USA > Ohio > The biographical cyclopaedia and portrait gallery with an historical sketch of the state of Ohio. Volume I > Part 41
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erick graduated from the law department of Harvard, and was subsequently admitted to practice by the supreme court of this State. Immediately after his admission he became associated with the celebrated firm of Collins & Herron, of Cincinnati, where he early indicated marked adaptation to his profession, and was in a fair way to verify the prediction that he had a bright future ahead. Harry was a graduate of the medical school; and both brothers had decided talent for drawing, but in a less marked degree than their sisters.
PARSONS, RICHARD C., lawyer, of Cleveland, Ohio, was born October 10th, 1826, at New London, Connecticut. His father was a merchant of New York City, a gentleman remarkable for his benevolence and sterling character. He died in 1832, at the age of thirty-nine years. His grandfather was Rev. David Parsons, D. D., of Amherst, Massachusetts, an eminent clergyman, whose ministry, with that of his father, over the Presbyterian Church of Amherst, continued uninter- ruptedly through a period of eighty years. The wife of Rev. David Parsons was a sister of the late Chief Justice Williams of Connecticut, a great-granddaughter of Rev. Solomon Stod- dard, and a niece of William Williams, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Having received a liberal education in New England, and begun the study of law, he removed to Ohio in 1845, completed his five years' course of legal studies, and was admitted to the bar at Cleve- land in 1851. His thoroughness, legal education, industrious habits, quick perceptions, and ready eloquence brought him at once into notice at the bar; and the same qualities, supple- mented by careful study of public questions and earnest advo- cacy of his political convictions, turned attention to him as a valuable man for public life. He was elected to the city coun- cil of Cleveland in 1852, and in the following year was made president of that body. From boyhood he had been strongly imbued with anti-slavery principles, and upon his entrance into political life his eager sympathies were with the opponents of slavery extension. In 1857 he was elected to the Ohio legislature as a member of the newly formed republican party, and in 1859 was re-elected, and chosen speaker of the house of representatives. Although the youngest person who had filled that position, his fitness had been so clearly shown during the previous legislative term by his thorough knowl- edge of parliamentary law and practice that his election was secured with but little opposition. When President Lincoln took office, in 1861, he was tendered the position of minister to Chili, but declined. He was then appointed consul at Rio de Janeiro, filling that office with marked ability for one year, when he resigned, and was appointed collector of internal revenue for the 20th Ohio district, with office at Cleveland. At the expiration of his term of four years, in which his zeal and fidelity to the government's interests and courtesy to the public made him one of the most valued and popular officials in the service, he left the position because he would not take part with President Johnson in his disagreement with the republican party, declined the places of assistant secretary of the treasury and governor of Montana, which were afterwards offered him by President Johnson, but accepted that of mar- shal of the supreme court of the United States, tendered him by the justices. This position he filled from 1866 to 1872. In the latter year he was elected to the Forty-third Congress, as a republican, from the 20th Ohio district, receiving 13,101 votes, against 10,377 for Selah Chamberlain, the candidate of the democrats and liberals. Few new members accomplished
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so much in their first term of service. He was placed on important committees, where he gave valuable aid in framing legislative measures of a national character. The large man- ufacturing, commercial, and maritime interests of his district were assiduously cared for. Among other services to his con- stituents, he secured the life-saving service at Cleveland, which proved of inestimable value to the port. The marine hospital at Cleveland was by his efforts transferred to citizens of Cleveland, for use as a local public hospital. A light- house was obtained for the government pier at the entrance to the harbor. Large appropriations were secured for the piers and harbor at Cleveland, and also for improving the entrance to Rocky river. The most important of all was the adoption of a plan for a harbor of refuge at Cleveland, esti- mated to cost $1,800,000, and a considerable appropriation for the commencement of the work. His political influence, both in and out of Congress, was great, owing to his large acquaintance with public men. He was the intimate friend of the early republican and anti-slavery leaders, among them being Joshua R. Giddings, Salmon P. Chase, and Henry Wilson. From 1877 to 1880 he was editor and part propri- etor of the Cleveland Herald, where his extensive political knowledge, logical argument, and literary skill gave the paper wide reputation for its able discussion of public affairs. At the invitation of the citizens and of associations, he has de- livered numerous speeches and addresses of a political, lit- erary, and historical character, and his pen has been success- fully employed in various departments of literature. A prom- inent political leader from early manhood, and a lawyer whose services were eagerly sought, he has not confined his attention to politics and the law. His natural literary tastes and abilities have been cultivated and developed by study and experience, and his mind enlarged by travel. As a cit- izen, he has always been active and enterprising; his uniform courtesy and benevolent disposition have extended his popu- larity. His home attachments are strong. In early life he married a daughter of Hon. Samuel Starkweather, a prom- inent jurist and politician. The family consists of a son and daughter, and his attractive home has for many years been the center of a widely known and generous hospitality.
