USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Memorial record of the county of Cuyahoga and city of Cleveland, Ohio, pt 2 > Part 14
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John Morwick, father of the subject of this sketch, came from Ontario to Cleveland in 1849, and was employed as a laborer in the construe-
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tion of the Cleveland, Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad, and died here, February 27, 1885 (subjeet's birthday), aged sixty-nine years. He was married in Germany, his native land, and had one child, Theodore; and was married. a second time, in Austria, by which marriage there were five children: Fred, the subject of this sketch; Mary, who married George Roth; Kate, wife of Matthew Darmstadt; Amelia, now Mrs. Sherer; and Jane, who became Mrs. John Smith, of Detroit. The mother of these chil- dren is still living, aged seventy-two, and is an honored resident of Cleveland.
EORGE C. JULIER .- Prominent among the successful and representative business men of Cleveland is. Mr. G. C. Julier, proprietor of the Excelsior Bread, Cake and Cracker Works at Nos. 861-869 Wilson avenue.
Mr. Julier served an apprenticeship at the baker's trade, and came to Cleveland in 1860 to follow the same. Ile was a first-class baker and readily found employment at remunerative wages. Ile worked for different firms until 1879, when, having a limited capital only, but being ambitions, he founded his present busi- ness. Ile first located in a small building on Enelid avenue, near Wilson, and began by doing all his own baking. Ilis goods were his adver- tisement, and his business improved from the very first, and in a few years had outgrown the accommodations of his small establishment. In 1883 he was able to erect a building of his own, and the present handsome and spacious struc- ture on Wilson avenue was completed. This building is of brick, two stories in height, with a frontage of 120 feet and a depth of 220 feet. The plant is equipped with the latest and most modern improved machinery, ovens and appli- ances, and the establishment is one of the largest in the West and a pride to Cleveland. One hundred and twenty-five car loads of flour are consumed annually by the works, seventy five
people, of both sexes, are employed, and twenty delivery wagons are required for the city trade. Mr. Julier personally superintends all the opera- tiens of his works, and uses only the finest grades of Hour and materials, and hence the secret of his remarkable success. The princi- pal products are bread, rolls, Vienna bread, cakes, crackers, biscuits, ginger snaps, ete., and his goods are standard in the market for quality, purity and uniform excellence.
Mr. Julier is a live, wide-awake and pro- gressive citizen. He takes an active interest in public affairs, and is an ardent member of the Republican party. He is and has been for some time an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. He is kind and courteous to all alike, and is charitable alike to individuals and institutions.
Considering the brief time that has elapsed since Mr. Julier was an employee, his snecess has been remarkable, and shows that he is pos- sessed of more than average business talents and judgment and executive ability. In 1879 he began business on a very limited seale with less than $200 capital: to-day he is at the head of the largest establishment of its kind in a city of over 300,000 people, and all this has been ac- complished by his own efforts, unaided by out- side influences. Truly, he is a self-made man, and his family and friends have just cause to be proud of his career.
M RS. CAROLINE BROWN, relict of the late Peter Brown, is a well-known and popular resident of West Cleve- land, where she now holds a conspicu- ons prefermont as matron of that noble institu- tion l'or the care of the aged infirm, namely, the Altenheim.
Mrs. Brown is of German nativity, as was also her husband, and both were descendants of prominent and influential families. The parents of our subject wore Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Mayer, and she was one of their six children,
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the date of her birth being January 14, 1835. Daniel Mayer emigrated with his family to America when the subject of this sketch was thirty years of age, and they settled in Cleve- land, where the father was actively engaged in the coopering business for a number of years. Hle died in 1863 and the demise of his widow occurred six years later.
The late Peter Brown was born in Germany, November 28, 1829, and came to the United States when he was eighteen years of age. lle was a shoemaker by trade and followed that line of business successfully for a number of years in West Cleveland, attaining a marked popu- larity in the community and accumulating a very considerable property. Ile was married to Caroline Mayer in 1852 and they became the parents of twelve children, only four of whom are living at the present time, namely: Paul, John, Peter and William. Mr. Brown was a Republican and took quite an active interest in the political issues of the day. IIe was a mem- ber and zealous supporter of the First Reformed Church, on Penn street, with which Mrs. Brown is devotedly identified. He died November 28, 1873, deeply regretted by a large eirele of ap- preciative friends.
