History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 169

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 169

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acres in Northampton Township, where he remained four years. He then returned to the homestead and lived there a short time. In 1868, he bought the farm he now lives on of 155 acres of valuable land. In 1852, he mar- ried Eliza Stilwell, of Portage Co., who bore him one child-Arabella. Mrs. Treat died in 1861. He married for his second wife Charity M. Kent, daughter of Martin Kent, of Moga- dore. From that marriage there are two daugh- ters, both at home.

D. B. TREAT, farmer ; P. O. Tallmadge ; is a son of Calvin and Jane Treat. The father was a native of Orange, Conn .; he came to Ohio in 1824, settling in Tallmadge Township, on a farm of 300 acres. He cleared the farm, and sold about 90 acres ; the remainder he kept and occupied until 1864. Mrs. Treat died, and he married for his second wife Elizabeth, widow of Harvey Hinman. After they left the farm, they took up their residence at Tallmadge Cen- ter. Our subject was born in Tallmadge, in December, 1836, and attended the schools of his neighborhood, the academy at Tallmadge, and the college at Hudson. After leaving col- lege, he began teaching school, being engaged in that occupation for several years. In 1863, he enlisted in the 5th Independent Company of O. V. S. S., and was with Sherman through Georgia. He was gone two years, and after he returned engaged in farming, being engaged in the same up to the present. In 1861, was mar- ried to Catharine Price, daughter of Cyrus and Jane Price. They have four children-Calvin, Fannie, Edward and Elizur. Mr. and Mrs. Treat are members of the Congregational Church of Tallmadge.

DANIEL A. UPSON, farmer ; P. O. Tall- madge. This gentleman was born in Worth- ington, Franklin Co., Ohio, Feb. 17, 1821, where his youth was spent. His parents moved to Tallmadge while he was young, and there en- tered the Academy, and at that institution he received the greater part of his education. After leaving school, he attended to the farm duties, and there remained for several years preceding the death of his father, and at the time of his father's death he inherited the old homestead, where he still resides. In addition to his farming interests, he has a large in- terest in the coal-banks known as the Upson banks. In 1859, he conducted a fair in Cuya- hoga Falls, the first one of the kind ever held

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there, and spared neither time or funds to make it a success. He had the fleetest horses of his day on the grounds, such as Flora Temple and other horses of like pedigree. He has many interests in Akron, among them are the oat- meal mills, etc. Mr. Upson never married, but is living on his farm, and is one of the most active men in church or society circles. Feb. 17, 1881, he was surprised by over 100 of his many friends, who assembled at his house for the purpose of showing the friendship they cherished for him. The parents of our subject, Dr. Daniel and Polly (Wright) Upson, were natives of Connecticut, and came to Ohio in an early day. Dr. Upson's youth was spent on the farm and in attending the schools of his neighborhood, where he received a liberal edu- cation. He was engaged in teaching school for several years, and at the same time study- ing medicine. He graduated in medicine, and then sought a home in Ohio ; he first located in Trumbull Co., where he remained several years, and, in 1818, he removed to Franklin Co., settling in Worthington, and there remained until 1832, when he removed to Tallmadge. He was elected Representative, by the people of Franklin Co., several times. After his re- moval to Tallmadge, he discontinued his prac- tice, paying special attention to his coal banks. He married Polly, daughter of Deacon Elizur Wright, of Tallmadge, but formerly of Connecti- cut. She was a Christian lady, an amiable wife and kind mother.