ROBINSON, J. V., was born in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, October 18th, 1790, and died in Portsmouth, Ohio, January 8th, 1865. Having received such education as the schools of his native city then afforded, he began life, wlien about eighteen, as clerk in a dry-goods store, where he re- mained several years, and subsequently became clerk and superintendent in an oil-factory in Brunswick, New Jersey. In 1818 he came to Ohio, and purchased a flouring-mill and distillery in the vicinity of Cincinnati, which he carried on for some three years. He then visited St. Louis, with a view of locating there, making the trip both ways on horseback. Accordingly, in the latter part of 1821, he loaded his effects upon a flat-boat, and started down the Ohio river, but was frozen in just below Evansville. This delay changed his plans, and he remained in the latter place until 1827, en- gaged in buying and selling. Returning to Cincinnati, he continued the same business until the spring of 1829. He then removed to Portsmouth, where, until 1850, he carried on a general merchandising business. He subsequently turned his attention to the iron trade, and also carried on a flouring- mill and a tannery. In 1853 he bought the Scioto furnace, which he continued to carry on until his death. He was also
interested in the packet line of boats between Big Sandy and Portsmouth and Big Sandy and Cincinnati, now known as the White Collar line. For quite a number of years he was president of the old Commercial Bank of Scioto, and was also one of the organizers of the Portsmouth branch of the State Bank of Ohio, and its first president. He was likewise one of the leading spirits in the building of the Scioto and Hock- ing Valley Railroad, now the Portsmouth branch of the Mari- etta and Cincinnati line, and served as its president for many years. For a considerable time, also, he was president of the Ohio Commercial and Manufacturing Company. It will thus be seen that Mr. Robinson was very prominently identified with the early industries of Portsmouth and vicinity. He possessed excellent business abilities, combining sound judg- ment and a clear head with great industry and perseverance. His great caution, together with his superior powers of finan- ciering, amply qualified him to be a leader in public enter- prises; while his modest manners, generous sympathy, sterling integrity, and great kindness of heart, gave him a high place in the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. He was reared a Friend, and held that faith through his life. In pol- itics, he was a radical whig, and afterwards a republican. He was a special friend to the poor and needy, and is most grate- fully remembered by men now advanced in life for his kindly aid to them in their youthful struggles with the world. A strong friend to educational progress, he was one of the or- ganizers of the present common school system in Portsmouth, and for many years was a member of the board of education of that city. For quite a time, also, he served as city treas- urer. In 1818 he married Hannah Cooper, of New Jersey, whose ancestors came to America in the colony with William Penn. She was also a cousin of the celebrated novelist, James Fenimore Cooper. Of eight children by this mar- riage, three survive, namely : Cornelia, wife of W. A. Hutchins; Charlotte, wife of Colonel J. A. Turley ; and L. C. Robinson, of Portsmouth, Ohio.
