Pearson. Mr. Pearson was born in Rutland Co., Vt., June 6, 1825. He is a son of Arza and Achsah (Lampson) Pearson, and grandson of Josiah and Sarah (Howe) Pearson, and great-grandson of John Pearson, for whom he was named. The Pearsons are of Scotch descent, the great-grandfather of our subjeet having come to the United States from Scot- land early in 1700, and who, after living a long and eventful life, died peacefully at his home. Joshua, his son, was but a youth when the Revolutionary war between the Colonies and Great Britain broke out, and, his youthful blood being fired for the cause of liberty and justice, he immediately joined the command of Gen. Gates. He bravely participated in the battles of Bunker Hill, Beemis Heights, Still- water, and many other noted engagements, serving through them all without being wounded. He finally died, after the close of the war, of a cancer. Arza Pearson, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born Dec. 7, 1799. He spent much of his youth in the back- woods, receiving but a moderate education. In 1822, he married, and this union was blessed with a family of seven children-Amelia L., John, Elizabeth, Mary A., G. C. and Lydia, liv- ing ; the one dead is Arza C. Elizabeth mar- ried Orlando Dickerman, a short sketch of whom appears in this work. The mother of these children was born in Massachusetts Oct. 17, 1799. In 1835, Arza Pearson and family moved into York Township, Medina Co., Ohio, it being then but a wilderness. He and wife are yet living, hale and hearty, and it is hoped that they may live many years to come. Mr. Pearson was quite an active politician and prominent man in his carlier years, serving at one time as County Commissioner. His son John, like himself, has always been a farmer. He was married to Miss Sarah Rowley in 1846, and by her had seven children-J. E., Eugene, Arza C. and Mary E., living, and James E., Olive E. and Charles F., dead. Mr. Pearson owns 160 aeres of good land, and is a Repub-

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YORK TOWNSHIP.

liean in polities. He and wife are members of the Congregational Church, and are prominent and influential eitizens in the township.

EMORY PIERCE, farmer ; P. O. Mallet Creek ; is one of a family of eight ehildreu, and was born in Berkshire Co., Mass., Jan. 5, 1808. He is a son of Levi and Dolly (Thompson) Pieree, who eame to York Towuship, Medina Co., Ohio, in 1840. Nine years after their ar- rival, small-pox commenced a work of de- struetion, and Mr. and Mrs. Pieree were amoug its vietims. Emory Pieree passed his youth and early manhood on a farm, receiving a good common-sehool education. He was married, March 17, 1831, to Lydia M. Watkins, who died Mareh 22, 1832. Aug. 2, 1832, he mar- ried his deceased wife's sister, Miss Rosilla Watkius, and by her had six ehildren-Lydia M., wife of Martin Bowen ; Wilbur F., married to Martha Branch ; Ward N., married to Ade- lia Wilbur ; Orliu D., married to Mary Judson ; Martin T., who died in the army, and Martha, deeeased. Wilbur, Ward aud Martin were in the late war, Wilbur as Captain, and Ward as Commissary of Co. K, 8th O. V. I. Martin L. served in Co. E, 10th O. V. C., as Corporal, aud died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., from disease eon- traeted in the serviee. These three boys en- listed at au early period of the struggle, aud no braver soldiers were there thau these. Mr. Pierce's father, Levi Pieree, was a military man, and served with distinetion as Captain in the war of 1812, and afterward iu the State militia as Colonel. Mr. Pieree is a Republican in polities, and owns 170 aeres of fine farming and grazing land. He and wife are members of the Congregational Church at York Center, and they are well-informed and highly respected citizens of York Township.

