History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 182

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 182

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Church ; she died April 25, 1879. Mr. Lock- ert has served as Township Trustee and is one of its honored and respected citizens. When he removed to his present location it was a wilderness, and his own individual efforts have done much to hasten the prosperity which now smiles upon the improved and cultivated fields

divided among his children. He owned, at one time. nearly 500 acres which was a direct accumulation of his own industry and energy. Lorain was born in 1840, and married in 1870, Miss Helen Andrew, of Boston Township. He served in the 177th O. V. I., from 1864 to the close of the war. He has 142 acres of land under good cultivation. They have one child -Harley. James W. was born June 29, 1837; he was married Dec. 31, 1863, to Abigail Reid; they have three children-Willis W., Mina M. and Floyd L. He has 175 acres of land, which is finely improved and cultivated. Minerva, born Sept. 21, 1843, was married to Chas. H. Reid Dec. 31, 1863. They have three children -Luln L., Jessie L. and Blanche A. Ann Edgell, born in Saratoga Co., N. Y.,in 1832 ; was married March 19, 1856, to Mason Edgell, who died in 1868. She has three children- Minerva, Elizabeth and Lillie.

O. T. MEADE, farmer ; P. O. Richfield ; son of Abner and Barbara (Klopenstine) Meade. His father was a native of Vermont, and mother of France; they were married in Spring- field Township, Summit Co., and were residents of that township for several years ; his father was engaged in the pottery business there. which was about the first business of that kind in the county. They next removed to Rich- field Township, locating in the southeastern portion of the township, where for many years they were engaged in farming ; here his mother died and his father subsequently moved to Bath Township and farmed there several years. In 1879, he removed to Kansas, where he now re- sides, engaged in farming and stock-raising. Three of their children now reside in Summit Co .- Charles, in Boston Township ; Mary Bomgardner, in Richfield Township, and the subject of this sketch, Trueman, as he is famil- iarly called, was born in Springfield Township, in 1843, and the most of his life has been passed in Richfield Township, where he is now engaged in farming and stock business. He is an energetic and enterprising young man, and will doubtless become one of the solid men of

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the county. He was married Sept. 20, 1871, to Miss Mary Schaffer ; they have two children -Norna and Geo. G.

ALFRED T. NEWTON, farmer ; P. O. Rich- field ; is a son of Marcus Newton and Han- nah (Fletcher) Newton. Marcus was born in Goshen, Conn., June 12, 1811, and came with his parents to Ohio when they removed thither. He was married to Miss Hannah Fletcher, Jan. 1, 1833. He was a local Methodist minister as well as a farmer, and led a conscientious, Chris- tian life ; he died in the township in January, 1874. His wife died three years previous, Jan. 14, 1871, in Hillsdale, Mich., at the home of her daughter, Mary L. Brown, who is the only daughter now living; she resides at present in Branch Co., Mich. Alfred was born Dec. 21, 1836, in Richfield Township, and has always been a resident of the township; he has de- voted his time entirely to agricultural pursuits, and is one of the prominent land-owners of the township. He bought the old Marvin Oviatt farm in 1868, and has made it his home ever since. He was married, Sept. 15, 1864, to Miss Huldah E. Swan ; she was born in Boston Town- ship in 1842. Her father, Levi L. Swan, was a native of Connecticut, and an early settler of Boston Township. Mr. and Mrs. Newton have four children living-Eda and Eva (twins) Mary L. and Clara A. Alfred M. died at the age of 5 months. Mr. Newton is a member of Brecksville Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is an enter- prising and respected citizen.

LUCIUS NEWTON, farmer; P. O. West Richfield ; is a son of John and Laura (Thomp- son) Newton. John Newton was a native of Connecticut, where he was born, Feb. 24, 1787. He first came to Ohio in 1806, locating in Hudson, where he remained a few years, and then returned to Connecticut, when, in 1810, he married Miss Laura Thompson. In 1815, with his wife and two sons, Marcus and Lucius, he returned to Ohio, and after a few years residence in Hudson, he removed to Richfield, where he became a large and successful farmer, and a prominent and influential citizen, accumulating a handsome property. He was a member of Assembly and an Associate Judge, under the constitution of Ohio. He died in Richfield Township in March, 1867 ; his wife had died four years previous. The children were as fol- lows : Marcus was a farmer, and local Method- ist minister. He was an earnest and consistent

