USA > Ohio > The biographical cyclopaedia and portrait gallery with an historical sketch of the state of Ohio. Volume I > Part 23
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the science in the different colleges, in particular the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Crosby street and the Univer- sity in Fourteenth street. In 1855, the partnership with Dr. Richardson having been terminated, he opened an office in the same town and continued in a very successful practice till 1862, when he entered the Union army as Assistant Sur- geon in the 19th Michigan infantry, and in July, 1863, was promoted to the position of Surgeon in the same regiment. With this brave regiment he shared all the hardships and vicissitudes of its three years of service. He was captured near Nashville, Tennessee, with a detachment of about two hundred, and voluntarily accompanied the prisoners to Rich- mond and Libby, being unwilling to leave some who were sick, destitute of proper medical care. They were taken by way of Chattanooga, and after spending a few days in Libby, he was returned to the Union lines. His regiment was in Sherman's grand army that marched through Georgia to the sea ; was present at the surrender of Johnson's army, and at the final review of our armies at Washington on the close of the war. He greatly endeared himself to the officers and men of his regiment by his devotion to the sick and wounded. No sacrifice of strength was too great in the line of duty. On one occasion he stood at the operators' table thirty-six con- secutive hours; and in all his experiences with the soldiers, whether in camp or in the field, he was untiring in his efforts to ameliorate their sufferings and add to their comfort. He returned home from the war in June, 1865, and resumed the practice of his profession, entering immediately into a greatly enlarged and rapidly increasing practice. While in the army the faculty of the Cleveland Medical College tendered him the chair of Practice of Medicine, which professorship he accepted in the spring of 1866, entering on its duties in October of the same year, and still fills the position with acceptance and distinguished ability. He is the honored head of the College, having been elected Dean by the faculty on the retirement of Dr. Cassels, in 1873. He removed his family to Cleveland in March, 1867, and immediately entered on a lucrative practice. He is one of the consulting board of physicians for the Cleveland City Hospital. In 1855, he united with the Baptist Church at Centreville, was soon after chosen deacon, and for many years was the superintendent of its Sunday-school. He enters heartily into all Christian and benevolent enterprises, catholic in spirit and liberal in his charities, giving freely of his means. He is now a member of the Wilson Avenue Baptist church; is teacher of the adult Bible class, and is beloved by his associates and honored and esteemed by the general public for his ability as a physician and worth as a man. He was married in December, 1852, to Mrs. C. M. Williams. They have had seven children; three only are now living, four having died young.
CHISHOLM, HENRY, an extensive manufacturer of iron and steel, at Cleveland, was of Scottish birth. His father was Stewart Chisholm, a mining contractor, who lived at Lochgelly, in Fifeshire, where his son was born on the 22d of April, 1822. The father died when Henry Chisholm was only ten years of age, but the boy had previously had an opportunity for attending school, and continued there until he was twelve years of age, when he became an apprentice to a carpenter. He wrought at this trade for five years, until his term of indentures was completed, when he removed to Glasgow, the commercial metropolis of Scotland. Here he stayed for the next three years, then emigrating to Canada,
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where he found cmployment in Montreal. He remained in that city for seven years, during the latter portion of the time being in business on his own account. In this he liad excellent success ; his establishment soon became one of the largest upon the St. Lawrence. Foreseeing the future prom- inence of Cleveland, he removed to that city in 1850, when he was twenty-eight years of age. In association with a friend from Montreal he built a breakwater for the Cleveland and Pittsburg Railroad Company, at the lake terminus of their road, giving the work his own personal supervision. This occupied him about three years. It was done thor- oughly and substantially, and on its completion he received numerous offers from other persons and corporations for like work. For some time. after he was kept busily employed in building piers and docks along the lake front of Cleve- land. In 1857 he began as a manufacturer of iron. There was very little then made in Cleveland or its vicinity, or even in the State of Ohio. He united other parties with himself, under the firm name of Chisholm, Jones & Co., in the manufacture of railroad iron at their rolling-mill. In a short time the name of the firm was changed to Stone, Chis- holm & Jones. The capacity of the mills at that time was about fifty tons a day, to produce which about one hundred and fifty men were employed. A part of the work was the rerolling of old rails, the materials for new rails being iron from Lake Superior ores, reaching Cleveland by the lakes. In 1859 an important addition to the works was made, being the erection of a blast furnace at Newburg, the first built in that part of Ohio. The next year another furnace was erected, and additions were made to the rolling-mill for the purpose of manufacturing all kinds of merchant iron as well as rails. He next erected a rolling-mill in Chicago