USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Memorial record of the county of Cuyahoga and city of Cleveland, Ohio, pt 2 > Part 17
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When Lewis B. was about six months old his parents removed to Rockport township, and here he grew to manhood, receiving his educational training and assisting in the routine duties of the farm which has always been his home, and to whose cultivation and improvement he has devoted himself for many years. He owns ninety-three acres of land, the place being one of the most attractive and productive in the
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vicinity. For about eighteen years Mr. IIer- rington was proprietor of the Lorain Street House in Rockport, conducting this enterprise in connection with his farming operations.
Ile was married, in Warrensville, Cuyahoga county, August 5, 1845, to Miss Ilarrict L. Thorpe, a native of that place, where she was born February 27, 1828, a daughter of Warren Thorpe, who was one of the ohl residents of Cleveland, where he was born April 12, 1801. Mr. and Mrs. Herrington became the parents of five children, and we introduce a brief record in regard to them: Ilannah A., who married George Winter, died in Rockport October 21, 1869; Clara J. is the wife of George Ilardy; Warren D. married Maria Biddolph; Elis C. married Etta Rayner; Alpheus J. married Anna Rayner. Mrs. Ilerrington passed to the life eternal April 15, 1891, her death being sin- cerely mourned by a large circle of appreciative friends, aside from the members of the afflicted family. She was a devoted member of the Bap- tist Church, of which her husband has ever been a liberal supporter.
In politics our subject takes no active part, though he is thoroughly enlisted with the Re- publican party, of which he has been a member since the time of its organization.
A MOS SPERRY, one of the respected farmers of Dover township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, is a son of pioneers of this place. Ilis parents, Amos R. and Ruth (Smith) Sperry, both natives of Connecticut, were married and settled in Dover township at an early day. Here they spent the rest of their lives, and died, his death occurring September 8, 1839; hers, June 30, 1861. They had four children, namely: Abner, who died in Wiscon- sin, July 27, 1857; Sheldon, who died in Illinois, September 11, 1872; Rais, who is eu- gaged in farming in Nebraska; and Amos, the subject of this sketch, and the only member of the family now in Cuyahoga county.
Amos Sperry was born in the township in which he now lives, April 16, 1830, was reared to manhood here, and here, with the exception of four years spent in Wisconsin, he has resided all his life. Reared to farm life, he has continued in this occupation, and is the owner of 181 acres of fine farming land, well improved, and under a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Sperry was married in Sandusky, Huron county, Ohio, February 23, 1859, to Miss Rachel Noble, who was born in England, May 4, 1832. Their five children are as follows: Eliza P., wife of Jabez Mitchell; Annie M., wife of Alva Tanner; Angusta, wife of Frank Laughlin; Sherman A., and Alfred.
All his life, Mr. Sperry has taken a com- mendable interest in public affairs. May 2, 1864, he enlisted in Company 1, One Hundred and Fiftieth Ohio National Guards, and served one hundred days. Ile is a member of Olmsted Post, No. 631, G. A. R., and of Dover Lodge, I. O.O. F.
W ILLIAM BIDDULPHI, Justice of the Peace for Dover township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, was born in Brooklyn township, this county, December 24, 1848. llis parents, John and Christina (Bleichert) Biddulph, were born in England and Germany, respectively, and after their marriage settled in Brooklyn township, this county. While they did not remain long in that township, they con- tinned to reside in Cuyahoga county. She is still living here. He died in the village of Brooklyn, December 31, 1890. They had five children, of whom William is the eldest.
William Biddulph remained under the par- ental roof until his marriage, after which he settled in Olmsted township, Cuyahoga county, a year later removed to Brooklyn township, and after residing there a year located in Cleve- land, where he spent three years engaged in temming. Then followed three years in Brook- lyn, this county, during which time he was
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engaged chiefly in the same business. In the spring of 1880, he settled in Dover township, and here he has sinee given his attention ex- clusively to farming. He owns seventy-two aeres of land.
Mr. Biddulph was married in Berea, Ohio, March 20, 1872, to Miss Thirza Hubbard, who was born in Ohnsted township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, January 1, 1850, danghter of Mark and Maria ( Minard) Ilubbard, natives respectively of England and Canada. They were among the early settlers of Olmsted town- ship, where he died December 27, 1892, and where she is still living. They had five chil- dren, Mrs. Biddulph being the fourth born. Mr. and Mrs. Biddulph are the parents of four children: John, Frank, Neva and Ralph. Mrs. Thirza Biddulph died December 14, 1893.
