|
BIOGRAPHIES
 Source:
Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio -
Publ. Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Co.,
1893
A -
B - C -
D - E -
F - G -
H - I -
J - K -
L - M -
N - O - P -
Q - R -
S - T -
U -
V - W -
X - Y -
Z
< CLICK HERE TO
RETURN TO 1893 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
< CLICK HERE TO RETURN
TO LIST OF BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >
SELAH DANIELS, a
prominent and enterprising farmer of Montville township, Geauga county,
is the subject of the following biographical sketch. He is a
native of Ohio, born at Montville, Jan. 9, 1845, a son of Selah
Daniels, Sr., who was born in Connecticut, June 1, 1798; the father
removed to Ohio at an early day, and settled in Portage county, where he
operated a gristmill for a number of years; later he came to Montville
and purchased land at a time when the country was thinly settled and
little land was under cultivation. He died in 1880, aged
eighty-two years. His wife's maiden name was Mary Ann Newman;
she died in 1882, at the age of eighty-four years. They had a
family of six children, four of whom are living: Luther P.,
Katherine, Rufus and the subject of this sketch. Selah
Daniels is the youngest born; he remained at home and cared for his
parents through their declining years, ministering to their wants with
loving fidelity.
He enlisted in August, 1864, a member of Company F,
Twenty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but later was transferred to
Company A. He joined his regiment at Sandusky, Ohio, and for a
year did guard duty on Johnson's Island. He was mustered out at
Camp Chase in July, 1865. Peace having been declared he returned
to his home, and embarked in the milling business. He built a
sawmill in 1867, and until 1892 was successfully engaged in the lumber
trade, selling out at that time.
Mr. Daniels was married in 1868, on the 20th day
of June, to Jane A. Tucker, a native of Geauga county, Ohio, her
parents having emigrated from England to the United States. Mr.
and Mrs. Daniels became the parents of the following children:
Curtis G.; Earnest, deceased; Plinney; Henry; Vernie and
Maxx. Politically our subject affiliates with the
Republican party, and has filled the offices of Land Appraiser and
Trustee. He is a member of I. N. Legget Post, No. 336, G. A. R.,
at Montville, and has been Commander and Adjustant since its
organization. He was nominated at the Republican County Convention
in 1893, for County Commissioner. He is now the owner of
ninety-nine acres in his home farm, seventy-five acres in another tract,
and 115 in another. Untiring industry, good management and economy
have been the mainsprings of his success, and in all his transactions he
has preserved his reputation for strict integrity and honorable dealing.
Source:
History of North Central Ohio - Publ. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company -
1893 ~ Page 750 |
THE DENTONS - The first
American ancestor of the Chardon Dentons was Rev. Richafrd
Denton, a distinguished New England divine. He was born in
Yorkshire, England, in 1586, was graduated from Cambridge University in
1623, and came to America about 1630. After preaching with great
success in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Long Island, be returned to
England in 1659, dying there in 1662. He was the author of a
system on the fourfold state of man entitled "Soliloquia Sacra."
His four sons - one of whom wrote the first history of New York State -
remained in this country. Cotton Mather, in his "Magnalia,"
gives an interesting and highly eulogistic sketch of Rev. Richard
Denton.
The first Ohio ancestor of the family was
Dr. Evert Denton. He was born at Greenwich, Connecticut, in
1789. He was educated at Columbia College, and at the age of
twenty-one began a professional career as a physician. He
practiced for a time in Connecticut, later removed to New York, and
thence to Chardon in 1820. After ten highly successful years, the
hardships incident to the life of a pioneer physician undermined his
constitution, and he passed away at the early age of forty.
Hon. A. G. Riddle, in “Williams’ History of Lake and Geauga
Counties,” published in 1878, thus speaks of him: “Dr. Denton
was undoubtedly the first physician of his day in the West - must have
been one of the first anywhere. He was a man of mind, of
intellect, of ideas, of thought; more than that, he was a man of genius.
Without advantages of person or a striking face, his eyes were fine, and
his manner and address somewhat abrupt, were usually easy and charming.
In conversation his power was remarkable: his dark, plain face would
light up, his fine eyes lend an added expression, and his person become
endowed with flexible grace. His wit and readiness of repartee,
his facility for conning and uttering striking and extraordinary things
must have been remarkable. Forty years ago the country was full of
his sayings, which, however, could no more be gathered up and placed on
paper than could one glean up the sunbeams after they have faded from
tree, hillside and field.” Dr. Denton was twice married.
