History of Portage County, Ohio, Part 87

Author: Warner, Beer & co., pub. [from old catalog]; Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Norris, J. E. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago, Warner, Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 958

USA > Ohio > Portage County > History of Portage County, Ohio > Part 87

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C. A. BARTHOLOMEW, farmer, P. O. Aurora Station, was born August 31, 1828, in Auburn, Geauga Co., Ohio; son of Jonathan P. and Mary (Wil- son) Bartholomew, natives of Onondaga County, N. Y., and Montpelier, Vt., respectively, and who came to Ohio in 1814, passing en route through Buffalo at the time that city was in flames, it having been fired by the British, settling permanently in Auburn Township, Geauga County. They had a family of twelve, nine of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, eight now living: Perleyett (Mrs. Frazee) in Burton, Geauga County; Julyann (Mrs. Redfield) in Fayette County, Iowa; C. A .; N. S .; Betsey (Mrs. L. Reed) in Burton; Mary (Mrs. Canfield) in Auburn; Alonzo D. in La Fayette County, Iowa; T. C. P. in Auburn. Jonathan P. Bartholomew died February 5, 1863; his widow survived until February 22, 1884. Our subject was married, in 1852, to Emily, daughter of Chauncey Winchell, a native of Suffield, Mass., and whose history will be found elsewhere. Mr. Bartholomew is a prosperous farmer; he is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Lodge 213, Twinsburg.

SYLVESTER BEECHER (deceased) was born at Milford, Conn., January 23, 1786, son of Jonathan and Polly Beecher. He removed to Ohio when twenty-one years of age, having, prior to leaving his native State, contracted with a party named Canfield, to superintend the building of the first mill ever erected at Newton Falls, Trumbull County. He made the journey to Ohio on foot, and being robbed, en route, of $4, which comprised his wordly possessions, he arrived at his destination penniless and a stranger. He completed his con- tract, however, after which he was employed as a laborer in the brick yard of Wilcox & De Wolf, of Vernon, Trumbull County, and while with them he made the acquaintance of Miss Betsey Bushnell, who subsequently became his wife. Upon the dissolution of his connection with this firm he visited an uncle, then residing at Shalersville, Mr. Hine, father of the late Abel Hine of that township. While with his uncle he was induced to purchase the old home- stead, which was then in Middletown, now Shalersville Township, from a Mr. Shaler, after whom the village of Shalersville or Shalersville Center was named. After Mr. Beecher purchased his first 100 acres he entered Mr. Shaler's service, and made his first payment on his land by clearing the village lands and adjoining roads of timber. About this time he enlisted in the war of 1812, but returned after a four months' service, having been slightly wounded in the head during a skirmish with the Indians, and began to improve his purchase.

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He then visited his native State, working there in a woolen and button factory until he had earned more than enough to complete the payment on his land. Investing in a stock of goods he came back to Ohio with a team and wagon, defraying his expenses by selling a part of his stock, and renting a room in Vernon Township. Trumbull County, he disposed of the residue. Soon after he made a third trip to Connecticut, returning with another stock of goods, which were placed on sale where now stands the village of Palmyra. On July 16, 1816, he married Miss Betsey Bushnell and by her had twelve children, seven of whom survive: Rosella (Mrs. Horr, a widow), Samuel, Austin, Harriet (Mrs. W. W. Patton, of Kent), Lura (Mrs. Dr. C. S. Leonard, in Ravenna), Electa (Mrs. George R. Miller) and John H. The last mentioned was born in Shalersville Township, June 21, 1841, was educated at Hiram College, where Garfield received his training, and married March 29, 1880, Miss Georgia, daughter of A. N. Farr, Esq., one of the leading citizens of Mantua Township, this county. He (John H. ) is now General Agent for the Ohio Farmers Insur. ance Company; he is prominently connected with the I. O. O. F. and Lodge 533, F. & A. M., of Mantua Station. The subject of this sketch (Sylvester Beecher) died in 1855, leaving an estate estimated at $95,000, most of which is in Mantua Township. His widow departed this life June 10, 1884.