Christian ; he died in January, 1874. Lucius, our subject, was the next child. John T., now a prominent lawyer, residing in Toledo, and Rebecca Weld, living in Richfield Township. Lucius was born Dec. 19, 1814. He began the battle of life for himself at the age of 22, lo- cating in Royalton, Cuyahoga Co., where he purchased 640 acres of timbered land, 200 acres of which he cleared and fenced. He re- mained there about five years, then removing to Richfield Township and locating upon the farm where he now resides, and where he has been a continuous resident since. He has ac- cumulated a large tract of land, having at one time nearly 1,000 acres, part of which he has divided between his children. He has been strictly engaged at farming and stock-raising all of his life, which he has made a decided success. He was married in May, 1838, to Miss Catharine Brockway ; her parents were natives of Connecticut and pioneers of Trum- bull Co., where she was born in 1818. Their children are as follows : John T., a prominent farmer of Richfield Township ; Homer E. ; he is married to Miss Clara Dale, and is farming in the township ; Minet L., farmer, at home ; Laura Mckinstrey, and Virgil L. He is mar- ried to Miss Alice S. Conrad, and also a farmer of Richfield Township.

JOHN T. NEWTON, farmer ; P. O. West Richfield ; is a son of Lucius Newton, one of the pioneers of the township ; was born in Rich- field Township Feb. 17, 1839. His life, until he attained his majority, was passed under the guardianship of his parents, upon the farm, for which pursuit his education and inclinations have well fitted him, and which occupation he has always followed. As a practical farmer, he is one of the most prominent in the township. He was married, Sept. 3, 1868, to Miss Mary Adams, daughter of Samuel T. Adams, of Me- dina ; she was born in Medina Oct. 11, 1850. They have four children-John Edward, born Oct. 5, 1869 ; Jay Thorne, July 23, 1871 ; Earl Brockway, May 11, 1874; Mary G., March 11, 1878. In March, 1872, Mr. Newton removed to his present location, about one and one-half miles north of the West Center, where he has 110 acres of fine farming land, which he has improved in buildings, fences, etc. He makes specialties in fancy poultry, hogs, sheep and cattle ; he is also engaged extensively in bee culture, which branch he makes quite a study,

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and which has proven most remunerative. He has always been interested in the school inter- ests, and all matters pertaining to the best in- terests of the township.

GEN. O. M. OVIATT (deceased) ; was born at Goshen, Litchfield Co., Conn., Feb. 24, 1799, and removed with his father, Capt. Heman Oviatt, to Hudson, Portage Co. (now Summit Co.), in 1803, Hudson at that time being an unbroken wilderness, with but a few white in- habitants, its principal denizens being the Chippewa tribe of Indians. His father kept a small store, stocked with such goods as met ready sale with the few whites and many Indians then scattered over the Reserve. But the general trade was one of barter with the latter, for their furs, etc., which were the principal currency of that early period. Gen. O. was so constantly associated with the Indians in his youth as to render him as proficient in the use of their language as in his own. With the exception of a period which he spent in attending school at the Litchfield Academy, at Litchfield, Conn., (John Brown, Sr., accompanying him), most of his youth was passed in Hudson. The friend- ship there formed with old Osawattomie con- tinued through life, Mr. O., in after years, aid- ing him in some of his public enterprises, especially in his Kansas expedition. In the winter of 1820, with a companion named Tim- othy Hall, and a pair of oxen and a sled, he came to the township of Richfield ; it was at that time almost entirely unsettled, and with only a doubtful trail between the two points. After the erection of a small abode, in the following spring, he was married to Miss Phoebe H. Coe, of Charlestown, Portage Co., Ohio, and with his young wife moved to the new home. The en- suing year he commenced the building of a store near his residence, at the center of the town, cutting down the forest and removing the green stumps from the ground to locate the same. There are one or two individuals still living who assisted in this work-Mr. John Payne, now aged 83, and Mr. Lester Hall, both now residents of this place. This store was the principal point of trade for the country around for a circle of twenty miles or more, and for over fifty years, or until the year 1876, was con- tinuously open to successful trade. Gen. O. was noted for his large business capacity, pro- bity, and strictly honest dealing. He was also greatly interested in the building-up of the

