History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 157

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Ohio > Summit County > History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 157

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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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

1869 ; Bertha E., born Oct. 6, 1870, and one that died in infancy. Mrs. Bailey was born in New York July 1, 1843. Mr. Bailey enlisted, Ang. 12, 1862, in Co. C, 115th O. V. I., and was assigned to the Twentieth Corps ; he was dis- charged July 5, 1865. He is a Democrat in his political views, and is liberal in his religious views. He owns 154 acres of good land, and is a self-reliant, intelligent gentleman.

JOHN J. BRADLEY, farming and dairying ; P. O. Kent. Arba Bradley, the father of the subject of this sketch was a native of the State of Connecticut. By trade he was a blacksmith, but he soon changed his vocation to silver- smithing. At the time of his marriage, he was foreman in Starr's gun factory in Middletown, but preceding his coming to Ohio a short time, he was proprietor of a brass foundry. His wife was Esther Chamberlain, by whom he had the following family : Elizabeth, Cyrus, Samuel, Jacob, Chloe, Jacob, Arba, John, Robert and Ransom, twins, and Esther. John J. Bradley was born in Middletown, Conn., April 21, 1815. When he was between 14 and 15 years of age, he came with his sister, Mrs. Marvin, to Stow Township, Portage Co. (now Summit Co.), Ohio, where his father had previously purchased a tract of land of 160 acres. He lived with his sister during the fall and winter of 1829, while he was engaged clearing the underbrush and timber off as much of his father's land that he possibly could. In June, 1830, his father came out, and bringing with him a supply of lemons and Santa Cruz rum, instituted a "logging bee," and with the help (?) of his sour punch and the neighbors, cleared a sufficient place to plant an orchard and erect his log cabin. He then went back to Connecticut, and the same fall returned bringing his family. They built their house on the place they had cleared, Lot 50, and he and wife lived here the rest of their lives, clearing and improving the place with the aid of their children, and taking part in all the pioneer industries of that early day. John J. Bradley and Ruth C. Brewster were united in wedlock, Dec. 19, 1839, and their home was ever afterward in Summit County. To this union were born a family of three-Julia Ann, born Nov. 12, 1840, died in infancy ; Samuel, born March 26, 1843, died Oct. 19, 1862, at Camp Dennison from disease contracted while in his country's service. Mary Esther, born Sept. 6, 1847, died Oct. 3, 1847. Mrs. Bradley

died March 10, 1879, very suddenly from neu- ralgia of the heart. Mr. Bradley's whole life has been passed on his own place. He is a prominent Democrat in politics, having held various positions of honor and trust in that party. He is a man of considerable mechanical ability, and is among the enterprising men of Summit County.

MRS. FANNY COCHRAN, farming and dairying ; P. O. Cuyahoga Falls; was born in Washington Co., Penn., June 15, 1814. She is the daughter of John Bird, and sister of James Bird, who was shot on Lake Erie. When but a child she, together with her parents, moved to Steubenville, Ohio, where she remained until her marriage with Robert Cochran, which took place in 1830. In about 1834, Mr. and Mrs. Cochran came to Stow Township. Summit Co., Ohio, where Mrs. Cochran has lived ever since. This couple were parents of the following family : Joseph (deceased), John, Janc (de- ceased), William, Norman, Robert, Maria, Fan- ny, Elmira (deccased), James and Martha. John married Miss L. Carrier ; William mar- ried Maria Carley ; Norman married Carrie Black, and these three families live in Michi- gan. Robert married Martha Hall, and lives in Tallmadge Township. Maria is the widow of John Fannigan, and resides in Boston Town- ship. Fanny is the wife of H. G. Moon, and is a resident of Stow Township. Jane was the wife of Richard Williams ; James married Ra- chel Best, and is a resident of Northampton Township; Martha married William B. Gallo- way ; Elmira was the wife of P. Galloway, and Joseph died at the age of 18, being un- married. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran settled on Lot No. 72, in Stow, and, at the time of their set- tlement, it was a dense forest. They cleared land on which they built a log cabin, starting in a truly pioneer manner to build them a home. Mrs. Cochran has been a lady of more than ordinary powers, as the following will show : After working hard and enduring in- numerable privations, Mr. Cochran took the gold fever at the time of the gold excitement in California, and bidding his family adieu, set forth on the long trip to the gold mines. On his arrival there he opened a grocery and ex- change store at a mining town called Placer- ville, and, after remaining here some time, sold out and started for Sacramento for the purpose of engaging in a like business there. On the

