USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > Portrait and biographical record of city of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the locality, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 37
USA > Ohio > Wood County > Portrait and biographical record of city of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the locality, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 37
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In 1853 Mr. Dillon married Margaret Mitchell,
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of Georgetown. She had come to this state with a small party of Irish emigrants, which settled in Brown County in 1850, and her parents later be- came residents of Georgetown. Their family numbered seven children, a son and six daughters. To our subject and wife have been born eleven children, six of whom are living: Margaret E., Mrs. James McCafferty, of Brown County; James A., who married Maggie Yeager, and is engaged in the inilling business with his father; Theresa A., Mary G., Frank E. and Clara. The family are members of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Toledo.
M YRON R. LITTLEFIELD. In the life of this successful business man of Toledo arc illustrated the results of perseverance and energy, coupled with judicious management and strict integrity. For some time he has occu- pied the responsible position of Treasurer of the Toledo Brewing and Malting Company, one of the most important and successful enterprises of the kind in the West. He has at different times been chosen to fill other positions of trust and responsi- bility, in all of which he has displayed energy, tact, discrimination and great perseverance.
The birth of our subject occurred in Syracuse, N. Y., in 1850, his parents being Charles Dunbar and Mahala (Brown) Littlefield, members of the farming community of the Empire State. When he was seven years of age the family removed to Ohio, and from 1857 to 1864 resided in Bellevue, Huron County, removing thence to Toledo, where the father continued to reside until his death, in 1869. Myron R. is the youngest of eleven children who arrived at years of maturity. The rudiments of his education were obtained in the public schools of Bellevue, and the knowledge there acquired was supplemented by a course of study at Toledo.
The business career of Mr. Littlefield was begun as a bookkeeper in an office in Toledo. Afterward he went to Colorado, where he spent three years
in the silver mines. In 1880, returning to Toledo, lie became connected with the Toledo Brewing and Malting Company, of which lic was made Treasurer the following year. He has since served in that capacity continuously, with the exception of two years. Employment is furnished by the company to seventy-five men, and the trade cxtends through Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The plant is located on the Swan Creek Belt Line, connecting with all the rail- roads in the city of Toledo. The equipment com- prises the most modern and highily improved ma- chinery, including a Corliss engine of seventy-five horse power.
Mr. Littlefield established domestic ties in 1869, at which time he was united in marriage with Miss Julia E., daughter of Francis Brown, of Bingham- ton, N. Y. They have a pleasant home at No. 202 Indiana Avenue, where they welcome and cordially entertain their hosts of personal friends. As a man of business, Mr. Littlefield is energetic and painstaking. He gives his entire attention to his business affairs, and takes no further interest in public matters than to cast his ballot in favor of those inen whom he deems best qualified to repre- sent the people in official positions.
R EV. J. A. BARTLETT, pastor of the Pres- byterian Church of Pemberville, was born in Somerset County, Me., October 7, 1838, and is a member of a family that was long and honorably associated with the history of New Eng- land. His father, Joel, a native of Oxford Coun- ty, Me., was engaged in the inercan tile business in Bangor, where he was also extensively interested in the lumber industry. Elected by his fellow- citizens to represent them in thic State Legislature, he rendered able service in that responsible posi- tion, and in every way possible promoted the wel- fare of his constituents. He enjoyed the friend-
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ship of many noted men, and the illustrious Han- nibal Hamlin was at one time associated in business with him. The closing years of his life were spent in New Richmond, Wis., where he was associated witli a son in the banking business.
By his union with Jane G. McCurdy, of Bath, Me., who died at thirty-eight years of age, Joel Bartlett had two sons, J. A. and Frank W., the lat- ter being President of the New Richmond ( Wis.) Bank. Our subject was a lad of ten years at the time of his mother's death. His father being a inan of wealth and liberal views, he enjoyed all the educational advantages that money can secure. His primary schooling was obtained in an academy at Charleston, Me., not far from Bangor. The knowledge there gained was supplemented by at- tendance at Colby University, a Baptist institution of Maine, which he entered at the age of fifteen years, graduating therefrom when nineteen.
