USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Memorial record of the county of Cuyahoga and city of Cleveland, Ohio, Pt.1 > Part 55
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Mr. Rodgers was married on the 17th day of Jannary, 1866, at Cleveland, to Miss Eliza Me- Farland, who was born on the 3d day of Jann- ary, 1839, in Millix, Tyrone county, Ireland, and is the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Jolmson) MeFarland. Her parents came to America in 1836. Mrs. Rodgers is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is well known in her community as a woman in the true sense of the word, her kindness of heart and hospitality endearing her to her neighbors and friends. To Mr. and Mrs Rodgers four chil- dren have been born, three of whom survive: William Emmet, born September 15, 1867; Mary E., born March 27, 1871; Jane M., born
September 1, 1875, died May 3, 1888; and Carrie P., born November 13, 1878.
William Emmet Rodgers was educated in the common schools at Chagrin Falls and at Ober- lin College. After leaving college he engaged for a time in the stock business, but at present is engaged in the banking business in Bedford, being at the head of the Rodgers bank of that city, which was established in 1892. Mr. Rodgers is a young man of more than ordinary business talent, and like his father is endowed with great energy, which trait of character seems to have come to him through his father from his grandmother Rodgers, who was a woman of remarkable energy and perseverance.
H ENRY CARTWRIGHT, a farmer of Royalton township, Cuyahoga county, was born at this place October 1, 1840. llis father, Richard Cartwright, was born in Berkshire, England, April 6, 1815, where he was reared to farm life, and was after- ward engaged as a sheep herder. In 1836 he came to the United States, being obliged to borrow the money to pay for his passage, and he was seven weeks and three days in crossing the ocean. Ile borrowed twenty shillings, and this was repaid with his first earnings. Ile came with the family of John Pembrook, whose daughter, Harriet, he afterward married, in this county. Mr. Pembrook located in Strongsville township, Medina connty, this State, and both he and his wife died on the farm on which they first settled. After settling in Royalton town- ship, Mr. Cartwright farmed on shares for a time, and then bought the land where he con- tinned to reside until his death, November 25, 1857. In political matters he was a stanel sup- porter of the Republican party. Mrs. Cart- wright survived her husband until May 20, 1892, and both were buried in Royalton Center cemetery. They had seven children, namely: George, a farmer of Royalton township; Henry, whose name introduces this sketch; Edward,
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who died when young; Mary A., who married Marens Warner and is deceased; Edwin, who died young; Elizabeth, wife of Wayland Edger- ton, of Royalton township; and William, a farmer of this locality.
Henry Cartwright, the subject of this sketch, was reared to farm life, at length engaging also in butchering. After his marriage he located where he now lives, and, in company with his brother George, owns over 335 acres of fine farming land. They are engaged in general farming and dairying.
October 31, 1872, Mr. Cartwright was united in marriage with Lucy P'. Edgerton, who was born in Royalton township, August 3, 1847, a daughter of John and Philena Rhoda (Perry) Edgerton, natives of Massachusetts. The father was born in Hawley, in 1804, and the mother in Savoy, in 1814. They were married in their native State, December 6, 1538, and in an early day came to Ohio. They were the parents of soven children, all of whom are still living ex- eepting one, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright have five children, namely: Mettie, llallic R., Harry J., Herbert W. and Ilarley P., -- all at home. Mr. Cartwright votes with the Republican party, and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, in which the former has served as Deacon, Trus- tec and Treasurer, and Mrs. Cartwright has been a teacher in the Sunday-school.
OIN VICKERS PAINTER, vice-presi- dent of the Cleveland Stone Company, was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, July 20, 1835. His parents, Samuel Marshall Painter and Ann Vickers Painter, were descendants of those people of the Quaker State who accom- panied William Penn from England. In his boyhood and youth he received the Quaker training, that sect whose stern principles make, as the philosopher says, " Sneh men as consti- tute a state, a state worthy of the name." Edu- cated at Haverford College, Pennsylvania, he
early came West and embarked in business in Cleveland, where he has since resided. He first engaged in railroading in the employ of the Cleveland & Toledo Railroad Company. In this capacity he acquired the business habits which exhibited to some extent his executive ability as a man of prompt and shrewd judg- ment. Later, Mr. Painter went into the bank- ing business, in which he continued until June 1, 1873, when he retired from business because of failing health.
