USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Memorial record of the county of Cuyahoga and city of Cleveland, Ohio, Pt.1 > Part 57
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E LMER A. SPERRY .- To attain to the maximun of success in life it is impera- tive that a man shall devote himself to that business or profession for which he has an apparent natural predilection. By insisting upon following his own inclinations in early life the subject of this sketch has proved that nature designated to him thus early the field in which his efforts might be turned to the best account.
Mr. Sperry is of Huguenot-American ex- traction and his birth occurred at Cortland, New York, October 12, 1860, his parents being Stephen D. and Mary A. (Bard) Sperry. The father was a man of great mechanical skill and his career was one of activity and usefulness. His deathi occurred on the 28th of February, 1891. The mother of onr subjeet died soon after he was ushered into the world and he was taken in charge by his grandparents, by whom he was reared. His natural aptitude for me- chanics and his determined devotion to experi- ments in this line caused no little solicitude to his indulgent grandparents, who wished him to devote himself to his studies in school with more singleness of purpose. When it became evident that he would not turn his attention to other studies he was given all opportunity in the way of mechanics, and gained a knowledge of the making of windmills, drills and other tools and machinery, and while a boy mastered the work of bookbinding, also learning glass- blowing and grinding. He learned the process of making air pumps and a railroad tricycle, his marked ability being a matter of no little astonishment to those who had watched his progress. Very early he became interested in
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electricity, and, feeling that while he had some practical knowledge of this subject he also liad a greater necessity of a theoretical information, he devoted himself to study, and by the use of text-books and by preparing himself for prae- tical experimentation he greatly increased his knowledge of the subject, in the meanwhile de- voting considerable attention to the construction of an electric motor. Being dissatisfied with his accomplishment, he decided npon attending the State Normal School at Cortland, where he gained a thorough knowledge of mathematics, chemistry and physics. There he also attended lectures on the science of electricity, applied himself to such books as treated upon the sub- ject, and virtually completed a course in elec- trical engineering. In 1876 he took his first contract, which was for antomatically recording the movements of a gas meter seven miles dis- tant, by means of a single electric wire. This work he accomplished most successfully.
In his investigations with the dynamo he found that a large portion of the same was in- active and moperative, and he set to work to remedy this fault, which entailed so much loss of power and etliciency. llis ideas were re- duced to practical plans and drawings in 1878, the same being based upon scientific and mathe- inatieal principles. The production which was the result of luis genins and talent was patented, and designated as an economie generator and antomatic regulator. The Sperry dynamo and electric machine were adopted and are so de- signed as to admit of a double field maguet,- a conspienons and valuable improvement. Mr. Sperry is inventor of what is termed the Sperry system of lighting, as well also of an automatic gas engine and an electric mining machine. Ile is one of the charter members of the Amer- ican Institute of Electrical Engineers, and also of the National Electric Light Association and the Chicago Electric Club. He is a ready and coneise thinker, thoroughly informed in the scientific lines to which he has devoted his at- tention, and though he is yet a young man he has gained distinctive prominence as an electric
engineer, being known far beyond the radins of Cleveland, which city has been his home for the past few years. He has been very successful in his provinco of labor and thought, and has high standing among those most conspicuous in this line of science and business enterprise.
In 1887 Mr. Sperry was united in marriage to Miss Znla A., a daughter of Edward Good- man, proprietor of the Chicago Standard. The children of onr subject and his wife are ITelen, Edward and Lawrence.
M YRON ACKLEY, an old settler of Middleburg township, was born in the township of Livingston, Colombia county, New York, October 6, 1822; and when he was fourteen years of age his father, Thomas Ackley, emigrated to Ohio, set- tling in Middleburg township, this county, in 1838. Ile died June 21, 1845.
Mr. Myron Ackley, our subject, has been a resident here ever since 1838, engaged in farm- ing, and is therefore one of the oldest settlers. Ile was married here to Miss Betsey E. Fowles, who was born in this township, and died here, November 9, 1870. By this marriage there were three children, namely: Harriet E., who became the wife of II. M. Root and died Octo- ber 6, 1889; Samnel J., who married Miss Ida R. Spofford and resides in this township; and Ellen, who is the wife of Franklin Beckwith.