Upon completing his literary studies, our subject was, for one year, a tutor in his Alma Mater, after which he became a student in the Ballston Spa (N. Y.) Law School. Going then to New York City, he entered the law office of Judge Hilton, a young lawyer, who was later famous as Judge and as the manager of the great Stewart estate. He, however, was a cold, selfish man, without Christian principles, and association with him not being congenial to our subject, he withdrew, after having spent a year in the office. Later he became connected with the law firm of Maun, Rodman & Pierson, at that time one of the most noted legal firms in the country. Mr. Rodman took a great interest in the young student, to whom he ren- dered all the assistance in his power, aiding him in luis efforts to acquire a thorough knowledge of the profession.
After his admission to the Bar, Mr. Bartlett was given the position of confidential clerk for the large law firm of Barney, Humphrey & Butler, with whom he remained for a time. Forming a part- nership with Judge Maynard, under the firm name of Maynard & Bartlett, he opened an office at No. 8 Wall Street, where he continued in practice until 1862. He then accepted the position of private secretary to General (afterward President) Arthur, who was in charge of the Quartermaster-General's
Department of New York. He returned to his law practice in 1868, shortly after which the great uprising against the Tweed "ring" broke out, and he took a prominent part in the fight, tendering his services to the Citizens' Association in their ef- fort to overthrow the "ring." To him was given the work of organizing and holding meetings among the different trades, and in this way he was an influential factor in securing the downfall of the party whose influence had been so injurious to the interests of the city.
During all this time Mr. Bartlett had taken a deep interest in religious work, and this feeling, deepening as the years passed by, led him in 1870 to change the entire course of his life. As an at- torney he had the brightest prospects before him; fame seemed already within his grasp, but he abandoned all, believing that in the preaching of the Gospel there was a greater work for him to do. Succeeding events have justified his course. He has been enabled, as a minister, to promote the cause of Christianity in various communities, and has been instrumental in the conversion of many.
After having devoted some time to missionary work in New York, Rev. Mr. Bartlett was sent West, locating in Mendota, Ill., in 1872. The following year he returned East aud accepted the pastorate of the Perkins Street Methodist Episcopal Church, in Chicopee, Mass. During the short time spent there, he was instrumental in working up one of the greatest revivals ever held in western Massa- chusetts. At the expiration of his pastorate in Chicopee, personal reasons caused him to withdraw from the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he be- came connected with the Presbyterian Church, in which he has faithfully labored ever since.
From Chicopee Rev. Mr. Bartlett went to Mar- blehead, Mass., and later to Newburyport, where he remained for two years. He then returned to the West, and his labors have since been largely in the missionary field in the states of Wisconsin, Illi- nois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio. For the past two years his headquarters have been in Pem- berville, where he has charge of the Presbyterian Church. His work, however, is by no means lim- ited to this place, but extends throughout Ohio, and into the surrounding states. He has much of
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the spirit and fire of the illustrious Mr. Moody, whom he resembles so greatly in personal appear- ance that he has often been mistaken for him by people who had seen Mr. Moody but not himself. In his ministerial work he has met with thic most gratifying results. As a thinker, he is deep and logical; as a speaker, able and forcible; and in personal manner genial and winning. His entire energies are concentrated upon the work to whichi he has devoted his life, and while he gave up much for the cause of Christianity, sacrificing his hopes and his ambition for political fame and legal emi- nence, he has never for a moment regretted the course he has taken, but rejoices that he has been permitted to labor for the cause of Christ and pro- mote the welfare of the church.
Some years ago Rev. Mr. Bartlett lost his first wife, who, at her death, left a daughter, Jennie, now residing with her father. In 1891 he was united in marriage with Miss Kittie McKennon, of Ann Arbor, Mich., a highly cultured and refined lady, who has been of the greatest assistance to him in his Christian work.
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H ON. JOHN H. PUCK. The fact that there are so many men who have not only been successful in commercial affairs in Toledo, but who have accumulated large fortunes, speaks well for the resources of the city and also for the accumulative ability of its inhabitants. He of whom we write is a business man of influence, and is a power in commercial circles, not only in To- ledo, but throughout a large portion of northern Ohio. He is filling the position of Secretary and Treasurer of the Western Manufacturing Company, one of the prominent concerns of the city, the suc- cess of which is largely due to his tact, dicrimina- tion and business ability.