After some years abroad he became interested in manufacturing and iron mining, and in the organization of the Cleveland Stone Company. Mr. Painter is a director in several of these corporations, and in the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad Company, of which he is also vice- president.
With integrity and dignity, Mr. Painter has been progressive and successful in his business life.
EANDER SNOW has long been identi- fied with Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and as one of its pioneer citizens is justly enti- tled to biographical mention in this work. Of his life, we make record as follows:
Leander Snow was born in Oswego county, New York, July 14, 1822, son of Barzilla and Polly (Grinnell) Snow, natives of Massachusetts, the former born April 11, 1781, and the latter July 31, 1784. After their marriage his parents settled in Massachusetts, removed from there to Oswego connty, New York, some time later, and in the summer of 1833 emigrated to Cuya- hoga county, Ohio, and settled in Parma town- ship, on what is known as the State road. There they spent the residne of their lives and died, the mother passing away on the 18th of March, 1855, and the father on the 30th of April, 1859. They had a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, Leander being the ninth born.
The subject of our sketch spent the first eleven years of his life in his native county, and
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eame with his parents to Ohio in 1833. He continued to make his home with them until the time of his marriage, after which he settled on a farm in the same township, and in Parma township he has lived ever since, his time and energies being devoted to agricultural pursuits. llis farm is well improved with good buildings, fences, etc.
Mr. Snow was married in Royalton town- ship, this county, May 15, 1847, to Miss Sarah Prindle, who was born there, October 17, 1826. Her father, the late Nathaniel Prindle, was a native of New York, and her mother, nee Sir- linda Spragne, was born in New Haven, Addi- son county, Vermont, November 19, 1806. They were married in Royalton township, this county, and were among its earliest settlers. Both have passed away. Mrs. Snow was their only daughter. She and a son composed their family. Mr. and Mia. Know have had roven children, four of whom died when young. The others are as follows: Viola, wife of Herbert Oviatt; Hattie, wife of Charles E. Warren; and Lillie.
Politically, Mr. Snow has long been a Jack- sonian Demoerat. He takes an active interest in local politics and has served in several official positions, among which are those of Township Treasurer, Township Trustee and Township As- sessor. Fraternally he is identified with the I. O. O. F., having been initiated into that order in 1855.
J P. THORP, an old resident and promi- nent farmer, and at prosent the President of the Cuyahoga County Agricultural So- ciety, was born on the farm where he now lives, January 22, 1834. Ilis father, Warren Thorp, was born in Cleveland, April 12, 1802, just before the State of Ohio was created. Or course, at that time the point called Cleveland comprised only a few log cabins. The exact site of the house where Mr. Warren Thorp was born was where George Worthington's hardware store is now located. Joel Thorp, father of
Warren, was a native of New Haven, Connect- ient, married. Sarah Dayton about 1792, and came with an ox team to Ashtabula county, this State, in 1799, settling in the wilderness about twenty miles from the nearest white inhabitant, and resided there about a year. During that time a son was born, when he, the father, was absent at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to obtain supplies for the family, and the chief medical adviser ("midwife") on the occasion was an Indian woman (" squaw"). Mr. Thorp was de- tained by heavy rains making the bridgeless streams impassable, and he could not arrive home as soon as he expected. From the same canse he was detained again in June following, when he made the trip again to Pittsburg, on the same errand. During his absence this time the poverty of his family was so great that his wife emptied the straw from the bed-ticks and gathered from it the few scattered grains of wheat, which she boiled and carefully divided among her little children! This not being sufficient to support them until the return of the husband and father, Mrs. Thorp had ahost given up in despair when she one day espied a wild turkey in the field. Taking down from its pegs the old flint-lock gun, she cleaned it up in good order, charged it with the last remnant of gunpowder there was in the house, crawled out carefully into the field, leveled the gun across a log, fired, and down came the turkey! and the reader can imagine what a feast that little famn- ily enjoyed for a day or two.
