BIOGRAPHIES *

  Source
1798
History of Ashtabula County, Ohio
with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches
of its
Pioneers and Most Prominent Men.
by Publ. Philadelphia - Williams Brothers -
1878
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)

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Luther Parker Residence	Geneva Twp. - LUTHER PARKER is the eldest child of Luther and Elenor Parker, originally of Simsbury, Hartford county, Connecticut, at which place the subject of the present sketch was born, on May 21, 1809.  Luther Parker, Sr., was a native of Tolland county, Connecticut, and sprung from the Fox family, while Mrs. Parker was a native of Berlin, Hartford county, Connecticut, being a daughter of Seth Gilbert.  They were both of Puritan ancestry.  Luther Parker, Jr., received his education at the common schools.  He had not, however, the customary advantages of that day, even, as his parents removed to Medina county (Bath township, now attached to Summit county).  Luther was then twelve years of age, and, locating as they did in the wilderness, he had no opportunity of acquiring further schooling; he has, however, obtained as best he might a fair education for one of his age.  Mr. Parker at the age of twenty-one years left the paternal mansion and, without a penny, began the race of life, which has resulted in the handsome competency he now enjoys.  On July 30, 1835, he was united in marriage to Huldah, daughter of Nathaniel and Hannah Oviatt, of Richfield, Medina county, Ohio.  Purchased eighty acres of wild land in the township of Hinckley, same county, erected a log house on the same, and there began housekeeping with his young bride.  Remained on this property eleven years, and, in the mean time, cleared the land and erected fine farm-buildings.  Disposed of this property and removed to Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, in about 1846, and was engaged in farming and the lumber trade until 1849, when he returned again to Hinckley, purchased a farm, remained thereon until 1866, when, thinking a change of air might prove beneficial to the health of his invalid wife, closed out and removed to Jackson, Michigan, where he remained five years.  During this time he built several business blocks in that thriving city.  In December, 1869, occurred the death of Mrs. Parker.  The children born of this marriage were Juliet, whose birth occurred on the 3d day of July, 1836.  She married Robert Watts, of Jackson, Michigan, and is now residing at that point.  Adelia, the second child, was born Nov. 22, 1838 (died Sept. 29, 1846).  Phebe M., the third and last child, was born on the 23d day of February, 1847 (died February 10, 1863).  On Sept. 7, 1870, Mr. Parker was again united in marriage, to Sarah, daughter of Robert and Sarah Watts, of Leonia, Jackson county, Michigan.  This lady was the widow of Calvin E. Whitmore, who was a member of Company M, Ninth Michigan Cavalry, and was starved to death by the eminent worthies in charge of the “court of death,” at Andersonville.  In March, 1871, Mr. Parker removed again to Ohio, this time locating on what is known as the Ryder farm, in Austinburg.  Remained here until April, 1872, when he disposed of this property, and removing to Geneva, purchased the Seymour place, on the North ridge, west of the village, where he resides, enjoying in peace and quiet the fruits of his life-long industry. A sketch of his tasty residence appears in this volume, in connection with Geneva township.  Mr. Parker was on the 12th day of February, 1836, commissioned by Governor Robert Lucas as lieutenant second company First Light Infantry Battalion, Third Brigade, Fourth Division, Ohio State Militia. September 2, same year, was commissioned captain of same company.  The fall of 1837 Mr. Parker enlisted a company in Hinckley, Medina county, and being elected captain, was, on the 22d day of January, duly commissioned as such by Governor Joseph Vance.  He was afterwards elected major of the battalion, but, as to fill the office satisfactorily at that time required more means than was at his command, declined the acceptance of the commission.  Mr. Parker began his political life as a Whig, and from that became a Republican.  Is, and has ever been, a warm friend of the colored race. Is a zealous member of the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, and affiliates with Geneva lodge.  Is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and formerly a member of Hinckley lodge, No. 304, and was Past Grand of same; made Master Mason in Meridian lodge, No. 266, in Richland, Summit county, Ohio.  Disunited and united with Jackson (Michigan) lodge, No. 17; disunited and joined Geneva lodge, of which he is now a member. Was elected assessor of Jinks township, Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, in 1847; has served two terms as trustee of Hinckley township, and treasurer of the same township for three years, and has held several minor offices; was a heavy sufferer from the Chicago fire, being a stockholder in the Great Western insurance company, which failed in consequence of losses sustained in that conflagration; owns two brick blocks and a pleasant home in Jackson, Michigan. Source: 1798 History of Ashtabula County, Ohio with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Pioneers and Most Prominent Men by Publ. Philadelphia - Williams Brothers - 1878 - Page 181
