USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > Memoirs of Lucas County and the City of Toledo > Part 13
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his father in business, with offices in the Neptune Building, on Water street, Toledo. Of the others, May Hannah was born Dec. 15, 1888; Alma Ruth, Oct. 25, 1892; Alice Pallister, April 29, 1898, and Martha, Jan. 18, 1901. On Dec. 31, 1908, Mr. Sulli- van was married to Mrs. Emma Remsberg, of Toledo, but a native of Swanton, Ohio, and the widow and children maintain the home at 1524 Huron street, Toledo, where the husband and father had resided for a period of thirty-five years, surrounded by a circle of loyal friends. Of him to whom this tribute is dedicated it may be said that he knew well the springs of human motive, so that he was kindly and tolerant in his judgment and ever ready to lend a helping hand to those "in any way afflicted in mind, body or estate." His upright life, careful judgment and generous attributes made his name a synonym for character and worth.
Elias Fassett
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ELIAS FASSETT
Elias Fassett, a resident of Toledo for nearly three-quarters of a century, and for the greater part of that time closely identi- fied with the city's growth and development, was a native of the Green Mountain State, having been born at Cambridge, Vt., Jan. 15, 1827, the youngest of three children born to John and Martha (Thomas) Fassett. His ancestors came from Scotland and settled in Massachusetts in 1715, some of them later removing to Ver- mont. His great-grandfather lived at Bennington, Vt., and was a soldier in the French and Indian war. His grandfather was a captain under Gen. Richard Montgomery in the Revolution, and for his services in that historic conflict Congress granted him the entire township of Cambridge, in the state of Vermont. After the government of the United States was established he became associate judge of the Vermont Supreme Court, an office he filled with signal ability. John Fassett, the father of Elias, was born at Bennington. Vt., Dec. 17, 1769, but removed with his parents to Cambridge after the Revolution. He studied medicine, prac- ticed in Cambridge, served as a surgeon in the American army in the War of 1812, and in 1832 came to Port Lawrence (now a part of Toledo), where he bought a section of land on the East Side, now known as Fassett's first and second additions to the city of Toledo. He did not locate upon this land, however, until 1837, living meantime on Locust street, where the Westminster Presbyterian Church now stands. Elias lived with his parents until he was seventeen years of age, attending the district schools about three months every winter during his early boyhood, and finishing his education in a select school on Lagrange street, in 1836. To him belongs the distinction of having been the first newsboy in Toledo. On Oct. 16, 1834, James Irving Browne began the publication of the Toledo Gazette, which was printed on an old Franklin hand press, and Mr. Fassett, then in the eighth year of his age, was employed to deliver twenty-seven copies in
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the district bounded by Elm, Cherry and Huron streets and the Maumee river, receiving for his services the munificent sum of twenty-five cents a week. He began his business career as a clerk in the dry-goods store of Raymond & Fassett, an elder brother being one of the firm, but after three years in this position he returned to his father's farm, on the East Side, and remained there until his father's death, May 26, 1853. The following year he obtained a position as checking clerk in the Toledo office of the Cleveland & Toledo railroad (now a part of the Lake Shore system), where he remained for about a year. For the next five years he was in the employ of the Wabash railroad, in various capacities, and at the end of that time he took up his residence on his father's old farm, where he remained until about three years before his death, when he and his wife went to live with their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Riggs, at 3136 Col- lingwood avenue. Here Mr. Fassett passed away, Jan. 22, 1906, after an active and useful life of seventy-nine years. His widow is still living, and makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Riggs. On May 7, 1857, Mr. Fassett married Miss Mary Elizabeth Wales, daughter of Philander Wales, one of the pioneer settlers of the lower Maumee valley. Of this union were born three children. John Elias died in infancy, and two daughters are still living, viz., Mrs. M. J. Riggs and Mrs. C. C. Oswald, both residing on Col- lingwood avenue. When Mr. Fassett's father first located on the East Side there were but twenty-eight white families living in that section. There was an Indian village at Presque Isle, and between that point and Waterville there were some 2,500 Indians. Mr. Fassett lived to see the red men all removed to lands in the West and their places filled by an intelligent and energetic white population, of which he was a component part. In his later years he was fond of relating incidents that occurred during the pioneer days. One of these was his recollections of the first steamboat that ever navigated the Maumee. Upon its arrival at Toledo quite a crowd assembled on the bank to witness the strange sight. Mr. Fassett, then about six years old, accompanied by another boy, went down an Indian path, near where Adams and Summit streets now intersect, to watch the boat. So intent were they in