M ICHAEL SCHIAAF, a well- known and prosperous farmer of Middleburg town- ship, was born in Germany, October 5, 1828, the son of Conrad Schaaf. When our subject was about five years of age his father emigrated to America with his little family, and, coming directly to Ohio, took np his residence in Brooklyn township, Cuyahoga county. There the honored parents continued to reside until death summoned them to the life eternal.
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Michael Schaaf continued to reside in the locality where he was reared until the spring of 1853, when he came to Middleburg township, where he secured a farm, to whose improving and cultivation he has since devoted his atten- tion, and that with excellent results. The place is thoroughly well kept, has yielded good returns for the labor and care expended and is provided with convenient and substantial build- ings.
The marriage of Mr. Schaaf to Miss Eliz- abeth Scuhardt was celebrated in Brooklyn township, March 22, 1853, his wife being also born in Germany.
Our subject and his estimable wife are the parents of eight children, by name as follows: Elizabeth P., Charles, Lewis O., Henry J., George W., Rosa C., Julius W. and Leonard M.
Taking much interest in local affairs and ever advocating those measures which tend to the good of the community, Mr. Schaaf has been called upon to serve in a number of posi- tions of trust, and has proved in each instance a capable and conscientious official. Hle and his family are members of the German Lutheran Church, and in the work of the local society they take a prominent part.
E II. PUTT, proprietor of the Wilmot Ilo- tel, Cleveland, has been a resident of this city for the past twenty-three years, hav- ing been brought here by his father, Richard Putt, when a child of three years. He was born in Cuyahoga county, this State, in 1868, and reared in this city, assisting his father in the poultry business, which he still carries on extensively at 749 Detroit street. He has car- ried on a business of $40,000 a year; but since May, 1891, he has also been the proprietor and manager of the Wilmot Hotel, on Ontario street, succeeding his father, who had opened the house in 1890. This is one of the best hotels in the city: it has seventy rooms for guests. Though a young man, our subject is thoroughly adapted
for the business. He is also interested in real estate. He is also one of the firm of Burrows & Putt, proprietors of 123 lots in Glenville, where during the last year (1893) they did some build . ing. Mr. Putt is one of the most progressive young men of the city,-probably the youngest hotel proprietor of any importance in this part of the State, being only about twenty-three years of age when he took charge of the hotel; but his success has proven his ability.
In his social relations he is a member of the Maccabees, Columbia Tent, No. 134, Cleveland. Ile was married in 1891, to Miss Maud Quig- ley, daughter of John Quigley, of this city, and they have a son, Clarence.
Richard Putt, proprietor of the American Ilonse, Cleveland, has been a resident of this city since 1871. Ile was born in Devonshire, England, September 13, 18-15, and was fourteen years of ago when he came to America, locating at Strongsville, Cuyahoga county. After a res- idence there of two or three years, September 24, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, One Hun- dred and Twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infan- try, and was discharged May 16, 1865, on account of disabilty caused by gunshot wounds received at Lovejoy station, Georgia, September 4, 1864. IIe was shot through the right fore- arm, the ball passing through below the left elbow. The one ball made four bullet holes! After remaining in the hospital for about six weeks he was given a furlongh.
After his discharge from the army he re- sumed his trade of harness-making for about three years, and then engaged in the prod- uce business, dealing principally in butter and eggs, at which he continued until he came to Cleveland. IIere he established the poultry business, to which he devoted his entire atten- tion, doing the largest business of all in this line in the city, until 1888. Ile slaughtered 1,000 head weekly for the local trade. In 1888 he turned the business over to his eldest son, and formed the company of Putt, Fife & Pentland, and took charge of the American House, which had just been refitted. In the spring of 1893,
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Fife and Pentland retiring, he formed a partner- ship with Isaac Reynolds, and again thoroughly refitted the house. The hotel has a capacity for accommodating 300 people. In January, 1891, he opened the Wilmot House on Ontario street, which he is still conducting in company with his son.
In his political sympathies he is a stanch Republican.
Ile was married in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, in 1865, to Miss Emeline Osborn, of Lorain county, this State, and they have three children, namely: Mamie, wife of W. A. Neil, of this city; Ernest and Charles.