AUSTIN S. BEECHER, hardware merchant, Mantua, was born February 1, 1830, in the township of Shalersville, this county, son of Sylvester and Betsey (Bushnell) Beecher, natives of Connecticut, who came to Ohio at an early day. They were parents of twelve children, seven now living: Rosella {Mrs. Haw); Samuel S .; Austin S .; Harriet A. (Mrs. Patton), in Kent; Laura A. (Mrs. Dr. Leonard), in Ravenna; Electa (Mrs. George R. Miller), in Free- dom Township, and J. W. Our subject's father made several trips between this State and the East before settling permanently. The first journey he made on foot, bearing articles of merchandise to sell while en route; then in a wagon laden with commodities. He located in Shalersville, where he became a prom- inent merchant and a large land-holder. The subject of this sketch was mar- ried February 9, 1857, to Olive A., daughter of Jesse Brewster, and to this anion was born one son-Frank, educated at Oberlin and Hiram Colleges, from which he graduated in 1872 and 1873 respectively, and at the law school, Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated in 1874. He is now an attorney at law in the latter city. Our subject is one of the leading citizens of Mantua, and has lately opened a complete line of hardware, etc., in the new building erected by Charles Thomson. He has held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Overseer of the Poor for several years, and is a member of Mantua Lodge No. 533, A. F. & A. M.

CHAUNCY BLAIR, farmer, P. O. Mantua Station, was born in Mantua Township, this county, February 7, 1819, son of John and Pattie (Smith) Blair, matives of Massachusetts, who immigrated to this county in 1810, settling near where our subject now resides. John Blair built the first frame house in the township, procuring all his material from Pittsburgh (the nails used in its con- struction being hand made, with peculiar heads). It was formerly used as a hotel, and for many years was the temporary abiding-place for transient guests and for those who came into the county to settle. It stands on the farm of our subject, near the village of Mantua. John Blair was twice married, and his family consisted of ten children, two of whom are now living: Mrs. Annie Patterson, eighty-two years of age, and Chauncy. Our subject was married April 23, 1840, to Martha. third child of Lansing and Mary (Vanfleet) Story, who were natives of Massachusetts, and the parents of seven children, four now living. Mr. Story came to this county in 1835 and settled near Mantua

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Center, but after a few years went West, subsequently returned and here died. To Mr. and Mrs. Chauncy Blair were born eight children, seven now living: Harriet, Delia, Jennie, Addie, Nettie, Frankie and Cora; Anson is deceased. Our subject and wife are enjoying the fruits of years of labor on their well improved farm, which comprises 450 acres of land.

ELSTON R. BLAIR, farmer, P. O. Mantua Station, was born August 8, 1826, in Mantua Township, this county, son of Alfred and Julia (Miller) Blair. His grandfather, John Blair, came to Mantua Township, this county, in 1806, and built and conducted the first hotel in Mantua, the same being constructed of frame, supplied with glass, etc., purchased at Pittsburgh. The venerable building is still intact and stands on the farm of Chauncy Blair. Our subject was married June 15, 1852, to Lucy A., daughter of Avery and Annie Patter- son. Mr. and Mrs. Blair have no children. Mrs. Blair's father, Avery Pat- terson, was born in Chautauqua, N. Y., October 27, 1792, and came to Ohio when but sixteen years of age, and here married Annie Blair, born in Blandford, Mass., in 1802, daughter of John and Pattie (Smith) Blair, who bore him two children, only one now living-Lucy A., wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, pioneers on the borders of civilization, began life in the most prim- itive manner, and lived to see cities rise up in the wilderness and the fields to blossom as the rose. Mr. Patterson at one time owned over 900 acres of land. He died in 1859. His widow, now over eighty-two years of age, resides with Mr. Blair.