In 1801 this family moved to what is now Cleveland. Being a carpenter, Mr. Thorp built the first frame house in the place, during the ensuing winter, for Alonzo Carter, a leading man of the county. While Mr. Thorp was up from the ground in the ereetion of this build- ing, a number of children, including several Indian boys, were playing among the shavings below and carelessly set fire to the building, utterly consuming it. Mr. Thorp also erected the "Judge Kingsberry " residence, at the corner of Kinsman and Woodland Hills: this building is still standing. In 1804 he moved
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into Newburg township, where he remained until 1808, when he removed to Buffalo, New York. Residing there until the war of 1812, he joined the United States army and was killed at the battle of Lundy's Lane. By the burning of Buffalo all that was left of his household goods was a set of silver spoons, which his wife carried away in her bosom! The disasters inen- tioned of course broke up the family, so that they were obliged to scatter and each look out for himself. Three of the sons, including Warren, the father of the subject of this sketch, came to Cleveland, where the latter made his home at Judge Kingsberry's, going to school winters and working for his board. Ile com- inenced working for Israel Hubbard on a farm on Kinsman street, for whom he cleared about forty or fifty aeres. He was also engaged with other parties in the same business until 1823 or '4 when he purchased the farm where J. P. now rosides. Then until some time in 1825 he kept " bachelor's hall," with his brother Bezaleel, building during this time a small log cabin and making some improvements upon the land.
December 15, 1825, he married Hannah Burnside, a native of Hubbard, Trumbull county, this State, born May 4, 1809. This marriage was celebrated at the residence of her sister, Mrs. Serenus Burnett, in Orange town- ship, Cuyahoga county. Soon after that event they moved with an ox team over a blazed road to the little log cabin mentioned, on the farmn where the subject of this sketch now lives. There was no glass in the windows, and the door was not hung. Arriving here in the even- ing, Mr. Thorp, with ax and auger, improvised a table whereon to eat the supper which she was preparing, and after their repast he made the bedstead, the first in the house, and for cordage they used bark. For the first several nights they were serenaded by wolves, the music being more shocking to the nervous system than that of any old-fashioned "shivarec."
They occupied this farm until 1864, rearing a family of seven children. The first death in the family was that of Mrs. Thorp, June 3,
1883; and Mr. Thorp died April 3, 1888, in his eighty-sixth year. In early life he had been a Democrat in his political views, but dur- ing the most of his life he was a Republican. Ile was honored with all the offices of his town- ship excepting that of Justice of the Peace. Both himself and wife were consistent and hon- ored members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which body he was a Class-leader for nearly forty years. Ilis house was always the Methodist itinerants' home, as well as the most comfortable stopping place for all the members of the church making their pilgrim- ages to his neighborhood. Consequently he was better known than most of the residents of the county.
The fifth child in the above family, and third son, J. P., was reared on the farm where he still lives. The first school he attended was in the log schoolhouse in his native district, Cha- grin Falls, and at Twinsburg, where Samuel Bissell taught; and he afterward attended Bald- win University at Berea; then he taught school three winter seasons. In the spring of 1860 he went overland to Oregon, being five months on the road, and in that distant land was en- gaged in gardening, ranehing and in conducting a trading post, where he was fairly successful. In the summer of 1864 he returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama to New York city and Philadelphia, at which latter place he had his gold-dust coined. Arriving home he purchased the old homestead of his father, where he has since remained.
In his political principles Mr. Thorp is a Re- publican, and he has been active in public affairs; has been Trustee, ete., of his township, holding all the offices, indeed, excepting that of Justice of the Peace. He has been connected with the Cuyahoga Agricultural Society about eighteen years, in which also he has held all the offices, one after the other, excepting that of secretary. Ile was elected vice-president of that association in 1892, in 1893 superintend- ent of the grounds, and in 1891 president, which position he now holds.
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October 20, 1864, is the date of Mr. Thorp's first marriage, when he wedded Miss Melissa Norris, of Sandusky county, Ohio, and by that marriage there were five children, namely: Jason W., Willis N., Myra Alice, Henry J. and Mary L. March 18, 1888, Mr. Thorp married Mary Alice Emerson, of Akron, Ohio, born at Marquette, Michigan, February 8, 1861, and reared in Cuyahoga Falls, this State, until twelve years of age, and then moved to Akron. By this last marriage there are two children,- Warren E. and Russell E.
W ILLIAM C. HUY, who is engaged in general farming in Brooklyn town- ship, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and who also operates a feed and cider mill and manu- factures wine, is a man who has met with sue- cess in the various enterprises in which he is engaged.
