OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS

A Part of Genealogy Express
 

Welcome to
Lorain County, Ohio
History & Genealogy

BIOGRAPHIES

HISTORY
OF
LORAIN COUNTY
OHIO

With
Illustrations & Biographical Sketches
of
Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers.
Publ.  Philadelphia:
by Williams Brothers
1879

< CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO 1879 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
< CLICK HERE TO GO TO LIST OF BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >

 

HOMER MASON AND FAMILY.      Sampson Mason, father of Homer, and twelfth son of Sampson and Mercy (Baker) Mason, was born in South Adams, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, Apr. 15, 1799.  He was brought up on a farm, and received a common school education, equal to the times.  The first of May, 1822, he was married to Miss Hannah Childs, and commenced farming in the town of his birth.
     Miss Hannah Childs, fourth daughter of Stephen and Zilpa (Brooks) Childs, was born June 20, 1792.  The births of the children were as follows:  Nancy, born Mar. 4, 1823; Stephen C., born Mar. 28, 1826; Angeline, born Aug. 13, 1827; Minerva, born Dec. 15, 1831; and Homer, born Sept. 18, 1833.
     In 1835, Mr. Mason and family came to Wellington, Ohio, and settled upon land where the homestead now is.  (See engraving.)
     Nancy married Henry Allyn; she now resides in Hiram, Portage county, Ohio.  There have been five heirs, three now living.  Henry Allyn died Dec. 11, 1878.
     Stephen C. married Mary Barge; he settled in Wellington.  They had three children.  Stephen C. died June 20, 1872.
     Angeline married I. S. Van Deusen; they now reside in Passaic, New Jersey.  They have three children, and one grandchild.
     Minerva died June 4, 1848.
     Horace married Ellen Lyon, of Wellington, Aug. 22, 1858, continuing to reside at the old homestead, where their children were born as follows:  Harry B., born Nov. 20, 1860; Hattie M., born Oct. 1, 1867; Willis L., born Nov. 21, 1869; Annah E., born July 16, 1876; and Arthur D., born Apr. 18, 1878.  These children are receiving the advantages of a good education, as age permits, and bid fair to become an honor to their parents.
     Hannah, wife of Sampson Mason, died May 16, 1858.  Mr. S. Mason still resides at the old homestead, bearing the honorable title of grandfather and great-grandfather - a venerable man, whom the children delight to honor.
     Mr. and Mrs. Homer Mason received a good common school education, and their home is one of culture and refinement, where many people are hospitably entertained.  Mr. Mason's politics is republican.  He has been a prominent member of the Union agricultural society of Wellington.  He is an excellent farmer, a good citizen and held in high esteem by all acquaintances.
Source: History of Lorain County, Ohio - Publ. Philadelphia: William Brothers - 1879 - page 346

