USA > Ohio > Portage County > History of Portage County, Ohio > Part 102
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RICHARD J. THOMPSON, farmer, P. O. Ravenna, was born January 13, 1809, in Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., Mass. His parents, Isaac and Polly (Campbell) Thompson, came to Ravenna Township, this county, in 1814, driv- ing from Stockbridge, Mass., with a yoke of oxen, one wagon drawn by one horse and another wagon drawn by two horses. They had seven children with them and the journey occupied forty-two days. At that time Isaac Thompson was offered land in Cleveland, Ohio, anywhere east of the square, on Euclid Avenue, for $10 per acre. Their children were Mrs. Eliza Swift, who died in Ravenna, Ohio, in December, 1884, at the advanced age of eighty-five; Harry C., deceased; Charles B., deceased; Rev. Orrin C., in Detroit, Mich., who has been a Congregational minister for over fifty years; Richard J. and his twin brother Robert W., latter deceased; Mrs. Mary H. Sabin, and Mrs. Charlotte Carnahan, deceased. The mother died about 1844, aged seventy; the father followed her in about 1859, aged eighty five years. They were upright pioneer people and won the respect and esteem of all who knew them. Our subject married, November 16, 1834, Miss Adelia Benton, of Guilford, Conn., and to this union were born four daughters: Mrs. Julia B. Hall, of Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Hattie L. Hanna, of the same place; Mrs. Helen C. McLain, deceased, and Mrs. Frances D. Smith, deceased. Mrs. Thompson died January 11, 1883. She was a member of the Congregational Church and a lady of estimable Christian character. Mr. Thompson is one of the original Republicans of Portage County. In early days he took a deep interest in the movement against the cause of slavery. He is one of those devoted men who will be honored by future generations as the sustainers of the famous " Under- ground Railroad." His present residence, where he has lived over seventy years, was the building in which the first court of Portage County was held. He is now one of the oldest continuous residents of the township. Mr. Thomp- son bought and used the first mowing machine brought into the Western Reserve, one of the old Ketchum patent. People used to come from all points to see it work. This would be about the year 1855, or perhaps earlier.
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JULIAETTE THOMSON was born in Shalersville March 3, 1823, daugh- ter of William and Sina (Crane) Thomson, former of whom died October 3, 1852, latter August 26, 1853, in Shalersville, and grand-daughter of Abiah Crane. William Thomson and Sina Crane were married in Surry, Cheshire Co., N. H., in 1810, and in the winter of 1812-13 came to Ohio, and when they arrived in Shalersville they found but twelve families in the town. Her father removed to Ohio in 1812 and settled in Shalersville Township, this county, where he encountered the trials incident to the life of a pioneer, and established a home. Our subject was there raised and educated, and contri- buted by her efforts and association to the progress and development of that township. She was twice married, on first occasion January 1, 1845, to Levi L. Colton, of Freedom Township, this county, and who died April 27, 1860. Her second marriage, December 8, 1862, was with Mr. Whitney, who died May 19, 1882. The widow now resides in Ravenna, and, though she has no children of her own, delights in doing for others, and is beloved by all who know her.
WILLIAM F. TOWNS, dealer in boots and shoes, Ravenna, was born May 8, 1844, in Paris Township, Stark Co., Ohio. His parents, Joseph and Harriet Towns, former a native of Maine, latter of Maryland, settled in Stark County, Ohio, in early life, and moved to Ravenna Township, this county, in 1864. Here Mr. Towns departed this life March 5, 1871. Of their ten chil- dren five are now living: T. H. (in Pomeroy, Ohio), William F., Mrs. W. S. Churchill (in Ravenna Township, this county), M. N. (in Brookville, Kan.), and L. J. (in this city). Mrs. Towns is now living in Ravenna. Our subject received his early education in the schools of the home district and in attend- ing college at Alliance, Ohio. He established and carried on the Salem Busi- ness College, Salem, Ohio, during the winter of 1869-70. Mr. Towns was united in marriage October 24, 1870, with Miss Hattie M., daughter of W. D. Durham, of this city, and they have two children: Florence I. and Nellie A. In 1882 Mr. Towns established a boot and shoe business on Main Street, in Ravenna, and by courtesy to his customers and strict business principles he has built up an extensive trade in the city and vicinity. He is quite a church worker, a member of the official board of officers of one of the leading churches of the city, and does a good portion of its financial work; he is at present Church Treasurer, which position he has held several years.