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listening to the band of music on the boat that they did not notice a party of Indians coming down the path on horseback. Upon seeing the two boys the Indians gave a yell that started the little fellows up the path at the utmost speed, in search of some place of safety. Not far from where the Trinity Episcopal Church now stands lay the trunk of a large elm tree, which had been uprooted by a storm, and behind this the boys found a hiding place until the Indians had passed. The savages meant no harm to the lads, merely intending to give them a fright, and in this they were emi- nently successful. The incident remained fresh in the mind of Mr. Fassett as long as he lived. During his long residence on the East Side, Mr. Fassett was a member of the Memorial Baptist Church, and for many years was active in promoting its good works. Despite the lack of facilities for acquiring an education in his youth, he managed to obtain a fund of information on various subjects through the exercise of his keen intellect and studious turn of mind. He was a man of spotless integrity, pos- sessed excellent judgment, was always willing and ready to lend his aid in any movement for the uplifting of the people, and com- manded the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in contact, the general expression being that he was an ideal citizen.
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Thanklini P'Thomas
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FRANK PIERCE THOMAS
Frank Pierce Thomas, deceased, for many years a prominent figure in railroad circles in Toledo, more latterly as assistant trav- eling auditor of the Wheeling & Lake Erie road, was born in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, Jan. 24, 1853, and was a well known and influential member of the Oratorio Society of Toledo. He was the son of Zalman and Harriet (Valentine) Thomas. The father was a large dealer in lumber in Cincinnati, but later retired and came to Toledo to live, and died there. His wife also passed away while a resident of this city. Two children were born to the parents, of whom the elder was the subject of this sketch. The other is Lyda, the wife of Fred J. Buckwell, of Toledo. Frank Pierce Thomas took ad- vantage of all the educational opportunities afforded by the Toledo public schools, and completed the high school course. After his graduation, he accepted a position as bill clerk in the office of the Wabash railroad, under James Ritchie, doing the work acceptably and efficiently for a number of years. When he left the employ of the Wabash road it was to accept a position as bookkeeper for the Wheeling & Lake Erie company. His industry and energy, and his careful, business-like methods, soon won him promotion to the position of head clerk in the local office. Subsequently, he was again honored by the directors of the company with promotion to the position of assistant traveling auditor of the company, and for eight years served as deputy to Samuel Ayres. Believing that his long years of labor entitled him to a respite, he retired from the company's service and lived quietly until the time of his death, which occurred March 27, 1888. The funeral, which was held at his home, brought many sorrowing friends to pay their last re- spects to his memory, before all that was mortal of him was interred in Woodlawn cemetery. In politics, Mr. Thomas was a Democrat, but in local affairs he supported the men whom he considered best adapted to the position sought. Mr. Thomas' wife was formerly Miss Anna A. Allen, only daughter of James J. and Susan (Kling)
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Allen, of Fort Wayne, Ind. Mr. Allen was a native of the Empire State and a direct descendant of Ethan Allen, famous in the history of this country as the captor of Fort Ticonderoga during the war of the Revolution. James J. Allen was one of the four children born to his parents and the third in order of birth, the others, now all deceased, being George W., a former resident of Rochester, N. Y .; John Frederick, of Louisville, Ky .; and Fannie, who was married and living in Lockwood, Cal., at the time of her death. James J. Allen came west when a young man and settled in Texas, Ohio, where for a number of years he did contracting work and operated a farm within a short distance of the village. His death occurred April 9, 1860. His widow afterward removed to Fort Wayne, Ind., but later came to Toledo, where she lived until death claimed her, July 28, 1898. Both Mr. and Mrs. Allen were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Allen was a Republican in his political views, but never sought any office of public trust. Fraternally, he was allied with the Blue Lodge of the Masonic order. Mrs. Thomas now lives quietly retired at 113 Indiana avenue, Toledo, Ohio.