WILLIAM UPTON, farmer; P. O. Tall- madge ; was born in the County of Kerry, Ire- land, June 24, 1814. At the age of 16 years, he took passage on a vessel bound for Quebec. When out about sixteen days, and off the coast of Nova Scotia, the vessel was wrecked, having on board 303 passengers, men, women and chil- dren. The captain ordered the women and children to be taken ashore (which was two miles distant) first, then the older men, and by that time the vessel was fast going to pieces. Our subject, with eleven other young men, was ad- vised by the captain to swim the distance. They undertook it, and eleven of them reached shore in an exhausted condition. He saved nothing from the wreck, and went three days without food. He started off in search of food or a settlement, and, after traveling for some time, saw a small boat belonging to a fishing smack. He told the occupants of the disaster, who took

them aboard of the smack, and brought them to Louisburg, N. S. The passengers of the ill- fated vessel, with the exception of our subject, were taken to Quebec. He remained in Louis- burg for three months. He then worked his way to Boston, on board a coal vessel. From there he went to Albany and Schenectady, N. Y., where he remained a short time. In 1833, he came to Ohio, settling in Summit Co., and engaging in shoemaking for six years at Tall- madge Center. He then settled on a farm of 220 acres, where he has since resided. In 1836, he married Maria Sprague, daughter of Jonathan Sprague, of Tallmadge. From that marriage, there were six children, one of whom is living --- Rev. J. S. Upton, of Bridgewater, N. Y. Mrs. Upton died in 1873. He married, for his second wife, Mrs. Kate Murphy, of Akron. The father of our subject, Capt. John Upton, had, from a boy, followed the seas. His mother was Mary Fuller, who was a consistent and earnest mem- ber of the Church of England.

A. A. VIALL, farmer ; P. O. Tallmadge ; was born in Harrisburg, Penn., Nov. 29, 1848. He remained at home until he was 16 years of age, receiving his education in the common schools of his neighborhood. In 1864, he en- listed in 184th O. V. I., where he remained un- til the close of the war. After his return home, he was engaged as engineer on a steamboat. He then worked on the Pittsburgh & Cleveland Railroad, where he fired a locomotive. He was then engaged by J. A. Caruthers to take charge of machinery in his mill. In 1878, he purchased, in company with C. D. Caruthers, the mill he now operates. In 1879, he was united in mar- riage to Helen Caruthers, daughter of J. A. Caruthers, of Tallmadge, whose family settled there in an early day from Connecticut. Mr. Viall is a strong Republican, and has always been identified with that party.

DR. AMOS WRIGHT, physician, Tallmadge ; the first white male child born in Tallmadge Township, and his birth oceurred Oct. 5, 1808; his parents, Dr. Amos and Lydia (Kinney) Wright, were natives of Connecticut, he coming to Trumbull County in 1801, where he remained until 1802, when he returned to Connecticut and married the above-named lady, who was the daughter of Rev. Aaron Kinney. After his marriage, he came to Trumbull County, where he remained until 1808; he then came to Tallmadge where he remained until he died.

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He was the first practicing physician in this section of the State, and his practice was ex- tensive. Our subject attended the academy in Tallmadge until he was 14 years old, and then went on the farm where he remained until he was 19 years of age. In 1827, he began the study of medicine in his father's office, where he remained two years; he then went to Cin- cinnati and attended lectures in 1829 and 1830. In 1831 and 1832, he attended lectures at Yale College. He returned to Tallmadge in 1833, and opened a drug store in Middlebury, con- ducting the business for one year, then re- moved to Trumbull County and practiced medi- cine for two years. He returned to Tallmadge in 1836, and has remained there ever since. He has an extensive circuit of practice, visiting

patients in Portage, Stark and Summit Coun- ties. On the 31st day of March, 1831, he was united in marriage to Clemence C. Fenn, who bore to him nine children, six of whom are liv- ing-Stella, Celia, Ellen M., Julia I., Darwin E .; Samuel St. John associated with his father in his practice ; H. M., Sarah E. and Alice are the names of those deceased. Alice was well and widely known in social and musical circles, and had distinguished herself as a singer of more than ordinary ability ; she died in 1874, at the age of 23 years. March 31, 1881, Dr. and Mrs. Wright celebrated the fiftieth anni- versary of their wedded life by a golden wed- ding, given by them at their home, and enter- tained a host of congratulating friends.

NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP.