town and forwarding its best interests. In the erection of the first Congregational Church, in 1830, he bore a large share of the burden, and in the educational interests he was strictly identified and foremost in his endeavors to make the same a success. At this time, a large share of the emigrants to this Western region were poor, and their hardships many, in their endeavors to obtain homes, and there were many who expressed great gratitude for timely assis- tance rendered them by him at that early period. In the year 1836, he met with the great affliction of his life, in the death of his beloved wife, a few of whose characteristics the writer cannot refrain from mentioning. Her special pleasure was in visiting the sick and needy of the then scattered population, whom she would cheer by kind words and supplying their necessities. She was an earnest Christian worker through an active and busy life, and died on March 1, 1836, aged 34, sincerely mourned by all who knew her. Five children were born of this marriage, of whom but two are living, viz., Mrs. Dr. A. E. Ewing, and O. M. Oviatt, still residents of this town. Gen. O. afterward married Miss Lucretia S. Ward, of Hadley, Mass., a Christian lady of refinement and intelligence, with whom he lived happily until his death. Of this marriage there were born four children, of whom three are living- Mrs. Geo. W. Gardner, of Cleveland ; Mr. Wm. H. Oviatt, and Mr. Louis D. Oviatt, of Long- mont, Colo. Ellen P. Oviatt died May 5, 1856, aged 11 years. In the year 1848, Mr. Oviatt removed to the city of Cleveland, where he had property interests, his first residence there being the present Catholic nunnery on Euclid Avenue, which he sold to them osten- sibly for a school building, but which they since have transformed into a nunnery and school against a strict stipulation with him at the time of its purchase, that it should never be used for that purpose, he being always a strong anti-Catholic. After a few years spent in the commission business, he engaged very extensively in the packing business with D. J. P. Robinson, now of Mentor, which partner- ship was continued very successfully some eighteen or twenty years. In politics he was at first an ardent Whig, but after the formation of the Republican party he fully indorsed its principles, and adhered to them until his death. He was often urged to become a candi-

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date for office, but generally refused, believing the office should seek the man ; still he was called to many positions of trust, among others in an early day, that of Associate Judge of Medina Co., one of his Associates being Judge Pardee, of Wadsworth. He was member of the City Council of Cleveland many successive terms, several times elected its presiding officer, member and Chairman of its Finance Committee, and held other positions of trust, the duties of which were conscientiously executed and to the satisfaction of his friends who had placed him in office. In the year 1868, he retired from active business, and after an absence of nearly twenty years from his early home. having a desire to spend his remaining years near his children, he returned thither ; but his residence there was of short duration, for after one year of pleasurable intercourse with his children, old friends and neighbors, he was suddenly attacked by a disease (which had troubled him for many years) and died after three days ill- ness. His remains were removed to Cleveland and interred in his own private vault in Wood- land Cemetery.

O. M. OVIATT, son of Gen. O. M. and Phoebe H. Oviatt, was born in Richfield, July 12, 1825, and has lived in this town continuously up to the present time. He received his early education at the old Richfield Academy, Rev. Harvey Lyon being his instructor. After at- tending school in later years at Gambier, Ohio, Granville, Ohio, and Hudson College (English Department). He was married. Aug. 2, 1848, to Miss Frances C. Hammond, daughter of Nathaniel and Lucy Hammond, both residents of Richfield. After his marriage he resided for some time on the old homestead near the center (his father having removed to Cleveland, Ohio). In June, 1857, he removed to his pres- ent residence previously occupied by his grand- father, Capt. Heman Oviatt. He held the po- sition of County Commissioner two terms (six vears). He has given much attention to the educational interests of the town, and took a leading part in the founding of the present Richfield Central High School, overcoming strong opposition from its non-supporters. He has also been a member of the Board of Edu- cation the past twelve years.

SCHUYLER R. OVIATT, P. O. Richfield ; is a son of Marvin and Mary (Foote) Oviatt, who were both natives of Connecticut. Mar-

