History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 164

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 164

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ANDREW STUART, grocer, Peninsula ; was born in Ireland in 1850. In 1852, his parents emigrated to America and settled in Norton Township, Summit Co. His father was a farmer, and our subject remained at home until he be- came 14 years of age. He then went out to work upon a farm, at which he continued nearly four years, and then went to work upon the canal, boating about four years ; and then upon a farm again two years, at the end of which time he was engaged upon public works at Ak- ron one season. In 1871, he began clerking in a grocery at Everett's Station, working there about a year, and from there to Peninsula. and

engaged in the same occupation for D. Peck, with whom he remained some three years or more ; after which, for a few years, he engaged in different occupations. In 1879, he returned to Peninsula and purchased the stock of his old employer, D. Peek, where he is now engaged in trade for himself. He keeps a general line of groceries and boat supplies, and is doing a flourishing business. Mr. Stuart has by indus- try and hard work effected a good business commencement, and will doubtless become one of the successful business men of Peninsula.

DANIEL TILDEN, farmer ; P. O. Peninsula ; was born in Vermont in 1790. His parents were natives of Connecticut, where they were married ; they then removed to Vermont, where they resided for some years, moving from there to Massachusetts, where the remainder of their lives were spent. Daniel, at the age of 16, left home : and, in 1817, came to Ohio, settling in Hiram, Portage Co., where he bought a piece of land and began the task of clearing it. He re- mained there about two years, and, after dis- posing of his land, returned to Massachusetts, where he remained about six years farming. In 1824, he returned to Hiram, and, after one year, came to Boston Township, where he ac- cepted a job upon the canal. He was also en- gaged several years at milling. He then entered upon his farming operations, locating upon the McBride farm, where he remained four years : after which, he bought 160 acres of land, located in the western part of the township, where he has lived sinee. 1837. He was married in 1832 to Nancy Mather, who was born in Ver- mont in 1792. and died in Boston Township in 1849. They had two children-Nancy, who died when an infant, and Daniel W. Mr. Tilden commenced life with no pecuniary assistance. and has accumulated .a handsome property. He has served as Township Trustee, and was elected Justice of Peace, but did not serve. Daniel W. Tilden was born in March. 1836. in Boston Township, of which place he has since been a resident. He has always followed farm- ing and lived upon the old homestead since his father removed there. They have 450 acres of land, which is of good quality and under good cultivation ; and they have also been consider- ably interested in dairying and cheese-making. Daniel W. was married, in 1857. to Miss Harriet Hall, who was born in New York in 1839. Her parents subsequently removed to Summit Co ..

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where they passed the remainder of their days. They have but one child living-Pearlie M. Daniel W. has served the township as Trustee for many years, and is one of the leading citi- zens. His father is past 90 years of age, but still retains vivid recollections of his early struggles, and relates many reminiscences of pioneer life.

BURRILL VIALL, farmer ; P. O. Penin- sula ; was born in Hanover Township, Chau- tauqua Co., N. Y., in 1821. He is a son of Burrill Viall, who was born in Bennington Co., Vt., in 1793, and removed to New York in 1814, settling in Chautauqua Co., where he soon after married Sarah Ferguson, who was born in Cooperstown, N. Y. They removed to Ohio, and first settled in Middlebury in 1831, remov- ing from there to Northampton, and residing there until 1850, when they removed to Jack- son Co., Iowa, where they resided until their deaths, his occurring Dec. 23, 1862, and hers Jan. 4, 1864. They were both members of the Methodist Church. They had twelve children, six boys and six girls. Burrill, Jr., has always followed farming. He remained with his pa- rents until 20 years of age, and, in 1841, bought 50 acres of land, which is a part of the farm where he now resides. He is a self-made man, having commenced the struggle of life with small means, and, by industry and practical ability, accumulated a large farm, which is or- namented by an elegant residence, finely ap- pointed. His is one of the model farms of the township, and his system consists in dairying and general farming. He ranks as one of the township's most valuable citizens, having served as Trustee, and taken an active interest in its educational matters. He was married, Dec. 24, 1843, to Miss Jane White, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 7, 1823. Her father, Solomon White, was a native of Vermont ; her mother, Hannah (Bronson) White, of Connecti- cut, he served as baggage boy in the war of 1812, at the age of 14, under Gen. Harrison. Her mother was taken to Connecticut by her mother, to avoid the danger of warfare. Her parents remained at Cleveland until she was 10 years of age, when they removed to Brooklyn, living there four years. He was the Cuyahoga Co. Pork Inspector. They subsequently re- moved to Boston Township, and finally emi- grated to Jackson Co., Iowa, where they both died ; his death occurred Jan. 24, 1864; his