He married for his first wife, Elizabeth Granger, and for
his second wife Sidney Metcalf (who by a later union with
Jude Converse became the mother of Hon. Julius O.
Converse). Six children were the fruits of the two unions.
By the first union were born Cornelia (who became the wife of
Edwin F. Phelps), Evert,
Maria and Elizabeth, and by the second union were born
Richard E. and Sybil. Maria and Richard E.
alone survive.
Richard Evert Denton was born Sept. 10, 1826,
and has passed his entire life in Chardon. Though never enjoying
the benefits of a collegiate course, he has always taken a deep interest
in educational matters, and been an ardent student. He is a man of
remarkable acquirements in the languages, and has been a frequent
lecturer on philological subjects at teachers’ institutes and other
educational gatherings. He taught school for many seasons, and,
like his father before him, served with credit as a school examiner of
the county. Nov. 25, 1858, he married Lydia E. Pomeroy, of
Huntsburgh, a successful school-teacher. Four children were the
fruits of this union: Franklin E., Richard L., Harrold
P., and George M.
Franklin Evert Denton was born Nov. 22, 1859.
At the age of seven years he began the printer’s trade in the office of
his uncle, Hon. J. O. Converse. With intervals for
schooling he set type on the Geauga Republican until 1884. In that
year he became connected with the Geauga Leader, published at Burton.
On the death of Hon. Peter Hitchcock, he succeeded him as editor
and business manager, conducting the paper until it was sold to the
present owner. In 1887 he removed to Cleveland and has since been
connected with four of the leading papers of that city, for some time
being associate editor of the Sun and Voice and later a member of the
editorial staff of the World. He at present holds a responsible
position on the Leader. Mr. Denton enjoys a very
wide and growing literary reputation. In 1883, he received a prize
offered by the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette for the best story.
The same year he published a volume pf poems which, though receiving
great praise from many sources, fell into especial disfavor with the New
York Independent and Boston Literary World. In 1885 a high
authority in England expressed enthusiastic admiration for one of the
poems of the volume, speaking of certain lines as “absolutely beautiful
and absolutely new.” In 1890, when Crandall’s
“Representative Sonnets by American Poets,” was compiled in Boston,
Mr. Denton was solicited for contributions. He is a
member of the Western Association of Writers, and in 1889 read a poem at
their annual convention at Warsaw, Indiana. Oct. 18, 1882, Mr.
Denton married Martha A. Goldthorp, of Chardon. They
have one son, Paul, born Dec. 24, 1884.
Richard Linwood Denton was born
July 17, 1864, and learned the printer’s trade in the office of the
Geauga Republican. In 1886, he went to Nebraska, where, in company
with Warwick V. Saunders, of Staunton, Virginia, he established
the Platte Center Argus. The following winter, in company with his
brother, H. P. Denton, he founded the Democratic Record, the
first Democratic paper ever published in Geauga county. He
afterward became sole owner of the paper, conducting it with ability.
In 1890 he disposed of his interests, and is at present in the newspaper
business in Cleveland. Dec. 31, 1883, Mr. Denton married
Harriet L. Pierce, of Chardon. They have one daughter,
Kittie, born June 10, 1885.
Harrold Pomeroy Denton was born
Sept. 19, 1866, and also learned the printer’s trade in the office of
the Geauga Republican. In the winter of 1886, in company with his
brother, R. L. Denton, he founded the Geauga Democratic Record.
Soon after becoming an editor, he took an active interest in Democratic
politics. He was mentioned as a candidate for the Legislature in
1888, but declined the nomination in the convention. He
represented Geauga county in several State conventions, serving on
important committees. He also served for four years as Chairman of
the Democratic Congressional Committee of the Nineteenth District.
Mr. Denton has been a correspondent for various papers,
and enjoys a wide acquaintance among the public men of the State.
After disposing of his interests in the Democratic Record, he removed to
Cleveland and is at present connected with the World, of that city.
George Metcalf Denton was born Mar. 1, 1871,
and, like his three brothers, was graduated at the printer’s case.
