History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 181

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 181

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widow of Benjamin Waite, Nov. 16, 1865. He is a member of the Congregational Church, and has been a Deacon in the church for over fifty years. He is a useful and respected mem- ber of society, an honored citizen, and univer- sally respected and beloved. Mr. Ellsworth has a brother Ransom residing in Hudson. A sister, Polly Lewis, also resides there ; she is 90 years of age, all that are left of a family of nine children.

A. E. EWING, was born Oct. 25, 1816, near Cobourg, Upper Canada, on the north shore of Lake Ontario, his father having been a native of Greenwich, Mass., and his mother of Dorset, Vt. Till the beginning of 1836, he resided in Canada ; in March of that year, he entered the Medical School at Castleton, Vt., and in the fall of same year to school at Hanover, N. H. (Medical Department of Dartmouth College), where he gradnated in 1839. Early in 1840, commenced practice in Granger, Medina Co., Ohio. He spent three years in that town and Sharon, and then went to Medina, where he practiced till 1837, when he was married to Miss E. N. Oviatt, of Richfield, Summit Co., Ohio, and soon thereafter removed to Hillsdale, Mich., where he practiced his profession and edited a Whig newspaper during the Cass and Taylor campaign, and for a year or so after- ward. In the latter part of 1849, he returned to Ohio, and, in the spring of 1850, settled in Richfield, where he has resided up to the present time (1881), except from 1856 to 1863, during which he lived in Wisconsin, and from May, 1876, to May, 1878, during which he lived in Berea, Ohio. He has two living ehil- dren-daughters, and has lost two sons, one in early infancy, and the other, George M. Ewing, who was born in Cleveland, Jan. 31, 1850, and died in Berea, Aug. 6, 1876.

GEORGE M. EWING, son of Dr. A. E. Ewing: was born in Cleveland, Ohio, 1850, and died in Berea, 1876 ; he spent much of his life in Richfield, and had there a large circle of friends, who mourned his early death. He studied law, and had been admitted to practice at Cleveland ; he was regarded as a young man of brilliant promise, both as a speaker and writer. Gay and genial in manner, yet possess- ing a ready sympathy for all forms of suffering, without effort, he attracted friends to his side wherever he was known ; but with all his joy- ousness, a certain seriousness pervaded much

that he has written ; there was a tendency in him to ponder the great problems of our exist- ence, which found expression in the lines below, written not long before his death, but not pub- lished while he lived :

THE MYSTERY OF LIFE.

This world is but a resting place- A panse upon the rising plain- A second of time, then on we move, And our swift march commence again.

The whole of life is but a step- A round in the ladder we climb-

We stop to breathe, then start once more To the swift-winged music of time.

For what great end were we begun, By the powers that placed us here ? We may ask, but we ask in vain- No answer greets the aching ear.

If we ask the dead on the hillside, They but speak of the past alone. They've lived and breathed and passed away, But their lips are mute as the stone

That marks where their ashes lie- All alone in death's quiet sleep : They have solved the mystery we feel, Yet God's holy secret they keep.

If next to old Nature we turn, And seek for our answer there, We hear but the murmuring night-breeze ; She heeds not our frantic prayer.

Rebuk'd by the silence that greeteth These queries propounded by man, We question no longer the workings Of Heaven's deep fathomless plan.

So the question of life still remaineth The strangest of miracles wrought, The powers of all mind transcending, And the widest conception of thought.

This passing tribute is perhaps due to one who always cheerfully accorded the kindest apprecia- tion of all that was good in others.