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way, he and his companion, by the name of Morris, were attacked and murdered by the Indians. Mr. Cochran's remains were recovered and interred at a place then called Haintown, on Doolittle Ranche. This left Mrs. Cochran with a large family dependent on her for snp- port, and with 80 acres of land that was enenm- bered by a mortgage of $1,100. By the hard- est labor she has cleared the place of all in- debtedness, and added to it 20 acres more, making in all now 100 acres. In 1872. her two sons, Norman and Robert, enlisted in the cause of their country's defense, the former being in Company D., 29th O. V. I., and the latter in the 115th O. V. I. Norman was in quite a number of engagements and was twice wounded ; owing to ill health he was trans- ferred to the Commissary Department. Mrs. Cochran lives alone with hired help on the old place. living the life of an humble Christian.

M. D. CALL, farming and dairying ; P. O. Hudson ; is eldest in the following family born to Jerry and Lavina (Danforth) Call : Moses D., William D., Jerry C. and Hanson O. Mr. Call's grandfather, Moses Call, was a native of England, and on his coming to the United States, first settled in Massachusetts. From this State they moved to Merrimac Co .. N. H., where the parents of our subject were married. Mr. Call, the father of Moses D., owned a farm, and on this farm Moses lived until 1838, when he left home and went to Boston. where he en- gaged in the bakery business. After remain- ing three years in Boston, he disposed of his property there and started for Peoria, III., but on the way stopped and visited friends in Sum- mit Co., Ohio. While here he was taken ill, and when he recovered, instead of continuing on to Illinois, as was his intention, he decided to remain in Ohio. For four years after his arrival, Mr. Call carried on the cooper's trade in summers and taught school during winters. In November, 1842, he married Harriet M. Starr, daughter of the old pioneer, Josiah Starr, who came to Stow Township in 1804. In 1859, Mr. Call obtained possession of his present place, where he has ever since resided. To his union with Miss Starr there were born four children- Mary, Emma A., Ellen J. and Charles A. Mary married G. H. O'Brien, who is engaged in the agricultural business in Akron. Emma is the wife of E. A. Seasons. Ellen is the wife of La- fayette Darrow, and Charles A. married Olive

A. Prior, the daughter of S. S. Prior, whose family history accompanies this work. Mr. Call was born July 12, 1815, and his career through life is one of honor and uprightness. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace in Stow Township for thirty-four years, besides holding various other township offices. During the fall of 1877, he was elected County Commissioner, and re-elected during the fall of 1880. He owns a fine farm of 188 acres on Lots 77 and 67. His wife was born in Stow Township on the farm now owned by Mr. Call, Sept. 25, 1818.

VOLNEY CHAMBERLAIN, farmer ; P. O. Kent; was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., in De- cember, 1804. He is descended from English ancestors, whose family history entitles them to an old and honorable name. He is a son of Ebenezer and Susanna (Jones) Chamberlain, who were natives of Middletown, Conn. These parents, at a very early day, emigrated from Middletown to Redfield, Herkimer Co. (now Oswego Co.). N. Y., the latter part of their journey being through a dense forest by " blazed " trees. Volney remained with his parents in New York until he was 6 years old, and then with his parents moved back to Mid- dletown, where they resided until 1814; again removing to New York, where the father died in 1829. and the mother in 1864. The subject of this sketch is one in a family of thirteen children, eleven of whom lived to become almost men and women. He was married, Jan. 18, 1832, to Mary, daughter of Willet Ranney, and from this union were born the following family : Orville L., Marian G., Leora E., James W., Charles L. and Edgar V. Orville married Maria Grogan, and lives in Shreveport, La. Leora married John Denble. James married Emma Fay (is a machinist and lives in Akron); Charles married Loretta Woodward, and lives in Minnesota ; Edgar married Mary Bradley, and lives at home, as does Marian, who is un- married. In 1853. the subject of these lines left New York, and came directly to his pres- ent farm in Stow Township, which consists of 943 acres situated on Lots 39 and 40. Mr. Chamberlain is a Republican in politics, and has served the various townships in which he has lived in almost their every office. Mr. Chamberlain is a well-informed, genial, intelli- gent gentleman, and he and family command the respect of a large circle of friends.