and two blast furnaces in Indiana, with which to partially supply the Chicago works with pig iron, manufactured like the pig iron of the Cleveland furnaces, from Lake Superior and Missouri ores. The Chicago mill was placed in charge of Mr. Chis- holm's oldest son, William, as manager. In 1864 the firm of Stone, Chisholm & Jones organized the Cleveland Rolling- mill Company, into which the partnership merged, and the Lake Shore Rolling-mill was added to the property by pur- chase. In 1865 the company constructed the second Bes- semer steel works in the United States, one of the most successful and perfect works of the kind in existence. The product of their mill immediately came into request. Begin- ning with a capacity of twenty thousand tons annually, it has been enlarged until its capacity now reaches one hundred and fifty thousand tons yearly, giving employment to six thousand men, and manufactures twelve millions of dollars annually. The steel rails from this manufactory are shipped to all parts of the country, and the demand has been continuous. But steel rails do not form the only prod- ucts of this immense mill. At least ten thousand tons of other classes of steel, such as tire, merchant, and spring steel, are made. A wire-mill was also added, which turns out from twenty-five to thirty thousand tons of steel wire annually, from the coarsest size to the finest hair. All shapes of steel forging are also produced at the Bessemer works. The fur- naces are supplied with ore from the company's own mines in Lake Superior, where about three hundred men are kept in steady employment. The value of the products of dif- ferent establishments of the company in Cleveland is about fifteen million dollars annually. In 1871 he organized the Union Rolling-mill Company of Chicago (independent of the
Cleveland Rolling-mill Company), which does a business of about three millions. In connection with his Chicago part- ners he also erected a rolling-mill at Decatur, Illinois. The business of all these concerns aggregates twenty-five million of dollars annually, and they give employment to eight thou- sand men. This is all the outgrowth of the small concern established in Cleveland in 1857. Perhaps no achievement in the iron business of the United States has ever paralleled the enormous growth from such small beginnings in such a short space of time. When he landed at Montreal, in 1842, he had not a dollar, but he commenced the iron manufac- tory in 1857 with twenty-five thousand dollars saved from his earnings as a contractor, and in less than eighteen years the business which he had begun with such a moderate capital came to represent an investment of ten millions. No panics materially affected the business of these great concerns, and from the heavy amount of capital controlled they were able to give material aid to many of the large and small railroad companies of the country, carrying them over periods of de- pression, and helping them out of their difficulties when money was not easy to obtain. He was a man of great energy and endurance. He knew no such word as fail. His industry was untiring. In political affairs he took no part, except to perform his duty as a good citizen. His heart was large. Nothing meritorious appealed to him in vain. The religious and benevolent institutions of Cleveland will miss his helping hand. To every institution of this kind he contrib- uted liberally, and those engaged in charitable and philan- thropic enterprises learned to put assurance in his sympathy and support. His employes were treated by him, after he had attained riches, in the same hearty, genial manner they had been when his income was small. They were sure of his rectitude of action. He was accessible to the humblest work- men in his mills, and a high esteem was entertained by them for him. They looked upon him as belonging to their own class, and as liaving simply been more fortunate than they. He was a man of strong domestic attachments, and loved to be at home, surrounded by his family and friends. He was a trustee or director of four of the charitable institutions of the city, and for twenty years was an active member of the Second Baptist church of Cleveland. He was a heavy stockholder in several banking and manufacturing institutions. He was married before leaving Scotland to Miss Jean Allen, of Dum- fermline, Fifeshire. He had three sons and two daughters, all now living. The oldest son, William Chisholm, is a thorough and energetic business man, full of life and energy, and has taken his father's place in the Cleveland rolling- mill. He was for seventeen years vice-president and general manager of the Union Rolling-mill Company at Chicago. When that was sold out he came back to Cleveland, and for a year before his father's death acted as his general assist- ant, relieving him of many cares. He is now president and director of the Cleveland Rolling-mill Company. Stewart H. Chisholm, the second son, is the vice-president, and Wil- son B. Chisholm, the third son, is the superintendent and general manager of the works in the eighteenth ward. The two daughters are Mrs. A. T. Osborne and Mrs. C. B. Beach, who both reside in Cleveland. Henry Chisholm died May 9, 1881, after a short illness of three weeks. The news of his death affected the community like a blow. The men in his employment immediately closed work and went to their homes. They could not go on. The societies with which he was connected passed appropriate resolutions, the works were
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closed down, and the community felt that one of their best men had been taken from them. He was a man of great power, but above all of love for his fellow-men, and as such is regretted.