Politically, Mr. Biddulph votes with the Re- publican party, and takes an active interest in local affairs. Ile was elected Justice of the Peace in 1888. Fraternally, he is identified with the I. O. O. F.
R ALPII A. JAMES .- The early history of the New England States develops the fact that the James family was one of much prominence, its representative members having been conspicuous for their high attainments, their social position and their power as factors in various governmental func- tions. Of the New York branch of this family the subject of this review is evidently a de- scendant, and as a representative resident of Parma township, where his entire life has been passed, it is most congruons that he be ae- corded particular attention in this connection. He is a son of the late Matthew James, who, with his family, emigrated to Ohio from Staten Island, New York, in the spring of 1841. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Mary Moles. After reaching Ohio the parents settled in Parma township, Cuyahoga county, where they passed the remainder of their lives, de-
veloping a fine farm and gaining the highest measure of respect and esteem in the com- munity in which they were permitted to attain to venerable age, the demise of the father oc- eurring April 28, 1875, and that of the mother, November 13, 1877. They had a family of teu children, six sons and four daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch was the youngest.
Ralph A. James was born on Staten Island, New York, April 12, 1841, and was but three montlis of age when his parents started on their long and weary journey to Ohio. lIe grew to manhood on the old farm in Parma township, and to farming operations his time has been de- voted from his youth up. During the progress of the late civil war he was for several months in the employ of the Government as a mechanie.
Mr. James was married December 13, 1877, to Miss Carrie Biddulph, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, January 3, 1856. They have four children, Addie C., Ralph A., Neva L., and Oliver J. James.
The fine farm owned by Mr. James comprises 100 acres of most fertile and desirable land, the same being under a high state of cultivation and supplied with convenient and substantial buildings. The present handsome residence was built to replace the one which was destroyed by fire March 31, 1890, entailing a loss of several thousand dollars.
In his political proclivities Mr. James is a stauneh Republican, and in local affairs of a political and general public nature he has been closely identified with the progressive element, having been called upon to serve as Trustee and to hold other township offices of importance. Possessed of excellent executive ability and manifesting the closest fidelity to all trusts im- posed, it is needless to say that he has proved a popular official in sneh capacities as he has acted.
A member of the Protestant Episcopal Church by baptism, he has not neglected the fulfillment of the vows made for him, having been duly confirmed and being a member of the parish of All Saints' Church on Scranton
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avenue, Cleveland. Ile has been a member of the vestry of this church for several years, being devoted to its cause and to that of the church at large.
A man of much discernment and ability., strong in his rectitude of character, genial and courteous in his intercourse with his fellow- men, it is but natural that he enjoys a dis- tinetive respect and popularity in the com- munity where he lives.
A M. PARRISHI, Steward at the Cleveland State Hospital, is a native son of the Buckeye State, being born at Columbus Grove, June 6. 1846. Sixteen years be- fore this date, his father, George Parrish, cast his fortunes with the pioneers of Putnam county, among whom were a considerable mm- ber of Indians. He selected a farm near the Grove, opened it up, improved it, and when age and its attendant infirmities overtook him and his faithful companion they retired to the vil- lage, content to spend their few remaining years free from business and at rest.
George Parrish was born in Virginia in 1813. Ilis ancestors were of French origin, who fell out of the ranks of the Revolutionary armies, and became settlers, and consequently are un- numbered among the first families of the Old Dominion State. Among this band of hardy Frenehmen, was a Parrish, the paternal ancestor of our subject. One of his descendants, prob- ably a son, John Parrish, served under General Ilull in the war of 1812, and was surrendered by that cowardly officer, with his whole army at Detroit. When the war closed this sturdy patriot returned to Virginia, and there pursued his favorite vocation, that of farming. IIe married a Miss Brown while at home on a fur- lough from the army. By this union twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, were born, George, our subjeet's father, being the eldest.
George Parrish married, in Putnam county, Miss Barbara Moneysmith, a daughter of Samuel Moneysmith, of German origin, who came from Pennsylvania to Ohio. Their chil- dren were: D. B., deceased, who was in the Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was the eleventh man disabled while supporting the colors at Chickamauga, dying from the effects of his injuries in 1866; William B., killed at the second battle of Corinth; A. M .; and Mrs. P. E. Helpman of Defiance, Ohio.