wife died March 15, of the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Viall's family are as follows : Sarah J., deceased ; Mattie J. Humphrey, living in Richfield ; Mary A. Carr, of Cuyahoga Falls ; Julia F. Oviatt, Boston Township; Lucy E. Clark, residing in Middlebury ; Kittie E. and Jennie M., at home.

B. J. VIERS, farmer ; P. O. Hudson ; is a son of Charles and Laura (Patterson) Viers. Charles Viers was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1806, and was married to Laura Patterson in 1827. She was born in Vermont in 1810. He was the son of a farmer and pioneer of Jefferson Co., and subject to the toil and pri- vation of that life from his childhood. After his marriage, he farmed in that county for some years, and then emigrated to Ohio, set- tling in Northfield Township in 1831, where he still resides. His wife died in October, 1877. Their children are as follows : Bazzel J .; Theda E. Holt, of Northfield ; Eliza J., the widow of George Lamb, now the wife of A. N. Ozmun, of Boston Township; Samantha, de- ceased ; Charles Albert, of Hudson, and Laura M., deceased. Our subject was born in Jeffer- son Co., N. Y., in 1829 ; he remained with his parents until 20 years of age, receiving a com- mon-school education. He taught school one winter, at the age of 19. His occupation for many years subsequently was that of a laborer. About 1864, he began farming operations for himself, purchasing a piece of wild land, which he cleared and worked for two years, when he disposed of it and bought land in Norton Township, farming there about seven years. In 1874, he purchased a tract of land where he now resides, in Boston Township. His farm consists of 218 acres of improved land, located upon the " State road." Mr. Viers is a practi- cal and industrious farmer, and stands high in his township and county. He was married, in November, 1856, to Miss Lovena Ford, daugh- ter of Marvin Ford, of Northampton. She was born in Northampton in 1839. They have eight children living, and one deceased (Clara A., died at 6 years of age)-Laura E., Marvin F., Charles E., Lydia A., Albert B., Linda M., Rose I. and Lillie I. (twins).

FREDERICK B. WADHAMS, farmer ; P. O. Hudson ; was born in Litchfield Co., Conn., in 1804. He is a son of Seth and Lucy (Davis) Wadhams. His mother died when he was about 2 years old, and his father subsequently mar-