RA FITZWATER, a respected eitizen of Brecksville township, was born November 6, 1823, in Yates county, New York. His father, John Fitzwater, was born December 4, 1800, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a son of Joseph Fitzwater. John grew up to manhood in Yates county, and December 26, 1822, inar- ried Sabra Peckins, who was born Angust 10, 1804, in New York, a descendant of an old New England family. He inherited nothing, as his father lost property by imperfect title. Ile located upon a piece of rented land, where his widowed mother afterward made her home with him. About 1825 he moved to Warren county, Pennsylvania, and purchased land, . where he lived ten or eleven years, following agricultural pursuits, erected a sawmill and did something in the line of lumbering. He bar- gained for land in the northeast corner of Brecksville township, and came through on horseback to look at it, and in the spring of 1837 moved upon it with his family. A two-horse wagon contained his household goods and farm- ing implements. On the land was only an old hut, with an ehm-bark roof, and this afforded them shelter for two years, when a substantial frame structure was erected. Mr. Fitzwater's mother, Mrs. Joseph Fitzwater, spent the re- mainder of her days here with her son, and she lies buried on the old homestead.
Many years after his settlement here Mr. Fitzwater moved to the center of Brecksville township, where lie intended to live a retired life; but, not content with doing nothing, he returned to the farm and erected a new house, and oceu- pied it as a residence until 1873, when he and his wife and two sons (John and William) to- gether with their families, started for White county, Tennessee, where he intended to intro- dnce sheep-raising. Ile lived there until his death, in August, 1874; his wife had departed this life during the preceding April. They were at first buried in Tennessee, but were afterward exhumed and brought to Brecksville township, and now lie in a private cemetery on the old homestead.
Politieally Mr. Fitzwater was a Whig and Republican. In her younger days his wife was a member of the Methodist Church. He was a self-made and determined man, fearless and snc- cessful in the business of life's activities. Ilis children were: Ira, our subject; and David, born in New York; David died December 23, 1893, in Paulding county, Ohio, aged nearly six- ty-nine years. Those born in Pennsylvania were: George, a resident of Paulding county, Ohio; Charles, who died young, in Pennsylvania; Ra- ehel, who also died in Pennsylvania; and Thomas W., now a farmer of Brecksville township; and those born in this township are: John A .; William, a farmer of this township; and Mary, who died young.
Mr. Tra Fitzwater, whose name introduces this biographical sketch, was ten years old when ir became a resident of Ohio. He was brought up as a farmer's son in a pioneer country. When he was twenty-seven years of age his father gave him fifty acres of land in Indepen- dence township, adjoining the paternal home- stead. Ile afterward added to it by purchase until he had in all about 150 acres; but he now has 290 acres, all excellent land. He has been a successful farmer, straightforward in his deal- ings, never having had a lawsuit. In his political views he has always been a stanch Re- publican, and has served as Trustee of his town-
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ship, and in other offices; but even for these situations he was elected against his will. He is one of the most highly respected citizens of the township. Ile is the oldest representative of the pioneer family to which he belongs.
December 31, 1865, he married Miss Catha- rine Dillow, who was born in Brecksville town- ship abont 1827, a danghter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Farrar) Dillow. After his marriage he lived some years with his wife's parents, and they located where our subject now lives. His wife died January 13, 1893, and was buried at Center cemetery. She was a member of the Congregational Church.
D ANIEL JOHNSON, one of the leading citizens of Cuyahoga county, was born in Rochester, Vermont, February 24, 1820, a son of David and Zebiah ( Richason) Johnson, natives also of that State. Three children were born in the family of Mr. and Mrs. John- sou in Vermont, viz .: Daniel, whose name heads this sketch; George, who died in Seneca county, Ohio, at an advanced age; and Charles, deceased in Royalton township, Cuyahoga county, at the age of fifty-seven years. In 1834 the family joined a brother-in-law, Chauncey A. Stewart, in Royalton township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio. Mr. Johnson purchased a farm of seventy acres one mile west of Royalton Center, paying §3 per acre, and the land was covered with timber. Their ouly place of shelter was a small log cabin. A few years afterward a now cabin was built, more land purchased, and the father lived thero until an advanced age, dying April 30, 1860. Ilis wife died eight years afterward, February 27, 1868, and they were buried in the township cemetery at Royalton Center. Mr. Johnson was identified with both the Whig and Republican parties, and was a member of the Free-will Baptist Church. Mrs. Johnson was a member of the Methodist Church.
