History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 119

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 119


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).


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tention to save the child. A different mode of treatment was adopted than the one laid down in the books, and, at the end of two weeks of incessant care and sleepless anxiety, the devo- tion of the father was repaid by the gradual recovery of the son ; it was five weeks before the boy was sufficiently recovered to be removed home. The recovery was one of the most re- markable ever occurring in the field of surgery, and reflects high honor on the professional skill of Dr. Gillet. No effect of the accident can be seen upon the boy, who is as bright and intelligent as though nothing had happened. Dr. Gillet, since February of 1880, has devoted part of his time to ministerial duties, a move- ment he has long contemplated, and which he expects to continue. If in the future he dis- continues the practice of medicine, as he at present contemplates, he intends to devote his whole time to preaching the Word of God.


JOSEPH GOUCH, farmer ; P. O. West Rich- field ; is a native of New England, and was born in Northampton, Mass., in 1821. He is a son of Joseph and Keziah (Alvord) Gouch, na- tives of New England. They were neighbors of Judge Hinckley, in Massachusetts, and re- ceived from him the first deed of land given in the township of Hinckley. They located in Hinckley in 1875, on the farm where Joseph now resides. With the exception of eight years' residence in Berea, where he removed to give his children the advantages of these schools, he has always been a resident of Hinckley and of the old homestcad first set- tled upon by his parents ; his farm consists of 88 acres of land, 20 acres of which is woodland, which contains a great number of sugar maples, from which he makes annually about 1,000 pounds of sugar. He also makes a specialty of fruit, and has taken a great many prizes on specimens of peaches and pears, having at one time, seventy-five different varieties of pears. Hc has given considerable attention to small fruits, which have proven generally profitable. He was united in marriage, in 1842, to Miss Charlotte C. Culver, of Rochester, N. Y. Their union has been blessed with cight children- Frederick; he enlisted in the 41st O. V. I., commanded by Col. Hazen ; he served for two years in all the engagements of his regiment. At the battle of Stone River he waded the river and lying down went to sleep ; when found. his clothes were frozen upon him, and he was taken


to the hospital, but his constitution had be- come so weakened by previous disease that he died April 20, 1863. He entered the service as a private and was distinguished for his brav- ery and daring in the last battle, for which, had he lived, he would have been promoted to Second Lieutenant, although at the time of his death he was but 19 years old. From the letters received by the bereaved mother, from his Colonel and the officers and commander of his regiment, it appeared he was a favorite of the whole regiment, and his death was de- plored by them all. Frank A., also a volun- teer in the service ; he now resides in Hinck- ley Township ; Norman, living in Cleveland ; George L., Lyman deceased, Florence J., Char- lotte and James, who died in Berea, aged 12 years.


WILLIAM HEACOX, farmer ; P. O. Bruns- wick. Mr. Heacox is a native of Connecticut, and was born in Litchfield Co., March 29, 1800. His parents were Harvey and Elizabeth (New- ton) Heacox, who were also natives of Connecti- cut. His father was a sea-faring man and went to sea when he was 3 months old ; he did not see him again until he was 14 years, of age ; his early life, until about 15 years, was passed in Connecticut ; at this time his parents removed to Ashtabula, Ohio, and he went upon the lakes, which occupation he followed nearly all the time for twenty years. In the spring of 1836, he removed to Medina Co., locating at Weymouth, at which place he bought a farm of 80 acres and a mill property ; he devoted his time to farming and milling until 1868, when he removed to Hinckley Township, buying 50 acres of land, where he now resides ; his farm, with the exception of 14 acres of timber, is all improved, and is located about two and one- half miles west of Hinckley Center, on the town


line road. Mr. Heacox was married in 1822, to Miss Harriet Welton, also native of Con- necticut ; she is the daughter of Mark and Sarah (Davis) Welton, and was born June 17, 1801 ; she is the lincal descendant of, and the sixth generation from, John and Mary (Upson) Welton, who came from England about 1679, and located at Waterbury, Conn. Nine gener- ations of this family have been rcared in this country ; they have nine children-William J., deceased ; George H., deceased ; Harvey F., deceased ; Harriet M., married to Jehiel Squires, and living in Sharon Township ; John


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H., now living in Cleveland ; Sarah J., married to O. W. Avery ; Edward L., now living in Brunswick Township; Samuel W., deccased ; Anson F., deceased. During his residence in Medina Township, Mr. Heacox served as Jus- tice of the Peace for nine years, as Towuship Trustee for one term, and, since his residence in Hinckley, three terms.