WILLIAM WADSWORTH, deceased, was born December 16, 1820, in Canfield, Ohio, son of Edward and Pamelia Wadsworth, natives of New England, and who moved to Ohio from Litchfield, Conn. At fourteen years of age our subject came to Ravenna, where he learned the printer's trade in the office of the Ohio Star. He then embarked actively in the profession of jour- nalism, for which he was especially fitted. He acted as foreman of the Cabinet and Visitor three years and then became joint proprietor with Mr. Dewey of the Ohio Star. He afterward purchased his partner's interest and conducted the paper alone until 1848. He became a member of the firm of Hall, Herrick & Wadsworth, proprietors of the Portage County Democrat in 1854, relinquish- ing his position in 1856, to assume his duties as a member of the banking house of Robinson, King & Co. He held the position of Treasurer of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad during the time the office of the company was located in Ravenna. Mr. Wadsworth married, May 8, 1844, Miss Elizabeth R. King, born in Ravenna, January 10, 1819, and daughter of the well-known pioneers, John and Polly King, who came here from Blandford. Mass., in 1814, having lived four years previously in Charlestown Township, this county. Mr. Wads- worth. died April 22, 1860, leaving a widow and four children: Mrs. Francelia
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E. Dewey, Edward W. (deceased), Charles B. and Cora B. Mrs. Wadsworth now resides at the family homestead. Mr. Wadsworth was a business man of wonderful energy and sound integrity, of firm Christian character, and as a citizen of liberality and enterprise, one who was respected and esteemed by all classes. Their son, Charles B., adopted the profession of civil engineering, and has been engaged on the Wheeling & Lake Erie, Cleveland & Pittsburgh and Alliance, Niles & Ashtabula Railroads, and for several months on the Den- ver & Rio Grande Railroad. He was elected Surveyor of Portage County, Ohio, at the general election in October, 1884.
JOSEPH WAGGONER, physician and surgeon, Ravenna, was born near Richmond, Jefferson Co., Ohio, December 30, 1821. His father, William Waggoner, of German-Irish parentage, residing in northeastern Maryland, married Miss Sarah Jackson, of northwestern Delaware, and of Scotch English descent. Loading their household goods into a wagon, they began the tedious journey over the mountains to the wilderness of Ohio, landing in Jefferson County, in 1805, and locating on a quarter-section near Richmond. Here they built a log cabin, began their pioneer labor, and spent their useful and honored lives, raising a family of eight boys and four girls. Our subject, the tenth in the family, grew up on the farm, working during the summer and attend- ing the district school in the winter. In his eighteenth year he began teach- ing during the winters and attending a select school at Richmond during the summers. On attaining his majority he entered the Steubenville Academy, to prepare for entering college, but his health failing, a further classical course was by his friends deemed inadvisable. After resting and recruiting his health for nearly a year he commenced the study of medicine under Drs. Johnson and Henning. of Steubenville, in the spring of 1843, continuing until the fall of 1846. During the winter of 1846-47 he attended medical lectures at the Cleveland Medical College, and subsequently had the degree of Doctor of Med- icine conferred on him by that institution. In the spring of 1847 he located at Deerfield, this county, in the practice of his chosen profession, where for six- teen years he was engaged in its duties and responsibilities. In the spring of 1863 he removed to Ravenna, where he at once entered upon an enlarged and constantly increasing practice. During the year 1864 he visited Washington, D. C., tendering his services to the Government, which were accepted. He entered the army as Assistant Surgeon, and was placed on duty at Lincoln Hospital, but his stay there was short. His wife's health became precarious, and he was induced to resign his position and return home. Since that time he has been continually and assiduously engaged in the practice of medicine, his life work, allowing nothing to interfere with its duties. The Doctor is a F. & A. M., a member of the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Society, the Northeastern Ohio Medical Society, and the Portage County Medical Society. His literature consists of society papers and an occasional political article. He is very liberal in his professional views, and willing to fraternize, when humanity calls, with medical gentlemen of the so- called different schools. In theology he is also very tolerant of the views of the different sects, gladly welcoming the day when those differences will disap. pear. He supports the different churches liberally, believing in the doctrine of Christianity and its ennobling influences on mankind. Politically in early life the Doctor was a Whig, and a great admirer of Henry Clay, for whom he cast his first Presidential vote. When the Republican party was organized, he joined it, and has ever since been battling for its political ascendancy, voting for its nominees, Fremont, Lincoln, Grant, Hayes, Garfield and Blaine. Dr. Wag- goner is known as a straightforward, honest man. He is courteous and gentle-
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manly in manner, genial in disposition, and liberal in spirit and action. He enjoys the esteem of all those with whom he is acquainted professionally or socially. As a general practitioner and family physician, he has few equals, always endeavoring to keep his patients well, as much as to cure them. In June, 1862, our subject married Miss Mary M. Regal, of Deerfield, this county, who by her domestic virtues has proved a life helpmate. Four children were born to them: George Joseph, Arthur Judson, William Wallace, and Mary Josephine, the first and last of whom are living. Arthur and William, two lovely and promising boys, aged eleven and eight, respectively, died of that dread disease, diphtheria, in January, 1880, and were buried on the same day, January 18. This is the one great sorrow of his life, and is the only shadow that hangs over an otherwise happy home.