Daniel, the subject of this sketch, received only a limited education, and was carly inured
to farm labor. For twenty-five years he was engaged in the butchering business in Cleve- land, having made the journey to that city every other day during that time, and was very successful in his dealings. At one time Daniel and George Johnson owned over 900 acres of land. In 1874 our subject came to Royalton Center, where he has ever since lived a partially retired life. He has disposed of his land until he now owus only 100 acres. He loans his money, and also deals in real estate. He is one of the wealthy and influential men of his county, has alway's taken an active part in the improve- ment of his locality, and has made many friends during his active life. Ile cast his first presi- dential vote for William HI. Harrison, in 1840.
June 20, 1866, he was united in marriage with Sarah A. Craddock, born in Royalton township, April 11, 1841, a daughter of Rich- ard Craddock, who emigrated to Royalton town- ship, Ohio, in the fall of 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had one sou, David R., who was born February 3, 1868, and died April 4, 1869. They also reared au adopted daughter, Lottie, now the wife of R. F. Hamblin, a physician of Royal- tou township. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Methodist Church.
II. CAHOON, 374 Franklin street, Cleve- land, Ohio, has for many years been a well-known citizen of this place and since 1887 has been retired from active busi- ness, enjoying the fruits carned by a life of honest industry.
Mr. Cahoon was born in Fredericktown, Maryland, July 7, 1832, son of Joel and Mar- garet Cahoou, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Washington, District of Co- lumbia. The mother is still living at the old homestead in Dover township, this county, sho having attained her eighty-fourth year. Joel Cahoon came to Cleveland, Ohio, as early as 1810, with his parents, Joseph and Lydia Cahoon, and settled on the farm where our snb-
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jeet's mother now resides. Joseph Cahoon was the first settler of the township. There were but four houses in Cleveland at that time. Joel Cahoon was a farmer by oceupation and at an early day was also engaged in contracting. During the war of 1812 he went to the front as a soldier and rendered most valiant service. In his family were eleven children, seven of whom -three sons and four daughters-are still liv- ing. Their names are as follows: T. II., the subject of our sketeh; John J., an engineer of Memphis, Tennessee; Lydia, a teacher; D. K., deceased; Charles O .; Laura E., a teacher; Martha W .; Leverett J., deceased; J. Marshall, who is extensively engaged in grape eulture on the home farm in Dover township; Mary Emma, deceased; and Ida M., a teacher.
T. II. Cahoon spent his early life in working on his father's farm and in attending the dis- triet seliool. In 1851 he came to Cleveland and began learning the trade of ship earpenter. This business he followed for fifteen years. Then he ran a planing mill, and in 1876 en- gaged in the lumber business in this city, being a member of the firm of Cahoon & Hutchinson. In this business he eontinued until 1887, when he retired, as above stated.
Mr. Cahoon was a member of the City Coun- cil of Cleveland in 1882, and it was largely owing to his vote and influence that the ordin-" anee was passed which granted the Johnson · line franchise over Seoville avenue, thereby making an opening for a single fare from Brooklyn through the eity.
Mr. Cahoon was married, March 27, 1860, on the Miami river, near Cincinnati, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Hughes, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Hughes. Her grandfather Hughes eame with Governor Bebb from Wales to this country, and it is recorded of him that he bought the first traet of land west of the Miami river. Richard Hughes was born in 1808, was married January 21, 1830, and died August 25, 1850. Ilis wife was born in Pennsylvania in 1807, emigrated to Ohio with lier parents, John Elder and wife, in 1815, and died September 6,
1870. She was a most estimable woman and a devoted Christian. Mr. and Mrs. IInghes had a family of eight children, viz .: Elizabeth II., wife of Mr. Cahoon; Mary, deceased, wife of Joseph Cillay; Frances, wife of George Harc; Martha, wife of Dr. Griswold; Ezekiel; Mar- garot, wife of Aaron Haggaman; and Rebecca.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Cahoon are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of the 1. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W., in both of which organizations he has passed all the chairs. He has represented Ohio in the Na- tional Council of the A. O. U. W. Politically, he has always been a Republican.
0 LIVER EMERSON, late of Parma town- ship, Ohio, was a son of Asa and Sally (Small) Emerson, who emigrated from Lowell, Massachusetts, to the West, and after visiting different places, settled in the southern part of Ohio, where Cincinnati now stands, and in 1820 removed to Cuyahoga county, settling in Parma township. They both died in Parma township. They were married in Maine, Janu- ary 26, 1803. The father died November 20, 1855, and the mother November 5, 1858. They had eleven children, of whom Oliver Emerson was the eldest.'