G. W. HURD, farmer ; P. O. Bennett's Cor- ners ; is one of the prominent farmers of Hinck- ley Township ; he was born in Amsterdam, N. Y., May 20, 1827 ; his father, Hiram Hurd, was a native of Vermont, and was born Nov. 27, 1805 ; his mother was Louisa Sherburn ; shc was born Aug. 12, 1806; they emigrated to Ohio and located in Strongsville, Cuyahoga Co., about 1832, where they remained about teu years, and then removed to Bennett's Corners, where they resided until his father died, Feb. 22, 1865. His mother is still living, residing with his family. Our subject, as was the cus- tom, remained with his parents uutil he at- tained his majority ; he was uuited in marriage March 8, 1848, to Miss Abigail C. Brown, a daughter of John and Orrilla (Warner) Brown, who were early settlers of Hinckley Township ; she was born in New York State. Mr. Hurd has, since his marriage, with the exception of one year's residence in Minnesota, always been a resident of Hinckley Township; his home- stead is located on the western township line, and consists of 186 acres, which, with the ex- ception of about 30 acres of woodland, is as fine farming land as there is in the township, presenting, with its improvements, commodious and extensive outbuildings, barns, etc., and a new and attractive residence, a picture of thrift and prosperity. Their family is as follows : Wilson H., born Dec. 15, 1848, he was married to Miss Jennie E. Pay, Sept. 25, 1870 ; he re- moved to Kansas in 1880, where he is now liv- ing engaged in farming ; Clark S., born Dec. 18, 1852 ; he was united to Miss Josephine Olds, a daughter of M. Olds, of Hinckley Center, May 18, 1873, they are now living in Hinckley Township ; Arthur E. was born Oct. 12, 1861, and Martha J., both living at home. Mr. Hurd has served the township in several offices of trust, and has taken an active interest in schools, but devotes his time principally to the cultivation and care of his extensive farm.


S. W. ISHAM, farmer ; P. O. Hinckley ; was born in Geauga Co .; Ohio, Sept. 1, 1831. He


is the son of Truman and Matilda (Dickson) Isham, old residents of the township. He came to Hinckley Towuship when but 2 years old, and has resided in the township ever since. He was married, Aug. 17, 1854, to Mary Mc- Creary, daughter of Andrew and Hannah (Tru- man) McCreary. He was born in Washington Co., Penn., March 16, 1798. She was a native of Seneca Co., N. Y., and was born Jan. 24, 1805. She died May 21, 1853. Mr. McCreary was one of the pioneers of Hinckley, coming there in 1829, and a residcut of the township up to his death, Nov. 20, 1880. They had the following children: Sarah, born July 2, 1825, married, and living in Nebraska; Peter, born Aug. 15, 1828, deceased; Margaret, born March 17, 1830, deceased ; Mary, born May 13, 1836 ; Eliza, born June 2, 1840, married, and living in Trumbull Co .; Emma, born Dec. 27, 1844, deceased. Mr. McCreary was married to his second wife, Louisa A. Finch, Dec. 6, 1854. She died May 6, 1880. Mr. Isham is a tinner by trade, and worked at it for ten years in Hinekley Center. He is now living on his farm, about one and a half miles north of the Center.