	E. O. PECK.    The gentleman whose name heads this article was born in Colebrook, Connecticut, on the 30th day of January, 1815.  He is the second child of Justus and Sally Peck. The family removed to Ohio in the month of August, 1824, and located in Williamsfield township, this county.  Mr. Peck’s education was obtained at the primitive common schools of that day, his youthful days being divided between attending school and working on his father’s farm.  His occupation has been, and is still, that of a farmer.  He has secured an ample competency to sustain himself and family.  On the 13th day of April, 1837, Mr. Peck was married to Laura E., daughter of Laman and Ann Bartholomew, who resided in the adjoining township of Wayne.  He and his young wife began housekeeping on the farm now occupied by Monroe Rose, in Williamsfield township, where he remained until Apr. 1, 1849, when he removed to the township of Richmond, his present home.  The children of this couple are Sarah A., who was married to Andrew Wilson, ex-lieutenant Company B, of the gallant old Twenty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Edwin O., Jr., married Adelaide Landon Lemuel A. (died in infancy); Justis L., married Ophelia Turner; Milo C. is yet single, and remains at home; Luella R., married J. T. Parker; Charlie E., single; Archie (died young); Dudley, the youngest of the family, was born in 1864.  Of this large and interesting family, all, with one exception, reside in Richmond, Ashtabula County.  Edwin O., Jr., the “exception,” resides in Oceana county, Michigan.  Mr. Peck was elected as one of the county commissioners in the fall of 1873, and was re-elected in 1875, along with other county officers, by one of Ashtabula County’s rousing majorities.  He has been an efficient public officer, and performs the duties of his office honestly, intelligently, and promptly.  He has also held several offices in connection with Richmond township, among which is that of justice of the peace, in which capacity he served fifteen years.  The long period for which he held the office is a well-deserved compliment from the people.  Politically, Mr. Peck is a member of the Republican party.  His father, who is still living, resides with him, and has reached the ripe old age of eighty-five years.  The mother died in the year 1873.  Esquire Peck is a member of the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of Relief lodge, No. 284, of Pierpont township.  He was represented in the war of the great Rebellion by his two sons, D. B. and E. O., Jr., and two sons-in-law. Source: 1798 History of Ashtabula County, Ohio with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Pioneers and Most Prominent Men by Publ. Philadelphia - Williams Brothers - 1878 - Page 228
Residence of Samuel W. Peck, Geneva Tp., Ashtabula Co., OH	Geneva Twp. - SAMUEL WORCESTER PECK.  The subject of the following sketch was born Sept. 23, 1821, in Monterey, Berkshire county, Massachusetts.  He is the second child of Horace and Abigail Peck, originally of that township, but who removed to Chardon, Geauga county, Ohio, Sept. 21, 1834, and from there to Geneva, in October, 1835.  (Prior to this, however, he lived in Geneva from 1817 to 1821, retiring upon the latter date to Massachusetts.)  Mr. Peck, Sr., is still a resident of Geneva, and although at the advanced age of eighty-four years, he retains his vitality to a wonderful extent.  Mrs. Peck died December 25, 1856.  The early education of Mr. Peck was received in the district school, there then being no other in Geneva.  When he had arrived at the age of fifteen years he began to learn the carpenter’s trade, and for perhaps twenty-five years followed that vocation, in connection with firming.  On Jan. 16, 1845, Mr. Peck was united in marriage with Louisa, daughter of Norman and Ruth Webster, of this township.  The flue farm property owned by Mr. Peck, in lots Nos. 16 and 17, was purchased in 1865, and the ample residence, a view of which, with portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Peck, accompanies this sketch, was erected in the year 1857, at an expense of three thousand dollars.  This farm, will average in productiveness with those adjoining it, and is probably worth ten thousand dollars.  The only assistance which Mr. and Mrs. Peck received in the acquirement of this competence was one hundred and seventy-eight dollars, which his father advanced to make the first payment; the remainder has been brought together by industry and frugality, combined with a reasonable degree of business tact.  All things considered, the showing of Mr. Peck's comfortable surroundings must be to him highly satisfactory.  Upon the formation of the First National bank in Geneva (in 1863) he became a stockholder, and is now one of the directors.  Was liberal in his expenditure of money to aid the Union arms during the Rebellion.  Politically Mr. Peck has always been a steadfast believer in the sound teachings of the Republican party.  On the 22d day of May, 1867, he was initiated in Geneva lodge, No. 294. I. O. O. F. Is also a member of Geneva encampment, No. 94, I. O. O. F. Has filled almost every office in both subordinate and encampment bodies.  Was commissioned District Deputy Grand Patriarch May 12, 1873, also as District Deputy Grand Master, May 25, 1876, for District No. 69, Ashtabula County.  Has attended lodge-meetings every meeting since he has been a member, and was in attendance at grand lodge and encampments at Cleveland in 1874 and ’76. Source: 1798 History of Ashtabula County, Ohio with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Pioneers and Most Prominent Men by Publ. Philadelphia - Williams Brothers - 1878 - Page 179
W. K. Pinney	Monroe Twp. - WILLIAM KELSO PINNEY.  On the 30th day of November, 1801, the subject of the present sketch was born at Middlefield, Hampshire county, Massachusetts.  His parents were Benjamin and Cynthia Robbins Pinney, originally of Connecticut.  The father died in about 1826, in Massachusetts.  The mother came to Ohio, and died in 1855.  William K.’s education was received prior to his coming to Ohio.  He located in Kelloggsville, and passed his life here engaged in farming and shoemaking.  He held numerous township offices, among which were treasurer and constable, holding these offices some twelve years.  The date of his marriage was August, 1826, and the lady to whom he was united was Sophronia, daughter of Joseph and Louisa Smith (nee Pease).  From this union was born one child; this was Harriet L., Sept. 1, 1829.  She became the wife of L. H. Leavitt, and is now residing in Monroe township (this county).  Mr. