USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Memorial record of the county of Cuyahoga and city of Cleveland, Ohio, pt 2 > Part 5
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In 1873-'74 he printed the News and Herald in Canfield for A. W. Brownlee, who owned the office.
In 1858 he married Miss Martha E. Nib- lock, of Salem, Ohio, and by this marriage there were four sons and four daughters: of these a son and a daughter have died, one quito young and the other at the age of thirteen years. C. C. Fowler, the eldest son, is now editor of the Canfield Dispatch; John R., the next son, is a practical printer, working with his father; Frank W., the third son, is pro-
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pri-tor of the business college at East Liver- pool, this State; and two daughters, Bessie and Kertie, are unmarried and live at home.
In the year 1877 Mr. Fowler, our subjeet, started the Mahoning Dispatch, an independent newspaper, which has been running very sue- cessfully now for over sixteen years, the ciren- lation being over 2,000 copies weekly, and is largely supported by the farming community.
At the commencement of the late war Mr. Fowler enlisted in the Second Ohio Cavalry as a private, and after serving his country until September 11, 1865, was minstered out, at Ben- ton Barracks, Missouri. He was engaged in many battles during his service, as Winchester, Sheridan's raid in Virginia, Peach Tree Creek (Georgia), Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley, Fisher's Ilill, Cedar creek, Wilderness, Sheri- dan and Custer raid in Virginia, Bottom Bridge, White House Landing, Petersburg, etc., etc. lle was only slightly wounded, but suffered many hardships and exposures, per- manently impairing his health.
G EORGE E. TYLER, who has been for several years identified with the horti- cultural interest of Cuyahoga county, was born in New York State in April, 1839. His parents, Miles and Sallie (Tyler) Tyler, though having the same name were in- related; they removed to Lake county, Ohio, in 1844, and there passed the remainder of their lives. They reared a family of eight children, seven of whom are still living; all are residents of Lake county excepting Mrs. A. M. Warren and Mrs. Maria Rush. George E. Tyler passed an nneventful youth, attending the district school and assisting his father in the cultiva- tion of the farm until the civil war aroused every patriot in the land. In April, 1861, young Tyler responded to Lincoln's call for 75,000 men, going at once to Cleveland. Before leaving that city he had enlisted in Company 1, Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Presi-
det Hlayes' regiment, and soon went into West Virginia. lle participated in the battle of South mountain in September, 1862, and after one day's fight there lost his strong right arm in making the second charge; in the first charge he had received a painful but not serions wound in his right wrist, and at the moment his arm was torn away a spent ball struck his knee; he was borne by three comrades to the rear, but it was necessary for them to drop him and themselves several times before they reached a place of safety to escape the flying fragments of shell and ball. The arm of the wounded man was amputated at Georgetown, and in a few days he was taken to Frederick City. Maryland, and at the end of several weeks to a convales- cent hospital at Baltimore, where he was honor- ably discharged November 7, 1862.
Two years after his return from the war he began to run a huekster wagon between Little mountain and Cleveland, and was very success- ful in this venture; he afterwards had a peddling- wagon, and was at one time engaged in sawing logs on Little mountain. Through the influence of General Hastings he was appointed janitor of the Cleveland post office, a position he held twelve years.
In 1876 he embarked in the fruit-growing business as he had a natural taste for this ocen- pation. Ile has seven and a half aeres, three aeres of which cost at the rate of $1,500 an aere. Hle prodnees peaches, strawberries, grapes, plums and other garden fruit, finding a ready market in Cleveland.
Mr. Tyler was married in 1866 to Miss Florence Perry Phelps, a danghter of Alexander and Jernsha (Reynolds) Phelps. Mrs. P'helps was the widow of William Reynolds; her death occurred in 1850. Mr. Phelps' second marriage was to Mrs. Betsey Beckwith; there was one child of this union, a daughter named Clara. Mr. Phelps died August 7, 1891, the date of his birth being May 23, 1817. IIe was a man of rare force of character, and was held in the highest esteem. Mrs. Tyler is one of three children; Spencer is a farmer of Lake county,
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and Arthur resides with his brother, unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. Tyler are the parents of one child, Flora Adel, wife of L. S. Judd. Mrs. Tyler is a woman of much refinement and many graces. Mr. Tyler is an ardent Republican. He is an honored member of Brough Post, G. A. R., No. 359, of which he is Senior Vice Com- mander.
N 1. IHILLIARD was born at Wadsworth, Medina county, Ohio, May 10, 1824. Gurdan Hilliard, his father, was a na- tive of the State of Connecticut, but in the year 1818 joined the emigrant train wind- ing its way toward the setting sun. Ile settled in Medina county, Ohio, and there took up the burdens that belong to the lot of the pioneer. He married Calista Adaline Derthick, a native of the State of New York, but the daughter of Connecticut parents; there were born to them two children, N. L. and Phoebe Ann, who died at the age of fifteen years; the mother passed away at the early age of twenty-three. In later life Mr. Hilliard removed to Canada, where he resided for a long period of time; he returned to Medina county, however, and there passed the last days of his life; he died at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Ile was a farmer and was one of the large stock dealers in this section. William Hilliard, the paternal grandfather of our subject, traced his ancestry to Robert Hilliard, who was an officer in the war of the Roses. Young Hilliard received his elementary education in the common schools of Wadsworth and afterward entered Sharon Academy when Prof. John McGregor was principal of that institution. For three years he was a member of Prof. MeGregor's house- hold, pursuing his studies under his personal supervision.
At the age of fifteen years he went to work with his uncle, Isaac Snell, to learn the ear- penter's trade. When he came to Bedford in 1851 he secured a position with the Wheelock
Chair Company, which he filled very acceptably several years. He was also with the Taylor Chair Company, but in 1877 he embarked in the manufacture of springs at Cleveland; this venture proved a success and he conducted a satisfactory trade there until 1893, when he sold ont and returned to Bedford.
Mr. Hilliard was married at the age of twenty-three years in Norton township, Summit county, Ohio, to Julia C. Abbott. She was born at Mount Morris, Livingston county, New York, a daughter of Calvin and Lois (Eyles) Abbott, natives of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Ililliard are the parents of two sons: Lonis B., a ยท resident of San Francisco, California, is the superintendent of Bradstreet's Commercial Agency for the Pacific coast, having been in the employ of this firm twenty years; he was a student in the State University of Michigan and was graduated from the law department; F. A. Hilliard is the secretary of the Cleveland Roller Mills Company, and has been with this firm during two decades of active commercial life. Politically our subject adheres to the principles of the Democratic party.
(AMES E. BATTLES, a member of one ofthe prominent pioneer families of Cny- ahoga county, was born in this county, in Orange township, April 24, 1861, a son of Luther Battles, whose history appears upon another page of this volume. Ile received his elementary education in the common schools and finished the course in the East Cleveland high school. During his youth he assisted in the labors of the home farm, remaining a niem- ber of his father's household until his marriage. This important event of his life ocenrred March 9, 1881, when he was united to Miss Mary Grobe, a native of East Cleveland township. Mrs. Battles' father, Frederick Grobe, was born near Hanover, Germany, and in 1861 emigrated to the United States, settling in Cuyahoga county, Ohio,
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In 1882 Mr. Battles purchased seven aeres of land in East Cleveland. He was unable at that time to make a large payment, but by unremit- ting toil and strict attention to his interests he acenmulated sufficient means in a few years to' cancel the obligation. He creeted his dwelling and barn in 1888, both substantial and attrac- tive structures. His years of experience have added to his knowledge and perfected his skill as a market gardener and horticultorist, and Cleveland affords a ready sale for all his prod- uets. lle has been remarkably snecessful, and is entirely deserving of the title of self-made, as his efforts have been unaided.
For four years he has been an active member of the Board of Edneation, and takes a deep interest in increasing the facilities for the com- ing generations. lle is a member of Oak Lodge, No. 77, K. of P., and in polities adheres to the principles of the Republican party.
Mr. and Mrs. Battles are the parents of two children: Arthur was born February 11, 1882, and Minnie, Jannary 5, 1889.