In 1888 he removed to Cleveland, where he has since
resided, except for a number of months in 1890, when he assisted in the
editorship of the Democratic Record at Chardon. He is at present
connected with the Cleveland Press.
Source:
Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio - Publ. Chicago - The Lewis
Publishing Co., 1893 - Page 783 |
ORLANDO A. DIMMICK, an
old citizen of Chardon township, and an honored member of the medical
fraternity in Geauga county, is the subject of the following
biographical sketch. HE was born in Claridon township, Geauga
county, Ohio, July 28, 1837, a son of Asa Dimmick a native of
Tolland, Connecticut, and grandson of William Dimmick, also of
Tolland, Connecticut, of English descent. The latter was a
minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and removed to Geauga
county, Ohio, in 1832, preaching throughout this section until his
death, at the age of seventy-six years. Asa Dimmick
was married in Connecticut, and in 1832 came to Geauga county, settling
in Claridon township, on land which he developed into a good farm, the
same consisting of 127 acres. He died at the age of eighty-four
years. He married Mary Alger, of Connecticut, and
they had a family of five children, three of whom grew to maturity:
Mary died at the age of seventeen years, of small-pox; Lorena
died in infancy; Asa also died in childhood; Parley P.
died at the age of fifty-two years: he left two sons, Gordon and
Dan, agents for the Northwestern Life Insurance Company, of
Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Dr. Dimmick is the only surviving
child. The mother died at the age of twenty-seven years.
Dr. Dimmick received his elementary
education in the district schools, and was also a pupil at the old
Kirtland Academy in Lake county and at the academy at Austinburg,
Ashtabula county, Ohio. When the great Civil war broke out between
the North and South, he went out in defense of the Union flag, enlisting
in Company P, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He
was mustered in at Cleveland, Ohio, and joined the Army of the
Cumberland in Kentucky. He was attacked with the measles soon
after going into the service, and was confined to hospital at New
Albany, Indiana. He rejoined his regiment at Gallatin, Tennessee,
just before the battle of Stone River. In the
battle of Chickamauga he received a gunshot wound in the right hand,
losing a finger; he was disabled for a time, and was afterward
transferred to the Veteran Deserve Corps. It was during this
portion of his military career that he developed a taste for the
practice of medicine, as he did hospital duty until his honorable
discharge, June 28, 1864. He read medicine while on service in the
hospital, and after his return home entered the medical department of
the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, from which he
graduated with the degree of M. D., in 1869. He located at
Waterville, Kansas, and was engaged in practice there until 1878, when
he returned to his old home.
The Doctor was united in marriage, June 18, 1877, to
Hannah Young, and they are the parents of one child, a son
named Paul. Mrs. Dimmick’s father, Allison W.
Young, was born in Parkman township, Geauga county, a son of
William Young, a pioneer of Parkman township, having removed
from the State of Maryland to Ohio. Allison Young
was a merchant here for many years, and was Recorder of the county from
1867 to 1875, when he died, at the age of sixty-one years. His
wife was Harriet A. Moseley, a native of Genesee county, New
York; they had a family of five children, all of whom lived to maturity.
Mrs. Young died at the age of sixty-two years; they were
both worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and active in the
work of their Master.
Dr. Dimmick has a large general practice,
ramifying over a large scope of country; he is a man well informed upon
the discoveries and improved methods of the science of medicine, and has
met with very satisfactory results in his professional labors. In
politics he is a Republican. In her religious faith his wife adheres to
the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Doctor is
identified with the State and county medical societies.
Source:
Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio - Publ. Chicago - The Lewis
Publishing Co., 1893 - Page 785 |
EDWIN E. DOUGLASS,
one of the oldest settlers of Claridon township and a typical pioneer,
is closely identified with the development of Geauga county; it is
therefore fitting that his biography should be recorded on these pages.
He was horn Mar. 3, 1816, in Claridon township, Geauga county, Ohio, a
son of Elijah Douglass, who was a native of Litchfield
county, Connecticut. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Douglass,
was also a native of Connecticut, of Scotch descent. He was a
farmer by occupation, and died when his son Elijah was a child of
three years. The latter emigrated to the West in 1810, making most
of the journey on foot. He bought land and returned to the East,
but in 1811 came to stay, building a log cabin in the heart of the
forest. Soon followed the war of 1812. One night he moulded
some balls, and early next morning took his musket and started for
Cleveland. Arriving there he heard of Hull’s surrender, and
as his services were not needed returned to his home. He performed
a great amount of hard labor, clearing most of a large farm. He
died in his seventy-ninth year. He was married to Betsey
Cowles, a daughter of Judge Cowles, who was one of the
early settlers here and a very large land-owner. He was one of the
associate judges of this district, and was a man of broad intelligence
and great benevolence. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass reared a
family of three children: Samuel, Eliza and Edwin E.