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ried her sister. His father died, leaving five sons and one daughter. Frederick, who was but 4 years of age, lived with his step-mother until he was 16 years old, and then went to live with Gen. Abernethy, at Torrington, Conn., with whom he remained until he attained his major- ity, working in the mercantile business. In the fall of 1825, he went to South Carolina, and was in the employ of Wadkins & Birge for six years, in the mercantile trade, having charge of one of their stores, located at Lawrence. After severing his connection with them, he engaged in business for himself there, peddling dry goods and notions, at which he continued for five years, meeting with good success. He then returned to Connecticut, where he was married, September, 1830, to Miss Cornelia Phelps. He then bought the Mansion House, of Litchfield, which he owned for several years, but which proved an unfortunate investment, and in 1835, he started for Ohio, with but little money, but rich in hope, perseverance, industrious habits and good business qualifications. He located in Boston Township, purchasing 150 acres of timbered land at $16 per acre, borrowing most of the money to pay for it. Mr. Wadhams has resided in the township from that day to the present time, and has been so largely engaged in various enterprises that our space will hardly afford a complete history. His farm at present comprises about 400 acres of as fine land as there is in the township, with superior improve- ments in buildings, and with a location un- equaled for a commanding view of the land- scape for miles around, together with good drainage, and a stone quarry of superior grade ; he has also engaged in dairying. His business transactions for many years were extensive. He interested himself largely in the lumber trade, during which he ran saw-mills, cooper- shops, canal-boats, etc .; he also owned at one time about 1,400 acres of land, and has done much to promote the prosperity of the town- ship. Beginning life as he did, without money, it is a great source of satisfaction for him to review his past life, and reflect that to his per- severance, honesty of purpose, and industry alone, is due all of his well-deserved prosperity. He was married again, Sept. 16, 1846, to Miss Jane Jones, who was born in New York in 1816, and is a daughter of Rees and Jane (Wright) Jones, early settlers of Northampton, in which township history a sketch of them appears.

Her grandfather Wright was also one of North- ampton's pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Wadhams have three children-George, Ellen and Charles, all at home. Mr. Wadhams has a son, F'rede- rick B., by his former wife, living in Cleveland. The Wadhams family are of English descent, tracing the line back to 1680, and were the founders of Wadhams College, in England.

F. WOOD, merchant, Peninsula. Prominent among the business interests of Peninsula is the general mercantile store of F. Wood. Mr. Wood was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, in 1828. His parents were Nesbitt and Eliza (Mor- ton) Wood. His father resigned a commission in the English army, and, with his family, emi- grated to America in 1835, locating in Michigan. In 1838, they removed to Boston Township, where they resided for the remainder of their lives. His father's death occurred in 1863, and his mother's in 1868. The subject of this sketch began his mercantile career at the age of 18, when he entered the store of Arthur Layton, at Boston Village, with whom he continued about three years, and, in the same store, with his successor, J. D. Edson, for over four years. In 1853, he came to Peninsula, and started in busi- ness for himself, purchasing the stock of Charles Curtis. In 1863, he removed to his present location, where he has since been successfully engaged in trade, with a general stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., and also a line of drugs and medicines. He has also devoted consider- able attention to other business interests and enterprises, for many years being the principal owner of the stone quarry, south of the village ; and, in 1872, when it became a stock concern, he retained an interest until 1879, when he dis- posed of his stock to F. Schumacher, of Akron. He held the office of Deputy Postmaster, and that of Postinaster for twenty-one years. He has also served in various township offices of trust. He is a member of Richfield Lodge, Meridian Sun, No. 266, A., F. & A. M. Mr. Wood was married, Feb. 16, 1854, to Miss Charlotte M. Barnhart, who was born in Peninsula, June 19, 1836, and is the daughter of Jacob Barn- hart and Rhoda (Bronson) Barnhart. Jacob Barnhart was born in New York, in 1804. and emigrated to Cleveland in 1832, and from there to Peninsula, in the following year, when he became engaged in the boat-building business, in which he was a pioneer in that section. He was a respected and enterprising citizen during

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his entire life, taking a prominent position and active interest in the enrollment of volunteers during our late war; his patriotism being so sineere that, although nearly 60 years of age, he enlisted in the 2d O. V. C., but was not allowed to serve. He died Jan. 26, 1874. His wife, Rhoda Bronson, was born in Middlebury, Conn., Oct. 9, 1800. She was a daughter of Hermon and Molly (Hickox) Bronson, a more extended sketch of whom is given elsewhere. She was married, in March, 1816, to Willis Payne, who died in Akron in 1828, leaving two sons-H. B. Payne, lawyer at Richmond, Ind., and William H., a boat-builder at Akron. She was married to Jacob Barnhart, in March, 1833, and survived him nearly six years. She died in September, 1879, Charlotte M. being the only child. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have had four chil- dren-Annie C., who died at the age of 20 months ; Stella A., the wife of H. L. Cross, of Cleveland, who have a son Charles Wood ; Minnie E., who died in infaney, and Fred C. They have an adopted daughter-Miss Julia E. Mr. and Mrs. Wood, together with their family, are members of the Episcopal Church, in which they have been prominently identified for many years. Mr. Wood is the superintendent of the Sabbath school, and his wife, for many years. was the organist and leader of the choir.