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"CLIFF HOUSE," C. E. KIDNEY, Pro- prietor, Stow Corners. One of the most beau- tiful resorts for pleasure parties and private individuals, is situated near the famous glens and caves on the Cuyahoga River, in Stow Township. During the fall of 1880, Mr. Kid- ney purchased the " Cliff House " of Gen. Gross, and since that time has been remodelling and changing the appearance of the property, until it is now recognized as one of the leading re- sorts for pleasure seekers. This property con- sists of 10 acres, through which a beautiful gorge extends, and within this gorge are glens, caves and grottoes, while half a mile distant is the beautiful Silver Lake. Cuyahoga Falls is near the " Cliff House," but yet far enough distant to relieve the pleasure-seeker of the continual turmoil and bustle of the city. Around the hotel, Mr. K. is laying out walks, drives, croquet grounds, swings, dancing halls, and in fact has everything beautiful that will make the " Cliff House" a continuation of what it has been since coming into Mr. Kidney's hands, -- a grand success. Mr. Kidney was formerly a resident of Akron. He is a painter by trade, but owing to ill health he has retired from that business and engaged in his present occupation.

HARVEY DAVIS, farmer and fruit-grower ; P. O. Hudson ; was born in Genesce Co., N. Y., in 1813. His parents, Nathaniel and Electa (Palmer) Davis, were natives of Middletown, Conn., and from their native village they went to New York, in 1807. From New York they came to Summit Co., Ohio, in 1818, where they remained for a short time. From this point they went to Copley Township, buying 320 acres of woodland, on which they soon erected a comfortable log cabin, and they then commenced clearing and improving the place. Here Mr. and Mrs. Davis brought up a family of nine children, of whom only our subject and two others are living. Mr. and Mrs. Davis always made this place their home, from the time of their arrival there to their deaths. Harvey was raised and educated in Copley Township. He began in life with nothing but a strong consti- tution and willing hands. He was married, in 1842, to Clarissa Bosworth, and by her had a family of six-Francis, Nathaniel (deceased), May and Fay. Francis was a soldier in the war of secession, and was a member of Com- pany G., 115th Regiment, O. V. I. Since the

war, he married Hattie Nighman, and lives in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Warner married Annie Grubb, and lives in Stow Township. In 1855, Mr. and Mrs. Davis went to Tennessee, and farmed there until 1859, when they came back to Ohio. After living one year in Copley Town- ship, they came to their present place, which consists of 40 acres on lot 68, in Stow Town- ship. Mr. Davis deals quite extensively in fruit, and he has one of the finest vineyards in the county. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Church of Christ. Mr. Davis is an intelligent and en- terprising citizen.

W. H. FERRY, farmer ; P. O. Kent; was born in Belcher, Mass., Aug. 20, 1823. He is one in a family of eleven children born to Aaron and Elizabeth (Gilbert) Ferry. Aaron Ferrey was twice married, his second wife be- ing Mary Ferson, by whom he had two children. In 1833, this family came from Massachusetts to Ohio, making their home near the northwest corner of Franklin township, Portage County. By trade, Mr. Ferry was a brick-maker, a busi- ness he followed to a considerable extent in connection with farming. When a young man, he was swindled out of almost all his property by a land speculator, and on his arrival in Ohio