BRADLEY, ALVA, vessel-owner, Cleveland, was born, November 27th, 1814, in Ellington, Tolland county, Connec- ticut, the son of Leonard (and Roxiana) Bradley. His father was a farmer. When Alva was nine years of age he accom- panied his parents to Ohio, they seeking a more fertile soil than could be found in the sterile hills of New England. Their journey was made by wagon as far as Albany; thence by canal to within fifty miles of Buffalo, when they embarked on a sailing vessel which brought them to Cleveland. From there they went to Brownhelm, Lorain county, and settled on a farm. Here commenced the arduous toils inseparable from pioneer life, that section of the country being then almost an unbroken forest. Educational advantages were extremely meager, but they shrank, not from their duties. With willing hearts and hands they subdued the forest, and made for them- selves a home. At this homestead Alva remained for ten years. Then he felt an inclination for a sailor's life. He left the farm. With his worldly effects in a bundle under his arm, he started out to seek and make his fortune in the world. He reached port, and shipped aboard the schooner Liberty, a Lake Erie boat. In two years he was promoted to mate of that boat. He later sailed successively in the Young Leopold, Edward Bancroft, Express, and Commodore Lawrence, of which latter, in 1839, he was master. He sailed as master of the Commodore Lawrence for two seasons, prospering so well that in 1841 he, in company with Ahira Cobb, built the
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schooner South America, of 104 tons, Captain Bradley taking command, and sailed her for three seasons. Disposing of her, in 1844 they built the Bingham, of 135 tons; in 1848, the Ellington, 185 tons; the following year, the propeller Indiana, 350 tons. She ran between Buffalo and Chicago. Three years later, the schooner Oregon, 190 tons. All these vessels Captain Bradley himself commanded, covering a period of fifteen years. He then retired from a seafaring life, employed others to command his crafts, and settled at his home at Vermilion, where he continued to build new vessels for the lake trade, sometimes by himself, and some- times in connection with others. In 1853 he built the Chal- lenge, 238 tons ; in 1854, the Bay City, 190 tons ; in 1855, the C. C. Griswold, 359 tons : in 1856, the schooners Queen City, 368 tons, and Wellington, 300 tons ; in 1858, the schooner Exchange, 390 tons. He then rested for three years before again resuming active work. In 1859 he changed his resi- dence to Cleveland, but continued his ship-building on the Vermilion until 1868, when he removed his ship-yards to Cleveland. In 1861, in company with others, was built the S. H. Kimball, 418 tons; in 1863, the Wagstaff, 412 tons; in 1864, the J. F. Card, 370 tons ; in 1865, the schooner Esca- naba, 568 tons ; in 1866-7, the schooner Nagaunee, 850 tons. This splendid vessel cost over fifty-two thousand dollars. From the time of his removal to Cleveland, in 1868, up to 1882, he built eighteen vessels, constantly increasing their tonnage. His present fleet comprises, in steam and sail, twenty-three vessels; and although now one of the largest ship-owners in the West, he is constantly increasing the num- ber of his craft. He estimates to build and put in commission at least one new vessel each season. He has been remark- ably fortunate in the matter of casualties, having lost but five vessels during his entire career. With his large fleet, he finds it economy to be his own insurance company ; hence he never insures a vessel. Though at present writing the cap- tain is in his sixty-eighth year, yet his appearance, activity, and manners would rather indicate a man of fifty. Of a genial, happy, easy temperament, combined with thorough business qualifications, he wins the respect and esteem of all. It is a remarkable fact that, with all his numerous and im- portant business enterprises, he never had but one case of litigation, and that was with an insurance company many years ago. Prudent and enterprising in his affairs, he is a man of the strictest integrity and highest sense of honor, a man whose word is as good as his bond. He is also largely interested in the iron trade, a branch of commerce and man- ufacture in which Cleveland has an immense amount of cap- ital invested. The captain was married, in 1851, to Miss Ellen M., daughter of John Burgess, of Milan, Ohio. They have one son and three daughters living, and one son deceased. Captain Bradley's career is a splendid example of the possi- bilities our country affords to worthy and persevering men. Starting in the world without a dollar, he now possesses his millions.
