History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 115

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 115

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

753

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

man and bears a good name and reputation wherever he is known ; he is an energetic, in- dustrious citizen, and has a large circle of friends and acquaintances, by whom he is highly esteemed ; his wife is a member of the Methodist Church.

L. B. PARKER, M. D .; Liverpool. Of those members of the medical profession of whose history dates back to pioneer days, the name of Dr. L. B. Parker, whose portrait is found in this work, stands among the most prominent. He is the son of Elijah and Me- hetabel (Barber) Parker; the former was a descendant from one of three brothers who emigrated from England in an early day and settled near Boston, Mass .; but little of the surroundings of the early life of Elijah Parker are known. At the age of 16, however, we find him a soldier in the Revolutionary army, where he remained six years, fighting for his country's freedom. He subsequently moved to what is now Naples, Ontario Co., N. Y., where he mar- ried Miss Mehetabel Barber. He remained a resident of that place until his death, which occurred in 1813. This sad event left Mrs. Parker with a family of eight children, of whom the Doctor was the seventh, and at that time only 3 years old. Mrs. Parker was a lady of more than ordinary energy, and, through her tireless exertions, the family was kept together and such advantages given them as her limited means would allow, and, as the Doctor says, "Thanks to her teaching, I cannot remember the time when I could not read well." Books were scarce in those days, and, though the Doc- tor was possessed of an ardent desire to attain an education, the advantages for his doing so were very limited. He read all books that he could procure, and among them the Bible, and the latter so thoroughly as to ever after be thoroughly familiar with Scripture. During his early life he was assisted greatly in gaining an education by the kindness of a Presbyterian clergyman, through whose assistance he gained quite a knowledge of mathematics, the sciences and Latin. At the age of 16 years he prac- ticed surveying. Though the Doctor desired very much to take a collegiate course, he had not the means to enable him to do so. About this time the Presbyterian Church of Naples offered to send him to college, with a view of preparing him for the ministry ; an ardent desire to attain an education added to this

tempting offer ; but, feeling that he could not subscribe to their creed, he was not so dishon- orable as to accept their bounty and afterward disappoint them by selecting some other pro- fession ; he therefore, at 16 years of age, began the study of medicine, under the direction of a graduate of Yale College. After three years spent in study, he attended lectures at the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons of New York. Soon after this, he attended another term of lectures at the Geneva Medical College, where the degree of M. D. was conferred upon him. In 1833, he came to Ohio, and, finding an open- ing at Liverpool, Medina Co., he located there, and at once began the practice of medicine. Since that time he has devoted his time and attention almost wholly to his profession. The result of his life labor is a competency, and now, in his old age, he is reaping the reward of his early industry and economy. He has been possessed of strong physical powers, and even now, at 71 years of age, he is still engaged in the practice. Dr. Parker was married, in 1834, to Miss Maria Hastings, of Pembroke, Gen- esee Co., N. Y., who died in 1864. In 1867, he was married to Mrs. Lavina Wait, with whom he now lives. Ten children have been born to him, five only of whom are now living.

ALFORD RICHMOND, farmer ; P. O. Liv- erpool. Among the old settlers and natives, is the subject of this sketch. His parents were natives of New York. He was born in Colum- bia, Lorain Co., Ohio, in 1821. He is the old- est of ten children-seven sons and three daugh- ters. His young days were spent on a farm, and he obtained his education in the district school. He was married, in 1843, to Abigail Hance, who was born in New York in 1819. Her father, Jeremiah Hance, served in the war of 1812. They have three sons-Byron, Har- ris and Harrow. He has been Township Trust- ee for seven years ; served as Justice of the Peace for a period of nine years, and is a Dem- ocrat in politics. He is one of the sturdy citi- zens and pioneers of the township. He took an active part in clearing the land, and is one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of his township.