SANDERS, MOSES CHAPIN, M. D., physician and surgeon, was born in Milford, Worcester county, Massachu- setts, on the 27th May, 1789, and died at Peru, Huron county, Ohio, on the 5th May, 1856. Having received what was con- sidered at the time a good English education, together with some knowledge of the construction of the Latin and Greek languages, he for a time taught in an academy, and while yet a youth removed with his father's family to Saratoga county, New York, where he studied medicine and attended medical lectures in the city where he graduated. When twenty-four years old he began the practice of the profession of medicine in Manchester, near Canandaigua, and from thence he removed to Peru, Huron county, Ohio, in 1818, where, with the excep- tion of three years in Norwalk, Ohio, he passed the remainder of his life. Though in no sense a politician, he was conspicu- ously public spirited. He was once elected representative to the State legislature, in which he served his constituency faithfully and acceptably. He found, however, public life incompatible with his devotion to his profession, and never afterward accepted any political preferment. This whole pe- riod of nearly forty years, with the exception mentioned, was assiduously devoted to the duties of his profession, which were relinquished only when illness prevented continued ap- plication. He was for many years medical censor in the Cleveland Medical College, and was held in high estimation by its faculty. Doctor Sanders married twice, his first wife being Miss Harriet Maria Thompson. From this union there were born four children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, is now Mrs. Olive Isabella Smith, resident in California; the second, a daughter, Rhoda, who died in infancy ; the third, a son, now W. D. Sanders, D. D., of Jacksonville, Illinois; and the fourth, also a son, now Dr. John C. Sanders, of Cleve- land, Ohio, a sketch of whose life appears in this work. His second wife was Mrs. Pearly C. Douglass, who bore him one daughter, now Mrs. R. L. Chase, of Kenton, Ohio. His first wife died when her youngest child was four years old, and his second wife survived him only a few months. The most prominent traits of his mind were force and accuracy. He never seemed to think feebly, and made but few mistakes; not content with a superficial view of any given subject, he grasped it as a whole, and effectively mastered it. This mental force gave him great executive power and ability to accomplish in a short time whatever he undertook. No person could be associated with him without feeling that he was in the presence of a mind possessing quick percep- tions and a discriminating judgment. Hence he was not easily imposed upon, but having a very accurate knowl- edge of men, he soon understood those with whom he had to do; and the opinions he formed of them were gen- erally confirmed by the developments time usually affords. Another trait of his character was frankness. He could not dissemble. No one that knew him could feel that he was a man to arrive at his point by indirect means. Open in man- ner, ardent in temperament, with warm social feelings, a kindly spirit, and vigorous common sense, he drew around him a wide circle of admiring friends, to whoin he was devot- edly attached; and when, at length, he retired from active em- ployment, their society to him was a source of great satisfac-
tion. In his love for his profession, which was abounding, he carefully discriminated between theory and practice. He believed that some things had by the wisdom of the past been established, which should as landmarks be maintained by the profession; but he also believed that while some systems and theories had the sanction of time, much yet might be learned from the observation and practice of the men of our own day. He well knew that the science of medicine was susceptible of indefinite improvement; but, while ready to receive light from men of experience, he readily discriminated between pretension and quackery and those well-established principles founded upon actual scien- tific knowledge. In medical as well as general literature, he kept abreast with the times. As a pioneer physician he brought with him all the knowledge attainable at the time in the schools of older settled States. There were in his early day no medical societies in the West, and having been instru- mental in organizing district and State medical societies, he constantly attended their meetings, participated in their dis- cussions, and presented valuable papers, always character- ized by originality and force, being as useful to others in the profession as he was amiable in all the relations of his pri- vate life. At that time surgery, as an art, was but little known so far West, for which reason