USA > Ohio > Representative citizens of Ohio : memorial-genealogical > Part 23
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George Henry Ford
dent in the office of Mason, Hitchcock & Estep, where he remained a year, completing his studies in the office of Judge Canfield, of Cleveland. He then left Cleveland and went to his home at Burton in order to permit his elder brother, Seabury C., to come to Cleveland to engage in the boot and shoe business. At Burton he entered into a partnership with his younger brother, Robert Neil, and George Boughton, under the name of Boughton, Ford & Company, dealers in dry goods, in which venture he was eminently successful. Later he was admitted to the bar. Some time later Mr. Ford engaged in the banking business, in which his talents found opportunity for exercise and here also he was successful. The bank was first established in a little, one-story frame building, which eventually was succeeded by a splendid brick block erected by him. The bank was conducted there until 1903, when its affairs were wound up and the business discontinued. In 1891, Mr. Ford was appointed a national bank examiner and for four- teen years he efficiently and satisfactorily discharged the duties of this responsible position. In 1903, he removed to Cleveland, where he made his home during the remainder of his life. He was held in high esteem among the bankers with whom he came in contact during his official service, who recognized and acknowl- edged not only his ability in that special line of work, but also his all-round capability and his high character.
In public affairs George Henry Ford long took a deep interest and a leading and active part. In 1864, he was elected a justice of the peace and was reelected to that office in 1867 and 1870. Politically, he was aligned with the Republican party and in 1871 he was elected by that party to the old seat of his father in the Ohio House of Representatives, and was reelected in 1873 and 1875, and also served two terms in the senate of his State. He was keenly alive to the highest and best interests of his constit- uency, and indeed of all the people, and his record as a legislator was one that reflected great credit on him and honored his district. He introduced and supported many measures which were bene- ficial to the State at large, among which was the bill for the estab- lishment of the state food and dairy commission, of which bill he was the author. Among other measures advocated by him was a bill which he introduced for the creation of the Ohio State Uni- versity, which proposed to consolidate the three weak state insti- tutions and produce one large, strong, and liberally endowed university. In partisan affairs, Mr. Ford was recognized as a most efficient worker and served on many county and congres- sional committees, many times as chairman, and was a delegate
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George Whenry Ford
to the national convention of the Republican party which nomi- nated Rutherford B. Hayes for the Presidency.
A splendid pen picture of Mr. Ford was written many years ago by his old-time friend, A. G. Riddle, from which the following words are quoted: "He has been more liberally endowed by na- ture than the majority of his fellows. Finely formed, of manly symmetry, a large, well developed head, unusually good eyes, large and lustrous, and well featured, he has manners and address especially winning. He possesses a singularly well balanced mind, of large capacity, and well developed faculties. Quick in per- ception, able and logical, a good speaker, and he puts himself well on paper when he will. He never cares to be showy. He is a man to be liked, and is largely personally popular."
On June 4, 1866, George Henry Ford was married to Corinne E. Williams, the daughter of Carlos and Electa (Crane) Williams, of Burton, she being, on the maternal side, descended from a race, the women of which have been distinguished for their beauty of person and graciousness of character. Mrs. Williams was a native of Massachusetts, and her husband of Ohio; Grandfather Calvin Williams having come to Ohio among the earliest pioneers. Carlos Williams was during his active life a successful farmer, but eventually retired and lived quietly in his home at Burton. Mrs. Ford received a good education, having graduated from the high school at Burton and then spending a year in Hiram College. To George Henry and Corinne Ford were born the following children: Seabury W., who died at the age of one and a half years; Helen R. became the wife of Gaetano Manno, and they have one child, Salvatore George, who now makes his home with Mrs. Ford, his grandmother; Louis Jay remains with his mother; Carl Boughton, who resides in Aurora, Ohio, married Elizabeth Hurd, and they have two children, Seabury Hurd and Francis Elizabeth; George H., who died at the age of six weeks.