HIRAM RICHMOND, farmer ; P. O. Liver- pool. Hiram W. Richmond, a native of New York State, was born in 1800, and was married, in 1820, to Betscy Martin. They came to Me- (lina Co. in 1819. Seven children were born to

753

LIVERPOOL TOWNSHIP.

them, of whom Hiram Richmond, the subject of this sketch, was one. He was born in Liv- erpool Township in 1827, and was raised on the farm, and has been engaged in that occupation ever since. He was married, in 1855, to Dian- tha Olin, a native of New York State. They have one son-Hiram W. He has been Town- ship Trustec and Assessor several terms. At present, he is farming, and has charge of a cheese-factory, in which he is a partner. He is a quiet, unassuming and energetic citizen, and enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the foremost citizens of his township.

GUY E. RING, farmer; P. O. Liverpool. The subject of this sketch was born in New Hamp- shire, in 1815. He came into Medina Co. in 1833, and learned the trade of millwright. He was married in 1842, to Rebecca Fuller, a na- tive of New York State. They have ten chil- dren-Mary, Martha, Alethia, Anna, Nellie, Jane, Elmer, Ira, Josephine, Leslie. One of their sons (Jonathan) died in the civil war. Mr. Ring is a Republican in politics.

DUDLEY P. STRANAHAN, farmer ; P. O. Brunswick ; was born in Windham Co., Conn., in 1823. His parents went to Cleveland in 1830, remaining there one year, after which they went to Columbia and remained there un- til 1860. He learned the trade of carpenter and joiner with his father. He came to Liver- pool and cultivated the farm, and carried on a lumbering and saw-mill business. He was mar- ried, in 1846, to Cornelia Tillotson, a native of Massachusetts. They have four children- Rolla, Helen, Miles and John. He is a mem- ber of the Disciples' Church ; is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and is a Republican " every time."

MRS. J. L. SPOONER, Liverpool. The sub- ject of this sketch is a daughter of Ebenezer Wilmot, an old settler of Liverpool Township. She was born in Liverpool Township in 1826. Her parents were among the first families, her father having been a soldier in the war of 1812. She was married, in 1844, to Miles S. Spooner, a native of Liverpool. They have four chil- dren-Martha C., Joseph W., Elisha and Hat- tie. She is a member of the Methodist Church.

JOHN G. SCHOETTLE, Pastor, Liverpool ; was born in Wurtemberg, Germany. He ob- tained his education in the Rhein Mission Semi- nary of Germany. He is a graduate of this popular institution, and immediately after grad-

uation was installed as a minister of the Gospel. Hc cmigrated to America in 1864, and has had charges in Wisconsin, Indiana and Kentucky, at different periods, for sixteen years. He came to Liverpool in 1877. He was married, in 1865, to Julia Lautenschlaeger, a native of Wurtem- berg, and has three children-Julia, Paul and Amanda. Mr. Schocttle has a large German congregation of the Evangelical denomination, some of its members being the best and most influential citizens of the township. There have been about ten additions to the church since his services began here.

LOUIS WEBER, farmer ; P. O. Liverpool ; is the son of George Weber, who married Mary Ann Eichert. The subject of this sketch was born in Alsace in 1830. His parents settled in Liverpool in 1834, when he was but 4 years old. He speut the greater part of his life on the farm, where he now resides, and was mar- ried, in 1855, to Margaret Flannigan, a native of Ireland, she being the daughter of John and Odelia (Graham) Flannigan, who came to this country in 1842. They have six children now living-George, Louise, Joseph, Cecilia, Caro- line and Rosa. Two of their children are dead ; Louise, who died in 1858, and John, who died in 1876. He is a member of the Roman Catho- lic Church, of which he has been director for a number of years.

HELI M. WARNER, retired farmer ; P. O. Liverpool; was born in Liverpool in 1816. His parents were from Connecticut, and were some of the oldest settlers of the county. He attended the common sehools, and began farm- ing in 1828. He was married in 1841 to Re- becca Cosset, a native of Liverpool, and has two children-John J. and Charles Henry. He is at present living a retired life, and it is said that he is one of the first children who were born in Liverpool Township. He is a Republican in politics.