J. G. ALEXANDER, merchant, Northfield ; is one of the rising young merchants of Summit County ; born in Cleveland, May 6, 1848 ; son of Hamill and Martha (Nesbit) Alexander. The father of our subject was born Aug. 6, 1818, in West Pennsylvania ; son of James Alexander. whose ancestors hail from " Bonnie Scotland." He came West with his son Hamill in 1838, locating in Cuyahoga County, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, bringing his son up to this calling, whose marriage with Miss Nesbit occurred Nov. 17, 1842, whose birth is recorded April 7, 1822, born in Wheatfield Township, Indiana Co., Penn., daughter of John and Ann (Matthews) Nesbit, who came West from Penn- sylvania, locating in the township in 1831. After the marriage of Hamill Alexander, he remained one year on the farm ; then removed to Cleveland, where he lived nine years, being engaged in the mercantile business. From there he moved to Macedonia, this township, engaging in the lumber business, where he remained until his death, which took place July 4, 1854. To him were born a family of three children, viz., John N., now residing in Lansing, Mich .; James G. and Martha J. (now the wife of Dr. J. C. Bryson, of La Cygne, Lynn Co., Kan.). James G., at the death of his father, was but a lad of 6 years ; being then thrown upon his own resources, he has since that time

rowed his own craft. When a mere lad, he hired out by the week, receiving $5 per month, and continued on in this way until he accumu- lated means to enable him to engage in busi- ness for himself. In 1869, he moved with his mother and sister to Johnson Co., Mo., and farmed four years, which gave him more exper- ience than profit. Returning, in November, 1872, to this town, he engaged as a clerk for Lyons, Logan & McClellan, remaining with them one year and a half, and then engaged one year with E. A. Palmer & Brother as trav- eling salesman. April 13, 1876, he married Ellen F. Love, daughter of John and Jane Love, of Coshocton County. The May follow- ing, he succeeded J. D. Lyon & Co., and has since been engaged in general merchandising, and is doing a safe and lucrative business. His business has increased to double its first di- mensions. He is now handling all kinds of farm machinery, engines and threshers. He is energetic and an excellent business man. March 20, 1878, his lovely wife passed to the land " beyond the river," leaving him compan- ionless. She bore him one child-Jennie-who sleeps in the cemetery beside her. Since the death of his wife, his mother has been his comforter and housekeeper. Mr. Alexander and mother are members of the U. P. Church, as also was her father.

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MRS. JANE W. BACON, retired, Northfield ; was born Nov. 16, 1811, in Jefferson Co., this State, to James and Sarah (McClintick) Pritch- ard. Her father was born in Maryland, son of William Pritchard, to whom was born three children. The father of Sarah McClintick was James, whose wife was Mary Williamson ; they raised a family of six children, whose names were Mary, Rachel, Nancy, Sarah, James and Samuel. James. the father of the above, was a Commissary during the war of the Revolu- tion, and was present at the battle of Bunker Hill. To James and Sarah Pritchard were born two children-Jane W. (Mrs. Bacon) and Sarah. His first marriage was with Tabitha White, by whom he had eight children ; two of the number, Hezekiah and William, were sol- diers in the war of 1812 ; William was Captain, his brother Hezekiah dying in the service. Mrs. Bacon's father removed West to Jefferson Co. in the latter part of the last century, locat- ing in Steubenville ; he was a man of superior ability and talent, was a Judge of the Court of Steubenville, and was one of the framers of the State Constitution and a member of the State Legislature, when they met at Chillicothe ; here he died Feb. 6, 1813. His wife survived him until 1856 ; she was for sixty years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Bacon was married June 22, 1828, to David C. Bacon, who was born in Genesee Co., N. Y .. July 18, 1803 ; he was a son of Isaac and Nancy (Cranmer) Bacon. Isaac Ba- con came to Ohio, locating in this township, on Lot 63, in 1807, where he ent down a few trees and erected a cabin ; while this was in pro- gress, parties who were cutting the road leading from Hudson to Cleveland, hearing the sound of his ax, knowing the country to be unin- habited, started in quest of the unknown woods- man, and there found the frontiersman busy at his work ; and, in honor to him, and for his accommodation, changed the direction of the road and run it past his domicile ; hence the crook in the road which has since existed as a landmark in the township. This pioneer of Northfield Township died November, 1812 ; his son, David C., succeeded him in the ownership of the farm, and remained in the township until his death, which occurred Oct. 22, 1880. Five children were born to him, of whom but two are living, viz. : Sarah J. (now the wife of Dr. B. F. Roy, of Geauga Co., this State) and Miles