In all that constituted true manhood and good citizenship, Mr. Ford was a worthy example and none stood higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the circles in which he moved. Genial and unassuming among his associates, ever courteous in his address, he easily made and retained friends, and among all who enjoyed his acquaintance his death was felt as a personal bereavement. He had not been a man to shrink from duty, how- ever irksome, whether in the role of private citizen, public serv- ant, or on the field of battle, and he played well his part in the drama of life.
Absalom C. Jennings
REVIEW of the life of the honored and lamented sub- ject of this biographical memoir must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details of the career of the late Absalom C. Jennings, touching the struggles and efforts of his early manhood and successes of later days, when he ranked among the leading merchants and business men of the communi- ties with which he was identified, would far transcend the limits of this article. He filled a large place in the ranks of the enter- prising and public-spirited men of his day and generation and the memories which attach to his name have a proper place in the history of his native State. But sufficient is submitted to prove him entitled to an honorable position among those men who, by industry, enterprise, and unswerving devotion, forged to the front despite all opposition and gained a notable success. That he did his part nobly and well cannot be gainsaid, and, "though dead, he yet speaketh," in the work he accomplished and in the many kindly deeds and wholesome influence which all who knew him prize as a grateful heritage.
The ancestors of the subject of this review were fine types of the pioneer farmers, who played a conspicuous part in the development of Champaign County from its very earliest his- tory. When the family first located in that section of the State, it was under most discouraging and unfavorable conditions, the country thereabouts being still peopled with the red man and wild animals of many species, while the interminable forests, un- bridged streams, endless thickets and absence of highways, made traveling anything but pleasant. The Jennings family were of that sterling, useful, plain, and honest type of the world's workers, who figured little in public life, but whose work and self- sacrifice were really responsible for the development of the coun- try into one of the finest agricultural regions of the world. These sturdy qualities were inherited to a notable degree by the subject of this sketch, who, in the realms of business and commerce, just as certainly performed his full part in the drama of life as did his pioneer ancestors. He was a public spirited man in all that the term implies, being ever interested in enterprises tending to promote the general welfare. His personal relations with his fellow men were mutually pleasant and agreeable, for in him
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Absalom C. Jennings
were blended those qualities which make a man appreciated by those with whom he associates. He was a man of progressive ideas, as was indicated by the manner in which he conducted the large landed estate which he acquired in Champaign County, and in the improvement of which he took a deep interest, spend- ing much of his time there during his later years.
Absalom C. Jennings was born on the old Jennings home- stead, near Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio, on February 22, 1815, in the midst of the most pronounced primitive and pioneer environment, that section of the State being at that time but sparsely settled and very little improved. His paternal grand- father, Edward Jennings, was educated for the priesthood, but he abandoned that purpose and became a physician. The subject's parents, George and Jane (Chenworth) Jennings, were born in Berkeley County, in what is now West Virginia, and were both descended from good old Virginia stock, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. In 1814, they came to Ohio and here entered new and unbroken land, which in due time, by the most strenuous and unremitting labor, he developed into a good farm, on which he and his wife spent the remainder of their active days. They were possessors of those rugged and sterling qualities which characterized those who settled this part of the country, and be- cause of their high character and genuine worth they enjoyed the respect of all who knew them. About the year 1825, George Jennings met death by accident on the Ohio River, while away on a business trip, and in 1834, his widow, with her children, left the farm and moved to the town of Urbana, purchasing a good farm near there, where she spent the rest of her life quietly, her death occurring at the age of about seventy years. She was an active member of the regular Baptist Church, having been one of the charter members of that denomination in Clark County. She also became a leader in the church at Urbana and after her death a fine memorial window was put in the church building by her sons, Edward and Absalom Jennings, the theme of the window illustration being the "widow's mite."
To George and Jane Jennings were born the following child- ren: Absalom C., the immediate subject of this memoir; Edward, who became a prominent and successful business man of the sec- tion of the State of which he was a native; Mrs. Sarah Van Meter, and Nancy, who remained single and died when about forty years of age.