The mother bore her share of the burden and hardships incident to their
settlement on the frontier; she spun for the cloth that she had woven
for her family, and performed much difficult and heavy labor. She
was nearly seventy at the time of her death.
Edwin E. Douglass is the youngest of the family.
He was reared amid the rude surroundings of the early settlements, and
received his education in the primitive log schoolhouse. He
assisted in the clearing of the land, and was often obliged to pen the
sheep at night to protect them from wild animals that still infested
this section.
He was married in 1841, to Almira Taylor,
who was born in Hartford county, Connecticut, and emigrated to Ohio in
1828. Four children were born to this union: Emily,
Martha, Ralph C. and Howard T. The mother died
Jan. 7, 1890. Mr. Douglass settled upon his present
farm after his marriage, and with untiring energy began improving the
land and making substantial improvements. Few men have labored
with more earnestness, and few have been better rewarded. Howard
T. Douglass succeeds to the old home farm, which consists of 150
acres with first-class improvements. Mr. and Mrs.
Douglass are enrolled members of the Congregational Church at
Claridon, and since their early days have maintained an active interest
in all religious work. Politically Mr. Douglass
votes with the Republican party. In early times he was a Whig, and
in 1840 voted for William Henry Harrison. He
took a lively part in that campaign, assisting in the celebration of
Fort Meigs. A man of honor and unquestioned integrity, he has the
confidence of the entire community.
Source:
Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio - Publ. Chicago - The Lewis
Publishing Co., 1893 - Page 652 |
ARTHUR D. DOWNING,
President of the First National Bank of Chardon, was born at Stanstead,
Canada, Sept. 7, 1833, a son of Major Alvin S. and Sarah (Morey)
Downing, the former of whom was born in the State of Vermont in
1800. The grandfather, George Downing, was a native of New
Hampshire, and was descended from English ancestors who emigrated from
Downing street, London, in colonial days. He was a surveyor by
profession, and followed this vocation through life; he lived at
Colchester, Vermont, and was Sheriff of his county at one time. He
was a man of robust constitution, and lived to old age. Major
Alvin S. Downing was a farmer and carpenter by occupation. He
was married in Vermont, but removed to Canada, locating in the border of
the Dominion. He came to Ohio as early as 1832, but did not settle
permanently until 1833, when he located in Munson township, on land
which he owned in partnership with his brother Joshua. For ten
years he worked at his trade in Cleveland, and his brother managed their
farming interests. He became Major of the State militia, and was
generally known by this title. He crossed the plains to California
in the spring of 1849, when the tide of emigration swept to the gold
fields of the Pacific Coast, and was on the way from March 1 until the
following August, suffering from many of the ills of the long and
tedious journey. He married Sarah Morey, who was born in
Canada in 1805, and they reared a family of eight children. The
father died at the age of eighty-four years, and the mother lived to the
age of seventy-six years. She was a very domestic woman, and took
a deep interest in her home and family. Politically he supported
first the Whig and then the Republican party.
A. D. Downing is the fourth of the family.
He was a young child when his father removed to Ohio, and received his
elementary education in the common schools. He entered Hiram
College at the age of twenty years, and was a student in that
institution at the same time James A. Garfield was there.
He pursued his studies for two years, taking an elective course.
He then began life for himself by teaching school in Scioto county,
Ohio, which occupation he continued for two years. He also taught
a writing school. Thence he went to Lawrence Furnace in Lawrence
county, Ohio, in 1857, and was with this institution for seven years as
bookkeeper. In the spring of 1864 he bought an interest in
Buckhorn furnace selling out at at the end of two years.
Going to Ironton, Ohio, he secured a position as bookkeeper in the
rolling mill of Campbell, Woodrow & Co., which he filled for two years.