A. M. Parrish was kept at farm work until he was fourteen years of age, when he acted on the advice of Horace Greeley, and went West, spending one summer on the plains. In 1869, Mr. Parrish engaged in the boot and shoe busi- at Kansas City, Missouri, the style of the firm being A. J. Norman & Company. This firm existed until 1873, when Mr. Parrish retired and became a commercial traveler, with head- quarters at Rochester, New York, his house being Behn & Young, manufacturers of boots and shoes. Ilis wanderings as a " Knight of the Grip " covered a period of eleven years, ex- tending over Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Mis- souri. February 1, 1884, he resigned his posi- tion, and was married on the 6th of the following month to Mrs. Malinda Conelly, of Wooster, Ohio, the builder and proprietor of the Archer House, the leading hotel of the city. Mr. Par- rish, as a natural consequence of the marriage, became a partner in the management of this popular resort, and by reason of his genial and affable nature, and his extensive acquaintance among commercial men, he was a most valuable acquisition to it. December 1, 1889, Mr. and Mrs. Parrish decided to retire from active busi- ness, and live in the enjoyment of their years of rewarded labor. June 1, 1892, Mr. Parrish- accepted his present position, merely as an op- portunity for engaging something to absorb attention from passing time.
Politically, Mr. Parrish is a Republiean, and was president of the Wooster Council four years. Ile is a prominent and active member of the A. F. & A. M., Wooster Chapter and Com-
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mandery, and was in a measure responsible for the establishing of a Commandery at Wooster.
He has one child, the daughter of a former wife, who is married to Mr. E. Thomon, and lives in Wooster, Ohio. By a former husband, the present Mrs. Parrish had one son, Archer Conelly, a very bright and promising boy who lived to the age of sixteen years, and after whom the Archer House was named by his mother.
G YEORGE AUGUST TINNERMAN, pro- prietor of the Tinnerman Steel Range Company, and one of the representative business men of the West Side, Cleve- land, was born in Germany April 10, 1845. Ile is the son of Henry F. and Sophia (Dryer) Tinnerman, both natives of Prussia. The Tin- nerman family came to the United States in 1847, first locating on a farm in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, at Rockport, now known as Linn- dale. Three years later they removed to Ohio City, now the West Side, and Henry Tinnerman opened a blacksmith and wagon shop on the corner of Lorain and Fulton streets, which in all probability was the first one on the West Side. Ile continued in the business until about 1858, when he purchased a farm at Rockport, and returned to that locality with his family. Abont 1860 or 1861 he returned to the eity, where he resided until his death in 1880, at the advanced age of over eighty-three years. His wife died in 1888, at the age of sixty-eight years. They were members of the First German Re- formed Church. Two sons were born, -George August, and his younger brother, Henry, who is a resident of Cleveland.
Mr. Tinnerman was reared in Cleveland. Ilis first publie schooling was received in the old school on Penn street, corner of Lorain. Fol- lowing that he attended the Hicks Street school. When sixteen years of age he began to learn the tinner's trade, and, after serving about three years as an apprentice, worked at the trade until 1867, when he engaged in business for
himself at his present place, on Lorain street, corner of Fulton. In 1885 he began, on a small seale, the manufacture of steel ranges, mannfac- turing one of his own patent, known as the " Ohio Steel Range." His business has im- proved and expanded from year to year until it has reached a most gratifying and successful point. In 1887 he erceted a large building, 70 x 125 feet, three floors, situated at Nos. 11 to 21 Willett street. Ile was one of the ineor- porators of the Lorain Street Savings Bank, of which he is second vice-president.
Mr. Tinnerman was married in January, 1868, to Caroline Ruley, who was born in Cleve- land. To this union six children have been born, four of whom are living, namely: Emma, Frank, Albert and Lillian. Mr. Tinnerman and family are members of the First Reformed Church. In politics Mr. Tinnerman is a Re- publican.
ACOB SCHIAAF, a well-known farmer of Parma township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio. was born in Brooklyn township, this coun- ty, November 4, 1841, son of Conrad and Phil- lepina (Schwind) Sehaaf and brother of Michael Schaaf, the latter a resident of Middleburg town- ship. Jacob is one of the younger members of his father's family. Ile was reared in his na- tive township, and resided there until 1876. That year he settled in Parma township, and here he has since resided, having all his life de- voted his energies to agricultural pursuits and having improved a fine farm. Ile has erected a fine modern residence, one of the most attractive ones in the vicinity. Recently, however, he has practically retired from the active duties of the farm.