MELETIAH WARNER, retired, Bruns- ! wick, Ohio. Meletiah Warner is the widow of the late Lucius Warner, deceased. He was born in Waterbury, Conn., in 1805, and came to Medina Co. in 1815. He was married, in 1828, to Miss Millie Tillotson, a native of Berkshire Co., Mass. They have one daughter (Mary) living, and two other children are now dcad. The surviving daughter is married to Mr. A. C. Armstrong, the purchasing agent of the L. S. & M. S. Railroad, aud is uow located at

754

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. Warner were two of the oldest settlers in the county, and their set- tlement is narrated in another part of this work. Mr. Warner died in 1875. He was a man of pure, noble character, and had the esteem of his fellow-citizens. He is spoken of as one of the great and noble men of his town- ship. Mrs. Warner is now familiarly known as "Aunt Millie," and is a type of pioneer in- dustry.

ELIADA WARNER, retired farmer ; P. O. Liverpool ; was born in Waterbury, Conn., in 1798. He attended the common schools of his native place, and, in 1818, came to Medina Co., and has been farming ever sinee. He was mar- ried in 1820, by the Rev. Alpheus Geer, to Margaret A. Niehols, a native of Waterbury, Conn., and has one son, Leonard, who is at present farming. Mr. Warner has filled the offiees of Assessor and Land Appraiser on sev- eral occasions. He and his wife have been de- vout members of the Methodist Church sinee

1822, and were the first members of the first church. He is a Republican in polities.

JOSEPH W. WARNER, farmer ; P. O. Brunswick ; was born in Liverpool Township in 1818. He is the son of William Warner, who came into Medina Co. in 1815. He ob- tained his education in the district school of his township, and worked on his father's farm from his boyhood, and is now one of the most esteemed citizens of his township. He was married, in 1840, to Emily a Mathewson, a na- tive of Connectieut. They have five children- Lueius W., Ellen H., Olive A., Philip L. and Joseph F. He is a member of the Methodist Church, a Republican in polities, and was elected Township Trustee, his township being overwhelmingly Democratic-an evidence of the popularity and good character of Mr. Warner. He is known throughout his whole township as an honest, industrious and up- right eitizen, well worthy the esteem and confidence of his fellow-eitizens.

SPENCER TOWNSHIP.

ISAAC BETZ, farmer ; P. O. Speneer ; he was born May 17, 1818, in Lewistown, Mifflin Co., Penn., and came to this State with his father in the spring of 1820. They settled in Chip- pewa Township, Wayne Co., Ohio. His father, John Betz, was born in Berks Co., Penn., on Feb. 28, 1773, and died in Norton Township, Summit Co., in 1852, at the advanced age of 79 years. His mother, Catharine (Troxell) Betz, was born in Pennsylvania May 24, 1778, dying in 1862, at the age of 84, in the same loeality where her husband departed this life. Father Betz was a prominent man in his day, and was for years the choir leader, organist and school- teacher in his native town, and, when following the eustom of the fatherland, the teacher was furnished a dwelling, and was a personage looked up to and advised with as were the ministers of the Gospel in the early days of the New England colonies. They had eleven ehil- dren-Sarah, born Jan. 28, 1795; Catharine, Dec. 25, 1796; Abraham, Jan. 17, 1800; he died Dec. 26, 1878; George, Oct. 26, 1803; Daniel, February, 1806 ; John, March 2, 1808, and died Feb. 1, 1863 ; Samuel, October, 1810 ;