Absalom Jennings was reared to manhood on the home farm and, considering local conditions in those days, he received a very
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Absalom C. Jennings
fair education. He was but ten years of age when his father's untimely death occurred and he was thus early compelled to assist in the operation of the farm and the care of his mother and younger children. In young manhood he went to Marysville, Union County, and learned the trade of saddle and harness mak- ing, at which he became a very proficient workman, his services being greatly in demand. He carefully saved his earnings, and subsequently went to New York city, whither his brother Edward had already gone, and there he went into the wholesale dry-goods business, the firm name being styled Jennings & Read. The business was successful to an eminent degree and Mr. Jennings maintained his connection with it for twenty years. During
this time Mr. Jennings invested his profits in a large and eligibly located farm near Urbana, Ohio, where his mother was living. His principal motive in this purchase was simply as an invest- ment, and he brought a man here from Long Island to run the
farm for him. However, the man proved incapable and Mr. Jennings took upon himself the personal supervision of the place, though he placed a couple of good, practical farmers on the place to assist him in its operation. He was intensely practical in all he did, and the improvements which he placed on the farm were of so permanent a character and so well calculated to carry out his advanced ideas, that the place soon became recognized as one of the best farms in this section of the State. Mr. Jennings gave special attention to the breeding and raising of fine horses, in which he was successful to a very gratifying degree. Thus he made out of what was presumed to be a side line and diversion, a really successful and profitable enterprise. However, it was as merchant and all-round business man that Mr. Jennings displayed those elements which won for him the greatest success and an en- viable reputation. Shrewd and sagacious in all his undertakings, he was able to foresee the future outcome of a present transaction with remarkable accuracy and thus he seldom was disappointed in any of his business affairs. During his later years his time was divided mainly between New York City, the South, and his Ohio estate. This splendid farm is still owned by Mrs. Jen- nings, though she resides in a beautiful home in Urbana.
Mr. Jennings was a man of broad mental ken, honorable im- pulses and high ideals. His temper was calm and equable, and his manners were emphatically those of the gentleman-plain, simple, dignified-despising sham and pretense of all kinds. His devotion to every duty was intense, while in his perception of truth and worth he was seldom mistaken. While his opinions
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Absalom C. Jennings
were strong, he was always open to conviction, and when satis- fied that they were erroneous his concessions were graceful and unqualified. He was, in short, a man whom to know was to respect and admire, and his loss was keenly felt by all who knew him.
On November 26, 1849, Absalom C. Jennings was married, in Bellefontaine, Ohio, to Julia A. McNay, who was born in Logan County, Ohio, November 6, 1820. She was carefully reared, re- ceived a good education, and is a woman of fine intellectual at- tainments and many commendable traits of character, which have made her a favorite with a wide circle of friends. She is excep- tionally alert in both mind and body for one of her age, and has the appearance of a woman many years younger. Mrs. Jen- nings is a daughter of David McNay, who was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, of Scotch ancestry. When a young man he came to Logan County, Ohio, with his parents, and settled on military lands, where, by hard work and persistent effort, he established a good home. He married Rhoda Wilcox, who was a native of Connecticut and of New England parentage. Not long after his marriage, David McNay died on his farm in Logan County, in the prime of life, when about thirty-one years of age. His widow never married again, spending the rest of her life in West Liberty, Logan County, Ohio, living to the advanced age of eighty-seven years. She was a Methodist in her religious be- lief and was a devout, kind, and lovable woman.
To David and Rhoda McNay were born four children, namely, James, Hezekiah, Mary J., and Julia A. James, who married and reared a family, died in Massachusetts when about forty years old. Hezekiah, who also married and had a family, died in Council Grove, Kansas, where he was a prominent and suc- cessful business man. Mary J. and Julia A., widow of the subject, are the only members of the family now living. They are earnest members of the Presbyterian Church and faithful in their support of the same. Mrs. Jennings has no living child- ren.