vin was born in Goshen Oct. 1, 1797, and his wife in Norfolk Feb. 2, 1795. They were uni- ted in marriage in 1818. The father of Marvin, Capt. Heman Oviatt, was born in Goshen, Conn., Sept. 20, 1775 ; he was married Jan. 10, 1796, to Miss Eunice Newton, she was born Nov. 15, 1777. Capt. Heman Oviatt was one of the pioneers of Summit County, coming with David Hudson, to Hudson Township, in 1800, returning in the fall of the year to Con- necticut, and returning in the spring of 1801, with his family. He located in Hudson Town- ship where he resided for a number of years, taking a prominent position in all acts of pub- lic importance and improvements. He en- dowed Hudson College, while a resident there, with a fund of $12,000. His first wife, Eunice, was a woman universally beloved, and pos- sessed much influence over the Indians. She died Sept. 17, 1813, leaving three children- Marvin, Orson and Harriet. Heman married for a second wife Sophia E. Kilbourne, by whom he had two children-Heman, now a resident of Cleveland, and Elizabeth, living in Richfield Township ; she lived about twenty years, and after her death he married the Widow Curtis, of Akron, who survived him several years. In 1839, Heman removed to Richfield Township, were he resided up to his death, which occurred Dec. 5, 1854. A more extend- ed narrative of his business enterprises, and connection with the township and county, will appear in another portion of this work. Marvin was married in Hudson in 1818, and engaged in farming for a short period in that township, and then connected himself with his brother Orson, in Richfield. In 1825, he went to Cleveland, and was engaged in the mercantile trade there for a few years, and then went South, and was in the produce business upon the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers ; after a few years he returned to Richfield, and again went upon a farm. At the breaking-out of the gold excitement in California, in 1850, he started for the Pacific Coast, and after remaining there three years, started to return home, but fell from the steamer, upon which he had taken passage upon the San Juan River, and was drowned, August 1853. His body was never recovered nor any of his effects. His wife died in Richfield, May 31, 1876. Their children now living are as follows : Schuyler R., Tracy M., a Presbyterian Minister now living in Cali-

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fornia ; Edward, a prominent lawyer of Akron; Celia, now the wife of Baxter H. Wood, of Medina ; Virgil L., a graduate of the Western Reserve College (deceased) ; Carlos, died in Corry, Penn., having a wife and son ; Schuyler R., was born in Hudson Township in 1819. His education is academical, graduating at the Richfield Academy at the age of 20. He is by oeenpation a civil engineer, and has also de- voted considerable attention to horticultural pursuits. At various times he has served the township and county in offices of public trust, prominent among which we mention, as County Surveyor, and also County Treasurer from 1871 to 1875. In township affairs he has always taken a leading interest; is now serving as Notary Public. In 1880, he prepared and delivered a historical address. in Richfield, at the pioneer meeting of that year, and also fur- nishes many of the facts and incidents which appear in the township history. He was united in marriage in June, 1842, to Miss Charlotte A. Weld, a daughter of James Weld, Esq., who was before his death one of Richfield's most prominent business men. They have two children-James S., a graduate of Western Reserve College, and at present living in Cleve- land, serving as Assistant City Civil Engineer, and Miss Lotta, at home.

DARIUS L. OVIATT, farmer ; P. O. West Richfield ; is a son of Nathaniel and Hannab (Deming) Oviatt, natives of Litchfield Co., Conn., and pioneers of Summit Co., locating in Richfield Township in 1812, and residents of the township for the remainder of their lives. His mother died in April, 1831 ; by a subse- quent marriage his father had six children, only one of whom is now living-Ruth Freeman, a resident of Michigan; two sons, John and Charles, died while in the service. His father's death occurred in March, 1863. Our subject was born in Richfield Township Jan. 22, 1825 ; he remained upon his father's farm until about 19 years of age, and then went to Hinckley, Medina Co., where he resided about fifteen years, marrying while there, in August, 1849, Miss Emma Crissy ; she died in May, 1861; three children were the result of this marriage -Moseman C., now a resident of Michigan ; Linus W., living in Richfield Township ; and Trueman D., now living in Cuyahoga Co. In September, 1861, he was married to his second wife, Miss Phoebe J. Tuthill ; they have four

children-Emma J., Charlie C., Hattie E. and Alma I. In October, 1861, Mr. Oviatt returned to Richfield Township and located upon the old homestead, where he has resided up to the pres- ent time ; he has 126 acres of improved land, conveniently located, about one mile north of West Richfield. He has always taken an inter- est in educational and township matters, and is a respected and enterprising citizen.