Mrs. Brown is a woman of education and re- finement, having received her educational train- ing in Germany, whose schools are celebrated for their thorough discipline and advanced standards. August 21, 1893, our subjeet ac- cepted the position as matron of the Altenheim, of West Cleveland, taking the appointment more for the love of being of service to the afflicted and infirm than for the incidental pe- euniary returns. She is a most capable nurse, having had a practical experience of nineteen years, and her partienlar fitness for the position she holds was thoroughly realized by those through whom enme the preferment. Her on- swerving and kindly devotion to those under her care has gained her the love of all this ministered to, while the officials of the institu- tion may well felicitate themselves upon having secured so excellent an incumbent.
A woman of wide sympathies and true noble- ness of character, Mrs. Brown stands ever ready to extend a helping hand to those in affliction, and her name will ever be held in grateful memory by many who have been the recipients of her unostentatious aid and sympathy.
FREDERICK GROBE, one of the leading market gardeners of Cuyahoga county, is a native of Germany, born in 1837. His parents, John and Mary (Smith) Grobe, were also natives of the " Fatherland," but both are now deceased. They reared a family of five children, two of whom survive-Hanna, the wife of Frank Miller, and the subject of this notice. At the age of twenty-four years Mr. Grobe was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Hartwig, the daughter of Fred Hartwig, de- ceased; the mother of Mrs. Grobe lived to the advanced age of eighty years.
In the spring of 1861 Mr. Grobe emigrated to the United States, and settled in Cleveland, Ohio. The first two years he was engaged in market gardening, and the next two years he was employed in a brick-yard. By that time he had aceminlated sufficient means to start an independent business, and he accordingly rented a piece of land, which he enltivated thirteen years. lle then bought a tract of six acres, to which he added five acres, both places being well improved with substantial buildings; the sum of $6,000 was considered an exorbitant price for the first tract, but the results have quite justified the outlay. He makes a specialty of berry enlture, producing some of the finest varieties grown in this latitude; he also raises early vegetables, which command a ready sale in Cleveland. His success in life is due solely to his own untiring efforts, his industry and striet integrity.
Mr. and Mrs. Grobe are the parents of four children: Minnie, a member of her father's household; Mary, the wife of James Battles, whose history will be found elsewhere in this
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volume; Charles Christopher, who died April 21, 1889, was a most promising young man, greatly beloved and admired by a wide circle of friends: the date of his birth was February 8, 1865; Katie, born February 22, 1870, died January 8, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Grobe are con- sistent and zealous members of the Intheran Church. Although a loyal son of his adopted country, our subject takes little interest in polities, but casts his suffrage with the Repub- lican party.
Mrs. Grobe is one of a family of seven chil- dren: John Hartwig and Hannah Stratman, the widow of William Stratiman, reside in this country; Sophia, Caroline, Dorothea and Wil- helmina are all married, and have remained in their native land. The voyage of our subject and family to America was attended with many privations, and when they arrived their funds were almost exhausted. During two winters Mr. Grobe ent cord-wood at forty cents a cord, and was glad of the opportunity. His years of patient toil have been rewarded, and he is now in the possession of a competenee for his declining years.
Christopher Grobe, brother of Frederick Grobe, was a soldier in the late civil war, a member of the Twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; he served until his death, which occurred at Chattanooga, at the age of eighteen years.
F B. M.CONNER, one of the most worthy citizens of Bedford township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, was born in Goshen, Colombiana county, this State, April 10, 1836, son of Samuel and Clarissa (Wright) MeCon- ner, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively. The father emigrated to Ohio in 1806 and settled in Salem, Colombiana county, and was one of the sturdy pioneers who paved the way for the onward march of civilization. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John McConner, also a native of New Jersey.
It was in 1840 that the family moved to Bed- ford and settled on a farm, where the father and mother passed the rest of their days. The former survived to the age of eighty-four years, and the latter to the age of seventy-six. There were eleven children in the family, namely: Mareba, Esther, Hannah, Susan, William, Mary, Tamson, Matilda, Eliza, John and F. B. Mr. MeConner affiliated with the Democratic party in his younger days, but during the last twelve years was independent in politics. His re- ligious convictions were those of the Agnostic, and at the same time he was liberal and tolerant toward all whose views differed from his.