FRANK BLAIR, farmer, manufacturer and dealer in cheese and butter, Mantua, was born January 6, 1846, on the farm where he now lives in this township, and on which his father first settled in 1827, son of Benjamin and Cynthia (Jefferson) Blair, former a native of Blandford, Mass., born December 9, 1802, latter of Wrentham, Mass. Benjamin Blair was brought to Mantua Town- ship, this county, in 1804 by his father, who was land agent here for the early set- tlers, and who subsequently revisited Massachusetts, but returned to Mantua, Ohio, in 1806, and was accidentally killed while "raising" a cabin in 1807, when Ben- jamin was but four years of age. Benjamin Blair married, in Mantua, Ohio, May 17, 1827, Cynthia Jefferson, who bore him eight children, four of whom are now living: James J .; Nelson B., died October 28, 1884 (he was married first to Caroline, daughter of Alfred Blair, afterward to Mary Frost); Henry C., died in 1856; Newton, died April 18, 1851; Wallace B., married for his first wife Sarah Eggleston, and for his second married Emma Talbot; Edwin, died in 1844; Austin A .; was married October, 1876, to Minnie Hazlet; and Frank. Our subject was married January 22, 1872, to Annie, daughter of Carnot Mason, of Hiram, this county, who was a native of Vermont and parent of ten children, of whom Mrs. Blair is eighth. Mr. and Mrs. Blair have four chil- dren: Cland C., Frank B., Harry M. and Nina M. Our subject is a leading citizen of Mantua Township, where he has been extensively engaged in the manufacture of cheese for the past twelve years. He is a F. & A. M., con- nected with Lodge No. 533, of Mantua. In politics he is a Democrat.

PETER CARLTON (deceased) was born June 3, 1787, in Stafford, Conn., and was a son of Caleb and Margaret Carlton, who were the parents of Han- nah, married to John Bestor; Caleb; Lucy, married to Alvin Bestor; Peter; Elias; Sallie, married to Willis Kneeland; Dudley. Our subject was the first Carlton to settle in this county, coming in 1811, his parents following in 1814. He was married, November 29, 1810, to Clarissa, daughter of Daniel and Per- sis (Davis) Ladd, and born February 25, 1779, one week before the inaugura- tion of George Washington as President. Says a writer: "Here, amid the influence of the crude and imperfect civilization that existed in those early

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days, she was reared to habits of industry, and enjoyed only such educational advantages as the limited means of her parents were able to bestow, until she was twenty-one years old." Soon after their marriage our subject and wife left for Ohio, and after a toilsome journey of twenty-seven days arrived at Painesville, Ohio, where they met Horace Ladd, who had preceded them a short time. With Mr. Ladd, Peter Carlton and his wife left their wagon and goods, mounted their horses and struck out for Mantua, and on their way, at Welshfield, they met a man whose track in the leaves served as a guide to their right course. At night they reached Blackbrook, a small stream with muddy bottom, which with care they managed to cross. While making preparations to cross they started a hog, which ran away, as they supposed, toward a house. They followed it, and soon came to the clearing of Elias Harmon, and from there went to the clearing of Mrs. Carlton's brother, Eleazer Ladd, reaching there about 10 o'clock. They were desirous of settling in Geauga County, but the settlers of Mantua, being solicitous about increasing their settlement, offered to build them a house and render other necessary assistance. They were induced to make a final settlement. In 1812 the war broke out, and Mr. Carlton went forward to defend his country. After several years spent in clearing the farm, it was traded for the home now owned by their youngest son, P. A. Peter Carlton died in 1861; his widow survived him several years. One evening she listened to the reading of an excellent book, retired in her usual health, and was found the next morning apparently in a gentle sleep, but it was soon discovered that she was stricken from life's roll on earth and gathered into life eternal. She was the mother of ten children: George, born September 5, 1811, died August 29, 1836; Sherman, born June 21, 1813, died February 20, 1851; Caleb D., born May 22, 1815, died December 19, 1867; Francis, born April 29, 1817; Clarissa, born June 30, 1819, married Septem- ber 27, 1841, to I. P. Sperry; P. A .; Sallie, born August 1, 1823, died May 27, 1845 (she married Robert McMurdy); Lydia, born August 14, 1825, died Sep- tember 27, 1845; Percis A., born July 4, 1829; Huldah E., born November 21, 1833. P. A., who was born February 26, 1821, in Mantua Township, this county, attended the country schools and the school at Kirtland. and was brought up on a farm. He was married September 27, 1848, to Sallie A. Par- ker, born November 8, 1829, in Aurora, Ohio, daughter of Horace and Achsa (McElwain) Parker, natives, the former of this county, the latter of Vermont. The father, who was a member of the Presbyterian Church, died leaving her and Huldah, and the mother subsequently married James Pease, by whom she had eleven children, seven of whom are now living: Celia, Malinda, Sylvia, Helen, Abner, Samuel and Frank. The mother was a member of the Disciples Church. To P. A. Carlton and his wife were born ten children, nine of whom are now living: Arah, married to Carrie Donnel (he is a dentist at Mantua Sta- tion); Herbert, married to Tillie Parker; John and James (twins), the former married to Hettie Cobb, and the latter to Lou Whittier; Clara; Guy E .; Per- sis E. ; Horace P. and Lucy A. P. A. Carlton and wife are members of the Dis- ciples Church. He owns the old homestead of 200 acres. Mr. Carlton was drafted in the late war and hired a substitute. In politics he is a Republican. His brother Sherman's son, Charles, was said, by James A. Garfield, who preached his funeral discourse, to have been the first Union man to shed blood in a regular engagement in the late war of the Rebellion. After being seriously wounded he was brought home by Francis Carlton, whose sketch appears else- where. In this volume will be found the portraits of Peter and Clarissa Carl- ton, who were exemplary Christian people.