STEPHEN C. PIXLEY, farmer ; P. O. West Richfield. Prominent among the old residents of Richfield Township is Stephen C. Pixley, the subject of this biography. He came with his parents to the township in 1816, from Massa- chusetts, where he was born in Franklin in 1813, and has been a resident of the township, and lived upon the farm, taken up by his father at that time, up to the present time. His father was Stephen Pixley, a native of Massachusetts, where he was born July 9, 1781 ; his mother's maiden name was Orpha Cooley, also a native of Massachusetts ; she was born March 27, 1781 ; they were married in Massachusetts Nov. 25, 1804. In 1816, they started from Massachu- setts with a team and two yoke of cattle, and, after a journey of six weeks, reached Richfield ; they located in the northwestern portion of the township, where they lived for the remainder of their lives. His father's death occurred Oct. 31, 1829 ; his mother's, Sept. 6, 1840. Their children now living are as follows : Sumner, a resident of Boston Township ; Seymour, living in California ; and our subject, Stephen C .; a son, Alvin C., a prominent resident of Rich- field Township, died in June, 1878, leaving a wife who is still a resident of the township ; they had five children, all of whom are deceased. Owen C., a son, died from disease contracted in the service of his country. Stephen C. was united in marriage, Nov. 13, 1850, to Miss Eliza Buell ; she died in 1855. In March, 1856, he was married to Miss Sarah E. Tupper, who died May 5, 1857. May 17, 1860, he was again mar- ried, to Miss Maria L. Foster ; she is a native of Ohio, born in Cuyahoga Co., April 27, 1834 ; they have three children-Frank S., born Nov. 21, 1863 ; Orla C. and Chrysie I. (twins), born Oct. 18, 1867. Mr. Pixley has 95 acres of land, all of which is improved except 8 acres of tim- ber located in the northwestern portion of the township, about two miles from West Richfield. He has been prominently identified with the growth and development of the township, and

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furnishes some of the incidents and dates given in the township history. As a citizen he is en- terprising and progressive, and is universally respected by his fellow townsmen.

FRANKLIN PRICKITT, farmer ; P. O. West Richfield. The Prickitt family are prom- inent citizens and extensive land-owners in Richfield Township, and are worthy of espe- cial mention. The parents were Samuel and Hannah (Allen) Prickitt who were natives of New Jersey, and of Quaker descent. He was born Oct. 15, 1784, and his wife Aug. 4, 1793. They were united in marriage April 3, 1821, in New Jersey, and first moved to Wayne Co., N. Y., where they resided about seven years. From there they emigrated to Ohio, locating in Richfield Township in 1834, taking up 200 acres of land, which was situated where the farms of Franklin and Allen S. now are. There they resided until their labors below were ended, and they " were gathered with their fathers." He died at the ripe age of 88 years, and his wife at 85 years of age. Franklin, the eldest son, was born in New Jersey in 1823. He remained with his parents until he was married, Jan. 9, 1850, to Miss Sarah Fearnley. She was a native of England. After his mar- riage, he built him a house upon the farm where he now resides, which consists of 70 acres of land, which was a part of the old homestead. Although he calls himself a farmer, he has devoted a great share of his time to making rifles and general repairing. He is a natural mechanic, having never learned the machinist's trade. He was the first gun- smith in the township, and has made hundreds of rifles with tools which he manufactured mostly himself, and in his workshop may be found many evidences of his skill. His first wife died in 1867, leaving a daughter, Alice. In June, 1866, he was married to a second wife, Miss Arvilla Buck, a daughter of Heman and Polly Buck, who were pioneers of the township. She was born in Richfield Township in October, 1828. They have two children- Francis and Elma.

SAMUEL H. PRICKITT, farmer ; P. O. West Richfield ; a son of Samuel and Hannah (Allen) Prickitt ; was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., Jan. 6, 1829. He remained with his par- ents in Richfield until 1854, and then started for California, where he remained for ten years, engaged in various occupations. He

then returned to Richfield and purchased of S. E. Oviatt the farm, consisting of 110 acres, where he now resides, and which he has im- proved generally since his residence upon it until it is one of the most desirable farms in the township. He was united in marriage, Feb. 14, 1866, to Miss Ann A. Garthwait. She is of English descent, her parents, Charles and Ann (Fearnley) Garthwait, being both natives of England, and for many years residents of Richfield Township. Mrs. Prickitt was born in Richfield Township Dec. 20, 1842. They have one child-Miss Edith, born Sept. 10, 1867. Mr. Prickitt, as a farmer, is practical and prosperous ; as a citizen, he is enterprising and progressive, and, together with his estima- ble wife, are intelligent and esteemed citizens.

ALLEN S. PRICKITT, farmer ; P. O. West Richfield ; is a son of Samuel and Hannah (Allen) Prickitt. He was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., Dec. 29, 1833, and since the removal of his parents to the township has lived upon the old homestead, which he now owns. He has 125 acres of good land, finely improved and located conveniently. He has served the town- ship as Trustee, and has taken great interest in educational affairs and all matters of public importance. He was married, March 22, 1859, to Miss Jane Kirby, daughter of John and Elizabeth Kirby, natives of England, and who are old residents of the community. Mrs. Prickitt is also a native of England, where she was born in 1833. They have two children- Mary and Rosa.

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 182

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