RICE, AMERICUS V., soldier and banker, was born in Perrysville, Ashland county, Ohio, November 18th, 1835. He is the son of Clark H. and Catharine (Mowers) Rice. The former, one of the pioneers of Ashland county, was born in Essex county, New York, and removed with his father to Richland county, Ohio, in 1812, living there till the age of thirty-five, when he removed to Putnam county, and engaged very successfully in mercantile business, also becoming the
head of the banking house of C. H. Rice & Co., during the last two years of his life. He was very actively engaged in developing the country, and did a great deal to assist the emi- grants who were coming into this section of the State. He was highly honored by those who knew him, for his noble qualities and great ability, and was looked up to as the first man of the community. He died September 27th, 1870, when he was nearly sixty-six years of age. Mrs. Rice was born in Virginia, and her parents in Germany. Ebenezer Rice, grandfather of Americus V. Rice, was a captain of artillery in the war of 1812, and his father was an officer in the Revo- lutionary war. The family came to this country in 1637, from England, settling in Worcester, Massachusetts. General Rice spent two years at Antioch college, and then entered Union college at Schenectady, New York, graduating at the end of two years in the class of 1860. In September he began the study of law, pursuing it until the following spring, when he offered his services as a private soldier, under the three months' call of President Lincoln. April 29th, 1861, he was elected second lieutenant of company E, 21st regiment Ohio infantry, and on the 16th of May was elected captain, serving as such in the campaign of Western Virginia, under General J. D. Cox, until the muster-out of his regiment in August of the same year. During the month of September, next following, he recruited a company for the three years' service, and was mustered in as captain of company A, 57th Ohio infantry, a regiment he largely assisted to recruit and organize. On the 8th of February, 1862, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel, at the instance of his friends, by Governor Tod, on the unanimous recommendation of the officers of his regiment. He accompanied his command to Paducah, Kentucky, where it was made a part of what is proudly spoken of as "Sherman's Division." At the ever-memorable battle of Shiloh, Mississippi, April 6th and 7th, 1862, he was in command of his regiment. It was in the thickest of the fight, losing one-third of its men, Lieutenant-Colonel. Rice being wounded by the concussion of a shell above him, and being also knocked off his horse during the engagement. In the advance on Corinth, Mississippi, and subsequent siege he took an active part. He was in all the battles, and led his regiment in such a manner as to elicit the encomiums of his superior officers. He followed the fortunes of Sher- man's army during the summer and fall of 1862. At Chicka- saw Bayou, Mississippi, when Sherman was attempting to reduce Vicksburg, Lieutenant-Colonel Rice assumed com- mand of his regiment during the different engagements from December 27th, 1862, to January 2d, 1863. On the last day, under instructions from Sherman, he commanded the rear- guard of the evacuating army. He was at the battle of Arkansas Port, Arkansas, January Ioth and 11th, 1863, within seventy steps of the enemy's works, under orders to charge, when he was relieved from the necessity by their surrender. He was with Grant at Vicksburg in his efforts to open the Mississippi river by the construction of the " But- ler-Williams Canal" from January 21st to February 12th, 1863. In March he was in charge of the Ist brigade of the Ist division, 15th army corps, in the "Black Bayou Expedition " -- an effort of General Sherman to reach a point on the Yazoo river, above Haines's Bluff, and thus invest Vicksburg. In this expedition, his brigade, by its prompt and energetic movements, relieved one gunboat under Porter, and a part of the 2d bri- gade, which was surrounded by the enemy and in a most peril- ous condition. On the 30th of April he took his command to
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Snyder's Bluff, on the Yazoo river, and assisted in making the diversion against that point, which enabled General Grant to capture Grand Gulf, Mississippi. By rapid marches his troops circled round Vicksburg by the way of Richmond, Louisiana, and Grand Gulf, Mississippi, and reached Baker's Creek, Mississippi, in time to engage in the battle of Cham- pion Hills, May 16th, 1863. He led his men in the engage- ment at Big Black river May 17th, and, pushing on to Vicks- burg, was in the first assault on that place after its investment on the 19th of May, 1863. On the 22d of May he headed his command in the terrible charge of the enemy's works at Vicksburg, in which he was severely wounded, his right leg being broken by a shot below the knee, and a minie ball received in his thigh. These wounds kept him out of active service until January, 1864. For his actions in the various campaigns about Vicksburg, General Sherman recommended him for promotion as brigadier-general. In the mean time, May 16th, 1863, he was appointed colonel of his regiment. He was again with Sherman on his most notable campaign of 1864 against Atlanta, taking part in the different battles of Sugar Valley, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope, Big Shanty, and Little Kenesaw, from the 5th of May till the 27th of June, 1864, when, at the assault on Little Kenesaw, he received three wounds almost simultaneously, the first resulting in amputation of the right leg above the knee; the second badly shattering his left foot, and the third raking his head sufficient to bleed him freely. For his action