Upon a farm in Wood County, Ohio, the subject of this sketchi was born May 18, 1842. He is of German descent, his father, John, having been born
in Germany, in 1803. The latter came to Amer- ica in 1836, and settled in Wood County about three years later, making his home upon an unim- proved tract of land. To the cultivation and im- provement of this property he gave his entire attention, and as a general farmer and stock-raiser met with more than ordinary success. His wife died in 1858, but he survived for many years afterward, his death occurring in Toledo in 1885.
The subject of this sketch is the youngest of four children, there being three sons and one daughter. He was reared upon his father's farm, and in boyhood attended the district schools of Wood County, gaining a practical education. At the age of nineteen he left the farm and came to Toledo, where he entered the employ of the hard- ware firm of Brigham & Foster on Summit Street. With this firm he remained in the capacity of clerk for about one year, when, September 12, 1862, he enlisted as a member of Company G, Thirty-seventhi Ohio Infantry, Col. Edward Sieber in command. The regiment was ordered to Louis- ville, Ky., and thence to Vicksburg, joining the Army of the Tennessee, and being assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fifteenthi Army Corps.
In the siege of Vicksburg Mr. Puck was an act- ive participant, after which the regiment was or- dercd to Chattanooga, Tenn., and later took part in the battle of Mission Ridge. With his regiment he marched to Knoxville for the purpose of in- tercepting General Longstreet, then returned to Chattanooga, and went into winter quarters at Larkinsville, Ala., where he remained until April. In the Atlanta campaign he took an active part, and was present at all the battles from Resaca, Ga., to Jonesboro. At the latter place he received a severe wound, whichi necessitated his confinement for a time in a hospital. A ball entered his neck near the jugular vein, glanced downward and came out under his shoulder-blade. As soon as able to travel he was sent home on a furlough.
Rejoining his regiment at Savannalı, Ga., Mr. Puck took part in the siege and capture of Colum- bia, S. C., thien proceeded to Raleigh, N. C., from there marched to Petersburg, and later went to Washington, D. C., where he took part in the
VOLENTINE W. GRANGER.
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Grand Review. On the 28th of May, 1865, he was mustered out of the service, and returned to To- ledo immediately afterward. Here he became an employe of H. A. Boyd, manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds. In 1868 he purchased the busi- ness of his employer, in connection with five others, but at the end of a year disposed of his in- terest in the concern.
In 1869 Mr. Puck entered the employ, as fore- man, of Keeler, Baird & Bevins, manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds. April 6, 1870, the West- ern Manufacturing Company was organized, Mr. Puek becoming Secretary and Treasurer, which position lie holds at the present time. The com- pany employs from seventy to seventy-five men. The machinery is of the latest improved pattern and is propelled by a forty-horse-power engine, the plant being a substantial brick structure.
The marriage of Mr. Puck occurred Deeem ber 7, 1865, his wife being Miss Ann Westerhouse. They have four children, there being three daughters and one son: Lenna E., wife of Paul Huehn; Fred J., a member of the Western Manufactur- ing Company; Margaret and Alıneda. In the ranks of the Democratie party Mr. Puck is active and influential, and upon that tieket he has been elected to a number of important positions. In 1881 he was elected to the City Board of Education for two years. In 1885 he was chosen State Repre- sentative for Lucas County. He took an active part in the passage of the bill appropriating $35,- 000 to perpetuate the memory of the Ohio soldiers who fell in the battle of Gettysburg. In Grand Army affairs he takes a prominent part, being eon- neeted with Toledo Post No. 107.
OLENTINE WHITMAN GRANGER en- joys the distinction of being the oldest merchant tailor in northwestern Ohio, as he has followed the business for forty-six years con- tinuously. January 1, 1849, he became a resident of Toledo, where he has since conducted a tailor's
establishment, and for the past ten years lie has im- ported all of the goods used in the elothing man- ufaetured by him. In 1878 he built a four-story structure, two floors of which he oceupies in his business. The first floor, which has a fine plate- glass front, he rents to Bell & Richardson, dealers in the Libby eut glass and china. The most skilled workmen are the only ones ever employed by Mr. Granger, who superintends all departments and does all bis own fitting. He has been very successful and at all times enjoys a luerative trade.