LOUIS P. ELLAS, farmer ; P. O. Richfield ; was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., in 1831. His father, Loren Ellas, was a native of Vermont ; his mother's maiden name was Sarah Hardy, she was born in Connecticut. They were mar- ried in Vermont, and subsequently removed to New York State, where for a number of years his father was engaged in farming and lumbering. In 1837, they removed to North- ampton Township, Summit Co., locating upon a farm, where his father died in 1845; his mother was a resident of the county until 1867,

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when she removed to Steuben Co., Ind., where she departed this life in 1874. Louis learned the trade of boat-building and carpentering, in Boston Township, while in early life, and fol- lowed that trade about thirteen years there; for two years after he was engaged in keeping a grocery in that township, after which time he removed to Bath Township, where for three years he was engaged in the hotel business. In April, 1863, he removed to Richfield Township, where he has since resided ; he first engaged in the hotel business in West Richfield, remaining there one year, and then removed to the "East Center," where he was proprietor of the hotel there until 1874, during which time he also was engaged in buying and selling stock. He then disposed of his hotel property and purchased a farm, which he worked for three years, making a specialty in stock-raising and dealing, then returning to the hotel in Richfield, where he continued until April, 1881. He now intends to devote his time to farming and lumbering. He owns 240 acres of land in the township, finely located and mostly improved. He was married in April, 1856. to Miss Amanda M. Monday ; she is a native of New York, where she was born, in Tioga Co., in 1831. Their children are Elmer C., married to Miss Nancy J. Fixler, he is farming in Richfield Township, and Misses Emma and Ella. As a landlord, in which so many years of Mr. Ellas' life has been passed, he is deservedly popular, being genial, obliging and courteous, and as a citizen he is popular and enterprising. He is a member of Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 266, A., F. & A. M.

JOSEPH HALLIWILL, farmer ; P.O. West Richfield ; is a son of William and Elizabeth (Cox) Halliwill, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneers of Summit Co., locating in Franklin Township in the spring of 1814. They were the first settlers in that township. Christopher Johnson, whom the county atlas claims as the first settler, came the day after the Halliwill family. They resided there until 1833, when they removed to Richfield Township, locating in the southern part of the township, where son Joseph now resides. They continued resi- dents of the township until their deaths. lle died July 25, 1855, and his wife Nov. 18, 1876. Mr. Halliwill was a prominent and respected citizen, and occupied various offices of trust. He was elected one of the first Justices of the Peace while a resident of Franklin Township,

which office he filled honorably for several years. There are ten children now living, as follows: John, living in Fostoria ; David, a resident of Bucyrus, Ohio ; Thomas, in Medina Co .; Levi, living in Michigan ; Andrew R., a resident of Henry Co., Iowa; Joseph, the sub- ject of the sketch ; Absalom O., residing in Michigan ; Jane Woodruff, in Fulton Co .; Priscilla Bunker, in Henry Co., Ill., and Ke- siah, living in Medina Co. Joseph was born in Franklin Township in 1825, and since the removal of his parents to Richfield, has been a resident of that township and of the old home- stead, following in the profession of his father, in which he has been deservedly successful. He has 200 acres of improved land, and, for the past twenty-five years, has made quite a specialty of sleep. As a citizen, Mr. Halliwill is progressive and enterprising, and takes a lively interest in matters of education and in township affairs. He has been a Trust- ee of the township. He was united in mar- riage, Jan. 23, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Battles. She was born in New York State Oct. 23, 1833, and came with her parents to Medina Co., where they were early settlers, and residents of Chatham Township for the remainder of their lives. They have two children-Milo, born Aug. 6, 1857 (he was married, Dec. 25, 1880, to Miss Hattie A. Freeman, a daughter of Milton Freeman, an old resident of the town- ship, now living in Michigan ; he is living upon his father-in-law's farm, located one-half mile north of the West Center, which he has charge of, and which he is at present working), and a son at home, Levi. He was born Dec. 23, 1860.