at Resaca, Georgia, May 14th, 1864, he again received an impromptu recommendation from the general officers for promotion to brigadier-general for "gallant conduct on the field under their personal obser- vation ;", but the appointment was not made until May, 1865. His terrible wounds at Little Kenesaw kept him out of the service till April, 1865, when he again joined his army at Newbern, North Carolina. He passed with his command in the great review at Washington, May 24th, 1865, and in June took them to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was assigned to the command of the 5th brigade of the 2d division of the 15th army corps, which he took to Little Rock, Arkansas, June 24th, 1865. They were mustered out August, 1865. General Rice was honorably discharged January 15th, 1866, having given his best energies and nearly five years of the best part of his life, together with a part of his physical being, to the service of his country. Upon entering private life, he went to Arkansas, where he spent two years in cotton plant- ing. Not satisfied with the experiment he returned to Put- nam county and settled at Ottawa, where he became the manager of the banking-house of C. H. Rice & Co., in June, 1868, giving the business his whole attention for six years. At the death of his honored father, he became the head of the house, a position he still retains. The house has had a remarkably successful career, and enjoys an enviable repu- tation. He was elected to Congress in 1874 and re-elected in 1876. A large part of his services in Congress were in the interests of the Union soldiers in the late war. During his last term he was chairman of the very important committee on invalid pensions. While on this committee he did an immense amount of work. He is a partner in the large wheel factory of Rice, Brown & Co., besides holding a large interest in real estate. He was married October 1Ith, 1866, to Miss Mary Metcalf, a lady possessed of a refined nature and rare social qualities, the eldest daughter of the late Judge Metcalf, of Lima, Ohio. They have had two daughters, Mary, born March 22d, 1869, and Katharine, January 3Ist, 1873. In
1872 he was a delegate to the Baltimore convention that nominated Horace Greeley. In 1880 he was first alternate delegate for the State at large to the Cincinnati convention, at which General Hancock was nominated. In 1879 he was one of the principal candidates for governor before the demo- cratic convention of this State. Failing to be chosen, he was nominated by acclamation for lieutenant-governor. In politics he belongs to an old democratic family of the Jeffer- sonian type. He was a war democrat, and has never given his adhesion to any other school of politics. He is a very affectionate man in his family. He has the warmest sym- pathy with the pursuits of his children, and passes much of his time at home with them and his wife.
ELY, GEORGE HERVEY, Cleveland, the son of Elisha and Hannah (Dickinson) Ely, of Rochester, New York, was born in Rochester, October 18th, 1825. (An account of the Ely family, which has entered so largely into our national history, and has done so much toward developing the resources of the country, is given in the sketch of the life of Heman Ely, the founder of Elyria.) This family has done more than probably any other one family in opening up and developing new districts, and founding settle- ments which have since grown into large and prosperous towns and cities. It was originally French (de Ely), and has been planted for many centuries and generations in England, en- tering upon its career in the new world about the time of or just after the landing of the pilgrim fathers at Plymouth Rock. It has continued to "increase and multiply," not only in numbers, but also in substance, many of its members hav- ing become possessed of considerable of this world's good. Neither have they lacked in spiritual welfare. They have been noted for their benevolence, honor, and integrity, no- bility of character, and attainments, and labors for the benefit of their fellow-citizens. Many of them have been men of marked ability and renown, holding high offices in the State, and adding lustre to the history of our nation. They have been prominent in the councils both of peace and war. Elisha Ely, the father of George H., was one of the founders of the city of Rochester, New York. He left his home in Spring- field, Massachusetts, for the wilderness of the Genesee coun- try, in 1811. The journey was made on horseback, and much of it, at the western end, through an unbroken forest. The first halt was made at the falls of the Genesee, on the site of the present city. Here he was joined, a year or two later, by his younger brother, Hervey Ely. This land was embraced in a purchase of twenty thousand acres, made from Phelps and Gorham, in 1790, by a Springfield and Northampton com- pany, of which Justin Ely, the uncle of the two young immi- grants, was one of the members. The site of the future city was then a forest, a bridge crossing the river at the falls, and a few log-houses made up the settlement. Here they began their pioneer work. The forest must be subdued, and priva- tion and sickness and many a disappointment endured. Streets must be laid out, dwelling, and mills, and warehouses erected, school-houses and churches must follow, and a city must be built. All this, however, had but fairly begun, when through the wilderness came tidings of war. They must cease to build, and must defend and protect their new-made homes. An attack was apprehended from the British fleet on the lake, and great alarm and agitation was felt. Just at this time, in May, 1814, a man appeared at Mr. Ely's door, asking for aid and work. Work was abundant, and he was soon
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