the doctor was much sought after, he being eminent in all the most difficult sur- gical operations then known to the profession. He was an ardent promoter of education, and chiefly through his exer- tions was founded the Peru Academy, at Peru, Ohio, conspic- uous for many years for its high culture and influence. He was musical in his tastes. and for many years was the leader of the choir of the Presbyterian church at Peru, in which he was, for the later period of his life, a beloved member. No cold calculations ever turned him aside from that which he regarded a duty, and if he erred it was from excessive sym- pathy or pity, as there was scarcely any thing of personal comfort or advantage he would not sacrifice to a generous impulse. The poor shared his time, tender care, and pro- fessional ministry equally with the rich. Eminently skillful, self-sacrificing, sympathetic, and devoted to his home and children, he will long be remembered as an ornament to his profession and a Christian gentleman.
PRENTICE, NOYES BILLINGS, physician and sur- geon, of Cleveland, was born November 25th, 1827, at Union- ville, Lake county, Ohio. He is the third son of N. B. Prentice, Sen., who was a saddler by trade, and for many years captain of a cavalry company-a man highly esteemed for his natural ability and social qualities. The family re- moved to Harpersfield, Ashtabula county, when the subject of this sketch was about twelve years old. At this period of his life a disastrous change in his father's affairs made it absolutely necessary for him not only to care for himself but to assist in the maintenance of the family. A less noble nature would have shrunk from the responsibility and toil connected with such a necessity, but with a manly energy above his years, he grappled with and overcame the diffi- culties lying in his path. The errand boy's duties honestly performed, the laborer's toil cheerfully submitted to, the clerk's position earnestly and faithfully filled; these were to him only preparations for higher walks of life, and the traits of character developed at this formative period gave indica- tions of no common future. His educational advantages were very limited, but during the winter months he attended
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the common schools and academy. When about nineteen, in order to accomplish a cherished purpose to become a phy- sician, at the suggestion of Dr. James Stoddard, who took a kindly interest in him, he began the study of dentistry, de- signing by the practice of it to obtain means to secure a medical education. He was with Dr. Stoddard studying and practicing for two years, and at the age of twenty-one began the study of medicine with Dr. John C. Hubbard, of Ashta- bula, and attended lectures at the Cleveland Medical College in the term of 1850-51. In the Spring of 1851 he went to Canfield, Mahoning county, where he read and practiced medicine for a year with an elder brother, Walter M. Pren- tice. Removing to Ravenna, he formed a partnership with Dr. Alvin Belding of that place, and while associated with him attended lectures at the Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, graduating in March, 1854, graduating also at Cleveland Medical College in 1856. He then formed a partnership for the practice of medicine with his brother men- tioned above, who had previously removed from Canfield, and opened an office on the west side of the city. This connection continued until 1863, at which time his brother, Walter M. Prentice, went into the army on the staff of Gen- eral Frye, and became distinguished as a surgeon of rare ability. The appointment of city physician was held by him for many years, but as he was compelled to be frequently absent -- spending his winters in the South on account of his health-the position was filled by Noyes to the entire satis- faction of the authorities. The latter was also appointed surgeon at the commencement of the war, under Coloncl George B. Senter, and was stationed at Camp Taylor and afterward at Camp Cleveland, on the "heights." In 1862, he was appointed acting assistant surgeon in the United States army, and had charge of one of the divisions in the general hospital. In this position it was his duty to examine recruits and also drafted men at the office of the provost marshal; and more than ten thousand men were examined by him. In the same year he was made chief surgeon in charge of the marine hospital at Cleveland, and continued in that position, with the exception of nine months, till ap- pointed United States marshal, July Ist, 1872. During this short period he was superseded by Dr. Blair, but was rein- stated in his old position in a manner that was gratifying both to himself and his friends, and which must have had its foundation in