EDWIN R. WAIT, jeweler and watch-maker, Ravenna, was born in Aurora, this county, July 4, 1830. His parents, Jonathan and Abigail Wait, of Ches- ter, Mass., settled in this county about 1825. They lived the lives of useful pioneers, and raised a family of ten children, of whom but three are now liv- ing in this county. The mother died February 23, 1877; the father January 17, 1881, at the age of eighty-four. Our subject at the age of twenty-one began learning the trade of jeweler and watch-maker, with R. A. Baird, of Ravenna, and was for many years engaged with him, finally purchasing the entire busi- ness. He carried on the enterprise alone for many years, taking in as a part- ner his brother, Alva F., in 1871. The firm is now known as Wait Bros. They enjoy an extensive custom as manufacturing jewelers, watch-makers and dealers in a complete line of jewelers' goods. Theirs is the oldest business house (with one exception) in Ravenna. Mr. Wait married Miss Mary E. Swift, November 18, 1858. She is a daughter of Dr. Isaac Swift, one of the early settlers of this city, and for many years prominently identified with the medi- cal profession. To Mr. and Mrs. Wait have been born one son-Henry M. and one daughter -- Emily M. Our subject and wife are members of the Con- gregational Church. Mr. Wait is a life-long Republican, casting his first vote for Fremont. He takes a deep interest in public affairs. Has been a member of the Board of Education for fifteen years.
WALLACE WILLIAMSON (deceased) was born in Washington County, Penn., December 15, 1817, but was brought up principally in Bethlehem, Stark Co., Ohio. At sixteen years of age he started on foot to the Maumee Swamps, Ohio, where his uncle, George Robinson, was acting as a civil engi- neer on the Ohio Canal. He learned that profession under his uncle, and fol- lowed it for about twenty-five years on that and the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canals. He married, January 4, 1842, Miss Alvira S. Judd, born May 5,1822, in Ravenna Township, this county. Her father, Charles Judd, of Hamilton, County, N. Y., came, when a young man, in 1818, to this county, where he mar- ried Miss Lucina, daughter of the pioneers, Moses and Mary (Abels) Smith, who settled here from Litchfield County, Conn., in 1805. Mr. Judd died November 17, 1864. His widow still survives him at the advanced age of eighty five years, being the oldest continuous resident of Ravenna Township now living. Mrs. Williamson is their only child. Seven years after their marriage Mr. Williamson purchased the old Judd family homestead of 126 acres near the corporation line of Ravenna. He devoted his time partly to this, and partly to canal and railroad engineering. He had an accidental fall on his premises on February 12, 1881, which resulted in his death on the 21st of that month. He was an active man in agricultural affairs, taking a very prominent part in the Portage Agricultural Society. He was a leading member of the P. of H., being an influential member of the State and
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National Granges. His widow and their only son-Marshall-survive him, and reside at the family homestead. Mrs. Williamson is a pious member of the Disciples Church, the faith of her father and mother.
ANDREW WILLYARD, farmer, P. O. Ravenna, was born March 27, 1830, in Ravenna Township, this county. His father, Benjamin Willyard, came from Maryland to this county in 1808 with his parents, and here he mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Eatinger, daughter of John and Christiana Eatinger. They had a family of five children: Mrs. Julia Ann Caris, Andrew, Phylena (deceased). John and Charles (latter deceased). The father died April 6, 1868, and the mother January 12, 1878. They were upright pioneer citizens, pious members of the Lutheran Church, enjoying the respect of all who knew them. Our subject married Miss Susan Welk, of Mahoning County, Ohio, January 25, 1859, and they then settled where they now reside. They own a fine farm of 150 acres in Ravenna and Rootstown Townships. Their children now liv- ing are Charles H .; Judson C., in Dakota; Clara E .; Calvin B. and Kate E. Two died in infancy. The subject of this sketch is a worthy descendant of one of the oldest and most influential pioneer families of Portage County.