FRANCIS CARLTON, farmer, P. O. Mantua, was born April 29, 1817, in Mantua Township, Portage Co., Ohio, son of Peter and Clarissa (Ladd) Carl-

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ton, natives of Stafford, Conn., and Marlboro, Mass., respectively, and who were the parents of ten children, five now living: Francis; Clarissa (Mrs. Sperry), in Tallmadge, Summit Co., Ohio; P. A., residing on the old home- stead; Hulda (Mrs. Sperry), in Tallmadge, and Percis A., widow of Charles Taylor, also in Tallmadge, Ohio. Peter Carlton and wife came to this county in the spring of 1811, and settled in Mantua Township, where he bought a farm, which in a few years he traded for one owned by B. F. Blair. He was a pioneer farmer of Mantua Township, and died May 27, 1861, aged seventy- five years. Clarissa (Ladd) Carlton died January 10, 1883, aged ninety-four years. Our subject was married October 23, 1839, to Polly, daughter of Dan- iel and Margaret (Squires) Bidlake, who came to Mantua Township, this county, in 1810. To Mr. and Mrs. Carlton have been born seven children: G. W., married to Chloe Hotchkiss; F. M., married to Mary Nelson; Lydia A., wife of S. T. Thayer; A. P., married to Helen Cobb; Abbie, wife Charles Parker; Ida B., wife of Caleb Kettring, and Emma M.

LEVI E. CARLTON, farmer, P. O. Mantua, was born March 7, 1824, in Mantua Township, this county, son of Dudley and Lydia (Eaton) Carlton, natives of Stafford, Tolland Co., Conn., former born September 3, 1796, latter August 31, 1791, and who were married in 1814, and moved to Ohio in the same year. There were born to them five sons and one daughter, two sons and the daughter being deceased; two sons living in Mantua and one in Kan- sas: E. D., a widower, residing in Mantua; B. P. in Kansas; and Levi E. in Mantua. Dudley Carlton died in 1878, and his wife in 1868. Capt. Caleb Carlton, Dudley Carlton's father, was a soldier throughout the entire Revolu- tionary war, serving seven years. He moved to Ohio with his son, Dudley, and died in 1823. Our subject was married, October 16, 1851, to Mary L., daughter of Capt. John and Betsey W. Esty, and born December 18, 1830. To this union were born two sons, both of whom died in infancy.