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ELIJAH HARPER NORTON
Elijah Harper Norton, deceased, was one of the brave defenders of the flag who, after the Southern uprising had been suppressed and peace restored, demonstrated in the peaceful walks of life that the patriotic and fearless soldier possesses all of the qualifications that make the honest and useful citizen. Mr. Norton was a native- born son of Ohio, having first beheld the light of day in the village of Clyde, Sept. 18, 1843. His parents were Washington Adams and Caroline (Harper) Norton, whose marriage took place at Har- persfield, Ashtabula county, Ohio, in October, 1839. The father followed farming at Clyde during the greater part of his active career, but later in life he removed to the city of Cleveland, where he lived in practical retirement until he passed from the scenes of life's activities. And there the mother also passed away. Of their marital union there were born six children, the names of whom in the order of birth are given as follows: Jonathan D., who is a resi- dent of Topeka, Kan .; Elijah H. was the second born ; John Adams is deceased; Caroline T. is the wife of Robert Waterson, of Cleve- land; David Z. also resides in the Forest City; and Frank J. is deceased. Elijah Harper Norton, to whom this memoir is more particularly dedicated, received his education in the public schools of the city of Cleveland, but early began his independent career as an employe of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway Company, accepting a position as clerk in the offices at Cleveland. He was thus employed when the call was made for men to defend the Union against the assaults of an armed insurrection, and at the organization of the Eighty-fourth Ohio infantry he enlisted as a private in Company E. This regiment was organized at Camp Chase, in May and June, 1862, to serve for three months, and on June 11 was ordered to Cumberland, Md., where it was employed in preventing transportation of supplies into the Confederate lines. Mr. Norton served valiantly with that regiment until his term of enlistment had expired, and then with it received an honorable dis-
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charge from the service. But the great internecine strife was still in progress and to him it seemed that he had not fully discharged the debt that he owed his country ; therefore he evidenced a desire for further military service. To that end the colonel of his regi- ment, William Lawrence, wrote a letter to Governor Tod, under date of Sept. 4, 1862, from Cumberland, Md., strongly urging the appointment of Mr. Norton to a position in another regiment. Colonel Lawrence wrote as follows: "Corp. Elijah Norton, of Company E, Eighty-fourth regiment, desires a place as adjutant in one of the new Ohio regiments. He is a young man of excellent morals and habits, energetic, of decided military taste, and one of the best drilled men in his company. He is, in my opinion, com- petent for the place and worthy of it. I recommend him accord- ingly. His mother, as I understand, is a widow in Cleveland, with three young children to support, and is a most estimable lady. He was for a considerable time employed in a railroad office and is regarded by me and his captain as one of the most meritorious young men in his company. I hope he may succeed." Although Mr. Norton's aspirations were not realized in this particular, his military ardor was not dampened, and soon thereafter he joined, as a private, Company C of the Ohio National Guard. After the war was over, and the need for his services in a military capacity was no longer urgent, he came to Toledo and again entered the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway Company, ac- cepting employment in the freight offices. He later was promoted to ticket agent in the Union station at Toledo, and he served in this capacity until 1868, when he severed his connection with the rail- way business. He then became identified with banking pursuits, his first position in that connection being teller of the First Na- tional Bank of Toledo, in which position he served until 1871. He then became a member of the banking firm of Keeler, Holcomb & Company and remained so associated until the time of his death, Sept. 15, 1886. Aside from his banking interests, Mr. Norton was also connected with other business enterprises, among which was the Lenk Wine Company, in which he served as a member of the board of directors. In politics, he gave an unswerving allegiance to the men and measures of the Republican party, and, although he
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never essayed the role of an office-seeker, he served two terms as a member of the Board of Education, and was also for a time a trustee of the Toledo Public Library. His religious views were, as are those of his widow, expressed by an attendance at the First Congregational Church of Toledo, and he kept alive the memory of war times by association with his comrades in Toledo Post, No. 107, Grand Army of the Republic. In Masonic circles he was especially prominent, having taken the Thirty-second degree of that ancient order, and in 1879 he was the Grand Master of the State of Ohio. Socially, he was one of the founders and a charter member of both the Middle Bass and Toledo clubs, and his identi- fication as a member with any organization was always gladly wel- comed by his associates. On Aug. 18, 1869, Mr. Norton was mar- ried to Miss Mary A. Evans, daughter of John and Rachel (Evans) Evans, prominent citizens of Troy, N. Y., and of this union there were born three children: Richard Evans, of Ardmore, Pa., and Julia Page and Harold Harper, both of whom reside at home with their mother. The father of Mrs. Norton was a native of Scotland and her mother was born in Troy, N. Y.