  SAMUEL MATTHEWS.  When a truly good man passes away, the community in which his noble qualities were known and appreciated stand in awe at the divine dispensation, and are naturally led to wonder why Providence should select one who, by the very excellence of his life and character, could be so much more benefit to mankind in general than many others.  But his ways are inscrutable, hence the seeming inconsistency of events, as viewed from a mortal's standpoint.  The above thoughts are called forth by reference to the obituary notice of the death of the late Samuel Matthews, who departed this life May 8, 1877, and of whom it can be truly said, no better man ever lived within the limits of Russia township.
     Samuel Matthews was born in Addison county, Vermont, Sept. 19, 1817.  His ancestors had been prominent citizens of that State for many years, and we find his father, Lucius Tuttle Matthews, and his grand-father, Darius Matthews, residents of Cornwall, the latter living there in 1788, and the former born there in 1793.  They were a hardy, honest and practical class of citizens, just the kind, in fact, to be the progenitors of pioneers.
     When Samuel was a boy, his father emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Thompson, Geauga county.  In the year 1837, at the age of nineteen, he (Samuel,) struck out for himself, came to Russia township, and contracted for one hundred acres of land, upon which his widow and daughters now reside.  He made his home with his uncle, Deacon Daniel B. Kinney, while making a start upon his new farm.  With but little capital, except a strong constitution, a brave heart and willing hands, he commenced making an opening in the wilderness, got out timber for a barn, erected a log house, and brought his father and mother on to share his home.  Here they all lived together until 1849, when, on the 19th of September of that year, he married Lomanda, daughter of Enoch Barnum.  She was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, Mar. 12, 1816. Her father was a soldier of the war of 1812, during which he was severely wounded, and on that account was a pensioner.  There were born to them two daughters, Emma Augusta, born Feb. 14, 1851; married Herbert H. Barnum, Jan. 18, 1871; (has two children, Maud Louise, born Nov. 18, 1871; Ryo David, born Jan. 7, 1875;) Myra Louisa born Mar. 25, 1857; died Dec. 25, 1861.
     As showing how difficult a matter it was, in early days, to obtain money, and what slow work it was to pay for his farm, he used to raise oats and sell them for one shilling per bushel, and when he had thus gathered a few dollars, he would go to Amherst, the home of the agent, on foot, after a hard day's work, and pay it on his article, and so persevered, paying little by little, until his farm was all paid for.
     His parents were Christians of the old puritan Congregational school, and being naturally sober and thoughtful, he early made a profession of religion, and soon after arriving in Russia united with the Congregational church of Oberlin.  At the division of the society, he was one of the number that withdrew from the old church and formed what is now known as the Second Church.  His heart was enlisted in the work of erecting a church edifice, and he voluntarily pledged two hundred dollars to this object to be paid in installments, but realizing the immediate need of funds, he borrowed the money, at ten per cent interest, and paid it all at once.  He and his excellent wife, who joined him in every good work, afterward took one hundred dollars in the building fund, which they soon after paid.  He was never forward or ostentatious, never seeking notoriety, but in his quiet, retiring way; was ever a steady, earnest, consistent Christian.  His deeds of charity were numerous and constant; many were the acts of kindness which he performed without any hope of reward, and which will live in the hearts of his neighbors long after his mortal remains shall have mouldered to dust.  His home was a constant hospital for the needy and suffering.  After his marriage his father and mother went to Iowa, to live with children there, but at the death of his mother, his father returned to finish his days with his son Samuel.  The father and mother of Mrs. Matthews also found a home in his house, and in their declining years were cared for with generous kindness until removed by death.
     Mr. Matthews was a man whom to know was to love, and whose name from the first to the last continued a synonym for all that was benevolent, generous and good.  His character for personal integrity was above reproach.  In the exalted relations of husband and father he was kind and affectionate, a good provider, but reasonably exacting in family discipline and obedience.  In fine, he was a man whose life in general constituted a worthy example of practical usefulness.
Source: History of Lorain County, Ohio - Publ. Philadelphia: William Brothers - 1879 - page 196
  CRISPIN MENNELL was born in Norton, England, in the year 1786.  At the age of thirteen he commenced working on a farm, and continued in that occupation uninterruptedly until his marriage, in 1809.  He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Wellborn.  By this union were born to them one son and one daughter, the latter of whom died in 1876; the son is still living.  Mr. Mennell emigrated to America in 1817, and first settled in what is now the city of Albany, where he resided three years.  He then removed to Pittsfield, Mass., and lived there six years.  In 1826 he moved to Ohio and settled in Grafton township, Lorain Co., where he continued to reside until his death, May 22, 1857.  He was a good, practical farmer, and a man of sound common sense.  He had no education except what he obtained the few years he was able to attend the national schools of the old country.  He held several offices of trust in the township of Grafton, all of which he filled with fidelity, and to the satisfaction of the people whom he served.  He was among the early settlers of the township, and his loss was generally considered a public calamity.