GEORGE WISMAN, farmer, P. O. Ravenna, was born March 23, 1823, in Beaver County, Penn. ; son of William and Hester Wisman, natives of same county, and who came to this county in 1824, settling in Rootstown Township. (Mrs. Wisman was a daughter of the famous scout and Indian hunter, Andrew Poe). Here Mr. Wisman met his death in 1826 by being accidentally shot while out hunting wild hogs with a friend, Mr. Carl. Mrs. Wisman then returned with her family to her native county, where she resided until 1839, when they located in Ravenna Township, this county. The children were Mrs. Elizabeth R. Hall, of Rootstown; Andrew Poe, in Van Wert County, Ohio, (deceased); George and Sarah (latter deceased). Mrs. Wisman died in 1873, at the age of seventy-six years. Our subject married, in 1848, Miss Sarah Jane, daughter of Daniel Clark, of Rootstown. She died in 1854, leaving one daughter-Mrs. Mary Merrill, of Meadville, Penn. Mr. Wisman after- ward married, March 22, 1855, Miss Eliza Uncapher, of Columbiana County, Ohio. They have five children: Samantha, George, Eliza Eldora, John Poe and William. Mr. Wisman purchased his present place south of Ravenna, to which he has added until he now owns an excellent farm of 160 acres of well- improved land. He has recently erected a fine residence thereon. He and his wife are consistent members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Wisman is a man who has begun upon his own resources and risen to his present prosperity by his own industry and good management. In politics he is a Democrat.
ROBERT B. WITTER, proprietor of livery, etc., Ravenna, was born Octo- ber 29, 1829, in Truro, Nova Scotia, where his father, Ezra Witter, died about 1848. Our subject came to this county about 1849, settling in Ravenna in 1854. His mother, Margaret Witter, came to this county in 1850 and died in Rootstown September 5, 1853; his sister's, Mrs. Isabella Butler and Mrs. Mary A. Day, and his brother Charles now live in Ravenna, Ohio. Our subject fol- lowed his trade as harness-maker until 1863, and has conducted a livery stable since 1875. He married, in October, 1872, Mrs. Mary A. Steadman, widow of Dr. Charles E. Steadman, and daughter of Robert and Mary Ann Hamil- ton, of New Baltimore, Ohio. Mrs. Witter died May 30, 1879, leaving one daughter-Mary A. Witter.
FREDERICK WELLS WOODBRIDGE, Ravenna, was born at Manches- ter, Conn., in 1824. His father, who had been wealthy, lost his all in the financial panic of 1837, and came to Ohio with his son in 1839. In 1841 the boy began to clerk for Clapp & Spellman, at Akron, and soon after for Zenas
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Kent, of Ravenna, who had noticed his character and ability. With charac- teristic unselfishness, young Woodbridge gave his father his wages to help him buy a farm, denying himself many comforts for that purpose. Too poor to venture into society, he was yet too rich in self-respect and principle to indulge in bad habits. He went into business for himself in 1846. Mr. Woodbridge's head, heart and life all testify that the clock of his fortune struck twelve in 1847, when he married Mary A. Brayton, of Ravenna. He engaged in business soon after with his father-in-law; removed to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1853, where with others he built the Cleveland Powder Mills, which he opera- ted successfully for several years, when he again entered a mercantile life and prosecuted an extensive business in connection with the Cleveland Rolling Mill Company. He returned to Ravenna in 1873, where he still lives, engaged in the manufacture of glass. He is emphatically a Christian business man, enterprising, energetic, sagacious, successful, and of invulnerable integrity. He is domestic in his tastes, and more than beautiful in his home life. A patient and dutiful son, a kind and wise father, a genial friend, the idol of his children, the king of his wife's affection, as she is the queen of his heart. He is as tenderly devoted as the most ardent young lover, aiding her enthu- siastically in all her reform work .- Rev. A. M. Hills.