F. B. MeConner was reared to the life of a farmer and attended the common schools of the neighborhood. Arriving at years of maturity, he continued the occupation to which he was in- clined in his youth. He owns an excellent tract of land, three miles from the village of Bedford, where he settled with his parents in 1840, which land is well improved with sub- stantial buildings and all the necessary ma- chinery for carrying on agriculture by the most approved methods. For seven years Mr. MeConner was traveling salesman for an agri- cultural implement firm, his familiarity with the demands of the trade assuring his success. lle is a member of the Farmers' Club and was an active worker in the Grange for ten years. Ile was Master of the subordinate grange to which he belonged, and also Deputy State Mas- ter for Cuyahoga county. He has always been interested in the education of the young: served the greater part of his life as member of the Board of Education, and was several times elected Township Assessor.
At the age of twenty-six years our subject married Mary E. Trowbridge, who was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, daughter of S. D. and Mehitable (Garfield) Trowbridge. Mrs. Trow- bridge is a sister of the lamented James A. Garfield. Mr. and Mrs. McConner have had a family of five children, viz .: Mande, who died at the age of two years; M. G., who died at the age of twenty-two years; Mary Mcbitable;
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Clarissa, who died at the age of eight years; and Harriet Estelle. M. G. was a popular teacher, following that occupation during the winter and in the summer being employed as ticket agent for the Detroit & Cleveland Steant Navigation Company. Capable and honest, and always rendering satisfaction to his em- ployers, he gave promise of much more than an ordinary future.
J OSEPHI A. DAY, an honored resident of Enelid township, was born April 11, 1843, in Collinwood, on the place he now oc- copies. His grandfather, Benjamin Day, was born in New Jersey, and moved to Van Buren, Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he followed agrienttural pursuits and in connection ran a small distillery. In June, 1811, he came to Cuyahoga county, in advance of his family, and took 300 aeres of land from the Connecticut Land Company. Ile also took a lot at the cor- ner of Seneea and Superior streets, in Cleve- land, when there were only three houses in the place. The latter he sold, to aid in payment for the 300-acre purchase. Ile then had no thought of the great future of Cleveland, as the lake usually kept the sand drifted into the mouth of the river to so great an extent that no harbor facilities could reasonably be hoped for. It is related that he, in company with William HIale and Thomas D. Crosley, hearing on Sep- tember 10, 1813, a noise as of the firing of heavy guns. went to the lake and heard the roar of the famons battle of Lake Erie, where Perry, with an almost insignificant force, drove the enemy, formidable in numbers and equipment, from the field. Considering the forces brought. into action, it seemed beforehand to be a cer- tainty that the British would be victorious, in which case the settlers in Cuyahoga county would leave their new homes.
A year later Mr. Benjamin Day brought his family From Pennsylvania. The first year his tax on the 300 acres was $1.20, and he often re-
marked in later years that it cost him a greater effort to raise that amount than any tax he ever paid. This he raised by reducing the forest to black salts, this being the only product that would command cash, and he had to market it at Buffalo. At an early day he built a small sawmill on his place, the iron for which he hanled with an ox team from Pittsburg. Ile walked all the way from Pennsylvania, carrying upon his back the grafts for the first orchard planted in this section. One variety is now known as the " Day Harvest." The fruit from this orchard he used to sell at Cleveland, by the dozen.
He married Nancy Andrews, a native of Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, and they had three sons and four daughters, namely: Rob- ert, Iliram, Floris, Phoebe, Catherine, Margaret and Delilah. Phoebe married first a Mr. Hanna and secondly a man named Wier; Margaret died when a young woman; Delilah married first Samuel Cunningham, of Wayne county, and secondly D. U. MeFarland, of the same county, and is now a widow living in Cleve- land; Catherine married Hiram Mellrath; Iliram, the father of our subject and the only son of Benjamin Day now living, is now re- siding on the old homestead.