     DUKE MENNELL, only son of Crispin Mennell,  was born in Fimboro', England, in the year 1810.  He lived with his father until the latter emigrated to this country, when he went to reside with his grandfather, William Wellborn, who would not consent to his accompanying his father to the United States.  In 1823, however, Duke accompanied his uncle Jesse, Wm. Wellborn, and Wm. Mateham to the New World, joining his father in Massachusetts.  On the 23d of June, 1835, he married Rachel, daughter of Theodore Curtis.  Eight children have been born to them, four sons and four daughters, all of whom, save one, are living.  Their names are Elizabeth (died Apr. 29, 1854), Andrew J., Theodore C., Mary G., Anna H., Charles B., Flora A., and Elmer C.  Mr. Mennell's first wife died Sept. 29, 1858; and for his second wife he married Mary A., widow of Charles Johnson, and daughter of John Hardy, in 1861. They had four children,—three sons and one daughter,—namely:  Perry D., J. D., A. E., and Elizabeth M., all living.
     Until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Mennell was a Democrat; but contemporary with the firing of the first gun on Fort Sumter his political sentiments changed, and he has since been a consistent Republican.  He has held the office of township trustee, performing the duties thereof faithfully and well.  He is an industrious citizen, a kind and affectionate husband and father, and a worthy representative of his respectable parentage generally.
Source: History of Lorain County, Ohio - Publ. Philadelphia: William Brothers - 1879 - page betw. 260 & 261
  E. D. MERRIAM, M. D.  The pioneer practitioner of medicine had many obstacles to surmount and difficulties to overcome.  In the early days of a new settlement much sickness, particularly of a malarial form, was prevalent; and such also may be said to have been the case twenty-five or thirty years ago.  Among those who have been prominent in battling with disease and in the professional care of the sick, none enjoy a better reputation than Dr. Merriam.  For nearly thirty years he has steadily practiced the healing art, and during that protracted period has met with good general success.
     E. D. Merriam was born in the town of Champion, Jefferson county, New York, July 18, 1824.  He is the son of Sylvester Merriam, who moved to Ohio, accompanied by his family, including the subject of this sketch, in the year 1826.  He settled in the eastern part of LaGrange township, on what is now known as the Dean farm.  There were then but five families residing within the present limits of the township.  The first few years of Dr. Merriam's life was spent in agricultural prusuits, and the acquisition of an elementary education at the common school of LaGrange.  In 1842, he entered the Oberlin collegiate institute, where he received a liberal literary education, completing which, he commenced the study of medicine under Professor Dascomb, M. D.  The next few years were spent in alternate teaching and professional study, and in 149 and '50 he finished his medical education with Professor H. A. Ackley, M. D., at the old medical school of Cleveland.  Returning to La Grange, in the spring of 1851, he commenced the practice of medicine under very favorable auspices, receiving from the first a liberal share of patronage.  At the age of fifty-four years, we still find Dr. Merriam in the active practice of his profession.
     In June, 1862, Dr. Merriam was married to Laura A., daughter of Daniel Bartholoomew, of Watertown, New York.  She was born in that city Aug. 23, 1835, and with her parents moved to Ohio in May, 1856.
     It is not only as a professional man that Dr. Merriam enjoys the respect and esteem of the community, in which he has passed nearly all his life, but also in the many other walks of life in which his general intelligence and rectitude carry him.  As a man and citizen, the doctor is held in high regard, and deservedly occupies an exalted social position.
Source: History of Lorain County, Ohio - Publ. Philadelphia: William Brothers - 1879 - page 316 - 317 - La Grange

 