William, Sept. 12, 1813; Rebeeea, Nov. 30, 1815 ; Isaae and Jacob (twins), May 17, 1818. We will now continue the family history by taking up the record of Isaae's family. He married Miss Mary Hartman, Oct. 14, 1831. She was born June 11, 1815, in Lohill Town- ship, Northampton Co., Penn., and their chil- dren's names are as follows : Jonas W., born Dee. 7, 1832; Rebeeea, Nov. 25, 1841; she died Aug. 12, 1844 ; Sarah K., now Mrs. J. W. Mantz, Feb. 12, 1843 ; John H., March 1, 1847 ; Mary A., Jan. 28, 1849, and died Feb. 20, 1867 ; Isaae J., Dee. 21, 1851. Mr. Betz moved to this county from Wayne, March 14, 1843, and settled in Speneer Township, on a tract of land bought two years previously. There was but little, if anything, done toward making a farm. The giant forest stood before him as if it would dispute the farther advanee of the hardy pio- neer. It must disappear before any erops could be raised ; but he attacked it with a determined will to subdue it for his use, and level to the earth everything that stood in his way. How well he has succeeded, let the farm of over 200 aeres, and the buildings thereon, tell the story ;

755

SPENCER TOWNSHIP.

they will speak for themselves. He has a com- fortahle home, in which to passThis declining years, as a recompense for past toil and priva- tions, such as is hut little understood hy the dwellers on prairie lands, or the youth of to-day. The family uscd to attend the Methodist Church at River Corners, Rev. Abel Wood, Pastor, in the early days, when they had hut one building for church and school purposes. Mr. Betz re- lates an incident of the early days, in the settle- ment of Wayne Co., that illustrates the newness of the country, and the advancement made in his day. One time, his twin brother and him- self, when they were mere children, strolled out a little way from the house, and found a large, huck deer lying down ; hurrying hack, they asked their mother to come quick and see " the little cow with the hig horns," giving their own name, as children sometimes will, for what they had seen.

MRS. S. A. BEMENT nee Miss Sally A. Raineer, Penfield ; was horn in Genesee Co., N. Y., April 9, 1817. Her husband, Edmund C. Bement (deceased), was horn in Lowville, N. Y., Sept. 25, 1813, and they were married Dec. 25, 1833. His last sickness, of but very few days, terminated in death July 15, 1875. They came to this State in the year 1837, and settled in La Grange, Lorain Co., where they remained until 1862, when they moved to Spencer Township, Medina Co., Ohio. The children were twelve in numher-Edwin R., horn March 2, 1834 ; Edmund D., March 22, 1835; Julia F., June 2, 1836 ; William H., May 3, 1838; Emily J., Nov. 5, 1839; Lydia L., April 2, 1841; George A., Aug. 14, 1843; Sarah A., March 28, 1846; Hiram N., May 20, 1848; Amanda M., Aug. 20, 1850 ; Ellen M., July 15, 1853 (she died July 31, 1854) ; Charles S., now living with his mother on the home- stead, was horn July 3, 1856. Four members of the family were in the army during the re- bellion, their patriotism being shown hy devo- tion to the Union, and two of them laying down their young lives on the altar of a beloved country, a bloody sacrifice, that we and all the coming generations might live where the bless- ings of a free government abound. Commenc- ing with the eldest, Edwin R. enlisted in Bat- tery E, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, on the 25th day of August, 1864, at Wooster, Ohio, and was mustered out of the service at Camp Den- nison, July 12, 1865. He was in the hattlc of

Nashville and Hood's raid. William H. en- listed in the 111th N. Y. V. I., and was instantly killed by the enemy's sharpshooters at Hatch- er's Run, Va., by a shot through the head, April 2, 1865. George A. enlisted in Capt. A. H. Nickerson's Co. I, of the 8th O. V. I., and, after partieipating in a number of hattles, died on July 11, 1864, in Emory Hospital, Washington, D. C., from the effects of a gun-shot wound re- ceived in one of the hattles around Petersburg, Va. The writer regrets that fuller information could not be readily ohtained of the list of hattles in which these hrothers participated. George A. was promoted twiee to non-commis- sioned officer for special bravery on the field of hattle, and is highly spoken of hy his com- manding officer.