The death of Absalom C. Jennings occurred at his home near Urbana, Ohio, on March 10, 1895, after a successful, honor- able, and useful life, his passing away being sincerely mourned throughout the community. He had reached the ripe old age of eighty years, and was truly a grand old man, having merited fully the respect which was universally accorded him.
Walilliam Wesley Sly
T is the dictate of our nature, no less than of enlight- ened social policy, to honor those whose lives have con- tributed in any way to the good of their community and their associates; to bedew with affectionate tears the silent urn of departed worth and virtue; to unburden the full- ness of the surcharged heart in eulogium upon deceased friends, had to rehearse their commendable lives for the benefit of those who may come after us. Hence the following feeble tribute to one of nature's noblemen. In contemplating the many estimable qualities of the late William W. Sly, integrity and industry appear as prominent characteristics-an integrity that no personal or other consideration could swerve, and an industry that knew no rest while anything remained undone. When a given task was accomplished, he would throw off all care, retire to his home and devote himself to domestic and social enjoyments, for which he had the keenest zest and relish. His temper was calm and equable, and his manners were emphatically those of the gentle- man, despising sham and pretense of all kinds. His devotion to every duty was intense, while his perception of truth and worth was almost intuitive. In his estimate of those he was seldom mistaken, and while his opinions were strong, he was always open to conviction, and when satisfied that they were erroneous his concessions were graceful and unqualified. He was a man whom to know was to respect and admire, and his loss was keenly felt by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
William Wesley Sly, whose death occurred at his home in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 22, 1911, was born on a farm in Oakland County, Michigan, on the 22nd of April, 1834, and was the son of Daniel and Catharine (Depew) Sly, his mother having been related to the noted New York financier and statesman, Chauncy Depew. Daniel Sly was a native of the East, where he was reared and where he followed the vocation of farming. He was married near Canandaigua, New York, his wife also having been an Easterner by birth and rearing. They both died in Michigan at advanced ages, she first, at the age of eighty years, and he at the age of eighty-eight. They were the parents of the following children: Mary became the wife of William Burch, and both are now deceased; William W., the immediate subject of this memoir; Eliza was the wife of Edwin Ruthruff, but is now deceased; Lodema died in early life; Esther, deceased; and Benjamin, who died at the age of thirteen years. Lodema and Esther were successful school teachers in Michigan.
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William Wesley Sly
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William Wesley Slp
William W. Sly spent his boyhood years on the paternal farmstead and received a good education, which he completed in the Ypsilanti high school. He then engaged in teaching school for a time, his summer vacation periods being employed in work on the farm. Eventually he took charge of his father's farm, which he finally bought, his parents retiring from active life and making their home in the little town close by. Mr. Sly was en- gaged in the operation of this farm when the tocsin of Civil War was sounded over the land and he gave evidence of his patriotism and loyalty by enlisting, in August, 1862, in Company I, Twenty- second Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry, under the com- mand of Captain Kimberk. He proved a faithful-and courageous soldier, taking part in all the engagements and other service in which his command participated during his enlistment, until, in June, 1863, he became seriously affected with heart trouble, while on a long, forced march, and dropped from the ranks. He had been offered a chance to ride on a wagon, but had refused, pre- ferring to keep his place in the line of march. So serious was his trouble that he was confined in a hospital from June until the following September, when he was honorably discharged at Louis- ville, Kentucky, on account of physical disability. He had en- listed as a private, but by faithful service had risen to the rank of corporal.