Mr. Schaaf was married in Parina township, October 28, 1868, to Miss Louisa M. Hen, ninger, a native of this township, born January 5, 1847, daughter of Philip G. and Sophia (Orth) Henninger. Her parents were both born in Germany, her father October 20, 1813, and her
A. M. Vagar
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mother May 9, 1823. The former passed away July 15, 1892. They had eight children who reached adult years, Louisa M. being the fourth born. Mr. and Mrs. Schaaf have an adopted son, Arthur Coleman.
Mr. Schaaf is a generous and public-spirited man, evor taking a commendable interest in, and contributing liberally to, any movement or enter- prise that has for its object the welfare of his community, his county or his country. For eleven years he has served as Township Trustee. Both he and his wife are members of the Pres- byterian Church at Sonth Brooklyn.
A DAM M. WAGAR, the subject of this sketch, was born at Farmington, Ontario county, New York, February 25, 1818, the eldest child of Mars and Keturah (Miller) Wagar, natives of New York and New Jersey respectively. In 1818 the parents emi- grated to Cleveland, Ohio, and with courage and bravery took np their life upon the frontier. After living in different localities about two years, they settled in East Roekport, now Lake- wood, where the family has remained ever since. The father died in 1841, aged fifty years; the mother survived until 1579, when she passed away at the advanced age of eighty-six years. They reared a family of six children: Adam M., the subject of this notice: I-rael D .; Albert, deceased in 1561: Matilda. the wife of Henry Wade, died in Canal Dover in 148; Francis II., whose history will be found on another page of this volume; and Anna II. wife of A. W. Brown, who died at Lakewood hamlet in September, 1556.
Adam M. Wagar grew to manhood in Rock- port township. Cuyahoga county: he acquired a practical edneation 'in the primitive log schoolhouse of the district, and received a training no less practical in the art of husband. ry. He has devoted his mature years to agri- cultural pursuits and has met with the success that invariably crowns untiring effort. Hle
owns a valuable tract of land, 170 acres, in the suburbs of Cleveland, where the family resi- dence, a handsome place, is situated at the cor- tor of West Madison and Hilliard avonnes, Lakewood.
llis marriage to Miss Margaret Kyle occurred at Steubenville, Ohio, March 9, 1848. Mrs. Wagar is a native of Scotland, born at Kilbride, July 25, 1818, and came to America in 1843. HIer parents were Andrew and Barbara ( Morri- son) Kyle. Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Wagar's family consisted of Anna M., Malanthon, Irwin, Min- erva, Carrie, Nettie and Stella. Malanthon and Irwin died in childhood; Stella A., the wife of John M. Bachert, died in Cleveland, in Febru- ary, 1893: she was the mother of two children, Earl and Margaret; and Nettie, the wife of Ar- thur R. Bailey, has one child, Morrison Wagar.
The family is prominently identified with the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian) Church, to whose support they contribute most generously of their time and means.
Mr. Wagar began life as a schoolteacher. Perhaps the most valuable efforts he has made have been in behalf of education for the masses. Realizing the increasing demands that were be- ing made upon the coming generation, he has strongly favored elevation of the standard, and has encouraged every advance movement that has been made in intellectual cireles. For eight years he was School Treasurer, and during this time gave special attention to the subject of education in all its phases.
Adhering to the principles of the Demo- cratie party. Mr. Wagar has taken an active in- terest in local polities, and has been called to serve in variou, offices of trust and responsibil- ity. Ile has been Justice of the Peace for four terms, or twelve years, and during five years was a member of the Township Board of Trus-
tees. For an equal period of time he held the office of Township Clerk, and for several years he was the Postmaster of East Rockport (Lake- wood), prompt, faithful and indefatigable in the discharge of his duties, he has won the con- lidence and regard of all classes of citizens.
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A man of ability and deep integrity, he has made an indelible impress upon the history of the community with which he has been so closely identified, an impress which is alike a credit to his ancestors and a precious legacy to his prosperity.