September 5, 1861, Mr. Joseph A. Day, whose name heads this sketch, enlisted in Bat- tery B, First Ohio Artillery, and served until November 14, 1864. This battery fired the first Union gun in Kentucky, at Wildeat moun- tain, and then at Mill Springs, where Zollicoffer was killed. It was afterward taken on to Nash- ville, Stone river, and Cripple creek, where Mr. Day was taken sick, and he returned to Nash- ville. Subsequently he rejoined his battery at Louisville, and, going out against Bragg, en- gaged in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, Bridgeport, Alabama, etc. Returning to Nash- ville he was mustered out of service, after having been three years and two months in the war. lle was never wounded. Ile was dis- charged November 14, 1864, as above stated, at Nashville, and returned home.
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Hle was married in December, 1866, to Elizabeth Watterman, at Napoleon, Jackson county, Michigan. Their children are Ida, Catherine, Nellie, Hiram, Lizzie and Ethel.
Mr. Day was a farmer until about twelve years ago, since which time he has been a postal clerk. He is a Republican, and, with his wife and three eldest daughters, is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. He owns thirty-three and one-hall acres of the old home- stead, good farm land, besides eight and one- half aeres which he has to show for his war record, as he saved his earnings instead of spending them foolishly.
G EORGE WESTON, one of the well-known citizens of Dover township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, is a man whose honorable and upright life entitles him to biograph- ical mention among the representative men of his community.
Mr. Weston's father, Asa Weston, was born in Pittsfield, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, July 27, 1793, and his mother, nee Thankful Robbins, also a native of that county, was born October 15, 1797; they were married in Massa. chusetts, January 7, 1817. In February of the same year of their marriage, Asa Weston and his wife started for Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where they landed after twenty days of travel over bad roads and with horse teams. He pur- chased a tract of land in Euclid township, upon which he settled and where he resided for a number of years. There his wife died October 21, 1852. In 1855 he removed to Dover town- ship, where he remained for several years. The last year of his life was spent with his daughter in Shellield, Lorain county, Ohio, where he died in 1878, after he had passed his eighty-lifth milestone. He and his good wife were the par- ents of seven children, namely: Elvira, George, Mary Ann, Harriet, Celia, Thomas G. and Asa M.
George Weston, the oldest son in the above named family, was born in Euclid township,
Cuyahoga county, Ohio, October 8, 1819, and there he was reared to manhood. He lived on the farm with his father until he reached his twenty-fourth year. Then he wont to Medina county, Ohio, and rented a farm, which he op- erated for seven years. In the meantime ho purchased a tract of wild land in that county, which he subsequently developed into a fine farm. Ile resided in Medina county until 1855, when he removed to Dover township, Cuyahoga county, and here he has since made his home, he being the owner of a hundred aeres of well improved land in this township, on which his three sons are settled, prospering in the culture of small Irnit.
While living in Medina county, Mr. Weston was married, January 1, 1546, to Miss Rhoda Allis, of Chatham, that county, who was born in Plainfield, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, September 25, 1822. Her father, Lemnel Al- lis, was born in Massachusetts, July 9, 1754; and her mother, nee Rhoda Burroughs, in the same State, November 6, 1783. The latter died in l'lainfield, Massachusetts. Her father came to Ohio and settled in Chatham, Medina county, about 1832. where he died October 20, 1855. Mrs. Weston was the third of their four children. Mr. and Mrs. Weston have had five children, viz .: Asa L., who married Almira Need, of Medina county, for his first wife, and after her death wedded Ida Fields; Inizetta, who died at the age of two years; Arthur E., who married Clara Brown; George, who died in infancy; and Frank A., who married Ina Allis.
Mr. and Mrs. Weston and family are mem- bers of the Congregational Church, and zealous for temperance.
H ENRY S. FULLER, of Middleburg township, was born in Strongsville, this county, August 28, 1832. His father was the late Samuel Fuller, who came from Vermont in an early day, about 1829. His mother was Lorinda Doty, also of the Green Mountain State. They settled in Strongsville
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township, but afterward removed to Middle- burg township, where they died, he in 1834 and she at the age of fifty-eight years. They had two children, George D. and Henry S. George D. removed to Huron county, Ohio, and en- gaged in farming, and died there in April, 1893, at the age of sixty-two years, a much re- spected and prosperous farmer.