F. C. WETMORE, farmer ; P. O. Peninsula. The Wetmore family in America are descend- ants from Thomas Whitmore, who came from the West of England to Boston, Mass., in 1635. Judge William Wetmore was born in Middle- town, Conn., in 1771, and came to Ohio in June, 1804, with his family, as agent of the Western Reserve Land Company, for the sale of their lands. He located in Stow Township and built the second house in that township. He was a general counselor of law, and served during the war of 1812, acting as Commissary of Supplies. In 1825, with his sons Henry and William, he made the first survey of Cuy- ahoga Falls, and commenced the improvements and laying-out of the town. They also started saw, flouring and oil mills in company with John Stow. He was a prime mover in giving life and impetus to business interests there. He died Oct. 9, 1827. William O. Wetmore was born Sept. 5, 1796. Married, Oct. 2, 1822, Miss Elizabeth Wallace. He resided for a number of years at Cuyahoga Falls, where he was extensively engaged in manufacturing.

He built the first paper-mill in Ohio, on the wet-felt plan. He removed to Boston Town- ship in 1850, and bought a large tract of land and was beginning extensive business opera- tions there, when he was taken suddenly ill through exposure, and died Jan. 12, 1852. He represented the counties of Portage and Sum- mit in the State Legislature in 1844-45. His wife died Oct. 9, 1875. Children as follows : Henry, now living in Boston Township ; Ed- win, of Northampton ; Mary Collier, in Indi- ana ; Frederick C .; Julia Wood, of Boston Township, and Eliza Stanford, of Boston Township. Frederick C. Wetmore was born in Stow Township March 6, 1835. Upon the death of his father. he engaged in various oc- cupations until the spring of 1866, when he bought the saw-mill at Peninsula, which his father had built, since which time he has been engaged in farming and lumbering in Boston Township. He has 160 acres of valuable im- proved land, and gives the dairying business considerable attention. Mr. Wetmore has served the township in many offices of trust, as Trustee, Town Clerk, Constable, Mayor and Councilman of the corporation, and as Justice of the Peace one year, at the expiration of which he resigned. He was united in mar- riage, Oct. 23, 1860, to Miss Emily Wetmore, a descendant of the same family as himself. Her father was Nathaniel D. Wetmore, a native of Connecticut, who embarked early in life in business, which led him to reside severally in Canada, Dover and Rochester, N. II., and Cuy- ahoga Falls and Cleveland, where he is now in business in connection with Brainard's Sons. He was a member of the General Assembly of New Hampshire in 1846-47-48, and is a cor- rect an extensive business man. His wife was Lydia McIntosh, who died in Cuyahoga Falls in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Wetmore have two children-Ethelbert and Lida. A daughter, Mildred, died at 4 years of age.