ELIAS KEYES, farmer; P. O. Hinckley ; was born in New York in 1811. His parents were Elias and Elizabeth (Noble) Kcyes, who were pioneers of Royalton, Cuyahoga Co. They located there in 1819, and were citizens of that eounty up to the time of their decease. Elias worked for his father, as was customary, until he was of age. In 1837 (Feb. 2), he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Swift. She was born in Cecil Co., Md., March 2, 1817, and was the daughter of Richard and Letitia (Welch) Swift, who were also natives of Maryland. Her parents were old residents of Hinckley Town- ship, coming there in 1825, where they lived the rest of their lives. They had ten children, as follows : Mary Ann Keycs ; Eliza Cleve- land, deceased ; Martha Wait, living in Hinck- ley ; Edward, now a resident of Michigan ; Richard, aceidentally shot at Hinckley ; Har- riet Wait, living in Hinckley Township ; Henry, now living in Oberlin, Ohio; Lois Howland, residing in Michigan ; Jane E. Swift, now liv- ing in Hinckley, and Frank Swift, living in Hinckley. Mr. and Mrs. Keyes moved to Roy- alton, and were residents of that township for seventeen years subsequeut to their marriage ; then came to Hinckley, and located where they


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have since made their home. They have 85 aeres of good improved land, and are eomfort- ably situated in their old age. They have had the following ehildren : Charles D., now a resi- dent of Royalton, Cuyahoga Co. He was born Nov. 8, 1837 ; Melissa, born May 11, 1840, died May 22, 1842; Elizabeth, born May 6, 1842, died Jan. 16, 1880 ; Richard B., born April 1, 1845 ; he enlisted in 1864, in Co. H, 2d O. V. C .; he was wounded at the battle of Five Forks, Va., in 1865, and was discharged June, 1865; he died May 3, 1873; and Ellen R., born Dee. 28, 1853, wife of James Mattingly, now living in Hinckley.


HIRAM B. MILLER, farmer ; P. O. Hinek- ley. One of the best-known men in Hinekley Township is Hiram B. Miller ; he is a native of New York State, aud was boru April 3, 1807, in Ontario Co .; his parents were Lyman and Celia (Wheeler) Miller, also natives of the Em- pire State. While a youth, his parents re- moved to Henrietta, Monroe Co., where they purchased a hotel property and a farm. The hotel was known as the " Coffee House," and run by the Millers for over twenty years. Hiram was married in 1829, to Miss Maria Deming, daughter of David and Sarah (Lewis) Deming, who were residents and old settlers of Monroe Co., N. Y .; Maria was born in Massa- chusetts, aud, at the age of 10, walked the entire distance from Massachusetts to Roehes- ter, N. Y., at the time of her parents' emigra- tion to Monroe Co. At the time, of his mar- riage, Hiram had nothing to begin life with, excepting good health, energy, and a determi- nation to sueeeed; thus, without a dollar of spare money, did he begin the battle of life ; how well he has sueeeeded, the following lines will portray. Iu 1831, with his wife, he went to Canandaigua, N. Y., where his grandfather re- sided, and for two years he worked one of his farms. At the end of that time, he removed baek to Henrietta, having saved about $800 within that time ; he then went to work upon his father's farm, but, after having put in the erops, finally induced his father to sell out the whole property. Ohio at this time was pre- senting an inviting field to emigrants, and here the Miller family eame, loeating in Hinek- ley Township, in 1833, on the western township line; here they bought, together, 650 acres ; Hiram buying about 100 aeres ; his parents died on the old homestead after living to see