LINCOLN J. HAY S
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LINCOLN J. HAYS
Lincoln J. Hays .- A life of signal usefulness and honor was that of the subject of this memoir, who for twenty-five years was one of the leading grocers of the city of Toledo, to which place he came in his youth, and it was his to aid materially in the develop- ment and progress of the business interests of the city in which he elected to continue his residence until the time of his death, which occurred March 7, 1909. He was not only successful in the sense in which the world commonly views success, but was also able to attain to that greater reward which comes in the respect and con- fidence given to one whose life was ordered upon a lofty plane of integrity and honor. Lincoln J. Hays was born at Commerce, Oakland county, Michigan, June 14, 1864, and was reared to ma- turity in his native county, availing himself of the advantages of the Pontiac public schools. Throughout life he continued to be a dis- criminating reader and student, and he was a man of wide and exact information, a gentleman of culture and exceptionally gracious per- sonality. In 1881, he came to Toledo and formed an association with his brother-in-law, Alex Weber, and together they engaged in the grocery business, which partnership continued for several years. Later, he started in business alone, establishing himself at 509-511 Adams street, where he continued until the time of his death. He was a man of signal business ability and this was conjoined to energy and progressiveness in such a way as to gain to him definite success in the line of enterprise represented in his mercantile operations. He was one of the organizers of the Grocers' and Butchers' Association, and for a time served as its president. He was a Republican in politics, early aligning himself in the ranks of that party, and he ever afterward continued a staunch and intelli- gent supporter of its principles and policies. He was a man of broad mental grasp and took much interest in the issues and ques- tions of the hour, as well as in local affairs of a public nature, though he never consented to become a candidate for public office.
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He was a Mason of high degree, having membership in Rubicon Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Fort Meigs Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Toledo Commandery, Knights Templars, and in the Scottish Rite body, Thirty-second degree. He was also affiliated with the Royal Arcanum and with Cherry Council of the National Union. On Nov. 26, 1891, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hays to Miss Rose O'Farrell, of Toledo, and of this union there were born two children-Clarence and Mabel.
Joke CH . Doyle
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JOHN HARDY DOYLE
John Hardy Doyle was born at Monday Creek township, Perry county, Ohio, April 23, 1844. His father and mother were married in Providence township, Lucas county, Ohio, in 1834, and were among the earliest settlers of the Maumee valley. After a residence of nine years in that valley they moved to Perry county, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was born. In 1849 the family moved back to Lucas county and settled at Toledo, where they have since resided, recognized as one of the oldest and best families there. The parents trace their descent from the Irish heads of the family in the old country. The subject of our sketch was educated in the public schools of Toledo and at Dennison Uni- versity, Granville, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar on his twenty- first birthday, and at once was admitted as a partner with Edward Bissell, his preceptor. That Mr. Doyle was a successful lawyer is shown by the fact that in 1879, at the early age of thirty-five, he was recommended by the unanimous vote of the Republican members of the bar of Lucas county for nomination as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, was unanimously nominated by the Judicial Con- vention and elected by the people, overcoming an adverse majority for the balance of the ticket of over 800. He held this office until 1883, when he was chosen as Judge of the Supreme Court of the state. After concluding his term as Supreme Court Judge he returned to Toledo and resumed the practice of the law, and is now engaged in the practice under the firm name of Doyle & Lewis. Judge Doyle is a member of the Ohio Society of New York, the Lawyers' Club, also of the Union Club of Cleveland, Ohio, the Toledo Club, the Business Men's Club, and the Country Club of Toledo, Ohio. On Oct. 6, 1868, he was married to Alice Fuller Skinner, a descendant of Gov. Roger Wolcott, of Connecticut, and Oliver Wolcott, one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, and of this union are three beautiful daughters-Eliza- beth D. Scott, Grace D. Graves and Helen Genevieve Pratt (these
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being their after-marriage names). Mr. Doyle is a Republican in politics and was twice offered the federal judgeship of the Northern District of Ohio, but declined the appointment each time, an honor which comes to very few citizens of any State in the Union. In religion he is a Congregationalist, a member of the First Congrega- tional Church of Toledo for over forty years. He has always de- clined to run for public office, except the judgeships above men- tioned, although frequently urged to accept nominations for im- portant offices. In vigorous health, he is in full practice, a member of one of the leading firms in the State.