SILAS MILLER AND FAMILYEphraim, second son of Ephraim Miller, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, June 8, 1774, and married Rachel Buttolph Mar. 13, 1800.  Rachel Buttolph was born in Stonington, Connecticut, Oct. 2, 1773.  After the marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Miller settled in Chester, Massachusetts, pursuing the avocation of farming, the same as his ancestors.  IN Chester all their children were born, to wit: Silas, born Apr. 13, 1802; Emily, born Feb. 5, 1804; George, born Feb. 28, 1806; Moses, born Jan. 8, 1809; Ephraim, born Oct. 26, 1811; Edmund, born Jan. 27, 1814; Fordis, born Apr. 12, 1816; died Aug. 18, 1829.
     Ephraim Miller died, at his son Silas' house, in Wellington, Mar. 30, 1868, and had reached the remarkable age of ninety-four years.  Rachel his wife died in Mindon, Michigan, Sept. 27, 1869, the year following her husband's death.  This couple lived together sixty-eight years, never being separated over a week at a time, their affection being like that of Ruth for Naomi.
     Silas Miller
was born, as stated above, April 13, 1802.  He received a good common school education, and beside the knowledge of farm life, acquired at at home, he learned the trade of tanning leather, of William Hubbard, Cummington, Massachusetts.  Being a youth of much enterprise and true grit, he was bound to get on in the world, his motto being: "If I fall, I will get up again."
     He married Miss Cynthia Holcomb, in West Hartford, Connecticut, Dec. 25, 1828.  Cynthia H., daughter of Ansel and Martha (Flagg) Holcomb, was born in Granby, Connecticut, July 29, 1799.  They settled at housekeeping and farming in Chester, Massachusetts,  The record of births in the family are as follows:  Caroline S., born Oct. 2, 1832; Fordis N., born Apr. 3, 1835; and Sarah E., born May 26, 1838.  Cynthia, wife of Silas Miller, died Feb. 16, 1840.  The family having moved to York, Medina county, Ohio, the year previous, May 26, 1839.
     Aug. 20, 1840, Silas Miller married Miss Lydia Branch, of York, Medina county, Ohio.  Lydia Branch, third child of Nathan and Polly (Capron) Branch, was born in Gratten, Tompkins county, New York, Jan. 16, 1810.  The birth of children are as follows:  Silas F., born June 23, 1842; Herman, born Nov. 9, 1843; Lucinda, born Feb. 18, 1847; Nathan, born June 18, 1849; George, born Oct. 8, 1852.
     Sarah E., daughter of Silas and Cynthia Miller, married and settled on the Cumberland mountains, Tennessee.
     Caroline was well educated, and followed the occupation of teaching for a goodly number of years, making a record of worth.
     Fordis N. married Augusta Howe, and settled in Noble county, Indiana, and carries on a mercantile trade.  The fruits of this union are four daughters and one son, viz:  Cynthia, Carrie, Laurie, Emily and Silas Augusta, wife of Fordis N. Miller, died Mar. 3, 1877.
     Silas F., son of Silas and Lydia Miller, died in the army, May 8, 1863.  He belonged to the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, - a soldier in the war of the great rebellion.
     Herman, also a soldier, served three yeras in the United States artillery, suffered as many other soldiers suffered, and contracted a disease (chronic diarrhœa), of which he has never fully recovered, and which will, no doubt, be the means of shortening his life.  Herman married Miss Mary Knapp, of Wellington, Feb. 8, 1868.  Evelyn L., only daughter of Herman and Mary Miller, was born July 23, 1871.
     Lucinda married Jerry Whitehead, of Wellington, Dec. 28, 1875, settled in Ogden, Michigan, and her husband follows the avocation of farming.
     Nathan (the bachelor,) resides with his parents; a youth of enterprise, spirit, and ability, well qualified to keep up with the progress of the age.
     George died Dec. 2, 1871, - a youth of fair promise, just merging into manhood.  His death was a severe affliction to the family.
     From York the family moved to Lorain county, settling in Wellington Apr. 9, 1864, where they now reside on the farm formerly owne4d by O. S. Wadsworth, engaged quite extensively in dairying as well as farming.
     Mr. Miller has been an active, stirring man, possessed of a remarkable memory, retains events, dates, names, and places in mind, as the famed Napoleon.  He is known far and near, as his journeyings have taken him into many States.  In politics he is a republican, and his general character is good, as his code of morals, as well as those of his family, is most excellent.
Source: History of Lorain County, Ohio - Publ. Philadelphia: William Brothers - 1879 - Page 364

Residence of
George G. Morse,
Brownhelm Tp.,
Lorain Co., O.