real personal worth and distinguished profes- sional ability. He received the appointment of United States marshal for the northern district of Ohio on the date last mentioned, being selected for this position by President Grant, July Ist, 1872. He served two terms, being reap- pointed in 1876, at the expiration of which he resumed the practice of his profession at Cleveland. He appointed the first colored deputy marshal, and selected the first United States colored juryman in his district. He has also served as coroner of the county and member of the Board of Health. He was a great admirer of Henry Clay, even from his boy- hood, and on the formation of the republican party sup- ported its distinguishing principles. He stood firmly by President Lincoln's administration, and in the darkest days of the conflict never doubted its issue. During the last presidential canvass he was a strong Sherman man, having devoted nine days in Chicago in his behalf, but on the nom- ination of General Garfield he became his hearty supporter. The doctor is a man who always endeavors to discharge his duties faithfully and honestly. The public record bears out
how well he has succeeded. For many years he has taken an active part in local politics, occupying responsible posi- tions on important committees, always with great acceptance to the public, who honor his conscientious devotion and supe- rior ability. He is an attendant of the Episcopal church, and is liberal in his charities, contributing freely to worthy ob- jects. May 20th, 1853, he married Miss Georgia A. Crary, of Monroe, Michigan. They have two children, a son and a daughter. Dr. Prentice's father died September, 1881, at the age of eighty-five years ; his mother died three years before, at the age of eighty-two.
GROSVENOR, CHARLES H., lawyer, soldier, and ex- speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, was born at Pomfret, Windham county, Connecticut, September 20th, 1833. He is of English ancestry, being a descendant of John Grosvenor, founder of the line in America, who died at Roxbury, Massachusetts, in 1690, leaving a family of six sons. From this stock, it is believed, have sprung all who bear the name of Grosvenor in America. The tombstone of John Grosvenor bears the coat of arms of his family. Thomas Grosvenor, grandfather of General Grosvenor, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, serving on the personal staff of General Washington, with the rank of colonel. He after- ward became distinguished as judge of the Circuit Court of Connecticut, and was also for several years a member of the governor's council. The parents of our subject were Peter Grosvenor and Ann (Chase) Grosvenor, who removed from Connecticut to Ohio in 1838, locating in Athens county. Peter had served in the War of 1812, and rose to the rank of major of militia. The early education of our subject was acquired in the district schools of Athens county, supple- mented by private study, in which his mother, a lady of marked character and intelligence, afforded him great assist- ance. It is, no doubt, due, in a large measure, to her assid- uous care in directing his early education that many of those rare qualities that have since distinguished him in public life were developed. He was early thrown upon his own re- sources, a circumstance that incited him to exertion ; and, in order to obtain means to further prosecute his studies, he taught school for a number of terms in the various district schools in Athens county. General Grosvenor studied law under the direction of Hon. Lot L. Smith, reading as he could while teaching school, attending store, and working on- a farm. He was admitted in 1857 at Athens, and at once entered upon the active practice of his profession. He, in 1858, formed a law partnership with Hon. S. S. Knowles, which lasted until the breaking out of the war. Returning, he went into partnership at Athens with J. M. Dana, Esq., and the firm of Grosvenor & Dana lasted nearly fourteen years. He is now a member of the law firms of Grosvenor & Jones at Athens and Grosvenor & Vorhes at Pomeroy. This latter firm has continued since 1868, and does a large business. General Grosvenor has a very large practice in Southern Ohio. He has had special success as a jury law- yer in both civil and criminal cases. His practice is in all the courts of his section of the State, and in the Supreme Court of Ohio. While admitting some defects of early reg- ular education, it can be said of him that he is a strong, ready, energetic, and successful lawycr. He was a presi- dential clector in 1872 on the Grant ticket, and was selected to carry the returns from Ohio to Washington. He was again elector at large in 1880 on the republican ticket, and
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