B ARTIIOLOMEW STOCKER .- Thesub- ject of this sketch has had a somewhat varied experience, and to enter into the minutiæ of his life history would render interest- ing results, his experience having been quite outside the ordinary and prosaic lines. We are permitted, however, to merely touch upon the more salient points in biography within the confines of a work of this sort and in the case at hand no exception can consistently be made, no matter how strong the inclination. Mr. Stocker stands to-day as one of the substantial and pros- perous farmers of Rockport Hamlet, a man re- spected and esteemed in the community, where he has resided for so many years.
Our subject was born in Switzerland, Janu- ary 2, 1833, and in his native land he passedl the first nineteen years of his life, having de- voted his youthful years to the dairying busi- ness, in which line of occupation he has con- tinned, with certain intermissions, until the present time. A young man of much vitality and ambition, he early became imbued with a spirit of adventure,-a spirit tempered, how- ever, with excellent judgment. In 1852 the young man left home and friends and set boldly forth to try his fortunes in the New World. Upon his arrival in America he proceeded at once to Ohio, remaining for one year in Column- biana county, and then came to Cuyahoga county, locating at Brooklyn, where he was employed in the dairy business for - two and one-half years. Still looking for new fields of experience and adventure, lie then went to the State of Michi- gan, where he found employment on a Farm for a period of about eight months. Alter this time had elapsed he continued his journeying to
Wisconsin, working in the pineries for about one month, and then engaging in the somewhat hazardous business of rafting logs and lumber on the Mississippi river. In this occupation and in steamboating he found employment un- til the outbreak of the civil war, when with a true loyalty for his adopted country, he eulisted for service at St. Louis, Missouri, as a member of the Third Missouri Regiment of Volunteer Infantry. Ile remained in the ranks until his three months' terin of enlistment had expired, when he again enlisted in a company of Mis- souri cavalry, but was transferred a month later to the gunboat Pittsburg, which was in service on the Mississippi river. On this boat he served for one year, after which he was honor- ably discharged.
Ilis war experience ended he returned to Cuyahoga county and turned his attention once more to peaceful occupations, being employed at dairy work in Brooklyn for about two and one-half years. Ile then effected the purchase of the farm where he now lives, in Rockport Hamlet. Under his careful supervision the place has been brought into a high state of cul- tivation, while convenient and substantial build- ings have been erected, the appearance of the farm betokening thrift and prosperity on the part of the proprietor. The farm comprises forty-nine acres and very naturally Mr. Stocker devotes the major portion of his time and atten- tion to that business with whose details he is thoroughly familiar and for whose successful conducting no man could be better qualified, namely dairying.
Mr. Stocker's marriage was consummated on on the 10th of May; 1866, in Brooklyn town- ship, Cuyahoga county, when he was united to Miss Mary Krumweide, a native of Ilanover, Germany, where she was born March 21, 1848, They have ten children, as follows: William, born August 6, 1867, and married Sarah Feuch- ter; Lizzie A., born May 19, 1869, is the wife of Christopher Nyland; Sarah A., born October 10, 1870; Mary J., March 10, 1872; Emma M., December 5, 1873; Frank L., July 29, 1875;
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Rosa M., August 21, 1879; Lillie K., August 8, 1881; Samuel E., February 11, 1886; and Alice B., July 22, 1888.
Mr. and Mrs. Stocker are prominently iden- tilied with the German Methodist Church, of which they are zealous members and liberal supporters.
F P. SHUMAKER, superintendent of the public schools at Chagrin Falls, Ohio, is a native of this State, born near Galion, Crawford county, December 20, 1858. IIis father, Joseph II. Shumaker, was born in 1814, in Berks county, Pennsylvania, one of a family of four sons and three daughters of John and Catharine Shumaker. Ile married Susan Walton, a daughter of James and Catharine Walton, October 17, 1836; Susan Walton was born in 1818, in Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, one of a family of three sons and four daughters. They removed to Fairfield county, Ohio, in October, 1844, and in September, 1858, they went to reside on a farm near Galion. Ten children were born to them, four sons and six daughters, and nine still survive. The father was a shoemaker by trade, and followed this calling in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for a number of years; he died in 1886. The mother, who is still living, a resident of Galion, Craw- ford county, Ohio, was reared a member of the Society of Friends. The youngest of the family is the subject of this sketch. IIe received a fair education in the district schools and con- . tinned his studies at Mount Union College, Alliance, Ohio, where he was graduated with honors in 1886.
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