Anna Ray Morse

 

Brownhelm -
GEORGE G. MORSE.  Among the prominent citizens of the town in which he resides, the subject of this sketch occupies a foremost position.  He is one of the pioneers of the county, and also one of its best practical farmers.  He is the fifth child of Abishua and Anna Morse, and was born in the town of Great Barrington, Mass., Feb. 15, 1819.  Two years prior to the time when he first saw the light, his grandfather, Seth Morse, himself a native of Massachusetts, made a visit to Ohio for the purpose of selecting lands.  His choice fell upon the place where his son (Abishua) settled in the fall of 1821.  It was not, however, until about the year 1826 or 1827 that Seth Morse came to reside on the land he had purchased.  After his second coming, he remained until his death.  Abishua erected a primitive log house near where George G. now resides.  To do this he had to fell some trees in order to effect a clearing.  He continued to improve his farm, and a short time subsequent to the erection of his log house, he built a frame barn, and a few years preceding his demise he erected the present residence of his son, of whom we write more particularly.
     At the time of his death, which occurred Dec. 11, 1835, he possessed from two hundred to two hundred and fifty acres of land, and he lived to an old age he would doubtless have been a very wealthy man, as he was a very good one.  He enjoyed the esteem and respect of all who knew him.
     George G. Morse began life as a farm laborer, working for his brother and others for some eight or ten years.  His first start for himself was the purchase of forty acres of land, about the year 1845.  From that time to the present he has been eminently successful, and now occupies the position of a good citizen and first-class agriculturist, and an honest man.  This is the natural result of untiring energy and ceaseless industry.
     Mr. Morse has been twice married.  His first wife was Mary A., daughter of Purley Moulton of Brownhelm, with whom he united his fortunes May 15, 1851.  She died Aug. 15, 1861.  His second and present wife was Elizabeth J., daughter of Jesse Ball, Jr., of Vermilion township.  They have had five children born to them, namely:  Henry G., Herbert J., Jennie E., George B., who died at the age of four years, and Freddie Ray.   Mrs. Morse is an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Mr. Morse is a liberal contributor to religious and educational enterprises, having assisted in building nearly every church in his vicinity.
     He is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and fifty acres, upon which are good frame buildings, an illustration of which appears in another page of this work.
     Owing to general regular habits, he preserves the hale and hearty appearance of a man in the prime of life, and in his personal appearance resembles very closely Prof. Morse, of telegraph fame, to whom he is related.
Source: History of Lorain County, Ohio - Publ. Philadelphia: William Brothers - 1879 - page betw. 218, 219

Mr. & Mrs. R. B. Munro


R. B. Munro Residence
LaGrange, Loraine Co., Ohio
R. B. MUNRO was born in Herkimer county, New York, Jan. 21, 1817.  When he was three years of age his father removed with his family to Jefferson county, New York, where they remained until 1833, when they emigrated to Canada, residing there until about 1838, when they returned to York State, and continued to live there until 1844, when the subject of this sketch moved to Ohio, and settled in La Grange, Lorain county, whither he was followed by his father in 1846.  He was born in Connecticut, and during his last sicknes she resided with and was carefully attended by his son.  He died in 1870.
     R. B. Monro started in Ohio by working on a farm by the month, which he did four years, during which time he purchased fifty acres of land, paying for it with his earnings.  In 1848 he was married to Margaret, daughter of John McGregor.  They have one son, James, who resides at home, and also, an adopted daughter.  Mr. Monroe has held various township offices, among others those of road commissioner and school director.  In politics he is a democrat.  He is a self made man, and generally considered a worthy citizen, and an upright and honest man.
Source: History of Lorain County, Ohio - Publ. Philadelphia: William Brothers - 1879 - page 317

 

NOTES:

 

CLICK HERE to Return to
LORAIN 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