HENRY COBB, farmer, P. O. Mantua Station, was born April 22, 1821, in Suffield, Hartford Co., Conn., son of Samuel and Harriet (Sheldon) Cobb. natives of Connecticut. His paternal great-grandfather was Dr. Samuel Cobb, born August 25, 1716, in Wales, and who emigrated to New England, where he remained for a time at Barnstable, near Cape Cod, Mass. In 1743 he removed to Tolland, Conn., and was a celebrated physician and magistrate. He died universally lamented April 6, 1781. He married Mary Hinkley, who died December 9, 1746, leaving two children. On April 11, 1749, he was again married, this time to Hannah Bicknell, by whom he had twelve children. David, one of his sons, born June 6, 1761, at Tolland, Conn., married Hope Norris, June 25, 1782, and by her had thirteen children; one of his sons, Samuel, was born June 2, 1785, and married, June 1, 1820, Harriet, daughter of Oliver Sheldon, who bore him three children: Henry (our subject), Newton, born October 6, 1823, and Harriet, born February 18, 1828, now the widow of J. M. Taylor, of Toledo, Ohio. Our subject's father purchased several hundred acres of land in the Western Re- serve, and in June, 1833, removed with his family to Mantua Township, locat- ing on Lot 19, known as "Cobb's Corners," a postoffice being established there, of which Mr. Cobb was Postmaster for seventeen years, receiving his commission from Amos Kendall, Postmaster-General under Andrew Jackson. Mr. Cobb was a stanch Democrat and died December 22, 1852, his widow sur- viving him until December 16, 1860. Our subject passed his early years in Connecticut, and after coming here assisted his parents to clear up the farm. His education was acquired during the winters in the primitive log-school- house and by studying at nights. He thus fitted himself to be a teacher, and

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for many years followed this profession. On October 10, 1849, he married Antoinette H., daughter of Hezron Taylor, natives of Connecticut, by whom he has had five children: Helen F., born July 16, 1850 (married January 15, 1874, to A. P. Carlton. They have four children: Henry Lee, born October 26, 1875; Howard A., born June 25, 1880; Grace G., born November 3, 1882, and Emma A., born October 24, 1884); Frederick H., born July 12, 1854 (married Harriet A. Folder October 1, 1882, and died December 23, 1884. leaving one son, Birchard F., born February 26, 1884); Hattie A., born April 26, 1859 (married John D. Carlton, November 9, 1882); Clara B., born March 2, 1866, and Frances E., born January 17, 1869, died February 2, 1885. Our subject has been an active citizen of Mantua Township for years, and has filled all the important township offices acceptably. He holds two commissions for Justice of the Peace, issued by R. B. Hayes.

NEWTON COBB, farmer, P. O. Mantua Station, brother of Henry Cobb (whose sketch appears above), was born in Suffield, Hartford Co., Conn., and came to this county with his father, Samuel Cobb, in 1833, locating on Lot 19 in Mantua Township. He was united in marriage March 2, 1854, with Annis C. Carlton, and by this union has one child-Lura A., married to John B. King, April 7, 1877.

STEPHEN J. DAVIS (deceased) was born October 10, 1816, in Delaware County, N. Y .; son of Aca and Anna Davis. He was married August 31, 1848, to Philena, daughter of Alonzo and Emily (Mount) Gates, of Harbor Creek Township, Erie Co., Penn., who were the parents of five children, all now living, viz .: Grandison, married to Lucy Dalley, residing in Dakota; Abby, wife of S. Brown, at Chautauqua Lake; Pamelia, wife of William Trimble, formerly of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, now of Erie, Penn .; Philena, the widow of our subject, and George, married to Julia Bostwick, in Springfield, Penn. Mrs. Davis was born in Erie County, Penn., and came here with her husband (on account of his failing health) and here bought a home. To our subject and wife was born one son -- Clinton, married to Jennie, daughter of Ebenezer McIntosh, of Mantua, Ohio. Stephen J. Davis departed this life in August, 1878. His widow makes her home with her son, Clinton, and is car- rying on a flourishing millinery and fancy goods store at Mantua Corners, where she is known as an affable, conscientious lady.