B URR VAN NOATE, who has been for many years prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Brecksville township, is a member of one of the old pioneer families of Cuyahoga county, and is well worthy of representation in this volume. He was born in Howells, Monmouth county, New Jersey, September 6, 1826, a son of William Van Noate, a native of the same State, born July 19, 1798, of Holland descent. Ile married Ardaliss Jones, a native of New Jersey and a daughter of David Jones, and after this event took up his residence in Monmouth county, New Jersey. In the autumn of 1831 he was swept by the tide of emigration to the far West, as Ohio was then called, making the journey by water to New York city, thence up the Hud- son river to Albany, thence by the Erie canal to Buffalo, and up the lake to Cleveland on one of the two steamers that traveled the lake at
that time. There were three families in the party, and all went to Strongsville township, where they found shelter in a log cabin owned by Mr. Strong, where they remained while the men looked over the farming lands in the neigh- borhood. In February, 1832, Mr. Van Noato removed with his Bunily to Independence and purchased one hundred aeres of land, paying three dollars and a half an acre; they found a temporary home in a cooper's shop until a log house was erected, with the assistance of the neighbors. Mr. Van Noate died in 1878, at the age of eighty years, and his remains lie buried at Brecksville Center. His wife died in 1850, aged forty-four years. In polities he gave his allegiance to the Democratic party, and was a subscriber to the first number of the Cleveland Plaindealer. He was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and was held in the highest esteem by a wide circle of acquaintances. As a pioneer he is entitled to the meed of praise dne those courageons souls who went before that the path might be made for the onward march of civilization.
There were seven children in the family: Ann, wife of Humphrey Cain, died at South Haven, Michigan; Burr, the subject of this sketeli; Jane, the wife of Charles Marsten, died in Chicago; the three named were born in New Jersey, the other four are natives of Ohio; Maria, the wife of Charles Storrs, died in Mich- igan; Charles died in Amboy, Illinois, nnmar- ried; Charlotte, the wife of Almon Case, died at Blendon, Michigan; and George, who resides at Glenn, Michigan, where he is engaged in growing fruit.
Burr Van Noate was a child of five years when his parents eame to the Western Reserve. lle was early inured to the heavy labors of a frontier farm, assisting his father in clearing the land and bringing it to a state of enltivation. llere ho grew to man's estate receiving his ed- ueation in the district schools and the Brooklyn and Ohio City Academies. After leaving school at the age of twenty-one he learned the carpen- ter and joiner's trade, which he followed in con-
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nection with agricultural pursuits for many years. In polities, Mr. Van Noate has always been a Republican.
Ile was united in marriage, March 23, 1853, to Miss Lucy J. Dunbar, a native of Brimfield, Hampden county, Massachusetts, born Deeem- ber 12, 1826. Mrs. Van Noate is a daughter of John and Lucy (Bliss) Dunbar, who emi- grated to Ohio in 1832. A more extended no- tice of these worthy people appears elsewhere in this volume. After his marriage our subjeet removed to Beloit, Wisconsin, but after a short residence there returned to Cuyahoga county. About the year 1856 he bought the land which comprises his present farm; he has one hundred and forty acres under excellent enltivation: the buildings are substantial structures. All the surroundings are indicative of thrift, prosper- ity and refined and cultivated taste.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Noate are the parents of a family of five children: Ella D., Charles E., Mary 1 .. , who died in infancy, Homer F. and Mary C., the wife of Dr. E. L. Bourn, of Brecks- ville. Mrs. Van Noate was one of the carly educators of the county. Having received more than an ordinary edneation, at the age of eigliteen years she engaged in teaching, and won an enviable reputation. She and Mr. Van Noate are consistent members of the Congre- gational Church. He is a self-made man in every sense of the word, and merits the confi- dence reposed in him. Years of industry and toil have brought their reward, and a comfort- able competence awaits advancing age.
G W. PRESTAGE, foreman and superin- tendent of the wood and machinery de- partments of the Taylor Chair Factory, Bedford, Ohio, has filled this responsible position for twenty years, and has become thoroughly identified with the interests of the corporation. Ho is a native of the State of New Jersey, born at Elizabethtown, July 26, 1811, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Moncrief) Prest-
age, natives of the State of New York. llis paternal grandfather was Richard Prestage, a native of England and a soldier in the war of 1812; the maternal grandfather was Hugh Monerief, of French descent; he, too, partiei- pated in the war of 1812. Samuel Prestage and wife reared a family of seven children: Eliza- beth, George W., Jeannette, Henry, Charles, Josephine and Samuel. Henry was a soldier in the late war, being first a member of the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and later of the Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry; for two years he was held a prisoner at Andersonville and Libby, suffering all the hardships and hor- rors of those places. Charles was a member of Company A, Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and died at Cumberland Gap, Kentucky. The mother died at the age of forty years; the father passed away in 1891, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. He was a farmer by ocenpation: in polities he affiliated with the Republican party, and in his religious faith he supported the doctrines of the Disciple Church. G. W. Prestage was a lad of nine years when he came to Cleveland; here he grew to man- hood, receiving his education in the common schools. Arriving at mature years he was en- ployed by Dr. J. P. Robinson of Bedford, with whom he remained sixteen years. At the end of this time he secured a position in the saw- mill of Lamson & Wise, and at the end of two years went into the Rolling Mills, where he con- tinned some time. Twenty years ago he be- came associated with the Taylor Chair Company: his previous experience had prepared him for the position he has filled with marked ability and to the best interests of those concerned. An expert mechanic there is not one detail of the business with which he is not familiar.