the unbroken forests blossom into fertile fields. Hiram has resided, ever sinee eoming to the township, upon the land he purehased on first coming into the county, and which he has eleared by his own exertions ; his wife died Mareh 10, 1876 ; he has seven ehildren living -Cordelia M., Arethusa H., Sherman L., Henrietta, Betsey A., Frank D. and Harvey T. Frank D. was in the service, belonging to 150th O. N. G., serving 100 days. Harvey T., was in Barber Sharpshooters, and served all through the war. Mr. Miller has been one of the fore- most men in the township upon educational matters, always taking an active interest; he has also been an efficient worker in the temper- anee eause ; he is a member of Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 266, A., F. & A. M., of Richfield. Prior to the war he gained an extended reputation from his prominent eonneetion with the under- ground railroad. Even before the enaetment of the fugitive slave law, in 1850, he had deemed it his religious duty to use his best ef- forts in aiding runaway slaves to eseape. But, upon the passage of that law, believing as he did, that Divine approval would sanetion its violation and avoidanee, he made it a part of his religious duty to assist the frightened and fleeing slaves to Canada. Some resideuts in his neighborhood were hostile to his move- ments of humanity, and often sought to dis- eover slaves in his eare, in hopes of getting the promised reward ; but no runaway who sought his protection was ever captured. "Why," said he, " Mr. Reporter, I've had as high as five poor runaways eating at my table at one time, for each of whom a reward of $500 was offered. One day, while moving in the field, suddeuly a gigantie negro rose from the grass in front of me and said : 'Oh, Massa, ean ye tell me whar ' Nigger' Miller lives ?' ' Why bless your soul, you poor fellow,' said I, 'I'm ' Nigger' Miller.' 'Oh Massa Miller,' exelaimed the de- lighted slave, while his dark face lighted with joy, ' you look better to me than money.'" It is needless to say that the runaway reached Can- ada. In company with Joe Mason, a gifted eolored man, Mr. Miller began leeturing in sehoolhouses and barns in this and adjoining counties. He was announeed to leeture at his home sehoolhouse, but a neighbor was deter- mined that he should not do it. In an alterca- tion at the house, the neighbor seized Mr. Mil- ler by the throat, threw him with great foree on


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the floor, cutting an ugly wound on his head, from which the blood flowed in streams down his neck. Money was offered to repair the in- jury, but Mr. Miller nobly refused, saying that money was not what was wanted, that the sin of slavery and the irreparable wrong done the poor slave was what he wished every one to seriously consider. Scores of instances can be mentioned, but these will suffice. Mr. Miller, for his noble efforts, deserves to be classed with such men as " Old" John Brown, Owen Lovejoy, and others, who fought for years against the degrading and cruel influences of slavery.


JOHN MUSSER, retired farmer; P. O. Hinckley Center. Mr. Musser was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, Nov. 9, 1814. He is the son of David and Polly (Reed) Musser, who were natives of Pennsylvania and came to Trumbull Co. in 1813. In 1840, they removed to Norton, Summit Co., where they remained until their deaths. Mr. Musser's early life was passed in Trumbull Co., where he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, which occupation he followed until about 30 years of age. Aug. 12, 1843, he was married to Esther F. Can- field ; her father, William, was a native of Litchfield Co., Conn., and her mother, Submit (Post), a native of West Hampton, Mass. They came to Summit Co., in 1817, and lived there all of their lives, her father dying in 1852, and mother in 1867. After his marriage, Mr. M. went to Huron Co., and worked at his trade for one year, at the end of which time he moved back to Summit Co., buying a farm of 50 acres and working it about four years. He then came to Hinckley Township, April, 1851, and bought a farm of 110 acres, located in the southern part of the township. He remained upon this place until 1876, when he sold out and bought 25 acres about one-fourth of a mile north of the Center, where he now resides. They have had four children-Daniel O., born June 27, 1844; he was married September 1863, to Nancy M. Wait, daughter of John and Martha (Swift) Wait, residents of Hinckley Township, and is living about one and one-half miles west of Hinckley Center. He enlisted in 1864, in Co. D, 178th O. V. I., and was out until the close of the war ; Florence, born Oc- tober, 1848, died March 17, 1852; William A., born Jan. 27, 1853, now living in Hinckley Township ; Ida A., born June 8, 1857, married


to William Isham and living in Hinckley Cen- ter. Mr. Musscr and wife are members of the Disciples' Church of Hinckley Center.