ARZA PEARSON, retired ; P. O. Mallet Creek ; whose name stands prominent among the few living pioneers of Medina Co., and whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Chittenden, Rutland Co., Vt., Dee. 7, 1797. His father, Josiah Pearson, was born in Ster- ling, Worcester Co., Mass., June 24, 1755, and, at the breaking-out of the war of the Revolu- tion, he entered the service of his country as a soldier. He participated in the memorable bat- tles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, in the latter of which he received a flesh wound in one of his thighs ; this, however, did not disable him for service, as he was afterward in all the bat-

tles under Gen. Gates which resulted in the eapture of Burgoyne's army. In 1812, when the country was onee more in danger of inva- sion by a foreign foe, and when the cry of " Free trade and sailors' rights " was familiar to all loyal citizens, the old veteran again shoul- dered his musket in the eause of liberty aud the rights of every American eitizen, and helped to beat back Provost and drive the whole Brit- ish army baek iuto Canada. He beeame a pen- sioner of the Goverument, and died at the ripe old age of 81, iu Chittenden, Vt. The boyhood of Arza was spent on a farm ; his advantages for attaining an education were very meager, consist- ing only of the imperfeet sehools in the country of that period. On the 18th of December, 1822, he was married to Miss Achsah Lampson, who was born Oet. 17, 1799, in Pittsford, Rutland Co., Vt. Shortly after their marriage, they began keeping house on a farm that Mr. Pearson rented and cultivated ; they continued to reside there until 1835, aud, during that time, there were born to them four children, viz .: Amelia L., born Dee. 15, 1823; John, born June 6, 1825; Elizabeth, born May 6, 1827 ; and Mary A., born April 18, 1831. Not liking the eold winters of New England, Mr. Pearson, in the fall of 1833, eame to Ohio, and spent some time looking over parts of Medina Co., in quest of a desirable loeality for a future home. He found it and returned to Vermont, determined to sell out and remove to Ohio. With this ob- jeet in view, he, in the spring of 1835, sold his farm in Vermont, fitted out a strong two-horse wagon, and, with his family and household goods, started on a journey aeross the country to their new home. After a tedious ride of twenty-two days, they arrived, on May 31, 1835, at the Center of York Township, where, for a time, they stopped with Mr. R. M. Lampson, who was a brother of Mrs. Pearson, and who at that time kept a "tavern." Leaving his family at York, Mr. Pearson started on horse- baek through Huron, Erie, Seueea and Lorain Cos. Being as well satisfied with the country about York as any he found on his prospeeting tour, he purehased of one Philo Fenn a farm of 100 aeres, lying one mile west of York Center, aud to it removed his family on the last of June. Mr. Pearson has siuee retained the ownership of that property, and, at the present date, is living with his wife upon it, with their son-in- law, Mr. O. Diekerman. He has taken an

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active interest in building up and establishing churches and schools in York Township, and, to the former, he has contributed liberally toward the ereetion of four substantial buildings. He helped to " chop out " the wagon road, both north and south, through the center of York Town- ship, and he has lived to see the day that beau- tiful homes now dot the lands then covered by heavy timber. At the election held in the town- ship in April of 1837, Mr. Pearson was elected Justice of the Peace, in which office he was subsequently eontinned for twenty-four years. In the year 1847, he was appointed Real Estate Assessor for the townships of Brunswick, Me- dina, Montville, La Fayette, Westfield and York. In 1850, he was appointed Assistant Marshal, under Geu. Jones, of Mt. Vernon, and took the census of the townships of Sharon, Granger, Hinckley, Brunswick, Medina, Liverpool, Spen- cer and York. In the summer of 1858, at the county convention, he was nominated, and, at the ensuing election in October, he was elected one of the Commissioners of Medina Co., which office he filled for three years to the entire sat- isfaction of all interested. He has always been a stroug partisan, aeting with the Whig party until the organization of the Republican party, of which he has since been an active member. Even now, though he is past 83 years of age, he takes au active interest in the political is- sues of the day, and in the prosperity of his country. Sinee their becoming residents of Medina Co., there have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pearson three children-George C., the first of their Buekeye children, was born on Aug. 26, 1836 ; on April 29, 1838, Arza C. was born ; he lived to manhood, and, on July 17, 1861, his death occurred, caused by consump- tion, this being the only death that has ever occurred in their family ; Aug. 21, 1840, Lydia A., their youngest ehild, was born. A happy event in their history was the celebration of their golden wedding, which occurred on Dee. 18, 1872, they having, at that date, lived to- gether as man and wife for just fifty years. On this occasion, they were congratulated by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchil- dren, all of whom then living were present. Another nine years have been added to each of their lives sinee that event, and still they re- tain, to a remarkable degree, the possession of both their mental and physical powers. They are now the oldest living married couple in

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History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 112

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