MRS. MARY A. WOODBRIDGE. - Mary A. Brayton was a Nan- tucket girl, which explains much in her brave career and character. Left to themselves during the long and dangerous voyages of men who sought the northern seas for "light, more light" (in the halcyon days of sper- maceti, before Col. Drake struck oil from Pennsylvania's bosom), the women of Nantucket were by nature and nurture hardy, strong and self-reliant. But with these qualities not sufficiently emphasized in the "regulation pat- tern" of the softer sex, these unique islanders combined great tenderness and depth of head and conscience. How could it fail to be so, when they fer- vently prayed for the safe home-coming of their best-beloved, and kept their memory green by constant recitals to their children of the virtues of their absent sons and sires ? From the same lineage that has given us Prof. Maria Mitchell, of Vassar College, and Phoebe Hanaford, the preacher and poet, comes their cousin, Mary A. Woodbridge, whose name has already lent to tem- perance annals one of the brightest pages this century can show. Her father, Capt. Isaac Brayton (see page 814), a man of character and substance, repeats his noblest traits in his most gifted child, but more than all we trace the gen- tle, tender spirit which makes more firm her stand for truth, and the unfailing trust in God which were the gift and teaching of a devoted mother to a ten- derly loved daughter, and see in her those rare qualities possessed by that mother (Love Mitchell Brayton) and her brother, Prof. William Mitchell, the brilliant astronomer, of whom it is said "none knew them but to love." Her sunny years of childhood were sedulously turned to account under the guid- ance of wise parental counsel and able teachers. Little Mary was the prodigy of the school-room, especially in mathematics. That most progressive educa- tor, Horace Mann, on witnessing some of her exploits at six years of age, said: "Persevere, my child, you will yet make a notable woman." At eigh- teen our heroine was both wife and mother, having married Frederick Wells Woodbridge, Esq., a successful young merchant, who made her acquaintance in the pleasant town of Ravenna, for some years her father's home. A residence in Cleveland followed her marriage, where two daughters are now living. One son, though of the stature of manhood, is the joy of his parents, while the elder awaits their coming to the home beyond. Home cares did not prevent Mrs. Woodbridge's constant growth in mental acquisitions and acu-
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men. Books have always been her "next of kin," and of few can it be said with greater truth, that "she lived on her ideas." She was Secretary of a lit- erary club, over which Gen. James A. Garfield presided (in his frequent visits to Cleveland), and all unconsciously she was preparing for the great work awaiting the Christian women of her native land. Finally the clock of God struck the hour of the crusade, and among the leaders which, in the sacred exclusion of their homes and manifold activities of their church life, had been serving their novitiate, forth came Mary A. Woodbridge into the peaceful war for God, and home, and native land. Of the three-fold call-" opportunity, adaptation and success"-by which she was ushered into gospel temperance work, let her own pastor, Rev. A. M. Hills, tell in the fitting words that follow: "The crusade came with the suddenness and the power of Pentecost, bringing, also, like it, a baptism of the Holy Ghost. In common with thousands of oth- ers of her Ohio sisters, she felt the movings of the Spirit. Her eyes were opened to see in a new light the woes caused by intemperance. She went to ber closet, and there, when alone with her God, heard the Divine voice asking, 'Whom shall I send?' She had the grace given her to lay herself upon the altar in consecration, with the prayer, 'Here am I; I will be or do whatever pleaseth Thee.' But she did not yet understand the vision, nor realize that a live coal had touched her lips. She had been a professing Christian for thirty years, but had never spoken a word in public or offered an audible prayer. Soon she attended a great union meeting which had come together in the excitement of the hour without any one having been appointed to preside when gathered. It was thought best that this should be done by a woman. Who should it be? One after another thought of her, and she was asked to take
the place. She was utterly overcome with fear and a sense of inability, and pleaded to be excused. Her aged father came to her side and tenderly reminded her of her consecration vow, and then left her. Her pastor came a second time, when, with a struggle, she said to one standing by, 'Doctor, ask the audi- ence to rise and sing Coronation; I never can walk up the aisle with these peo- ple looking at me.' As they sang, she went forward, trembling with weakness and praying every step 'Lord, help me! Lord, help me!' She called upon a brother to pray: then she read a verse of Scripture, and began to say-she knew not what. But God put his own message into her anointed lips. The deeps of her woman's heart were moved; self was forgotten in her message. She pleaded for the degraded victims of drink; for their heartbroken wives and mothers, and for their suffering and degraded children. Her words poured forth in tender and resistless eloquence, till the multitude were moved as one man. The strong were melted to tears. Christians wept and prayed together.
A cool-headed Judge arose and solemnly declared that he had never been in an audience so manifestly moved by the Holy Ghost. In that one sacred hour she was lifted by the providence of God into a new life. Her mission had come. Like St. Paul, she had had a revelation, and she has not since that time been disobedient to the heavenly vision." Ever since then the history of Mrs. Woodbridge is part and parcel of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, "that sober, second thought of the crusade." She has risen to her present eminence by sure and regular gradation, being at first President of the local union of her own home town at Ravenna, then for years President of her State, and in 1878 she was chosen Recording Secretary of the National Women's Christian Temperance Union. a position which she fills with unrivalled ability, her minutes being almost never susceptible of improvement by even the slightest verbal change. This is, indeed, a fact "significant of much," for only the quickest ear, keenest perception and readiest hand could so " keep
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