J. H. DITTO, of the firm of J. H. Ditto & Sons, dealers in flour, feed and groceries, and proprietors of a livery, Mantua Station, was born November 1, 1828, thirty miles southeast of Montreal, Quebec; son of Peter and Mary (Bucheau) Ditto, who were the parents of twelve children, eleven now living. Our subject came to the United States in 1846, and during the year 1856 was married to Miss Mary E., daughter of Lawson and Emily (Fer- ris) Stearns, of Newbury, Geauga Co., Ohio. They have a family of three children: Frank S., Henry E. and Charles J., all of whom are associated with their father in business near the railroad depot. Our subject and his sons are leading citizens of Mantua Township, and are regarded as enterprising, pub- lic-spirited men.

JOHN ESTY was born in Phelpstown, Ontario Co., N. Y., June 30, 1793, and his wife, Betsey W. (Jones) was born in Middlefield, Berkshire Co., Mass., February 1, 1799. They moved to Mantua, this county, in 1818, and were married the same year. There were born to them four sons and three daugh- ters, of whom three sons and two daughters are now living. The four sons and two daughters lived to have homes of their own, and all resided in this State but one son, who died in Missouri August 13, 1871, aged forty-seven years; one daughter died in infancy. John Esty was a soldier in the war of

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1812, and received a commission as First Lieutenant in 1825 from Gov. Mor- row. In 1830, during the administration of Gov. Trimble, he was promoted to be Captain of the First Regiment of Rifles. He was a Democrat until the organization of the Republican party, with which he allied himself, and which he supported until his death. He was a man who maintained the best interests of his country, and was loved by all who knew him. He died Novem- ber 15, 1863, aged seventy-one years; his wife died November 10, 1869. Our subject is a citizen of wealth, influence and enterprise. He has served as Trustee of his township for two years.

ALONZO N. FARR, farmer, P. O. Mantua Station, was born in East Clari- don, Geauga Co., Ohio, November 28, 1822, son of Abel and Betsey (Mastic) Farr, the former of whom was born in Chesterfield, Mass., May 6, 1795, and the latter in Dunsmore, Vt., July 16, 1796. Mrs. Betsey Farr's grandfather, John Mastic, was born in Scotland in 1717, and married Sarah Coy, born in 1712 in Farmington, Mass. He was pressed into the English service, where he remained until reaching Boston Harbor, when he escaped, and in his flight exchanged clothes with a man digging a cellar under a mill, and also changed his name from Salter to Mastic, by which he was always known thereafter. Nathaniel Mastic, Mrs. Farr's father, was born in Massachusetts July 8, 1772, and married Lydia Caryl, born in 1771. Abel Farr, father of our subject, was married in 1819, came to Ohio the same year, and for two years resided on the present site of Elyria; thence he removed to Claridon, and in March, 1829, to this county, where he lived until 1837, when he went to Troy, Geauga County, where he remained until his death, April 20, 1864. His children, ten in number, survive: Lorenzo A., Alonzo N., Lovell-I., William H., Arvilla L., Edwin A., Lutheria E., Asenath M., Eri M. and Orren S. Our subject was married November 20, 1845, to Annah P., daughter of Eber Kennedy, and by her has four daughters: Adell N. (Mrs. L. Turner), Edna M. (Mrs. S. San- ford), Frinda A. (Mrs. F. R. Munn) and Georgie A. (Mrs. J. H. Beecher). Mrs. Farr's grandfather, Simeon Pryor, came to Ohio in 1800, and was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. He settled in Portage County, Ohio, and died June 29, 1837. Mrs. Farr's father, Eber Kennedy, came to Ohio from Blanford, Mass., in 1804; settled in Aurora, Portage Co., Ohio; married Polly Pryor July 4, 1808; died May 15, 1837, aged fifty eight years. Polly, his widow died February 15, 1880, aged ninety-one years. Our subject has held the offices of Justice of the Peace twenty-one years, Township Trustee, Postmaster eight years, and is now a Notary Public. He is a Democrat in pol- itics, a valued citizen and an enterprising man.

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History of Portage County, Ohio, Part 87

Author: Warner, Beer & co., pub. [from old catalog]; Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Norris, J. E. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Chicago, Warner, Beers & co. Number of Pages: 958

Author: Warner, Beer & co., pub. [from old catalog]; Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Norris, J. E. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago, Warner, Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 958