OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS

A Part of Genealogy Express

 

Welcome to
GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO
HISTORY & GENEALOGY

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 >

RUFUS L. RHODES, one of the representative pioneers of Montville township, Geauga county, Ohio, was born at Westhampton, Massachusetts, Aug. 20, 1810, a son of Samuel Rhodes, a native of Chesterfield, Massachusetts, and a descendant of an old New England family.  The father emigrated to Ohio in 1833, and passed the remainder of his days in Montville township, at the home of his son Rufus; he died at the age of ninety years; his wife whose maiden name was Lyman, was a native of Massachusetts; she died at the age of sixty-two years, the mother of four sons and two daughters, Rufus L. and Sidney being the only surviving ones.  Rufus L. Rhodes attended school during the winter season, and in the summer worked on his father's farm.  He was at one time employed in a woolen factory, receiving $120 a year as a salary.  He determined to come West, and in 1832 he set out on the journey, walking to Albany, New York, and thence by canal to Buffalo, and on by boat to Fairport.  He bought fifty acres of land on which he still resides; it was an unbroken wilderness, and wild game was plentiful.  He went to work with a will, and as his means increased he invested in additional land until he had acquired 1,000 acres.
     He was united in marriage in 1836, to Elizabeth Clark of Vermont, who had been brought to the West by her parents when a child of four years.  Mrs. Rhodes died in 1886, leaving a family of five children: Elizabeth, wife of Rev. S. L. Wilkins, has one son; Leander is married and has live children; Sarah and Charles died in infancy; Chauney G. is married and has one child; Ida is the wife of Wayland Clark, and they have four children; Clark A. is married and lives on a farm adjoining his father: he has three children.
     Mr. Rhodes was married a second time, in 1886, espousing Margaret J. (McGill) Hurry, whose parents emigrated to Ohio in pioneer days; she was first married to Andrew J. Hurry, a native of Pennsylvania who died in 1882.  Mr. Rhodes votes with the Republican party, and has been Trustee of his township, serving with excellent satisfaction.  He has divided his land among his children, retaining only about 200 acres.  He has lived in Montville sixty years, and has witnessed the changes that have come with the onward flow of emigration.  Although he started at the bottom of the ladder he has attained a position of financial independence.
Source: Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio - Publ. Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Co., 1893 - Page 980
GILBERT A. RICHARDS, who is well known throughout Geauga county and who is ranked with the wealthy farmers of Auburn township, was born here, Nov. 8, 1825.  Of his life and ancestry the following facts have been gleaned:
     Austin Richards, his father, a native of Massachusetts, was married in that State, and in 1818 moved to Ohio.  He first went to New York State, making the journey by ox team and after spending two years there came on to Ohio, completing the trip with horses.  Upon his arrival in Geauga county, he bought a tract of wild land and built a log cabin.  There were few settlers here at that time, and no roads at all.  They found their way from one place to another by blazed trees.  Mr. Richards helped to chop down trees and make some of the first highways.  He did his trading at Chardon, going back and forth on horseback.  He was a man of strong constitution and was not afraid of hard work.  Not only did he clear seventy-five acres of his own land, but he also cleared considerable land for others.  He died here, at the age of seventy-five. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Sallie Chadrick, and who was a native of Massachusetts, had nine children, seven of whom readied adult years.  Mrs. Richards lived, to be eighty-eight.  They were among the early members of the Freewill
Baptist Church here.  In politics, Mr. Richards was first a Whig and afterward an Abolitionist.
     Gilbert A. Richards was the youngest son and eighth child in this family.  His education was that received in the log schoolhouse of the period, and when he was only sixteen he launched out in business for himself, buying his time of his father for $75.  He worked out by the day and month until he was twenty-one.  After his marriage he bought his father’s old homestead of twenty-three acres, and settled upon the same.  In 1856 he purchased the old Oliver Snow farm, where he has since lived. From time to time, as he was able, he made additional purchases until he became the owner of over 550 acres.  Recently, however, he divided some of his land with his children, retaining 230 acres.  He never made any money by speculating.  All he has has been earned by honest toil.  He has been engaged in general farming and stock-raising, keeping a large dairy and giving special attention to sheep and horses.  For some twelve years he operated a cheese factory.  Before he divided his land with his children he was said to be one of the wealthiest men in Auburn township.
     Mr. Richards was married Nov. 14, 1858, to Mahitable B. Snow, who was born in this township, Feb. 3, 1828, being the second daughter of Lorin and Serintha Snow, who are among the first settlers in Auburn township, where they successfully conducted farming operations.  Mr. and Mrs. Richards have had four children, of whom we make the following record: Eliza S. was born Sept. 20, 1852, and is the wife of Oliver E. Ludlow, youngest son of Dr. O. W. Ludlow, of Auburn: they have five children —Hoyt G., Wick O., Day L., Rex E. and Belle E.; Ella P. Richards was born Feb. 1, 1855, is the wife of O. W. Giles, a prosperous farmer of Auburn: they have had two children—Minnie, who died at the age of two years, and Hazel G.; Lorin G. Richards was born Jan. 17, 1860, married Vernie, the only daughter of Lothrop and Betsy Reed of Burton, Geauga county, Ohio; he now resides just across the road from his old home, where he is quite extensively engaged in farming, cultivating about 500 acres, and being also interested in the raising of horses; Lura S. was born February 16, 1865, and died at the age of three years.
     Mr. Richards has for many years - in fact since the organization of the association - maintained a great interest in the work of the Geauga County Agricultural Society, whose fairs are held in Burton.  For the past twenty years he has been a member of the executive board, having served as president, vice-president and director, being one of the directors at the present time.  In his younger days he was one of the most enthusiastic and extensive exhibitors of cattle at the annual fairs.