The birth of our subject occurred in Portage County, Ohio, February 25, 1826. His father, Lemuel Granger, who was a native of New York State, and an early settler in Ohio, was for years a well known and extensive stoneeutter. The grandfather, Maj. Thomas Granger, served for seven years during the War of the Revolution. The family is of English deseent, and its members were early settlers in New England. The mother of our subject, formerly Martha Rathbone, was also born in New York, and by her marriage be- came the mother of ten children, five sons and five daughters, of whom our subjeet is the seventh in order of birth.
The boyhood of Volentine W. Granger was passed in Akron, to which eity his parents moved when he was quite young. There he attended the publie sehools, and when only twelve years of age . began learning his future trade. When he had completed the same, he went to New York to per- fect himself in his profession. Le then returned to Akron, and went into business on his own ae- count, conducting the same for some three years. In partnership with his brother, Joseph A., he opened a merchant-tailoring establishment in this city in 1849. The firm known as Granger & Bro. was in existence until 1862, since which time Vol- entine W. has been alone. He owns valuable prop- erty in this city and is financially well off.
On the 7th of May, 1849, oeeurred the marriage of Mr. Granger and Emeline F., daughter of Nathan Brown Dodge, of Akron, Ohio. Three children were born to them: Mary E., who married John B. Ketcham, Jr., a prominent banker, and died in 1876; Clara, who married Rowland Starr, a resident of Toledo, and a member of the firm of Barbour &
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Starr, engaged in the wholesale lumber business; and Volentine, Jr., who is bookkeeper in his father's store and married Charlotte M., daughter of Henry Tracy, of Toledo. The mother of these children, who was a loyal wife and faithfully discharged her duties in every relation of life, was called to her final rest May 9, 1894. She belonged to Trinity Church, to which our subject also belongs. The handsome family residence is at No. 1027 Supe- rior Strect, where everything bespeaks thic culture and good taste of the owner.
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J OHN PARKER is a leading Justice of the Peace in Toledo, having been first elected to this position in 1891, for a three-years term, and when that period had expired was re -. elected for another term of similar length. He is a stalwart Republican and has many warm friends in political circles. Formerly he made a good record as Constable, serving continuously in that responsible place for seven years under Daniel O'Shea, J. S. Balloux and J. W. Enright.
John Parker was born forty miles west of Buf- falo, N. Y., over the Canadian boundary, the date of the event being October 4, 1836. His parents were Allen and Abbie (Swick) Parker, natives of Canada and New Jersey, respectively. Allen Par- ker left his early home and became a permanent resident of Canada, where he followed agricult- ural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1892, at the age of eighty-three years. His wife was born in 1810 and died in 1891. They had a large family, numbering eleven children, six sons and five daughters, all of whom, with the excep- tion of two daughters, arc living.
The boyhood days of John Parker were passed on his father's Canadian farm, and his education was such as was afforded by the schools of the dis- trict. In 1865 lic emigrated to Ottawa County, Ohio, and for nearly eight years devoted his whole energies to carpenter work. In 1873 lic moved to
Toledo and followed for a time his trade as a car- penter and joiner. While thus employed he was first elected to publie office, and has so faithfully served liis fellow-citizens that they have called upon him time and again to act as their represen- tative.
When in his twenty-second year, Mr. Parker married Miss Harriet Fralick, of Canada, who died in 1892, leaving four children: Asa S .; Peter; Mary J., wife of William Mattison, of Toledo; and Will- iam B. The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. John Parker was a Miss Mary Bach, of this city. By her marriage she has become the mother of one son, Frank J. The family residence is at No. 637 John Street.
Fraternally, Mr. Parker is a member of Toledo Lodge No. 144, F. & A. M. His paternal grand- father, Levi Parker, was born in New Jersey, and the grandmotlier, whose girlhood name was Mary Allen, was a daughter of one Captain Allen, wlio served in the War of the Revolution under Gen- eral Washington.
R ICHARD REEVES. As the owner and proprietor of the Marine Boiler Works, Mr. Reeves, though he has been engaged in business in 'Toledo for a few years comparative- ly, is well and favorably known as one of the rep- resentative and successful men of the city. The works were established by him in 1889, since which time he has engaged in the manufacture of boilers, all kinds of mill machinery, and special- ties of marine work. A fine grade of stationary boilers is manufactured, also boilers for use in the lake serviec. The plant is operated by steam power and contains the most improved machinery.