He then accompanied General Powell and his brother George E.,
to Clifton Iron Works. He became financial agent for the concern,
and also embarked in general mercantile pursuits, which he conducted
three years.
In the fall of 1870 Mr. Downing came to Chardon
and opened a general store, continuing the business for twenty years.
He has been connected with the Geauga Savings and Loan Association since
1875 in the capacity of a director, and served two years as
vice-president. In 1891 he assisted in the organization of the
First National Bank, and was elected president of the corporation.
The authorized capital of the Savings and Loan Association is $100,000,
and the capital stock of the National Bank is $50,000. The First
National Bank and the Geauga Savings and Loan Association are under
almost the same management, having the same president and the same
vice-president.
Mr. Downing was married Apr. 1, 1857, to Miss
Barbara M. Fisk of this county, who was educated at Hiram College,
and was a woman of many admirable traits. She died without
children, in June, 1865. She was a worthy member of the Disciple
Church, and took a leading part in all its work. Mr. Downing's
second marriage occurred in 1868, when he was united to Miss Jennie
C. Smith, daughter of George Smith, a leading citizen of
Munson township. Two children have been born to them:
Willis G. and Bessie M. Mrs. Downing is a member of the
Congregational Church, to which she contributes of her time and means.
Politically, Mr. Downing adheres to the principles of the
Republican party, having east his first vote for John C. Fremont.
He is a member of the town council, and has been its Treasurer several
years. He belongs to the Masonic order, and is a member of the
Mystic Shrine of Cleveland. Although he began life without
capital, he has accumulated a competence. He is considered one of
the best financiers in the county, and is highly esteemed by all classes
of citizens for his moral worth.
Source:
Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio - Publ. Chicago - The Lewis
Publishing Co., 1893 - Page 610 |
BENJAMIN F. DOWNING,
a leading agriculturist of Geauga county, is not a native of the United
States although a loyal citizen of the Republic. He was born in
Lower Canada, Nov. 24, 1830, a son of A. S. and Sallie (Morey)
Downing, and was an infant of three years when his parents came to
Ohio in 1833; they settled on a farm in Munson township, Geauga county,
where he grew to man’s estate. He acquired an education in the
primitive log schoolhouse, and enjoyed the sport of hunting wild animals
which were plentiful in those days, he remained under the parental roof
until he was thirty years of age, and then in partnership with his
father bought a farm, which is now occupied by George Moore.
Afterward he purchased his father’s interest, and his father and mother
lived with him several years. It was in 1863 that he bought his
present place.
He was married in 1861 to Mary E. Young, a
native of Hiram, Portage county, Ohio, born Apr. 21, 1836, and a
daughter of John C. and Susan (Ford) Young, natives of
Connecticut and New York, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Young
came to Ohio in their young days, and were highly esteemed citizens of
Geauga county; he died in 1882, at the age of seventy-live years,
and she died Feb. 14, 1891. They reared a family of three, two
sons and a daughter: Sirah I., Abner W., and Mary E. (Mrs.
Downing). The last named was a student at Hiram College when
James A. Garfield was there, and was well acquainted with him.
She became proficient in music, and from the time she was sixteen taught
for twenty years. Mr. Young was a prominent and
successful farmer and died leaving quite a large estate. He was a
man of strict integrity, large benevolence and charity, warm-hearted and
generous and much devoted to his family. He died regretted by by
all. Both he and his wife were Spiritualists.
Mr. and Mrs. Downing are the parents of four
children: Charles V. died at the acre of six months and seventeen
days; Eugene E., was born May 4, 1863, is married and a
resident of Munson township. Victor B. and Virginia B.
are twins, born June 12, 1870; they have had excellent educational
advantages. Virginia is an accomplished musician, and is now a
student at Oberlin College; at the age of live years she began playing
compositions for the piano, and when thirteen slip began teaching.
Politically, Mr. Downing supports
Republicanism, and has held many local offices. During the war he
labored indefatigably to free Munson township from a draft, and paid
next to the highest sum to the fund for this purpose. For sixteen
years he dealt extensively in live stock, and is considered one of the
best judges of high grades in the northwest part of the State, where he
is widely known. He has been more than ordinarily successful in
the business affairs of life, and has an enviable reputation for strict
integrity and correct dealing.
Source:
Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio - Publ. Chicago - The Lewis
Publishing Co., 1893 - Page 828 |
.
|