SOLOMON G. NEWTON, deceased, was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Sept. 5, 1825; he was a son of Mathew and Relief (Straight) Newton, old resi- dents of Granger Township. Our subject came with his parents to Granger Township when he was quite young, and where his early life was passed. Hc was married Jan. 4, 1849, to Miss Sarah A. Oviatt. She was born in Trum- bull Co., Ohio, Jan. 4, 1827 ; her parents were Stephen and Prudence (Davidson) Oviatt, pio- neers of Wayne Co., where her father died ; her mother subsequently moved to Hinckley Town- ship, Medina Co., where Sarah was married. Since their marriage they resided most of the time in Hiuckley Township. In April, 1863, they removed to the southern portion of the township, purchasing a farm which consisted of about 100 acres ; here Solomon died Nov. 6, 1878. His wife and family still reside upon the old homestead. Mr. Newton was a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, and had always been an earnest and active worker in the church and Sabbath school ; his earnest Chris- tian life and the honorable and upright manner which characterize all his dealings, make his death deplored by all who knew him. The children are as follows: James P. was born in Hinckley Township, in June, 1853, and lived with his parents until he attained his majority ; he was married Feb. 28, 1875, to Miss Rowena Morris ; her father, George Morris, was an old resident of Granger Township ; her mother was Rebecca Waltman ; she also was an early resident of the county ; they have two chil- dren-Earnest J. and Minnic. James now resides in East Cleveland, where he is engaged - in raising fruit and gardening. Gertrude I. deceased, May, Allie R., Stephen M., Gertie S. and Dell. Mrs. Newton and the four elder children are members of the Baptist Church. His family will cherish through their lives, with loving regret, the memory of the devotion and goodness of the husband and father.


M. OLDS, retired engineer, Hinckley Center ; is the son of Rufus and Abigail (Kent) Olds, natives of New York State, who came to Ohio in 1836, locating in Royalton, Cuyahoga Co. They were residents of the county, where they settled, up to their deaths. His father died in Ft. Wayne, Ind., in 1838, and his mother in


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1848, at Royalton. Our subject was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Feb. 22, 1825, and came to Ohio with his parents. He worked on the farm for a number of years, and then, at the age of 16, went to Cleveland, and commenced learning his trade at the Cuyahoga Steam Fur- nace Company's works ; he remained with them about two years. He was married, in 1850, to Miss Amelia Marcelus, daughter of John and Esther (Hall) Marcelus, pioneers of Cuyahoga Co., and residents of Royalton Township. Mr. Olds came to Hinckley Township in 1856, and bought the old Wetmore saw and grist mills, which he ran for two years and then sold out. He built (in 1857-58) the first steam grist-mill in the township. In 1859, he went to the Lake Superior country, and had the management of building a large lumber mill, takiug charge .of the whole work until the year was out. Return- ing to Hinckley, agaiu went into the milling business, which he continued for two years, and theu bought au interest in the Durham Foun- dry. In September, 1862, he responded to the call of Gov. Tod to repel an attack upon Cov- ington and Cincinnati ; 16,000 men responded ; they were known as the " Squirrel Hunters.' Upon his return to Hinckley, within a few days, he was drafted. He went to Camp Cleveland, where he procured a substitute ; he watched the course of his substitute, and fiually learned he was killed at Chickamauga. He immediately determined to try it himself, and within a few days he enlisted, at Wooster, Ohio, as a private in Co. E, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, and was im- mediately sent to the front, joining his battery on the Tennessce River. In the spring of 1864, was detailed to go on the gunboat fleet of the Upper Tennessee, as engineer. He placed the engine in the gunboat General Sherman, and remained with the flect until July, and then joined his battery at Bridgeport, Ala .; he re- mained with it until the close of the war. He was in the siege and battle of Nashville, which lasted for sixteen days, a heavy artillery fire be- ing waged by both sides every day. He was mustered out July 17, 1865. Upon his return home, he built a tin-shop iu Hinckley, and ran it for one year, then bought a saw-mill, which he ran about a year. In 1868, he went to Sand Lake, Mich., and built several saw-mills for Capt. Small. In 1869, went to Missouri, and had charge of clearing out the Buckeye copper mine ; returned to Hinckley, and bought a saw-