Paul Jumscomb
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DANIEL DUNSCOMB
Daniel Dunscomb, deceased, who for nearly thirty years was an active business man of Toledo, was born in Nuremberg, Ger- many, March 5, 1850. His paternal grandparents were English, his grandfather being the owner of many vessels, and at one time served as governor of Newfoundland. Edward Dunscomb, the father of Daniel, graduated at Columbia College and afterward studied medicine. He then went to Bermuda, where he was mar- ried. He afterward returned to New York, where he engaged in business as an importer of tea, sugar and molasses. Some years later he took his family to Germany, and while there, in the city of Nuremberg, the son Daniel was born, and there also the mother died. The subject of this memoir was the youngest of seven chil- dren-four boys and three girls-five of whom are now living, as follows: Mary is now Mrs. Ibbotson and resides at Richfield Springs, N. Y .; Frances is Mrs. Darling, of New York City ; Kath- arine is Mrs. Colt, who also resides in New York City ; John is a resident of the same metropolis, and Edward is a physician, engaged in the practice of his profession at Midas, Nev. After completing his education, Daniel Dunscomb began his independent career as a traveling representative for the Sawyer Blueing Company, of New York City, in which capacity he remained for about six years. He then embarked in business for himself, under the firm name of Dunscomb, Sheldon & Company, at New York City, where the members of the firm engaged as wholesalers of blueing and wooden- ware. This association continued until 1880, when Mr. Dunscomb came to Toledo and purchased the establishment of I. N. Poe & Company, dealers in woodenware and willowware, at 28 Summit street. The name of the firm was then changed to Dunscomb, Newell & Company, and that arrangement continued until 1884, when Mr. Dunscomb purchased the interest of Mr. Newell in the business, and the firm name became Dunscomb & Company, the establishment being removed to 516 Summit street. The line car-
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ried by the firm included toys and woodenware, but in 1890, the woodenware and willowware lines were dropped and Mr. Duns- comb then engaged extensively in sporting goods, stationery, and holiday novelties, and at about the same time he removed the establishment to 414-416-418 Summit street. On March 1, 1909, he sold the concern to Brown, Eager, Hull & Company, and retired from that line of business. His disposition was energetic, and in all the business he engaged in he was active and of the hustling class. In 1892, he became connected with the Toledo Baby Carriage Com- pany, and for three years was identified with its successful man- agement. His death occurred July 30, 1909. While never a mem- ber of any religious denomination, his attendance at the Presby- terian church was regular and he contributed to the support of all Christian causes. Politically, he was an ardent Republican, but he never held, nor aspired to hold, any public office-his time being taken up with his business interests-though he took a great in- terest in the public welfare. Mr. Dunscomb was married twice- first, on May 5, 1890, to Miss Mary T. Lamb, daughter of John and Josephine (Girard) Lamb, of Toledo, though originally natives of Belgium. The first wife died, Sept. 6, 1907, and the second mar- riage, which occurred May 14, 1908, was to Miss Madalene A. Lamb, daughter of John and Margaret (Arnold) Lamb, who reside near the city of Defiance, in Paulding county, Ohio, where the father is engaged in the line of agriculture. Of this union there was born a daughter, Mary Lamb Dunscomb, born Feb. 3, 1909. The widow and child reside in the Dunscomb Apartments, at 713 Supe- rior street, Toledo.
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