ALFRED WOLCOTT, farmer; P. O. Hud- son ; is a son of Alfred and Margaret (Craig) Wolcott, pioneers of the township; Alfred Wolcott was born in Connecticut, his wife in Wheeling, Va. He was a surveyor and was employed by Perkins to survey most of the land of the Western Reserve ; he was mar- ried in Youngstown, Ohio, about 1806, and in the fall of that year bought the land where Gen. Sanford now resides; but thinking it

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would be unhealthy on account of the river, | sold to Stanford, and purchased a tract of land where Alfred Jr., now resides. He bought 115 acres and built a cabin upon it and began the clearing of the land. He raised a large family of children, three girls and six boys-Melinda, the eldest, was the first white female child born in the township ; only three of the chil- dren are now living-Alfred, Jr .; Darius, a res- ident of Geauga County, and Mrs. Mary Gay- lord, of Stow Township. He followed his occu- pation of surveyor many years, laying out many of the township roads, and most of the land adjacent. He served as Justice of the Peace for eighteen years, and in other minor offices, taking a deep interest in educational matters, teaching school many terms. He died in 1835 ; his wife in February 1863. Al- fred Wolcott, Jr., was born Jan. 28, 1812, in Boston Township, and remained at home, as- sisting in clearing land, as most boys of that period did, until he became of age. He was married, April 18, 1836, to Miss Mary Scovill, who was born in Connecticut, in 1821 ; her father died in Connecticut and her mother sub- sequently married Thomas McCauley, and in 1832, they removed to Summit County ; they now reside in Hudson. After his marriage he bought a farm in Northfield Township, which he soon afterward traded for the old home- stead from his brother. Here he has resided up to the present time, making many improve- ments and adding to his possessions, until he now owns 257 acres, the major portion of which is under cultivation. He has made a specialty of the dairying business. He was elected a State Representative from his district and served two years ; has also served as Assessor and interests himself generally in all enter- prises and improvements of merit. Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott have five children living-Simon P., a graduate of Western Reserve College, and now practicing law in Kent, Ohio ; John, of Grand Rapids, Mich., who is a graduate of the Mercantile College of Hiram ; Anna A. Bis- sell, living in Michigan, a graduate of Paines- ville Female Seminary ; Alfred, Jr .. also a graduate of Western Reserve College, soon to go to Cincinnati to study Law ; Fremont, at home; Andrew A. enlisted in 29th O. V. I. and died in service.

ALLEN WELTON (deceased) ; was born in Vermont, July 18, 1809. He was for many years

a prominent farmer and dairyman of Boston Township. At the time of his death he was the owner of two cheese factories in the township, and was for many years a prominent member of the Ohio Dairymen's Association, in which he was a leader. He was one of the pioneer dairymen of the Western Reserve. starting the second factory within its limits. lle was a man of extraordi- nary energy and possessed great executive ability. Commencing life a poor boy. one of his first enterprises proved a disaster ; he had chopped 400 cords of wood in New York State, which, by a sudden uprising of the stream, was all swept away. lle was of very industrious habits, which, coupled with good judgment, made his later enterprises successful, and at the time of his death he left a handsome prop- erty. He was a popular citizen and was very patriotic, taking a leading interest in all efforts to carry on the late war. He was married in New York State to Miss Sarah Striker, by whom he had five children-Francis (deceased), George W., now a resident of Bradford, Penn., who was in the service nearly three years ; William H. H., of Akron, who served in the "Squirrel Hunters ;" John A .. of Bath Town- ship, who was in the service over three years, and Ellen E. Ozmun, who is living in Michi- gan. He was married to a second wife. Louise Thompson, March 17, 1852. She was born in Hudson, in 1831, and is a daughter of Mills and Catharine (Allen) Thompson, who were early settlers in the county. Five children were the result of this marriage-Cora A., Em- ma C., Hattie J .. Iva J. and the eldest. a son, Frank E. Mr. Welton died in Boston Town- ship, April 3. 1878. and in his death the com- munity lost a valuable citizen and one of its progressive business men. Mrs. Welton is liv- ing upon the homestead, which consists of 180 acres of valuable land, finely located and im- proved.