LESTER HALL, farmer ; P. O. West Rich- field. One of the oldest settlers now living in Richfield Township. He was born in Southern Massachusetts in 1800. At the age of 14, his parents removed to Portage Co., where they settled and resided for the remainder of their lives. His father died in 1842, aged 72; lis mother in 1863, aged 89. Lester came to Richfield in 1823, and took up 163 acres of timbered land located where he now resides, and began the difficult task of clearing. For many years he endured the privations and vex- ations of pioneer life, but has lived to see his farm a cultivated and improved tract, and where once the tall timber stood. through which wild beasts prowled and all manner of

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wild game were at home, he now can see the smiling fields of cultivation and improvement. His wife, who has made the journey of life with him and shared its burdens, was a daugh- ter of Joshua and Clarissa (Clark) Finch, early settlers and pioneers of Portage Co. Celestia Finch was born in Massachusetts in 1806, and was married to Lester Hall in 1826. They were the first couple married in Freedom Township, Portage Co. Their children are as follows : Manly, born in Richfield Township in 1830. He remained at home until 23 years of age, and then removed to Michigan, where for several years he followed farming, and was married, in 1855, to Miss Henrietta Southwick, who was born in New York State in 1834. In 1875, he returned to Richfield Township with his family, where he has since resided, located upon the old farm, which he is operating. The farm consists of 81 acres, and they make a specialty in dairying. They have three chil- dren-Edwin L., Franklin N. and Charles A. Milo, another son, is living in Akron, engaged in the grocery trade at No. 289 South Main street, and Melissa Williard, also in Akron. Mr. Hall relates many interesting events of his pioneer life, some of which appear in another portion of this work. Timothy Hall, a brother of Lester, came to Richfield about three years previous to his settlement. He was one of the most wonderful wood-choppers known. He cleared with one ax 140 acres of timber in about two years, and many other extraordinary incidents of him might be related if space permitted. He died in the township Sept. 13, 1869, aged 75 years. Mrs. Hall has been a consistent member of the Methodist Church for over half a century. They are both re- spected and beloved.

E. D. HANCOCK, farmer ; P. O. Richfield ; is a son of Alonzo and Azubah (Sheppard) Han- cock, who were natives of Massachusetts. He was born Jan. 11, 1803. She was born Sept. 19, 1803. They were married in Massachusetts, and first settled in New York State, and, in 1833, located in Richfield Township, where they resided for the remainder of their lives. His father served as Township Trustee for a num- ber of years ; he was one of the most powerful men in the country, with a large physique, weigh- ing 210 pounds, all bone and sinew ; he cleared a great deal of land, especially that of Dr. Ran- som, and 180 acres of his own ; he could chop

a cord of wood in 40 minutes ; he was temper- ate in all of his habits, industrious, and uni- versally respected ; he died suddenly with heart disease, in November, 1862. His mother died in 1839. Our subject was born in New York State in 1830; he has been a resident of the township since his people first located there, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1865, he bought the farm where he now re- sides ; he has 200 acres of land, mostly im- proved, and makes dairying a leading vocation. He has served the township as Trustee for four years and as a Constable two years ; in 1875. upon the organization of Richfield Grange Pat- rons of Husbandry, he was elected the first Mas- ter and served two years, serving again in 1880 in the same capacity ; he is now acting as Treas- urer of their society. Mr. Hancock was united in marriage, Dec. 2, 1851, to Elizabeth Lock- ert, of Richfield Township. She was born in Galway, Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Hancock have the following children : Amelia, Hanson, Eugene, Ella Welton, Julia Powers, Frank F., Cora I., Ralph A. and John P. John Hancock enlisted in the sharpshoot- ers, and was in service nearly a year ; he died at Nashville from disease contracted while on duty.