JOEL CURTICE, farmer; P. O. Speneer. He owns New York as the land of his nativity, having been born in Cayuga Co., Jan. 20, 1804. In his younger days he worked on the Erie Canal, and learned the trade of molder in Rochester, N. Y., working there some fifteen years. He came to this State in May, 1833, and settled in La Grange, Lorain Co., taking a contract for 166 acres, and giving $400 for it. He then worked at his trade in the foundry at Elyria, and made some improvements upon the land. by building a log cahin upon the lot and clearing some of it. He afterward wrought at his trade for two years more, then went on his farm again and cleared fifty acres, having the land all paid for in four years from the time he hought it. In April, 1843, he traded his farm there for one in this township, and moved here, cleared 105 acres, with some help. Later on, he bought 54 more acres, making a good-sized farm of 159 acres. His father, Hosea, was horn in Deerfield, Mass., in 1773, and his mother in the same State ahout 1775. Her maiden name was Catharine Moore. Their children's names were Philena, Worthy, Amos, Hosea, Joel, Reuhen, Harlow (died when a ehild), Alonzo, David, Susannah, Solomon and Cath- arine. His father died Feh. 5, 1864, in La Grange, Ohio, and his mother in the spring of 1850. Mr. Curtice was married June 6, 1826, in the town of Summerhill, Cayuga Co., N. Y., to Miss Emma Freeman, who was horn in Ot- sego Co., N. Y., March 12, 1801. They had the following children : Clarissa A., born April 1, 1827; Harold, June 26, 1829; Joshua E., Nov. 11, 1831 ; Joel N., Oct. 6, 1834 ; Emma

756

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

C., Dec. 8, 1837 ; Laurinda E., June 24, 1840 ; William, May 23, 1843 (he died June 9, 1843 ; David A., April 22, 1845 ; Reuben E., March 24, 1849 ; Hiram A., Dec. 25, 1852. The great great-grandfather of Hosea Curtiee was born in Eugland, four brothers coming over to settle in the New World. There was a grand family re-uniou and golden wedding held here four years ago, on June 6, 1876 ; 105 relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Curtice assembled to do honor to the event, coming from Wiseonsin, Michigan aud Ohio, marking a day loug to be remembered by those who participated in the festivities. There were musie and singing, short and appropriate speeches were made by Rev. Cyrus Inman, Dr. Willey, Messrs. Smith and Cornell ; and Joshua E., oue of the sons of the aged pair, alluded in feeling terms to the advice his father gave him when he went out into the wide world for himself-to always be honest, and never, by word or deed, disgrace the family name. Mr. and Mrs. Curtice might be justly called typical pioneers, and, for persons at their time of life, still enjoy good health and buoy- ant spirits, acquired by active lives, temperance and frugality.

EPHRAIM COOLMAN, farmer; P. O. Spencer ; was born in this township Feb. 5, 1849, and was married, April 20, 1873, to Miss Julia M. Dickinson, who was born Nov. 13, 1852 ; they have two children-Alice B., born Aug. 14, 1875, and Emma K., Sept. 5, 1876. Mr. Coolman owns the farm where lie was born, and where his father first settled in this township, of 126 acres ; it formerly consisted of 136 aeres, but a small part of it has been sold. Upon this homestead his father toiled for many a weary day, cleariug the land that was to be his home and the home of his chil- dren; showing all of the enterprise and firm- ness that used to characterize the early settlers of this county, and persevered until victory crowned his efforts and a fine farm well re- warded him for all the toil and privations he was obliged to undergo during those early days. He bought the first mowing-machine (Ball's) in the neighborhood, and left his son his father's fire-loek, a relic of bygone days ; also the family clock, of Connectieut make, still running and marking the time of day as it did forty years ago. Mr. Coolman had a brother named Johu, who enlisted in the 2d O. V. C., Co. B, Capt. Lindsley, and died in the