W. W. WHITNEY. hardware, Peninsula ; is a young and promising business man of Penin- sula. He was born in Akron in 1856; com- menced to learn his trade as tinsmith at the age of 19, with D. E. Sheppard. of Richfield. with whom he remained four years ; he then worked a short time for Green Lease, at Penin- sula, thence to Hudson. where he worked four months for G. H. Grimm. In November, 1879, he returned to Peninsula. and, in July. 1880. commenced his present business venture. He

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purchased a new and complete line of hard- ware, stoves, tinware, agricultural implements, etc., and is doing a promising and growing trade. He is a skillful and experienced work- man in tinware, in which line he does general repairing. His business location is central, and, as he is a popular and deserving young man, will, doubtless, grow into a fine trade.

C. S. WHITNEY, shoemaker ; Peninsula ; is a native of New York State, having been born in Oswego Co., in 1829. His father died in New York State, and his mother sub- sequently removed to Ohio, locating about 1835, in Parma, Cuyahoga Co. Our subject commenced to learn his trade at the age of 20 years, in West Cleveland, and has followed that calling all his life. He came to Peninsula

about 1860, where he has since remained. He was united in marriage in 1854 to Miss Melissa Washburn ; they have three children-William W., Daniel L. and Nellie V. Mr. Whitney is considered one of the best citizens of Peninsula, and is an industrious and proficient workman.

FRANK E. WELTON, farmer and dairying ; P. O. Peninsula ; is a son of Allen and Louise (Thompson) Welton. He was born in Boston Township Dec. 9, 1853. He is, by occupation, a farmer, and is a rising young dairyman. He has been interested in cheese-making for the past eight years, and is carrying on the factory located upon their farm. He was married Dec. 28, 1875, to Miss Ella Hancock, daughter of E. D. Hancock, Esq., of Richfield Township. They have one child-Park E.

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.

ROBERT L. ATCHISON, merchant, Mog- ; son of the last named lives with him, and is a adore, Ohio. This gentleman was born in musician of considerable note. Mr. Atchison is an active Republican. Washington Co., Penn., April 15, 1813, being the son of Humphrey and Betsey (Loury) ABRAM BRUMBAUGH, farmer and stock- raiser; P. O. North Springfield; is a son of Jacob and Susan (Ditch) Brumbaugh. Jacob was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Stark Co., Ohio, in 1810, where he was mar- ried to Susan Ditch in 1828; she was a native of Germany, and came to Summit Co. with her parents at an early day. There were nine children in the family. They were members of the German Baptist Church. The subject was born in Stark Co., Ohio, April 21, 1835. He lived at home until he was of age, attend- ing the district schools. In 1857, he was united in marriage to Sarah Shoner, daughter of P. H. and Dorothy Shoner, who were natives of Germany, and early settled in Springfield Township. The result of that marriage is an interesting family of six children, viz .: Emma J., Monroe A., Caroline, Amanda, Minerva and Laura. In 1860, he took charge of his father's farm and threshing. He purchased a farm of 100 acres in Lake Township, where he remained for two years, afterward exchang- ing it for a grist-mill in Springfield Township, known as the Tritt Mill. He settled on a farm of 146 acres in Springfield Township, Atchison, who were natives of Washington Co., where he (Humphrey) was engaged in farming. In 1816, he moved to Steubenville, Ohio, where for a short time he was proprietor of a hotel. Becoming dissatisfied, he moved to Yellow Creek, where he became interested in procuring and selling salt, at which busi ness he was very successful, and had contracts in many parts of Ohio and West Virginia. He died in March, 1876. The subject of these lines lived at home until he was 14 years of age; he was then engaged to drive a stage, the route being from Wheeling to Janesville, which occupation he followed for seven years. In 1834, he came to Akron and engaged in the manufacture of stoneware, at first as jour- neyman, and subsequently as proprietor, which business he has carried on up to the present time. He engaged in the mercantile business in 1855, with a small capital, which business also he successfully controls. He was united in marriage to Fannie Purdy on Jan. 10, 1841, from which marriage three children were born to them, viz .: Alfred P., Charles C., and Emma, wife of Norton Atwood (deceased). A

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 164

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