P., who is a resident of this township. Reason P. died June 6, 1859, at the age of 31, leaving no issne. Mrs. Bacon has been a member of Methodist Episcopal Church over fifty years, and was the first to experience religion in the township, and for one year was the only pro- fessor of religion in the township ; she resides on her farm of 130 acres, which was settled by the elder Bacon, her house being the first frame built in the township.

NOEL BECK, farmer ; P. O. Northfield ; was born Feb. 17, 1818, near Salem, Colum- biana Co .; son of Paul and Mary (Dickinson) Beck ; Paul was born in Loudoun Co., Va., son of Preston Beck, to whom was born Edward, Paul, John, Richard, Mary, Esther, Phebe Ann and Rachel ; Mary Dickinson was born in Redstone, in New Jersey ; her mother's maiden name was Martha Hatfield ; the father of Mary Diekinson was named Jesse Dickinson, whose mother's name was Sarah Richardson before marriage ; the family on both sides were of Quaker fam- ilies. Preston Beck came out to Columbiana Co. with his family before the commencement of the present century, being one of the pioneers of that connty. Panl Beck was twice mar- ried-first, to Mary Dickinson, who bore him eight children ; those who grew up, were Ma- tilda, Jesse, Joseph, Noel and Martha ; his second marriage was to Rachel Foster, by whom he had eight children. Noel came to Bedford in 1834. June 1, 1840, he was mar- ried to Maria Sheets, born March 28, 1819, in Columbiana Co .; her parents were George and Sarah (McConners) Sheets ; he was born Nov. 30, 1783, she March 5, 1787 ; he was a sailor when young. they were born and married in New Jersey ; their nuptials are recorded as taking place in the year 1808 ; to them were born ten children, nine of whom grew up. George Sheets and wife, with two other fam- ilies, composed of Father McConners and wife, and Robert Thomas and his wife, all came out in 1812 together, in a two-horse wagon contain- ing what little of this world's goods they pos- sessed. Soon after Mr. Sheets' arrival in the State, he was drafted into the war of 1812. His father's name was Yosey, who married Elizabeth Kuntz, and by her he had seven children-John, Joseph, William, Samuel. George, Adam and Betsey. Mr. Beck, at the time of his marriage, had nothing but his hands and his worthy wife to begin with ; not

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having the money to buy any furniture, he turned in and made his own table, chairs, and such articles as they were obliged to have, which served them until they could afford " store " furniture ; he bought 40 acres " in the woods," of his father, costing $400, yet in four years had it paid for ; after living on this farm ten years, he sold it for $700 and moved to this township, purchasing 93 acres on Lot 13 for $1,400, but afterward cost him $300 more, in consequence of a dower lien coming to light which he had to square off ; he lived on this place three years and located where he now resides, where he has 101 acres. Four children have been born to him-Mary (Mrs. Charles Pell), Clarkson and Alice (Mrs. John A. Ellett), all of this township. Mrs. Beck is a member of the Disciples' Church. Mr. B. is not a member of any denomination, but is a good Republican.

