USA > Ohio > The biographical cyclopaedia and portrait gallery with an historical sketch of the state of Ohio. Volume III > Part 43
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Wester, Biogl Pub Co.
O. F. Brush
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exclusive right to manufacture and sell under all of the patents of the former, present and future, in the line of electric lighting, subject to a certain royalty. The com- pany was then employing about twenty-five men, and the annual sales up to 1879 were about fifty thousand dollars. In 1880 the name was changed to that of The Brush Elec- tric Company, so as to describe the business in which it was then engaged, the new line of manufacture having en- tirely superseded the old. In 1880 the factory was totally destroyed by fire. The company then purchased six acres of land near the Cleveland and Pittsburg Railroad track, north of Euclid Avenue, which they have nearly covered with buildings. The capital stock of the company is fixed at three million dollars, which is less than three-fourths of the value of its property. The capital now invested in the electrical business as an outcome of the Brush light and its accessories is estimated at over twenty-five million dollars, and the amount is growing larger every day. The most prominent of the inventions of Mr. Brush, manufactured by the Brush Electric Company, are the dynamo electric ma- chines, electric lamps, automatic current governors, carbons, batteries for the storage of electricity, apparatus for electro- plating, apparatus for producing power from electricity, etc. Mr. Brush's foreign patents were sold for a very large sum to the Anglo-American Brush Electric Light Corporation, Lim- ited, of London, England. This corporation has a capital of four million dollars, and is manufacturing Mr. Brush's inven- tions on a large scale in London. Mr. Brush possesses an accurate and available scientific knowledge unsurpassed by that of any inventor. He is a fine mechanic, self-taught, and able to do any work in the shop in a manner equal to the best trained men. He is intensely practical, never sanguine, with no disposition to overestimate his work, and is an ex- cellent business man in the management of his own affairs. So well is his keen judgment and trained skill appreciated throughout the Brush manufacturing establishment, that if any one connected with it has really hit upon some clever expedient for advancing work or improving results, it is with a feeling almost akin to fear that it is submitted to Mr. Brush's quick glance and unerring judgment, for if there be a flaw it is at once detected. If an exceedingly delicate or accurate piece of work is to be done for the first time, he will probably do it with his own hands, in his laboratory. He usually spends from ten o'clock A. M. to five P. M. in his sanctum, busily engaged in one of his numerous undertak- ings or investigations. With the whole resources of a large manufacturing establishment, filled with the most costly and convenient machinery, at his command, he probably has the best facilities for experiment and demonstration of any living inventor in the electrical field. A peculiarity of Mr. Brush's methods of work early developed itself. He never made any merely empirical experiments, and in fact he has made com- paratively few of any kind, if the word experiment is con- sidered in its strict sense. It is always his habit to find out definitely before commencing work on an invention whether there is practical utility in it, and if not he does not spend an hour upon it. When his attention is called to a particular subject by the necessity for more improved methods and ma- chines, it is not his custom to look up text-books and refer- ence volumes to ascertain what others have done, so as to endeavor to improve on their work, but he aims, if possible, to carve out a new road, avoiding those that have been trav- eled. After having selected the most approved method, and
subjected it to the keenest mental scrutiny, Mr. Brush's next step is usually the preparing, not of a hasty sketch, but of a complete working drawing with full details to scale, ready for the machine shop. The whole subject has been so thor- oughly worked out in his mind, by means of the rare faculty which he possesses, that in nine cases out of ten the very first machine or piece of apparatus made from his drawing, is found to be perfect in every minute detail, and ready for actual use. Mr. Brush has steadily pursued the policy of patenting only such inventions as seem to give good promise of return. He has obtained and owns over 'fifty patents, and he has in patentable shape, ready for any future demand that may arise, a large number of inventions bearing upon the general subject which he has been investigating. Two-thirds of the patents which he has procured are sources of revenue. It was of Mr. Brush that Gambetta remarked, as he saw the commanding figure of the great American inventor at the Paris Exposition, " I do not know which to admire most, his extraordinary mental talents or his magnificent physique." There is an entire absence in Mr. Brush of the careworn, round-shouldered, hollow-eyed and haggard features which one pictures as the natural attributes of an inventor. In Mr. Brush we see one of the finest possible mental and physical speci- mens of the race ; still in his early manhood, with a bright, clear eye, features full of intelligence, frank, open, courteous, of magnificent physique, six feet high, broad-shouldered, with a deep and well-developed chest, and a form as straight as