only had about $400. When the subject of this sketch was about 4 years old, he was taken sick and by injudicious doctoring, was made a cripple for life. When his father married the second time, he started out in life for himself. He commenced by working by the month for those who would have him in his crippled con- dition. Through all his hardships in seeking a home, Mr. Ferry displayed great determina- tion and energy. Where many others would have given up in despair, he still continued the struggle, saving all his hard-earned pennies in the hope he might secure enough in time with which to commence a home. At one time he was on board a steamboat on Lake Erie. and during a terrific storm the boat was wrecked, but Mr. Ferry, with the rest of the passengers, were rescued by the timely arrival of a steam tug, "The Arrow." Mr. Ferry, however, lost all his property on the boat. Sept. 5, 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss B. R. A. Loomis, daughter of II. A. Loomis, of Portage County, and to this union were born the follow- ing family : Laura E., born July 16, 1857 ; Mary E., born Sept. 5, 1861 ; Phebe P., born March 7, 1865, and Hannah N. A., born Aug.

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18, 1868. Mrs. Ferry was born April 18, 1832, and died Feb. 25, 1877. Mr. Ferry came to his present place in 1859, where he has ever since remained. He run in debt $2,700 for his place, and for the first four years did not make enough to pay the interest on the debt, besides his actual household expenses. 'The farm con- sists of 80 acres, and in 1863 Mr. Ferry tried to find a purchaser for the place for the same amount he gave for it, but without snecess. He then determined to keep and pay for it himself or break up altogether. By the hardest of labor, and with close economy, he in time began to improve his land and gradually pay off the debt. At present he is entirely out of debt, and with one of the finest farms in Stow Township. This he has acquired by his own exertions, working most of the time at a disad- vantage. Mr. Ferry, however, has a stout heart, and now after he has accomplished his object, can look back and be merry over his hard life in the past.

F. M. GREEN, Kent. F. M. Green and wife represent two of the old and time-honored set- tlers of Summit Co., Ohio. Mr. Green was born Sept. 28, 1836. He is one of two chil- dren born to Philander and Tarissa (Root) Green. His brother, Albert W., lives in Alli- ance, and is mail agent of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad. Philander Green was born in Mahoning Co., Ohio, in 1811. He is a son of Samuel and Lucy (Baily) Green, and grandson of Samuel Green. who was a near relative of Gen. Nathaniel Green. of Revolu- tionary war fame. In about 1817, Philander, with his parents, came to Coventry Township, removing thence to Bath Township, and from there to Norton Township, in about 1818. Philander's father was twice married, the first time to Tarissa Root on Nov. 15, 1835. This lady died Jan. 8. 1839. He afterward mar- ried his second and present wife, Lestina Briggs. Mr. Green early became identified with the Church of Christ, and, in 1842, com- menced exhorting and preaching the doctrine advocated by that church. March 11, 1862, his son Frances married Ellen E. Stow, whose father, Albert C. Stow, was born in Stow Town- ship, at Monroe Falls, July 5, 1810. Hle was a son of Capt. William Stow and Margaret Gay- lord, who were natives of Middletown, Conn., the father being a sea captain. The Stows are of English descent, and they trace the family

lineage back to a lordship, and an old and hon- ored family. Early in 1809, Mr. Stow's father changed from " a life on the ocean wave" to one on "terra firma," and having previously purchased land of Judge Stow, the proprietor of Stow Township, who was a relative, he and his family started overland with ox teams, and, after a long and eventful journey, arrived at their possessions-300 acres-at Monroe Falls. William Stow, in 1812. built a boat for the pur- pose of assisting the Government during the war of 1812, and this boat was the first one that sailed out of Cleveland. At the close of the war. Mr. Stow returned to his family at Monroe Falls, and recommenced life in the wilderness. Albert C. Stow was married, Nov. 22, 1835, in Jackson, Mich., to Almira Barrett, and by her had two daughters-Ellen E. and Emma A. As stated above, the former mar- ried F. M. Green. Mr. Stow resides on a good farm of 83 acres, while opposite to him lives his daughter and son-in-law, who, with their family, cheer and comfort Mr. and Mrs. Stow and Mr. and Mrs. Green in their old age. To the union of Mr. Green and Miss Stow there were born six children, viz .. Lurie A., Fannie M., Mary T. (deceased), Frank A., Daisy A., and one that died in infancy. Both families, the Greens and Stows, are active workers of the Church of Christ, and they are Republicans in politics. F. M. Green became a member of that church Sept. 9, 1852. He preached his first regular sermon Sept. 13, 1863. He has held various positions in the church. His present employment is Corresponding Secretary of the General Church Missionary Society of the Christian Church denomination.