CLARKSON BECK, farmer ; P. O. Bedford ; was born in Bedford Township, Cuyahoga Co., March 20, 1847, the fourth of the family, and the third of the number who grew up. He re- moved with his parents to this township when about 3 years of age, his father first locating on the "ledge." Clarkson remained with his parents until he was 25 years of age. Jan. 14, 1872, he married Rebecca J. Stanley, who was born 1851, in Columbiana Co., this State, daugh- ter of Waddy and Lydia (Mather) Stanley. Her father was born in Virginia, Sept. 4, 1816, and her mother on Feb. 2, 1822, in Pennsylva- nia. Waddy was a son of Waddy, Sr., who was the parent of ten children, viz., Joel, Samuel, Thomas, Waddy, Precilla, Lucy, Nancy, Re- becca, Anna and Deborah. Lydia was a daugh- ter of John and Catharine (Smith) Mather, to whom were born ten children-Samuel, Thomas, Sarah, Daniel, Jessie, Ann, William, James, Lydia and John. To Mrs. Beck's parents were born Catharine A., Joshua L., Rebecca J. and Thomas, who died at 4 years of age ; Edgar W. died when 16 months' old. The Stanleys and Mathers are Quakers. The Mathers were Hicksites ; the Stanleys were Guernseys. The old gentleman died March 31, 1871, and his wife March 30, 1861. Since Mr. Beck's mar- riage, he has been a resident of the snug farm of 82 acres, which he now owns. He has three children, viz., Bertha May, Mattie Jane and George D. Mr. Beck is among the enterprising young men of the county. He has a pleasant

home and family, and is a representative young agriculturist and business man.

GEORGE L. BISHOP, farmer ; P. O. North- field ; born Jan. 23, 1842, at the center of Northfield ; is the youngest of a family of three children of Orin and' Celina (Lilley) Bishop. George was 3 years of age when his father died. and was then raised by Mr. Seidell, his step-father, who taught him the wagon- maker's trade. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Co. K, 19th O. V. I., for three years, and after the expiration of his time, re-enlisted and served until the close of the war, receiving his discharge in November, 1865. He served in seventeen battles ; his first was Shiloh or Pitts- burg Landing, then Mission Ridge, Chickamauga and winding up with the battle at Nashville. when Hood attempted to match W. T. Sherman -to invade the enemy's country. It can be said of Mr. Bishop that he was a true and valiant soldier during all his time of service, and was always with his command, with the exception of five months, when he was in the hospital in consequence of wounds received at Stone River, and during this time the regiment were not in any engagement. Upon his return home from service, he resumed his trade at the Cen- ter with Mr. Seidell, remaining with him two years. He then engaged with a New York firm, and for six years was their general agent, hav- ing the State to canvass in the interests of patent medicine. After which, he and his brother Clark purchased a farm together, which they carried on some time, when he sold his share to his brother. Dec. 31, 1819, he mar- ried Martha Way, who was born May 4, 1850, in England, daughter of Charles Way, who came to the country in 1859. Since his mar- riage he has resided at Brandywine. Both he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. He is also a member of A .. F. & A. M., and a loyal Republican.

SIDNEY BEANEY, farmer ; P. O. Mace- donia ; he is the son of John and Jane (Weston) Beaney ; was born March 1, 1819, in Sussex Co., England. John Beaney was born March 28, 1776, and his wife April 11, 1780. To them were born twelve children-Mary, born in 1799 ; Susanna. in 1802 : James. in 1804; Alfred. in 1806; William, in 1809: Walter, in 1811; Jesse. in 1814 ; Jane, in 1815 : John, in 1816 ; Sidney, in 1819: Ann. in 1820; Joshua, in 1823. Sidney left England when a young man,