mill at Bennett's Corners, which he ran for about one ycar. In 1873, he removed with his family to Marquette City, Mich., and had charge of the city water works for one year, and while there lost his right hand. The next year, he took the contract for supplying the city with water, and, at the expiration of his contract, on account of his health, returned to Hinckley Center, and bought the old Wetmore place, where he at present resides. He has added several pieces of land to the original purchase, until he has about 80 acres of improved land, which is worked by his son-in-law, Mr. Olds having re- tired from active business, only doing some fire insurance business to occupy part of his leisure hours. Mr. and Mrs. Olds have had six chil- dren-Clayton, died at the age of 21; Willie, aged 19, at Marquette City ; Josephine Hurd, living in Hinckley Township ; Frank and Car- rie, twins ; Carrie, married to John Wyman, and living in Hinckley Center ; and Frederick, living at homc. Mr. Olds is a member of Hinckley Lodge, No. 304, I. O. O. F.


NATHANIEL PORTER, farmer ; P. O. West Richfield. New York has furnished the major- ity of the pioneers of Hinckley Township, and, in Schoharie Co., Sept. 7, 1815, our subject was born. His father, Samuel Porter, was also a native of that State, and was born in Albany Co., Aug. 4, 1796. His parents removed to Schoharie Co. when Samuel was but 4 years old, locating in Broome Township. Here he passed his early life, and was united in mar- riage to Miss Rebecca Jacobs. She was a na- tive of New York, and was born December, 1796. After remaining at his father's house until the spring of 1818, they started for Ohio with all their worldly effects in a wagon which was drawn by a yoke of oxcn. After a month's journey, they finally reached Richfield (now Summit Co.), where they first located, re- maining there until the spring of 1825, when they removed to Hinckley Township, locating upon the "ridge." Here the worthy couple rc- mained until they were called to their heavenly home. He dicd Juue 6, 1848, and his wife, at the home of her son Nathaniel, May 10, 1869. Their children are as follows : Nathaniel, Al- mira, deceased, Rev. Joseph Porter, a minister of the Methodist Church, now a resident of Steuben Co., Ind .; he published, some years ago, a small volume relating the life of his father; it is a most interesting work, giving


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his pioneer life and Christian experience ; Olive S., deceased, and Marietta, deceased. Nathaniel was about 10 years of age when his parents came to Hinckley, and he has been a resident of the township ever since, following the occu- pation of a farmer. Nov. 3, 1873, he bought a small piece of land where he now resides. He was married, November, 1837, to Almira Brown. She died May 5, 1848, leaving one child-Julia J., now the wife of H. W. Davis, Deputy Sheriff of Grand Rapids, Mich. Mr. Porter was married to a second wife, Sarah Ann Crofoot (widow of Cyretus Crofoot, a resi- dent of Brunswick Township), Nov. 19, 1848. Her maiden name was Sarah A. Brown. She was a daughter of John and Orella (Warner) Brown, old residents of the county, who located in Hinekley in 1829. She was born in Scho- harie Co., N. Y., Jan. 23, 1818. At the time of her marriage with Mr. Porter, she had three boys-Levi L., Joseph J. and Lewis L., each of whom died while in the service of his eoun- try. Levi and Joseph enlisted, and, while in service in Missouri, both contracted diseases which resulted fatally, Joseph dying Nov. 16, 1861, and his brother Levi Nov. 28, 1861. Lewis L. enlisted to guard prisoners at Camp Douglas, and died from disease contracted while on duty, Sept. 14, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have two children-Sanford P., married and residing in Richfield, Summit Co., and Emma V., living at home. Mr. Porter has been a resident of the township for nearly threescore years, and has been elosely identi- fied with the growth and development of this part of the county, and is one of its most val- ued citizens. In religious belief, with his wife, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a man of generous impulses, a friend to the poor, and, although assailed frequently by misfortune, has always been disposed to look upon life's bright side. He is intelligent, social and genial in his manner, and a thorough Chris- tian gentleman. He has been honored with many offices of trust by his townsmen, and is now serving his third term as Justiee of the Peace.




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