an arrow. Success has crowned his efforts. His researches have enriched and benefited the entire civilized world, and he has reaped both honors and pecuniary reward. In 1869 the University of Michigan conferred on him the degree of M. E. In 1880 the Western Reserve University invested him with the degree of Ph. D. And in 1881, in connection with the Electrical Exposition held in Paris, the French Gov- ernment, in honor of his distinguished inventions, services, and contributions to the world of science, decorated . him Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. At the Michigan Uni- versity he was a member of that famous college society, A K E. In politics he is a Republican ; in religious faith, an Episcopalian, and he is very liberal with his means to the Church of his choice and to charitable institutions and soci- eties. The Brush electric lights now shine by thousands in all quarters of the globe; in the streets, the factories, stores, and dwellings ; on steamers plowing the rivers, lakes, and oceans; on the war vessels of various foreign nations, as well as on the ships of the merchant marine ; and the name of "Brush" is a household word on the five great continents.
DODGE, SAMUEL, pioneer of Cleveland, came from New Hampshire and settled on the present site of Cleveland in 1779, the country at that date being an almost unbroken wilderness filled with Indians. He spent some time exploring the country along the south shore of the lake between Buffalo and Detroit, and finally determined to make the site, then without inhabitants, but, as he believed, to become a city of some importance, his home. He purchased land, erected a log-house, and dug the first well in Cleveland. This well, which still remains, was walled up with small bowlders which had been used by the Indians as fire-backs in their wigwams. Not long afterward he built a barn for Governor Samuel Huntington, then living at Painesville. This was the first frame building erected in Cleveland. About this time he married a daughter of Timothy Doan, who had recently
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removed with his family from Connecticut and settled in the adjoining township of Euclid. During the war of 1812 he had a contract with the government to build boats at this place and at Erie for the naval service on Lake Erie. He lived here and in the adjoining township until the time of his death, which occurred in the city in 1854, at the age of seventy-eight years, on the spot where he originally located. His wife died in the same place, in 1863, at the age of eighty-one years-both were buried in the Erie Street Cem- etery, within a few rods of their residence, having lived to see the wilderness become a large, populous, and prosper- ous city.
DODGE, GENERAL HENRY H., attorney-at-law, of Cleveland, a son of Samuel Dodge, was born in Cleve- land, August 19th, 1810. His educational advantages were necessarily limited, but he availed himself of such as were within his reach, finishing his limited education under the instruction of the Hon. Harvey Rice, then a young gen- tleman fresh from Williams College. Under his tuition, among other branches, he studied civil engineering with a view to following it as a vocation. During the con- struction of the Ohio Canal, he entered the service of the State as an engineer, and was employed upon the public works at various points between the lake and the Ohio River. When the canals were nearly completed, he left the service and commenced the study of law with the Hon. John W. Willey, one of the ablest lawyers in Ohio. In 1834 he was admitted to the bar, and entered upon the practice of law in partnership with his preceptor. In 1835 he married Miss Mary Ann Willey, then recently from Bos- ton, Massachusetts, and a niece of Judge Willey's. In 1838 Mr. Dodge was admitted, in Washington, to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States, and during the same year he was appointed Disbursing Agent of the United States on the public works forming the harbors on Lake Erie. This position he held until a change of administration in 1841. During the "Patriot War," when considerable solicitude was felt, particularly on the lake frontier, he was elected by the Legislature and commissioned by the Governor, Major- General of the Ninth Division of the State Militia. The duties of the position he discharged in a manner satisfactory to Governors Shannon and Corwin's administrations, but, to use the general's own words, " with little honor and no emol- ument to himself." In 1850 he was appointed engineer-in- charge of the Ohio, the Walhonding, and the Sandy and Beaver Canals, which position he held, with four years' ex- ception, until 1862. On the organization of the United States Circuit and District Courts for the Northern District of Ohio, he was appointed a United States Commissioner. In the many positions of trust to which he was called, as well as in his private life, he maintained a character for strict integrity. He is regarded as a good type of the Western gentleman- affable and unassuming, kind in disposition, courteous to all, but obtrusive to none. In politics he is of the old Demo- cratic school ; and although prominent, active, and liberal, he never sought political preferment for himself. While rec- ognized as a firm supporter of the Democratic party, he would never resort to temporary or doubtful expedients which he believed might compromise its integrity or impair the purity of its principles. His political character was such as reflected honor upon himself and upon the Democracy of his native State.