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and came with Alfred and Jesse to New Hart- ford, Litchfield Co., Conn., where his brother Walter was engaged as foreman in a cotton factory. Here Sidney found employment for two years, and then went to Stockbridge, Berk- shire Co., where he engaged for two years more in a factory at that place. In company with two others, he started West in May, 1841, and, after a long, tedious journey of adventures, they came to Hudson, where he engaged in brick-yard shoveling, at $7 per month. Here he stayed six months, and then worked three years in a hat store, for Mr. Strong, after which he went back to England, and brought out his parents, and after staying one year with them in York State, he came back to Hudson, where he pur- chased 60 acres of land where he now resides, there being then a small clearing on the same. Here Mr. Beaney has since lived, and though poor when he commenced life, he has at length become prosperous, having now 180 acres of land, with excellent buildings thereon. His father died suddenly of heart disease in March, 1864, and his mother died the following Septem- ber. June 28, 1858, Mr. Beaney was married to Mary Roughton, born March 19, 1836, in Cambridgeshire (March Parish). She was the daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Thompson) Roughton. To Benjamin and Sarah Roughton were born twelve children, of whom seven grew up : Alice, Rachel, John, Rebecca, John and John R., twins ; Mary and Sarah (also twins) ; Keziah, Thomas, Jemima and James. The father of Mrs. Beaney died when she was 8 years of age. She came to America with her mother in 1847, and located in Strongsville. Her mother died November, 1873. She was a Free-Will Baptist, and her husband a Calvinist, in belief. Mr. and Mrs. Beaney are members of the Baptist Church. They have three chil- dren, viz., Walter, Sidney and Sarah J.

AMBROSE W. BLISS, farmer ; P. O. North- field. The Bliss family trace their origin to one Thomas Bliss, who was born in England about the year 1550, the name having been traced from the Norman-French Blois through the forms Bloys, Blyse, Blysse and Blisse to the American Bliss. The family is supposed to be of Norman descent, having come to En- gland with William the Conqueror, and it is thought by some to have been connected with the Norman kings. The history of the Ameri- can family begins with the Puritan brothers

George Bliss and Thomas Bliss, Jr., who came to America to escape religious persecution, landing in Boston in 1635. Thomas Bliss died at Hartford in 1640. Four of his five sons came to Springfield, Mass., in 1643, and their mother, Margaret Bliss, soon followed, making the journey in five days through the forests to Hartford. She bought a tract of land on the Connecticut River, through which now extends Margaret and Bliss streets, named for them. From her comes the "Springfield family," which is now scattered over the world, having three of its members missionaries in Turkey, while others have been traced to Asia, Africa and Australia. Among the famous members and descendants of the family are Ralph Waldo Emerson and the late P. P. Bliss, the singer, who was a descendant of the orig- inal Thomas Bliss. Ambrose W. Bliss is a native of Vermont, born in Jericho Township, Chittendon Co., Dec. 6, 1806, and the eighth child of a family of eleven children, viz .: Jul- ius, Cynthia, Fannie, Hosea, Timothy, Laura, Lucia, Ambrose W., Lavina, George, and one deceased, born to Timothy and Anna (Camp- bell) Bliss, both of whom were natives of Con- necticut. Timothy was born Feb. 16, 1769, Anna Feb. 2, 1769. Ambrose was brought up on a farm. At the age of 18, he left home and learned the carpenter and millwright's trade. In the fall of 1833, he came to this State, working on the public works in the har- bor at Cleveland and Black River, where he had charge of a force of men for some time. May 9, 1839, he married Emeline Palmer, born April 5, 1815, in Windsor, Conn., daughter of Hezekiah H. and Abigail (Taylor) Palmer. Mrs. Bliss was the second of a family of six who grew to maturity. Since Mr. Bliss was married he has been a constant resident of the township. When he first came, he and his brother Hosea purchased 148 acres (Lot 76) in partnership, upon which Hosea built a log- cabin. Ambrose in the meantime located one- half mile south of the Center on a tract of 30 acres, upon which he lived about three years and a half. He then purchased 165 acres at the Center, where he has since resided. While he has carried on farming since his coming, yet he has in the meantime been engaged at his trade, having built nearly all the aqueducts and lock-gates on the canal between Brecks- ville and Cleveland. Being an excellent work

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 169

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