On his return to peaceful pursuits, Mr. Sly again applied himself to agriculture, but soon afterwards sold the old home farm and bought one hundred acres of land, mostly a peach orchard, near South Haven, Michigan, to which he devoted his attention during the following five years. Then, selling that place, Mr. Sly came to Cleveland and accepted a position as pattern-maker with the Malleable Iron Works, with whom he remained three years, not only giving his employers marked satisfaction in the discharge of his duties, but also at the same time gaining an insight into many details of the business which was of much value to him in his later business career. It is worthy of note that a man, reared on a farm and without technical experience, or instruction, should be able to enter a shop where exactness and perfection are at a premium, and produce work which met the exacting requirements of the business. Mr. Sly had a re- markable natural genius for mechanics and all through his life he was either inventing some new device or improving an old one, many of his inventions having been proved of unusual merit. After severing his connection with the iron works, Mr. Sly went into business on his own account, starting in a modest way in a
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William Wesley Sly
small shop, as a manufacturer of foundry supplies, many of his products being his own original ideas. From this humble be- ginning grew the present W. W. Sly Manufacturing Company, which for a number of years has been numbered among Cleve- land's most substantial and prosperous industries. The plant is located at the corner of Train and Junction streets, on the Big Four Railroad, and is a thoroughly equipped plant in every respect, turning out a vast amount of finished product. A num- ber of years ago Mr. Sly took his son, Wilfred C., into the busi- ness and the latter succeeded his father as president of the com- pany. In the truest sense of the term, William W. Sly was a self-made man, his success in life being due entirely to his own efforts. Possessed with unusual business ability, shrewdness, and sagacity, he combined with these qualities an integrity of word and deed that gained for him the confidence and high regard of all who had dealings with him, and during all the years he was identified with the business life of Cleveland this confidence was never in the slightest degree violated. Among his employees he was held in affectionate regard, many of them calling him "father," in their personal intercourse. Large of physique, he was also large hearted and was charitable and generous in his at- titude towards those less fortunate or successful than he. He spread the gospel of good cheer and optimism wherever he went and as a companion he was all that one could desire.
Politically, Mr. Sly gave his support to the Republican party, though never a seeker after public office. Fraternally, he was a member of Memorial Post, No. 141, Grand Army of the Republic, while, in a business way, he belonged to the American Foundry- men's Association. Religiously, he had been reared in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, but during his later life he became an attendant at the Madison Avenue Congregational Church in Cleveland, to which he was a liberal contributor. He was an ardent supporter of every movement that promised to benefit his home community and never withheld his hand from any deserving object, though entirely unostentatious in his giving. Possessing marked domestic traits, Mr. Sly loved his home above all other places, and there found his chief enjoyment and pleasure. As a business man he possessed marked ability and as a business getter he was remarkably successful, it having been stated that on the road he could secure more orders than any three of his men. He enjoyed a wide acquaintance, which extended over practically the entire country, and everywhere he received a hearty and honest welcome. Though of a modest and unassum-
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William Wesley Slp
ing demeanor, his personality was made up of those elements that command at once the friendship and regard of all whom he came in contact. Mr. Sly bought the present comfortable family home on Crawford Road in 1901, and had also bought an eligible location on Rockefeller Boulevard, where he had expected to build a new home and there spend his later days, retired from active business pursuits. With his family, he made a trip to Europe, in 1910, being gone three months and visiting all the countries and cities of importance.
On October 18, 1860, Mr. Sly was married to Mary Banks, a native of New York State and daughter of Aaron and Mary (Sibley) Banks, also natives of New York State, from whence they moved to Michigan, where their deaths occurred, the mother at the age of fifty-two years and the father at seventy-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Banks were the parents of seven children; namely, Leander, Electa, Lodena, Sarah, Mary, Frances, and Archibald, of which family Mrs. Sly is the only survivor. To Mr. and Mrs. Sly three children were born; namely, Wilfred C., of Cleveland, president of the W. W. Sly Manufacturing Company, married Marie Kertz; Jennie M., who died at the age of eight years, and Maude Mildred, who is a successful teacher in the Cleveland public schools. On October 18, 1910, Mr. and Mrs. Sly celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding, one feature of which was an elegant luncheon served to them and their guests by their son and daughter at one of the down-town hotels, and which was a very enjoyable affair. Mrs. Sly is a lady of unusual qualities of mind and heart and is a popular member of the social circles in which she moves. She is liberal in her benefactions to all worthy objects and because of her gracious personality and genu- ine worth she enjoys a large circle of warm and loyal friends.
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