FREEMAN, FRANCIS, common pleas judge, was born in Amenia, Dutchess county, New York, June 7th, 1779, and died in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, September 8th, 1855. At an early age he was sent to the schools of his na- tive county, where he acquired a good education. On leav- ing school his attention was at first turned to business, and for some years he was engaged in the lumber trade. In 1803 he visited Ohio, which was at that time attracting very general attention as a desirable place for intending emigrants from the older States. After visiting and carefully examining the new territory, he became so strongly impressed with the nat- ural advantages of the neighborhood of Warren, in Trumbull county, that he decided on removing to that place and making it his home. Two years later he closed up his business in New York State, and soon after arrived in Warren. A bro- ther was induced to join him in the removal, and two extensive farms were purchased in the township, his own being mostly situated in what afterward became the city of Warren. He entered with zeal on his occupation as a farmer, clearing and improving the land and working assiduously to develop its resources. His energetic and intelligent labor was bounti- fully rewarded, and he soon became known and respected among his neighbors as an able and successful agriculturist, whilst his genial disposition, clear truthfulness, and upright- ness of character won for him the confidence of the people of the county, so that when, in 1832, he was appointed asso- ciate judge of the court of common pleas, the appointment gave general satisfaction. This position he creditably filled for seven years. A still higher mark of esteem and confi- dence was shown in his election by the people of Trumbull county as their county treasurer, and his reelection to the same position again and again until he had served twenty years. The duties of that post were performed with indus- try, probity, urbanity, and a manifest desire to promote the best interests of the community. The financial affairs of the county were never better nor more honestly managed than during his administration. He was one of the original stock- holders and directors of the Western Reserve bank of War- ren, and from 1812 to the date of his death, a period of forty- three years, he was one of its leading directors. The Western Reserve bank owed its exceptionally high reputation to the sterling integrity and far-seeing sagacity of its founders and original directors, who mostly retained their positions until death. His political affiliations were with the old whig party, for which he maintained a strong affection, and during its existence he worked actively and energetically for its success. His friendships were numerous, strong and lasting, and he was deeply interested in all movements pertaining to the moral and religious welfare of the neighborhood. He was a man of benevolence and public spirit, and his influence in the community was lastingly good. The announcement of his death, September 8th, 1855, after a brief but painful ill- ness, was received with general sorrow ; for the people, during the half century of his residence among them, had learned to value highly his character as a man as well as his patriot- ism and liberality as a citizen. In January, 1817, he married the only daughter of Samuel Leavitt, of Warren. His three children survived him: Mrs. Charles Hickox, of Cleveland, Samuel Freeman, and Mrs. Albert Morley, of Warren. His son Samuel, banker, was born at Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, March 29th, 1823, and was living there in April, 1879. He received a good education at Warren, and when of age to leave school he spent some time on his father's farm. After
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a few years spent in this manner he engaged in mercantile business, and for about three years was in a hardware store at Warren, where he laid the foundation for the business hab- its that afterward contributed so materially to his success in life .. In 1859 he opened the banking-house of Freeman, Hunt & Co., in Warren, for the purpose of transacting a gen- eral banking business. The firm continued unchanged and in active business down to the date of this work, and had proved very successful, enjoying the confidence of the busi- ness and general community, and withstanding all financial storms without injury or impairment of credit. He was a friend to all benevolent, charitable and patriotic enterprises, and contributed liberally to those and other objects calculated to be for the public good. He took a strong interest in everything calculated to really benefit the town in which he lived. In politics he was a republican since the formation of that party, but took no active part in political affairs other than to perform his obligations as a citizen by aiding in the choice and election of good men to office. Of genial dispo- sition and honorable, upright character, he is generally es- teemed by his neighbors and acqaintances. January 20th, 1846, he married Miss Charlotte L. Tod, niece of Governor David Tod, with issue of a son and daughter, both living.