service at Ft. Leavenworth Feb. 20, 1862. Joseph Coolman, the father of the subject of this sketeh, was born in Stark Co., Ohio, July 16, 1814, and died Oct. 14, 1875, in Spencer Township. He married, June 1. 1837, Miss Sarah Lance, born July 19, 1819, in Milton Township, Wayne Co., Ohio; their children were Mary, born June 8, 1838, died Aug. 28, 1878 ; Clara, born May 7, 1840, died Aug. 2, 1841; John, born Sept. 19, 1841, died in the service Feb. 20, 1862; Charity, born Oct. 24, 1843, now Mrs. Calvin Kryder ; Harriet, Aug. 20, 1845, died March 31, 1846 ; William, born Jan. 29, 1847 ; Ephraim, Feb. 5, 1849 ; Milton W., May 18, 1851, died Oct. 15, 1877 ; Frances M., born April 7, 1853, now Mrs. F. Cornelius ; Edward F., Aug. 22, 1855, died Feb. 13, 1874 ; Joseph A., born Sept. 24, 1858, died Jan. 16, 1862; Orville B., born June 19, 1864, and Sarah A., April 27, 1866. Mrs. Joseph Cool- man is living at Spencer Center with the younger members of her family in a quiet re- tirement. Her husband came to this county in 1838, making it some forty-two years since they became identified with the history of Spencer Township.

JAMES B. DICKINSON, farmer; P. O. Spencer. The subject of this sketch has led a somewhat checkered life until within the past few years, but has managed to hold his own against all assailants, until now his life passes on the even tenor of its way. He was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., Nov. 8, 1832. His father, John Dickinson, was born in Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y., June 3, 1807, and came to this State iu the spring of 1851, settling in Spencer Township. He died June 1, 1880. The mother was born in one of the New England States, the date not obtainable, and died in 1834 ; her maiden name was Catharine Bradford. The childreu by this first marriage were James B. and an infant sister who died when a child six months old. His father married again, in 1834, a Miss Catharine Foote, who was born in Marion Township, Wayne Co., N. Y., July 6, 1815. They had the following children : Mer- ritt (dead), William N., Mary, David L. (born July 24, 1845, died in the service), Staley H., and Julia M. (uow Mrs. E. Coolman). James has a good record as a soldier among his old comrades of the 8th. He enlisted April 19, 1861, under the first call of President Lin- eolu for troops for the three months' service,

757

SPENCER TOWNSHIP.

in the 8th O. V. I., Co. K, Capt. W. M. Pieree. They re-enlisted for three years, or during the war, before their first term expired, at Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati. While in eamp the only ineident that transpired worthy of note, except the usual routine of dress parades, eamp and guard duty, was his attempt to swim the river and back again, in which he eame near being drowned, but was reseued by a comrade named William Bacon, now of Medina. The first battle in which he participated was that of Kernstown, Va. They were under the command of the heroie veteran Gen. Shields, who drove "Stonewall" Jackson, after the bat- tle was decided in our favor, up the famous Shenandoah Valley, in an almost continuous skirmish for many miles. Col. Ashby, of the Black Horse Confederate Cavalry, covered the retreat of the rebels. A good shot was made by him at an officer said to be Ashby, who was mounted and at a distance of half a mile from our advancing line. Having received permis- sion from his Captain to try a shot at that dis- tanee, he threw the sights of his Enfield rifle to 900 yards and fired. The bullet, sent true to its aim, struek the bullet-proof breast-plate of the officer and nearly carried him off his horse, the impact being heard plainly at that distanee. His Colonel, coming up soon after, eommended the good marksmanship displayed. The next action of any importanee was that of Romney, W. Va., where they drove the enemy out of town, followed by the fight at Blue Gap. They went into winter quarters at Romney, perform- ing pieket and guard duties ; while here he was taken siek and transferred to the eonva- leseent eamp at Alexandria ; upon his recovery, he rejoined his command and taking transports were moved to the Peninsula under Gen. Me- Clellan. They were generally held as a reserve foree in the battles of that period. He was also in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville and Blooming Forge. Again they faced the enemy at Mine Run, with Gen. Meade as commander, and in the many skirmishes along the Rappahannock. In the last battle (that of Gettysburg), he was wounded three times ; first, in the early part of that great battle by a small piece of shell which wounded his fore-finger, but did not disable him ; then by another frag- ment of shell, which struek him on the right leg ; soon after a bullet piereed his right arm just above the elbow, shattered the bone, and

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 115

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