Mr. Prestage was married December 10, 1863, at Bedford, Ohio, to Thankful S. Mat- thews, a daughter of James Matthews, a native of Ireland and one of the early settlers of Cuya- hoga connty. Mr. Matthews was twice married, the first union being with Aun E. Price, a native of Kent, Ohio; there were born of this
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marriage six children: Mary A., Thomas T., Wealthy J., Sylvester D., Elisha J. and Elijah G. The second marriage, to Sarah L. Price, re- sulted in the birth of five children: John l'., Thomas E., James T., Thankful S. and Charles B. Mr. Matthews died October 19, 1877; Ann E. Matthews died June 15, 1837; Sarah L. Matthews died August 20, 1887. James T.,
Elijah G. and Thomas E. were soldiers in the late Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Prestage are the parents of seven children: Charles W., George II., Clyde Randolph, Fred B., Mabel Lorinda and Florence A .; Eda A. died at the age of one and a half years. Mrs. Prestage is a member of the Disciple Church, is an active worker in the Woman's Relief Corps, and is secretary of the Keeley Local Society. Mr. Prestage is also a member of the Disciple Church. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party.
= JAMES A. PATTON, who has been prom- inently identified with the horticultural interests of this eounty for some years, was born near the city of Glasgow, Scotland, No- vember 16, 1849. After emigrating to America he came to reside with his muele, Alexander Patton, at Glenville, Ohio. Here he secured a practical education, and when he left school em- barked in the occupation of market-gardening and fruit-growing. Ilis reputation has been made upon the success that has attended his enlture of the peach; he had 450 trees in bear- ing condition, and has gathered a heavy erop five out of six years, the yield in 1893 amount- ing to $1,238; the erop of 1891 was 1,000 bushels, which was the largest yield. This record proves that peach-growing is a possibil- ity in this latitude, and that Nature will betray her seerets to the persistent ones. Mr. l'atton's sneeess in raising early vegetables has been al- most phenomenal; he has hot-houses for fore- ing, and makes a specialty of cauliflowers, parsley and radishes. His place, situated on
Doan street, one quarter of a mile from St. Clair street, has all the advantages of town and country.
Mr. Patton has taken a deep interest in fos- tering edneational facilities, and has been an active member of the school board for seven years. The present school building was ereeted during his teri of office chiefly through his instrumentality.
lle was nuited in marriage December 13, 1874, to Miss Sarah L. Beattie, a daughter of W. J. Beattie, one of the old business men of Cleveland who died in 1886, at the age of sixty- nine years; his wife survives him. They had born to them four children: Mrs. Patton, John 11., Belle, wife of J. Litton, and William, who died at the age of twenty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Patton are the parents of three children: Eliza 11., Alexander and Armstrong B. They are both members of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Patton belongs to the Royal Ar- canum. He takes little interest in political af- fairs, but supports the issues of the Republican party. He is in every sense a self-made man, and although he was denied the educational privileges afforded the youth of this generation, he has accepted experience as a teacher, and has won his way to the front rank of Glenville's most honored citizens.
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W ILLIAM J. MARSHALL .. In the cos- mopolitan make-up of her citizenship America has gained many desirable ac- eessions from the mother country within the later years, and among these must be numbered the subject of this sketch, who is a prosperous and representative farmer of Parma township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio.
Mr. Marshall was born February 10, 1825, in Cornwall England, and in his native place grew to man's estate. His father was John Marshall, who died in Cornwall, about the year 1842. llis mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth John, died in May, 1879, at Cleveland, Ohio.
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Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and remained at home until 1845, when he de- termined to seek his fortunes in the New World, emigrating to the United States in the year mentioned. He located in Cleveland, where he was engaged at the carpenter's trade until the spring of 1861. This valuable trade he had acquired in England, and had there been employed at the same for a period of three years prior to coming to America. During the progress of the late war of the Rebellion he was for seven months in the employ of the govern- ment of his adopted country, his services being in demand along the line of his trade.