The parents of Mr. Reeves were William and Mary (Cady) Reeves, both of whom died in To- ronto, Canada, the former in 1863, and the latter in 1875. Among their nine children was Richard,
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a native of Toronto, born on the 6th of February, 1853. He was educated in the common schools of Toronto, and while he did not have the best facil- ities for gaining knowledge, he nevertheless im- proved such opportunities as came to liini, and thus acquired a practical education, fitting him for actual contact with men of business. On leaving school, he began to learn the trade of boiler-mak- ing in Toronto, at which he continued until he gained a complete knowledge of the oeeupation.
It was in 1872 that Mr. Reeves came to the States, and lie has since been a loyal subject of this Government. For a time he was employed in Buffalo, N. Y., but from there went to Erie, Pa., wliere he followed his trade. He was similarly en- gaged in Dunkirk, Albany and other places in the East. In 1884 he went to Michigan and, set- tling in Ann Arbor, he formed a partnership with Robert Hunter, under the firm name of Reeves, Hunter & Co., the firm making a specialty of tlie manufacture of engines and general machinery. He continued in the business at Ann Arbor until 1889, when he sold his interest in the concern and came to Toledo, where he established what is now known as the Marine Boiler Works.
This well known business house furnishes em- ployment to a force of forty men during the busy seasons, and even in dull times usually has at least twenty-five hands. The products are of the best grade, and their superior quality is universally recognized by all who are familiar with the busi- ness. It is one of the solid industries of Toledo, and has brought to its projector substantial pros- perity through the exercise of judgment, energy and tact.
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Mr. Reeves and Miss Maria Woodsend were united in marriage in 1882. The lady is a native of Nottingham, England, but has been a resident of this country almost her entire life. Their fam- ily consists of two sons, William and Thomas Woodsend. As a member of the Republican par- ty, Mr. Reeves has taken an active interest in civic affairs, and his sympathy is always heartily cnlist- ed in plans for the promotion of the welfare of the people. During his service as a member of the City Council, representing the First Ward, he was instrumental in securing the passage of a number
of important bills, and assisted in forwarding need- ed municipal reforms.
While in Ann Arbor, Mr. Reeves identified him- self with Aun Arbor Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M., in which he still holds membership. He is also prominent in Chapter No. 40, R. A. M., at Toledo. While he is interested in social and political mat- ters, his attention, however, has been principally devoted to the demands of his increasing business, in the success of which he feels a just and com- mendable pride. New improvements are constant- ly being added in the way of machinery to the plant, as Mr. Reeves aims to keep up with the times in his line of business, so as to be able to meet all demands.
LDRED W. EASTELL is Secretary of the Toledo Water Works, having been called upon to accept that responsible position in 1891. He entered upon his duties July 1 of that year, and has gained an enviable name as a man who attends strictly to business, never neglecting in the slightest degree any detail of his work. He has made his home in this city for the past eight- een years.
Eldred W. Eastell was born in Norwich, Eng- land, August 18, 1850, and was only three years of age when he was brought by his parents, Rich- ard and Louise (Dale) Eastell, to the United States. The family settled in Maumee, Lucas County, Ohio, where they became prosperous and respected citizens. The father died in 1875, but his wife is still living on the old homestead.
The early years of our subject were passed in Maumee, Lucas County, where he was regular in his attendance at the district schools until he was in his thirteenth year. He was only fifteen when he entered the employ of Dicks & Johnson, pro- prietors of the Pearl Mills. He was their salesman and bookkeeper for eight years, filling both posi-
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tions with eredit. He then embarked in the retail grocery and hardware business in Maumee, and gave his attention to the same until December, 1877.
In the year last mentioned, Mr. Eastell cast in bis fortunes with the good people of Toledo. He entered the office of T. S. Merrill & Co., dealers in agricultural implements and seeds, and was re- tained in their employ until January 1, 1885. The following year he was offered the position of manager in the Toledo Spice Company's works, and served as such for a year. From that time until July 1, 1891, he conducted a real-estate and loan business with T. S. Merrill. Fraternally he is a Thirty-second Degree Mason, a member of Rub- icon Lodge No. 237, F. & A. M .; Ft. Meigs Chapter, R. A. M .; Toledo Council, R. & S. M .; Toledo Commandery No. 7, K. T .; and Cincinnati Consis- tory, A. & A. R.
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