H. B. GAYLORD; P. O. Cuyahoga Falls ; was born in Stow Township March 15, 1818. He is a son of Thomas and Betsey (Butler) Gaylord, and grandson of Jonathan and Patty Gaylord, who were natives of Middletown, Conn. In 1809, Jonathan Gaylord and family started to Middletown with ox teams, and, trav- eling overland through the unbroken forests of the West, arrived in the same year in what is now known as Stow Township, Summit Co., Ohio. Seeing in the surrounding country that which would eventually be valuable land, he located on Lots 15 and 16, and this property has ever since remained in the Gaylord family. At the time of his settlement, there was not a particle of clearing on the lots he had selected.

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After clearing a place large enough, Mr. Gay- lord erected a rude log cabin, and in this man- ner lived through the early history of Stow Township, becoming more or less identified with its rise and progress. At the time of his death his property was divided among his three sons-Jonathan, William and Thomas. The latter being youngest, received the home place. To Thomas Gaylord and Betsey Butler's union there were born the following family : Sylvanus, Henry B., Charlotte, Lewis, Elizabeth, and two that died in infancy. Sylvanus, Lewis and the mother are dead ; and Mr. Gaylord's second wife was Isabell Speers, by whom he had two daugh- ters-Jane and Polly. The parents are now both dead. Henry B. Gaylord was reared on the home farm, receiving a common-school edu- cation. His wife is Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremiah Banning, of Goshen, Ind. Mr. Gay- lord is a Republican in politics, and owns a fine farm of 1123 acres of excellent farming and grazing land. In their religious belief the family were of the Old School Presbyterian stock. As citizens they were quiet and unob- trusive.

A. L. GILBERT, farmer ; P. O. Cuyahoga Falls ; was born July 29, 1809. Is a son of Orin and Mary (Barber) Gilbert, who were na- tives of Litchfield Co., Conn. The father was a farmer after moving to Ohio, but formerly car- ried on the shoemaking and tanning trade. In the fall of 1828, he came to Stow Township, Summit Co., having exchanged 60 acres of land there for over 200 acres in Stow Township. He settled on Lots 31, 32 and 41, which are now owned by his two sons. Mr. Gilbert was an in- fluential and enterprising citizen, taking an active part in all the improvements and enter- prises of his neighborhood, either morally or intellectually. He did as much as, if not more, for the erection of the Episcopal Church at Cuyahoga Falls, of which he was a member, than any other one man. He died July 13, 1846, and his wife March 13, 1874. They were parents of the following family : Lemiry, Lewis, Mary, Henry, Harriet, Wallace, Maria, Edwin, Lyman and Louisa, and one that died in in- fancy. A. L. Gilbert has been twice married. His first wife was Almira Gaylord, by whom he had two children-Mary and Emily, both of whom are dead. His second and present wife was Mary Tuttle, by whom he had six children -Sarah, Lydia (dead), Orin, Albert, Frederick

and Arthur. Mr. Gilbert owns 180 acres of ex- cellent land, and he and wife are members of the Episcopal Church. Is a Republican in politics, and an honest and influential citizen.