JEWETT, THOMAS LIGHTFOOT, an eminent rail- way official, lawyer, and judge, was born near Bellair, Har- ford County, Maryland. His father, John Jewett, and mother, Susannah Judge, were distinguished members of the society of Friends, being held in high repute in Mary- land and Pennsylvania for their piety and devotion to the Quaker religion. The latter was a daughter of Hugh Judge, whose name is inseparably connected with the historical records of that sect. The subject of this sketch was the eldest of seven sons, and at the immature age of fourteen years began his active career, independent of parental sup- port. He was early distinguished by a keen discernment and penetration in matters of business; and having in a series of transactions become a partner in a business firm in New York, he succeeded in amassing a considerable for- tune. This, however, he afterward lost through serious reverses. He then studied law, and was admitted to prac- tice in the courts of Kentucky, and practiced in that State, where he married, his wife shortly afterward dying. About the year 1838 he went to St. Clairsville, Ohio, where he re- sided a short time, and where a lasting friendship was formed between himself and the distinguished Judge Kennon. This association, in which the sympathies and tastes of the indi- viduals so closely assimilated, in after years had a pathetic sequel ; for the activity of each was suddenly arrested by a similar affliction. Mr. Jewett afterward removed to Cadiz, Ohio, and there became professionally associated with Sam- uel Peppard, Esq., in the practice of law. He acquired a high standing among the lawyers of his time, and practiced his profession with vigor and success for seven years. He was then married to Miss Anna Haines, of that place. There were born of this union five children, four daughters and one son. After a residence of seven years at Cadiz, Mr. Jewett removed to Steubenville, where he formed a law partnership with Mr. Thomas Means, and where the prestige he had formerly acquired at the bar was ably sustained among his colleagues, many of whom were rated among the foremost lawyers in the West. In 1848 he was elected Judge of the courts at Steubenville, over which he presided for five years, C-20
and discharged the duties of the position with signal ability and zeal. He resigned the judgeship that he might accept the presidency of the Steubenville and Indiana Railway Company, which had been recently made vacant by the death of Mr. James Means. As the head of this organiza- tion, Judge Jewett was afforded an opportunity to exhibit his rare executive ability. He was a man of comprehensive views, impatient of details, looking to the consummation of great plans, which he was constantly evolving. His policy as President of the company looked to the extension and further strengthening of the road under his management. During the fifteen years of his incumbency, the company acquired many new lines, and the corporate name of the road was twice changed, the last time becoming the Pitts- burg, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railroad, which is to-day one of the most extensive railways in America. He had execu- tive control of this great line, with all its connections and leased lines, including the Little Miami, Indiana Central, Pittsburg and Steubenville, Muskingum Valley, and Colum- bus and Pickaway roads. Judge Jewett was the intimate friend and associate of Edgar A. Thompson and Colonel Thomas Scott, who have figured conspicuously in the rail- road development of the country. In 1871, while yet in the service of the road, he was prostrated by a paralytic stroke, necessitating his resignation. About this time overtures were being made him to accept the presidency of the Erie Rail- way, but physical incompetency was an effectual barrier to his acceptance. The presidency of Erie was then tendered to his brother, Hugh J. Jewett, and by him accepted. Judge Jewett partially recovered from the effects of his paralytic attack before his death .. In 1875, while in New York City, attending upon his brother, Hugh J. Jewett, who had been injured by a fall from his carriage, he died suddenly of affec- tion of the heart. The announcement of his death was keenly felt throughout the country, he being held in high esteem all over the United States.