HIRAM HART, farmer ; P. O. West Rich- field ; was born in Windham Co., Vt., in 1833 ; his early life was passed in his native State, where, up to the age of 19, he worked at farm- ing, and for one year worked in a store; he then went south, remaining one year, and, in the spring of 1855, removed to Ohio, locating in Richfield Township and purchasing the farm where he now resides ; he has 174 acres of land, located about two miles south of Richfield Ceu- ter, and where he follows the occupation of gen- eral farming. Mr. Hart was married, in the fall of 1854, to Miss Jeannette L. Stearns. She was also a native of Vermont, and died in Rich- field, leaving two children-Elmer S. and Em- ma E. He was married to a second wife, Miss Arlette A. Clark ; she is a daughter of Park B. and Nancy Clark, early settlers of Twins- burg ; she was born there in 1838. They have five children-Arthur C., Dana H., Roy K., Carroll P. and Gratia C. Mr. Hart has served the township as Trustee, and has always taken an interest in educational affairs. He is at pres- ent serving as a County Commissioner, having been elected in 1879.

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HENRY W. HOWE, Richfield ; is a son of Capt. Richard Howe, one of the first set- llers and leading citizens of Akron, who was born in St. Mary's Co., Md., March 8, 1799. His father died in 1810, leaving a widow and seven children, of whom Richard was the eldest. In 1812, his mother removed to Ohio with her family and settled in Franklinton. Lucas Sul- livant, a wealthy land-owner, was so well pleased with the youthful Richard that he adopted him and reared him as one of his own children, giving him the benefits of a good edu- cation, and teaching him civil engineering, which occupation he followed for many years. He surveyed and located a railroad from Columbus to Cincinnati, and upon the organization of the Board of Engineers to survey and locate the Ohio Canal in 1824, he was selected as one of its members, retaining his position until 1850, attaining the rank of President Engineer. He resigned in 1850, and went to California, where he remained three years, during which time he received from Samuel D. King, Surveyor of California, Deputy Surveyorship of the State, and ran the meridian line from the summit of Mt. Dabola to the Bay of Monterey. From 1863 to 1865, he was in the employ of the Pan Handle Railroad at Steubenville, superintend- ing the construction of the bridge across the Ohio River at that place. His home was in Akron, where he had settled in 1829. He was always active in public enterprise, and foremost in any act to promote the growth and prosper- ity of the city. He served in 1834 as one of the building committee that erected the first Pres- byterian Church, and, in 1840, was one of the trustees for building the court house and jail. He was also one of the prime movers in estab- lishing the cemetery. His death occurred in Akron, March 19, 1872. His wife, Roxana Howe, was born in Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., Jan. 4, 1805, and died at the age of 70 years. Their children are as follows : Charles R., who was one of the prominent business men of Akron, and enlisted in the 100 days' service, serving his time honorably ; he died in Akron Deo. 7, 1875, bequeathing to the Cemetery Asso- ciation $5,000 ; Nathan J. Howe, who is a res- ident of Chicago, where he occupies the posi- tion of General Freight Agent of the Wabash Railroad ; Mrs. Emily B. Ingersoll, of Sterling. Ill .; Mrs. Anna Wolf, residing in Akron, and the subject of this sketch. Henry W. was born

in Bath Township in 1828, his early life being passed in Akron, where he obtained good edu- cational advantages, graduating at Oberlin. in 1849. He decided upon a professional life, and entered the office of Judge Carpenter, of Akron, where he commenced the study of law. He sub- sequently practiced with Judge Carpenter, in partnership. until the election of Carpenter as Judge, when he engaged in the manufacture of agriculture implements in Akron for seven years, and from there removed to Richfield, in 1871, where he engaged in manufacturing en- terprises for nine years, and where he is at present residing. While a resident of Akron, he served as a member of the Board of Educa- tion and of the City Council. He has also been a member of the Board of Education of Rich- field, where he served one term as Justice of the Peace. He is now serving as Secretary of the Summit County Patrons of Husbandry. He was united in marriage Dec. 12, 1859, to Miss Isadore C. Bell, who is a native of Con- necticut, and is at present serving as Postmis- tress of Richfield. They have three children- Edwin B., Frank R. and Abbey B.