Source: Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio - Publ. Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Co., 1893 - Page 821

DANIEL S. ROBERTSON, cashier of the First National Bank, Geneva, was born at Montville, Geauga county, Ohio, May 29, 1845.  His parents, Daniel M. and Louisa (Garrett) Robertson, were natives of New York and Ohio respectively.  The father was identified with the Democratic party, and served as Postmaster several terms; he was also engaged in keeping hotel for about fifteen years at Montville and Middlefield.  The maternal grandfather of Daniel S. Robertson was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, serving as Captain in Washington's army; the paternal grandfather was in the same war, being employed as artificer.
     Mr. Robertson is the older of two children, the younger being Mrs. F. C. Fassett, of Ashtabula.  He attended the common schools of his native town, and at the age of sixteen years enlisted in the service of his country as a member of Company K, Sixth Ohio Cavalry (Sheridan's Cavalry Corps.)  The date of his entering the army was Oct. 24, 1861, and he participated in the second engagement at Bull Run, at Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Spottsylvania, and many others of less note.  He was mustered out July 8, 1865, as Sergeant.  He is an active member of the G. A. R., Post 28 of Geneva, and is deserving of those honors due the men who so bravely fought for the "stars and strips."
     When the war was ended Mr. Robertson entered the Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, New York, where he completed the full course; he was employed as book-keeper until 1887, when he became cashier of the First National Bank at Geneva.  He has served this institution with great fidelity, his duties being performed with that promptitude which marks the true soldier.
     He was married Feb. 23, 1870, to Miss Elvira M. Hulbert, of Painesville, Ohio.  They have one child, Guy A. now in the Central National Bank, of Cleveland, Ohio.  In politics Mr. Robertson is an ardent Democrat; he is an efficient member of the school board, and belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of Pythias, the Foresters and the Knights of the Maccabees.
Source: Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio - Publ. Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Co., 1893 - Page 279
MATHEWS C. ROCKAFELLOW was born in Livingston county, New York, May 19, 1837, a son of Jeremiah M. Rockafellow a native of New Jersey, born Mar. 23, 1810.  John Rockafellow, the grandfather, was also a native of New Jersey, born Dec. 5, 1779.  The first members of the family in this county, New York, where he followed his calling.  He was married Nov. 8, 1832, to Clarissa Guy Chandler who was born in New York.  In the fall of 1837 they removed to Geauga county, Ohio, and located in Chardon township.  Here Mr.Rockafellow took up land, which he lived to clear and improve.  He died in October, 1866.  He still worked at his trade in connection with his farming, but gave more of his time to agricultural pursuits.  His wife died March, 1888.  They were both worthy members of the Baptist Church.
     M. C. Rockafellow is one of a family of four children, two of whom survive.  He has lived on the old homestead since he was an infant six months old.  He attended the district schools and worked with his father in the old blacksmith shop from the time he was old enough to swing a hammer.  When the demand came for carriages and wagons he built a shop which lie has operated in connection with the blacksmith shop.  He owns 129 acres of excellent land, and is numbered among the progressive citizens of the township of Chardon.
     Mr. Rockafellow was united in marriage, July 3, 1858, to Angeline C. Coman, a native of Lake county, Ohio, and a daughter of Uriah ComanMr. and Mrs. Rockafellow are the parents of three children: Ardelia C., who died at the age of live years; Victor Lowell, who died at the age of twenty-two months; and Louise May. Our subject and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  In politics Mr. Rockafellow is an uncompromising Republican, and he is a member of the Masonic order.
Source: Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio - Publ. Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Co., 1893 - Page 904

.

CLICK HERE to RETURN to
GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO
INDEX PAGE

CLICK HERE to RETURN to
OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
INDEX PAGE


FREE GENEALOGY RESEARCH is My MISSION
GENEALOGY EXPRESS
This Webpage has been created by Sharon Wick exclusively for Genealogy Express  ©2008
Submitters retain all copyrights