He was born in Bowdoin, March 11, 1804, and was sixteen years of age when he eame to Cuyahoga eonnty, and was living in Parma township when he was married to his first wife, Minda Hodgman, November 30, 1826. They settled in Parma township, where Mrs. Emer- son died, July 24, 1849, of eholera. They had six children, namely: Minerva II., Alfred M., who is a resident of Cleveland; Stephen, who died in Cineinnati, Ohio, January 14, 1861; Lucina J., now the widow of Albert Standen, who died in Cleveland, Ohio, September 8, 1884; Oliver S., who is a resident of Parma township; and Orlando, who is a resident of Cleveland.
April 4, 1850, Mr. Emerson was again mar- ried, his second wife being a daughter of Jesse
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and Rebecca (Jones) Farwell, and widow of Milo Hildreth, namely, Mrs. Lydia Hildreth. Mrs. Lydia Emerson, the second wife of Oliver Emerson, was born in Middlebury, Vermont, April 9, 1816.
Oliver Emerson died in Parma township, February 28, 1890. He was a man who took a good degree of interest in political affairs, and for a long time was Postmaster of Parma; and he also held various township offices. Ile was a farmer by occupation. Since his death Miss Minerva II. Emerson has been Postmistress of Parma.
S II. STEWART, a farmer of Royalton township, Cuyahoga county, was born on the place which he still owns, located two miles west and a half mile south of Center, October 16, 1829. His father, Chauncey A. Stewart, was born March 27, 1782, and his father, Samuel Stewart, came to this State from Bristol, Vermont, in the spring of 1817. Channey A. Stewart was married in Vermont, to Cynthia Richardson, a native of New Hamp- shire, and a daughter of Daniel Richardson, a blacksmith by trade. Ile mysteriously disap- peared while in Canada, and is supposed to have died. Channey Stewart came to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, in the fall of 1816, locating ons the farm which our subject still owns. He ex- changed his Vermont farm for one in Royalton township, which was then covered with timber, and at that time only one family resided in this community. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart had one child when they came to Ohio, Daniel R., who died in Shell Rock, Iowa, after reaching years of maturity. One child was born to them in this connty, S. Il., the subject of this sketch. After locating on his farm Mr. Stewart built a rade cabin of poles and bark, but afterward a more substantial log cabin took its place, in which our subjeet was born. Mr. Stewart was a great hunter and wolf trapper. In the spring of 1817 the parents of Chauncey Stewart came to Royalton township, bringing with them the
remainder of their family, excepting one dangh- ter, who joined them soon afterward. The father died at this place, and was buried in the Disciple Cemetery. Chauncey A. Stewart died in 1866, and his wife survived until 1869, both having been members of the Disciple Church. The former was a Whig in his political views, later a Republican, was a prominent and sne- cessful farmer, and a highly respected citizen.
S. H. Stewart, the subject of this sketch, re- ceived his education in the schools of his na- tive county. Being a born mechanic, he sc- cured work at the carpenter's trade in carly life. After his marriage he began work with his father on the home farm, and, after the latter's death, purchased his brother's interest in the place. Ile resided there until coming to Center in 1877. Mr. Stewart removed to DeKalb county, Illinois, but a short time afterward re- turned to this connty. Ile has been a life-long agriculturist, and his excellent farm of over 320 acres speaks for his ability in that line of work.
Mr. Stewart was married December 4, 1849, to Mary A. Carter, who was born in Yorkshire, England, March 25, 1830, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Dodsnorth) Carter, who crossed the Atlantic in the fall of 1831, locating in Ohio. The father was a wagon-maker by trade, and made the first one-horse dmnp cart in Cleveland, In political matters, Mr. Stewart has been a Republican since the formation of that party, has served his township as Trustee for six terms, and was also Justice of the Peace one term, having declined further nominations.
EORGE P. HERMAN, a grocer and baker of Cleveland, was born in this city, September 12, 1850, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Rock) Herman, natives of Germany. The father came to Cleveland about 1849, and followed the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he had learned in the old country. Both he and his wife were members of the German Evangelical Church. The latter now resides in West Cleveland.
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