In 1863 Mr. Marshall effected the purchase of the farm which is now his home, in Parma township. He settled upon the place in the succeeding year and lent himself assiduously to its improvement and cultivation. That he was eminently successful in his well directed efforts is evident from the appearance of the farmstead at the present time, the place being highly cul- tivated, prolific in its yields and equipped with excellent buildings.
Mr. Marshall was married, in Richfield, Sum- mit county, Ohio, September 28, 1848, to Miss Ann Kirby, who was born in Yorkshire, Eng- Jand, February 8, 1824. She died at the home- stead December 2, 1887, sorely lamented by the companion to whom and to whose interests she had ever been devoted. They had two adopted daughters: Alice M., who died December 13, 1881, and Carrie, who is the wife of George Schwab, of Parma, Ohio. A grandchild, Will- iam Marshall Schwab, was born November 27, 1893.
Soon after coming to Cleveland Mr. Marshall became connected with the Independent Fire Company, and in 1847 helped to organize Com- pay No. 6, of which he was a member for live or six years, when he again became an organizer of a new company, which was named Hope No. 8, and in which he continued as an officer for seven years, being then placed on the honorary list.
Our subject is a man of broad intelligence and much business ability, takes an active in-
terest in all local affairs of public nature, and in his political proelivities is stanchly arrayed with the Republican party. He has been honored by his fellow-townsmen with the preferment as Township Trustee. He has ever been intimately identified with the religions work of the com- munity, is a devoted member of the First Pres. byterian Church, and has been one of the Elders of the same for many years. Ilis wife was also zenlons in her devotion and work for the church, of which she was a most consistent member.
J THOMAS M. DEWITT, superintendent of Wells, Fargo & Company's Express, is a native of Canada, having been born at Holland Landing, February 24, 1854. lle is in direct descent from John De Witt, Grand Pensionary of Holland, who rendered most distinguished services to the Dutch Re- public. The first member of the family came to this country in 1656. His great-grandfather was a member of the Colonial Assembly from 1768 to 1775, and was one of the nine resolute and patriotic men who voted to approve of the proceedings of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. His grandfather was a member of Congress, and at the close of his term was appointed Charge d' Affaires to Guatemala, Central America. His father resides in Elmira, New York, where he has represented the United States Express Company for thirty-five years, and is and has been prominent in city affairs, holding positions of trust for many years.
Mr. Thomas De Witt passed his boyhood in Elmira, New York. At the age of twenty years he entered the employ of the United States Express Company, at Ehnira, as cashier. In ESSO, he was appointed agent for the United States Express Company at Youngstown, Ohio, and in 1882 was transferred to a similar position with the same company at Pittsburg. In March, 1886, he accepted the agency of the Eric Express Company at Cleveland, Ohio, and in November of the sante year was promoted
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to its managership. In 1858 the Erie Express Company disposed of its interests to Wells Fargo & Company's Express, and Mr. De Witt was continued in the service of the latter com- pany, in the position of superintendent, which position he now holds.
The above record abundantly demonstrates the capacity and fidelity of Mr. De Witt for the Express business, and withal, he is a model citizen.
Mr. De Witt is a member of The Holland Society of New York, by right of direct de- scent from the Hollanders who came to America in 1631. He is a member of the Calvary Presbyterian Church of Cleveland, and with his wife and four children resides on East Pros- peet street.
B ELDEN SEYMOUR, who died January 17, 1589, was a native of Vergennes, Vermont, born in 1526. At the age of fourteen he went to New York, where he entered the employ of an uncle in the dry-goods business and continued for several years. Later he came to Cleveland, and afterward proceeded to Wisconsin, where he spent three or four years, and then returned to this city, in 1848, settling on the West Side. Ile became one of the lead- ing citizens of Cleveland, taking an active in- terest in all things pertaining to the welfare of the city, dealing in real estate being his principal occupation. He was interested in most of the early allotments on the West Side; was one of the organizers of the People's Savings and Loan Association, and was a director of the same at the time of his death. For many years he was a director of the Citizens' Savings & Loan Association of this city. lle was always one of the foremost to take up and advocate the best interests of the city, being resolute, pro- gressive and enterprising. He was also en- gaged in fire insurance, having established one of the oldest agencies in this city. He was also one of the organizers of the People's Gaslight
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