IIe was born in Alsace, France, January 29, 1840, son of Jacob Iluy, a native of the same place. It was in 1840, the same year William C. was born, that the Huy family emigrated to America and located on a farm in Parma town- ship, Cuyahoga county, Ohio. Seven years later they removed to Brooklyn township, same county, and settled on the land now ocenpied by the subject of this sketch. Here the father built his own house, even making the doors and door casings himself, and in this home he spent the rest of his life. His death occurred August 20, 1893, in the eighty-first year of his age. His wife, nee Caroline Froehlich, a native of France, passed away in 1870, at the age of fifty-two. They were the parents of two chil- dren, a son and daughter. The daughter, Emma, is the wife of George Deitz, and lives in Cleveland.
Mr. Huy was assisting his father on the farm when the war broke out. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as leader of the Regiment Brass Band, which band had the honor of play-
ing the first national airs in Charleston, South Carolina, after the surrender of the rebel forces. He continued in the service until the war closed, being a participant in many of the prominent engagements of the war, among which were those of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. ITis natural ability as a musician, together with his popularity with both comrades and officials, gained for him in 1865 promotion to the posi- tion of chief musician in the regiment. He was mustered out of the service July 10, 1865.
The war over, Mr. Iluy settled down to farin- ing in Brooklyn township, and in this occupa- tion he lias since been engaged. His farm comprises fifty acres of well-improved land.
Mr. Huy was married November 6, 1865, to Eva Fild, a native of Baden, Germany, who came to this county with her parents when she was nine years old. She was reared in Parma township. They are the parents of six chil- dren, namely: Lina, William, Julius II., Emil E., Louisa and Emma. All are living except William. Lina is the wife of William C. Braun.
Mr. IIuy is a member of Glenn Lodge, No. 263, I. O. O. F.
C HARLES BESTER, a successful farmer of Royalton township, Cuyahoga county, was born in Prussia, Germany, October 5, 1843, a son of John and Philamena Bester. Charles attended the compulsory schools of his native country until fourteen years of age, then followed wagon-making at various places fonr years, and in 1865 sailed from Bremen to the United States, landing in New York after a stormy voyage of six weeks. After spending four weeks in that eity, he opened a wagon and carriage works on Lorain street, Cleveland, Ohio, and remained there until 1873. In that year Mr. Bester came to Royalton township, Cuya- hoga county, Ohio, locating on his present farm of 105 acres, which is now in a fine state of eul- tivation. In 1885 Mr. Bester erected a good
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barn, and has also a wagon-shop on his place, where he doos all his own work and much of his neighbors.
June 24, 1868, in Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Bester was united in marriage with Catherine Pfanestiel, born in Hesso Darmstadt, Germany" December 26, 1845, a daughter of Caspar Pfan- estiel, who came from Bremen to New York in 1858 and afterward located in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Pfanestiel had served in the German army Mr. and Mrs. Bester have four children : Charles, at home; Anna and Dr. William F., of Cleve- land; and Rudolph, at home. Mr. Bester gave his son William F. a good literary and medical education, who graduated at the Western Re- serve Medical College at the age of twenty-one years, and is now successfully practicing his profession in Cleveland. Mr. Bester has made what he now owns by unrelenting toil, fair and honest dealings, and has the respect of the en- tire community. He takes but little interest in political matters, but is a constant reader of both the German and English papers. Ho has served his township as Road Supervisor. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Bester are members of the Lu- theran Church.
N ATIIAN B. BOWLER is another one of the prosperous farmers of Solon town- ship, Cuyahoga county, Ohio.
Mr. Bowler was born in Carlisle, Sehoharie county, New York, August 24, 1826. His father, Captain George I. Bowler, was an oflieer in the war of 1812. The Captain was born in Newport, Rhode Island, and was twice married, first to Susan Barber, and after her death to her sister, they being natives of Rhode Island and members of a prominent and highly respected family. In 1833 he and his wife came with their family to Geauga county, Ohio, and settled at Anburn, being among the pioneer settlers of that frontier district. There the Captain lived for half a century. He was a farmer all his life. Politically, he was first a Jacksonian Denverat and afterward a Repub
liean. About the only publie offico he ever filled was that of Township Trustee. He was a mein- ber of the Christian Church. The children by his first wife were twelve in number. The liv- ing are: William; Phebe Warren; N. P., of Cleveland; Nathan, the subject of this sketch; while the children by his second wife, nee Lucy Barber, were, Rev. Charles, a member of the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who was killed at Lookout Mountain; and John R., who is a resident of Pasadena, California. Four of this number were teachers.