HITCHCOCK, HENRY LAWRENCE, D. D., was born at Burton, Geauga County, Ohio, October 31st, 1813, and died at Hudson, Summit County, Ohio, July 6th, 1873. He was the second son living to years of maturity of Judge Peter Hitchcock, elsewhere mentioned, and his wife, Nabby Cook. Like his elder brother, Reuben, he prepared for col- lege at the academy in his native town of Burton, under David L. Coe, Dexter Witter, and, for a brief period, his brother. Well fitted he entered Yale College in 1828, and graduated in 1832. As a scholar he ranked high. After leaving college he took charge of the academy in Burton, teaching for two years with complete success. The year fol- lowing he taught a private class in his father's house, him- self studying theology. In 1835 he entered Lane Seminary, where for two years he pursued his theological studies under Doctor Lyman Beecher. Returning to Burton in 1837, he was licensed and preached his first sermon. The same year he was ordained and installed pastor of the Congregational Church at Morgan, Ashtabula County. Laboring here for two and one-half years with great acceptance, he was called to a wider field. Upon the recommendation of the vener- able Doctor Beecher, young Hitchcock was invited to take charge of the newly organized Second Presbyterian Church, at Columbus, Ohio. Accepting the call, he came into the pastorate when but twenty-seven years old, and remained in this connection fifteen years, laboring with great zeal and
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success. During this pastorate, Broad Street Congregational Church was organized out of surplus members of his own Church, and the impress of his labors is yet felt in both Churches. In Columbus he is remembered as one of her pas- tors who, active in his own appropriate field, was foremost in doing whatever lay in his power to advance the best inter- ests of the community and city in which he lived. In May, 1855, he resigned his pastorate, and on July 12th, of that year, was inaugurated president of Western Reserve College, at Hudson, Ohio. In assuming charge of this institution, he undertook a work of very great labor and difficulty. The college was deeply involved, so much so as to threaten its downfall. To the work before him, with his usual activity and zeal, he devoted his entire time and means. In his vo- cabulary there was no such word as "fail." Having left a pleasant home, admiring friends, and a large, loving, efficient Church, in obedience to what he regarded the call of duty, he determined the sacrifice should not be in vain. His labors were multifarious. He had to raise, collect, invest, and superintend the college funds. During term time he preached twice in the chapel each Sabbath, and taught in natural the- ology and evidences of Christianity, besides responding to repeated calls for outside labor. As the result of his labors, all the incumbrances of the college were removed and over $175,000 added to the endowment fund. The high grade of scholarship was maintained, and the number of students was larger than ever before. Under his administration one hundred and forty-seven young men completed their course and were graduated by him. In the Autumn of 1867, failing health made a vacation necessary. To secure rest and re- cuperation the following Winter was spent in the south of Europe and England. In June, 1868, he returned with health apparently much improved. Resuming his college work with the old vigor and courage, it soon became appar- ent that the improvement was only temporary. He could no longer perform the duties of the position with the old-time success. His constitution, never strong, was undermined, and the inevitable result could only be temporarily postponed. Two years from his return he desired to resign, but was in- duced to remain for a time longer. One year later he found it absolutely necessary to resign the presidency, but contin- ued his other work. Two years more were spent in this manner, when suddenly, in the latter part of June, 1873, he took his bed, never to rise again. His decline was rapid, his illness terminating in death, July 6th, 1873. He fell with the harness on, at the post of duty. His was a full, well-rounded life. Dying comparatively young, he fully illustrated the truth so often upon his lips, " It is better to wear out than rust out." Considered as a minister of the Gospel, president of a college, or teacher, his ability was remarkable. His finan- cial ability was shown in establishing two large Churches upon a firm foundation, and by bringing the college out of the embarrassments which had well-nigh wrecked it and plac- ing it upon a sound basis. As college executive he could, and did, maintain strict discipline and retain the respect and affection of the students, who loved him as a kind father. As a Christian he was earnest, active, and efficient, com- manding the respect and admiration of all, whatever might be their religious belief. As a man, naturally hasty and nervous, he acquired complete control over himself, so that nothing could disturb his equanimity. Patient, modest, self- sacrificing, and faithful, he was beloved by all that knew him, and had not a single enemy. He was married December
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