Henry S. Fuller was reared in Middleburg township, where he has always resided. Ile was married in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in 1859, to Eleeta D. Fairbanks, a native of Chan- tanqua county, New York, who died in Mid- dleburg, April 3, 1881. They had three chil- dren: Charlie, who died in April, 1881, when twenty-one years old; Rinda, wife of F. M. Hauserman; and Henry L., who married Gor- tie Scrivens, daughter of Edwin Scrivens, of Middleburg township.
The respect and confidence which Mr. Fuller commands in his community is evinced by his election to the office, which he now holds, of Trustce of the township. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he serves as an Elder. He has always been engaged in farming, thus belonging to a class which in our country is highly honored, and is constantly sending forth throughout the land strong and noble sons to be its preachers, statesmen and leaders in commerce.
A LBERT E. AKINS was born in Royal- ton township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, March 1, 1847, one of a family of nine children, seven of whom are living. His parents, Henry and Mercy M. (Wilkinson) Akins, were among the pioneers of Cuyahoga county, and are worthy a place in history as such. Henry Akins was born in Connecticut in 1814, a son of John Akins. When he was a child of six years his father emigrated to the West and settled in Euclid township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio; here he grew to manhood and in his youth learned the trade of a ship-carpenter,
which occupation he followed for a number of years. In later life he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits in Royalton township, and became a very successful farmer. Ile was a man of broad, progressive spirit, and took a deep interest in local polities and all measures pertaining to the public welfare. He was a zealous supporter of the issues of the Abolition party, and when the Republican party was or- ganized gave it his allegiance. lle would gladly have gone to the front in battle when the great Civil war broke out, but advancing years for- bade. Ilis two older sons were fired with the same patriotism that moulded the sentiments of the father, and enlisted in defence of the Union. Mr. Akins lived to the age of sixty-three years, his death occurring in 1877. Ilis wife survives him, one of the oldest inhabitants of the county. She was born in the State of New York in 1818, and was brought in her childhood to Ohio, her parents settling in Huron, Erie county. Mr. and Mrs. Akins united in early life with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and consistently ordered their ways according to the precepts of that church. Albert E. Akins was reared to the occupation of a farmer, Ile was a youth of fifteen when his two older brothers forsook husbandry for the battle-field, adding to the responsibilities which he had already assinned in the management of the farm, These were trying years when warfare absorbed every thought of men, and education became of secondary importance. During this period young Akins had few opportunities of fitting himself for that individual battle which every man must fight with his own weapons, but after peace had been declared he entered Baldwin University at Berea, where he pursued a course that enabled him to engage in teaching. For eighteen years he held a leading place among the successful educators of his county, with- drawing from the profession in the fall of 1880.
It was at this time that he accepted a posi- tion in the County Treasurer's office as deputy, a position he filled nine years. At the end of this period the Republican party nominated
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him for County Auditor, and September, 1890, saw him in charge of this oflice. He discharged his duties with marked ability and strict fidel- ity, assuring his unanimous second nomination; this was a year of defeat to the Republican party, and Mr. AAkins was one of the victims, although he ran ahead of his party 1,000 votes. lle is an active Republican and believes that it is the duty of every citizen to take part in political affairs, being the present president of the Tippecanoe Club, one of the most active political organizations in the State. Ile is a member of the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias.
In 1871 he was united in marriage to Miss Linnie D. Meacham, of Strongsville, Ohio. There have been born to them two children, both of whom are deceased.
0 RLIN T. BATTLES, a prominent farmer and fruit-grower of Euclid township, was born in Mayfield township, this county, February 1, 1848, the eldest child of E. D. and Harriet (Brainerd) Battles. He was brought up in his native township, attended Oberlin College and obtained a good business education. Ile was first married in East Cleveland town ship, to Fernandes Stone, a native of this county, who died October 17, 1872. For his second wife Mr. Battles married Sabra Covert, in 1875, in Mayfield township. She is a dangh- ter of George and Margaret (McDowell) Covert, her father a native of the same township, to which place his father had come as carly as 1806. Mrs. Battles was born in this township, June 17, 1853.
The year 1877 Mr. Battles was engaged in the milk business in Cleveland, and the next year located upon the farm where he now re- sides, comprising 100 acres with good improve- ments. The present buildings were all erected by him, and here he conducts a good farm with system and industry, and is accordingly pros- pering.
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