Nathan B. Bowler was reared and educated at Auburn, Ohio. IIe carried on farming in Orange township for several years, and from there came to Solon township, where he has since resided. His present farm, which was for many years known as the MeConney farm, com- prises 150 acres of rich soil, and has upon it first-class improvements. From the residence, which is located on a natural building site, a magnificent view of the surrounding country is obtainod. Among other improvements on the place is a fine maple orchard and sugar house. Mr. Bowler keeps a dairy of twenty-five cows.
He was married at Aurora, Ohio, in 1864, to Betsey Hickox, a native of that place and a daughter of Volney and Eunice (Waldo) Hiekox, who came to this State from Connecticut. Mrs. Bowler died in January, 1893, leaving two chil- dren: Alida A. and Charles W., both at home with their father. Charles W. is married and has one son, Forest.
Mr. Bowler's political views are in accord with those advocated by the Republican party, and his religion is that of the Disciple Church, of which he is a consistent member. Ile and his family are among the highly respected people of the vicinity in which they live.
H ENRY A. CARTER, one of the carly pioneers of Cuyahoga county, was born on the farm where he still resides, March 12, 1819, a son of Lewis Carter, who who came From Connectient to Ohio about 1814.
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He was married, in Royalton township, to Al- mira (Payne) Clark, widow of Melzer Clark. Her parents came to this county early in 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Carter had three children: Lo- renzo, who died in Royalton township, in 1860; Henry A., whose namo introduces this brief memoir; and Louis, who died in infancy. Their father died when Henry was about five years of age, and was buried in Brecksville township, and their mother afterward married Ilenry L. Bangs, and they had several children. She departed this life about 1875, and lies buried in Richfield, Summit county, Ohio.
Henry A. Carter, the subject of this sketch, attended the common schools of his native locality, afterward entered the seliools at Akron, this State, and then taught in Royalton and Brecksville townships, also in Summit and Medina counties. He lived with his step-father until the latter moved to Michigan, after which he and his brother condueted the home farm. After his marriage Mr. Carter located upon a farm of seventy-one aeres, north of where he now resides, which he cleared, and remained there until after the close of the late war. Ile next spent four years in Brecksville township, and in 1871 came to his present location, where he now resides with his son. He has been a life-long, hard-working farmer, and successful in all his undertakings. Politically, his first presidential vote was east for Martin Van Buren, but since 1856 he lias voted with the Republican party.
In September, 1844, Mr. Carter was united in marriage with Martha S. Frost, who was born in Genesee county, New York, November 8, 1825, a daughter of Jewett and Eunice (King) Frost, who came to Cuyahoga county about ยท 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have two children: Bertha E., now Mrs. Erwin Payne, of Cleve- land; and Elwin L., at home.
E. L. Carter was born in Royalton township, February 23, 1853, attended the common schools of his distriet, afterward entered the schools of Richfield, Summit county, and in the fall of 1872 became a pupil of Oberlin College.
He then taught school three terms in Royalton and two terms in Hinckley township, Medina county. He was married, October 15, 1879, to Amanda Snow, who was born in Brecksville, June 29, 1859, a daughter of Holland and Mary (Lockhart) Snow, and by this marriage there are three children: Bertha M., born January 12, 1882; Henry 11., August 16, 1884; and Layton E., Angust 31, 1892. After marriage Mr. Carter located where he now resides. In political matters he sympathizes with the Republican party.
EWIS HENNINGER, one of the carly settlers of Brooklyn township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, is a native of Germany and possesses the characteristics of the German people.
Mr. Henninger was born in Bavaria, July 15, 1819, son of John Hemninger of that place. Jolm Henninger emigrated to America with his family in 1833, coming direct to Cleveland and selecting Parma township, Cuyahoga county, as a place of location. On a farm in this township he passed the rest of his life, being seventy years of age at the time of his death. His wife, nee Catharine Brahmn, lived to be seventy-five. They were the parents of seven children, four daughters and three sons, all born in Germany, all came to America and all reached adult age. With one exception they all located in Cuyahoga county.
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