NORRIS HUMPHREY, farmer ; P. O. Pen- insula ; was born in Hartford Co., Conn., in 1806 ; his parents were Oliver and Rhoda (Woodford) Humphrey, also natives of Connec- ticut. They emigrated to Ohio in 1816, arriv- ing in the Western Reserve and locating in Trumbull Co. July 4, where they were residents for the remainder of their lives. His father was a blacksmith by trade, which he followed, together with farming. He was in the war of 1812, and served as Orderly Sergeant in a light infantry company. He died Aug. 6, 1846, aged 63 years. His mother's death occurred Sept. 24, 1867, aged 81 years. Their children were as follows : Norris, the eldest ; Elvira Irwin. now living in Portage Co .; Julius, a resident of Akron ; Ellen Bolster, living in Cleveland ; Anna Harris, also a resident of Cleveland : Ezekiel-he learned the printer's trade in War- ren Co., and subsequently moved to the South- ern States, locating first in Natchez ; when the Texas revolution broke out, he volunteered, and joined a cavalry company of 100, fitting and equipping themselves, under Gov. Quit- man ; after serving through the war, he started the Morning Star. the first paper published in Texas after the revolution ; he died in 1836, of yellow fever, contracted while heroically caring

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

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for fever-stricken sufferers ; his brother Norris has now the deeds of 1,280 acres of land given him by the State for his services during the revolution ; George, a physician by profession, died in Cleveland. Our subject's early life was passed in Trumbull Co., where he learned the blacksmith's trade with his father. In 1829, he removed to Richfield Center, where he fol- lowed his trade for two years. He purchased, in 1829, 50 acres of land for $3 per acre. This was the first purchase in the " Wilcox Tract." In 1830, he built the first frame house between the Cuyahoga River and Richfield. He mar- ried, Feb. 10, 1831, Miss Julia Case ; she was a native of Trumbull Co., and a daughter of Ira and Ursula (Hyde) Case, natives of Con- necticut and early settlers in Trumbull Co. Her father served in the war of 1812; her mother was of English descent-a member of the "Hyde" family. After his marriage, Mr. H. moved upon his land, and has, up to the present time, continued to reside where he first purchased. He has now 200 acres, about 50 of which is timbered ; his land is finely im- proved and conveniently located. While pros- pecting for minerals upon his land, and in the vicinity, he discovered, at a depth of twenty feet, several veins of water, which now furnish an inexhaustible supply of pure water. Mr. Humphrey helped to organize the first militia company in the township, in 1832, and was appointed Captain in 1834 ; he was appointed Major of the 1st Battalion, Light Infantry ; he still preserves the old commissions appointing him to his positions. While a resident of Trumbull County, he served the Township as Constable, which was at that period an im- portant office. Since he has been a resident of Richfield, he has served in many offices of trust. He was for several years a Township Trustee, and for two terms Assessor of Personal Property. In educational affairs he has always taken a prominent part ; he was one of the Di- rectors of the Richfield Academy for several years. At the breaking-out of the war, he from the first took an active interest in organizing a company and aiding in every way for the pres- ervation of the Union. He sent four of his boys ont in the service, fitting them from his own pocket. Mr. H. lost his wife Jan. 26, 1871, aged 62 years. Their children are as follows : Austin, now a resident of Lincoln, Neb., where he is engaged in the hardware business in part-

nership with his brother Norris ; Cora Ells- worth, living in Richfield Township; Oliver N., a resident of Lincoln, Neb .- he was in the service about two years, on the frontier, among the Indians ; Lucien E. enlisted in the 115th O. V. I., and was in the service five years- now a resident of Richfield ; Decius served in the 64th O. V. I. as Fife Major for five years- he died April 1, 1868, aged 22 years ; Truman, now living on the old homestead-he was mar- ried July 4, 1875, to Miss Lida Hale, a daughter of Andrew Hale, an old resident of Bath Township.