GEORGE W. HART. Col. John C. Hart, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Cornwall, Litchfield Co., Conn., April 17, 1798. He was a son of Rufus Hart, who was born in Goshen, Conn., in 1771, and Esther Cotter to whom he was married in 1795. In 1802, Rufus Hart and family moved from Con- necticut to Genesee Co., N. Y., when he again moved to Ohio. In the war of 1812, Mr. Hart served in the capacity of Lieutenant in a com- pany commanded by Capt. Mallison. He was an active participant in the battles of Chippewa, Lundy's Lane and at the burning of Buffalo. When between 14 and 15 years of age, John C. Hart enlisted in a cavalry company com- pany commanded by Capt. Stone, and was with his father at Newark, Ft. George and other con- tested points. On their evacuation of Ft. George, they suffered incredible hardships, their tents and clothing being such as were brought from their homes. Here young Hart learned a lesson of enduring hardships that he retained through after life. After the close of the war, he and his father returned to Genesee Co., where they remained but a short time, and in May, 1815, they removed to Ohio, locating at Middlebury, now the Sixth Ward of Akron. There were then but three or four log cabins in what is now that city, and the surrounding country was an almost unbroken forest. When 21 years of age, John C. left home for the South in search of employment. He traveled on foot to Steubenville, where he got on board a lumber raft and floated down the Ohio River until the raft lodged on an island, he then made his way on foot to Cincinnati. From this point he went to St. Louis, where he engaged to work in a mill for a man living near the city. After about two months at this business, he left and went to a small town called Milton, where he engaged in the manufacture of brick, but was soon after taken ill with fever and ague, and the following June returned home. He then purchased 50 acres of land just south of Middlebury, on which he soon erected a house and barn. Feb. 24, 1831, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Margaret A. Sterling, and to this union were born George W., John S., Charles S., Hiram J., Elizabeth and Fanny A.

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All of these are living except Hiram and Eliza- beth. Hiram served his country faithfully in the war of secession, and died from diseases contracted while in the service. The father, John C., was naturally of a military turn of mind, which only required opportunity for de- velopment. When advanced in life, he raised a regiment of cavalry of which he was elected Colonel. Mr. Hart died Aug. 20, 1880. Of his children that are yet living, John S. married Zilpha Tinker, of Peoria, Ill., but that lady has sinee died. Chas. S. married Mrs. Molly Ferney, and lives in Middlebury. Fanny is the wife of Clinton Ruggles, and resides in Akron. George W. was born in Middlebury, July 12, 1832, and in youth received the advantages of the common schools of his native village. He was married Aug. 18, 1853, to Miss Anna H. Beards- ley, daughter of Talmon and Temperance (Spi- cer) Beardsley. Talmon Beardsley was born in Delhi, Delaware Co., N. Y., Dec. 15, 1799. He removed with his fathers family to Licking Co., Ohio, in 1810, and from there came to Mid- dlebury in 1818. He has since purchased and sold a farm in Springfield Township, and also a farm in Coventry Township, at the latter place living about thirty years. In 1831, he married Temperance Spicer, daughter of Maj. Miner Spicer, who was one of Middlebury's earliest pioneers. To this union were born seven children, of whom the living ones are Mills H., Avery S., Anna II., Hattie D. and Louisa J. Mills married Prudence Spicer, and is a resident of Ogden Junction, Utah. Avery married Amanda Hart, and lives in Akron. Hattie is the wife of Gates Babcock, and they are residents of Akron. Louisa married George Stover, and lives in Stark Co., Ohio. The two deceased are Emily A. and Avery T. The chil- dren of George W. Hart, the subject of this sketch, and his wife, are Freddie, born July 1, 1855, died Sept. 26, 1855 ; Lizzie, born April 22, 1857, died April 29, 1862 ; Emily F., born Jan. 13, 1859; Georgie Anna, born Dec. 4, 1861, died Dec. 28, 1873; Clarissie A., born July 25, 1865, and Maggie, born May 5, 1871, died Aug. 16, 1871. Mrs. Hart was born in Middlebury, July 18, 1832. The death of Georgie Anna was accidental, caused by the kick of a horse. She was driving a team of horses for her father while he was loading the sled with corn. In some way she slipped from the load, and fell beneath one of the horses feet.

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 157

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104