AGUSTUS J. HUMPHREY, farmer ; P. O. West Richfield ; is a son of Julius and Rhoda (Oviatt) Humphrey. Julius was born in Go- shen, Conn., in 1800, and his wife in Goshen in 1802. They were married in 1820, and re- moved to Richfield the same year; he died in the Louisville IIospital in January, 1864, from disease contracted while there ; he went South after James Sanborn, of the 64th O. V. I., who was sick in that hospital, but neither returned, James dying about two weeks after Mr. Humph- rey. The mother is still living in Richfield with her son Augustns. Their children now living are as follows : Phoebe Carter, living in Richfield ; Lucia Bennett, living in Akron ; Maria Sanborn. living in Richfield ; Augustus was born in 1833, and has passed his life upon the old home- | stead and devoting his whole attention to farm- ing. He has 85 acres of land, finely improved and conveniently located. He was married, October, 1852, to Miss Priscilla Sanborn, a daughter of John and Sibyl (Farwell) Sanborn, both natives of New Hampshire, and early resi- dents of Boston Township, coming there in 1834, where they resided twenty years, and subsequently removed to Richfield, where he died in July, 1866, his wife still living with her daughter Priscilla. Mr. Humphrey was born in New Hampshire, in 1833. They have one son, Earnest, who is married to Miss Flora Hart, a daughter of Henry Hart, a resident of Richfield Township. They have one child- Clarence.

HENRY KILLIFER, blacksmith, West Rich- field ; was born in Richfield, in 1838. He is a son of Henry and Jane (Curtis) Killifer, natives of Connecticut ; they came to Rich- field Township at an early day, but subsequently removed to Putnam Co. Henry returned to Richfield and engaged at the blacksmith's trade,

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in 1858 ; at the commencement of the war, he enlisted in Battery A, Ist Ohio, and was in the service four years, enlisting in August, 1861, and discharged in August, 1865. He then returned to Richfield, where he has since been working at his trade. He was married to Miss Orvelia Spafford Oct. 17, 1867 ; she was born in Sum- mit Co., in 1842. Her father, Martin C. Spaf- ford, was born in Vermont, in 1808, and came with his father, Jacob Spafford, to Richfield, in 1816, where they remained three years and then removed to Copley, where Jacob lived about forty years, then removing to Bath Town- ship, where he died. Martin passed his early days upon his father's farm ; at the age of 21 he went to Portage Co., and worked in a distil- lery for three years, and from there removed to Bath, where for twenty years he worked at shoemaking and milling. He then removed to Richfield, where he now lives, following the oc- cupation of a miller for the most of the time. Martin was married in 1836, to Miss Mary Brown, whose parents were early residents of the county. They have four children-Orline Sheppard, living in Akron ; Orvelia ; Beulah Derr, living in Huron Co., and Willie F., a resident of Hudson. Mr. and Mrs. Killifer have two children-Mary and Henry. Mr. Killifer is a member of Richfield Lodge, No. 266, A., F. & A. M., and is a genial and benevo- lent neighbor, a fine mechanic, and an enterpris- ing citizen.

JAMES LOCKERT, farmer ; P. O. Rich- field ; was born in Galway, Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1802. His father was a farmer and our sub- ject remained at home until he attained his majority. He married April 8, 1830, Miss Minerva Moon, of Galway. In June, 1833, he emigrated to Ohio, locating in Richfield Town- ship, and, in the spring of 1834, removed to the northeast corner of the township, where he purchased the land where his residence now is. He has now retired from active life and is now living with his son Lorain. His family is as follows-Elizabeth, wife of E. D. Hancock, of Richfield Township ; Ann Edgell, living in Richfield ; James W., a prominent farmer of the township ; Lorain, also a leading farmer ; Mary Jane Snow, of Brecksville; Alexander, of Warren Co., Ohio, who is a Baptist minis- ter, and Minerva Reid, wife of Chas. W. Reid, who has purchased the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Lockert were meinbers of the Baptist

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 181

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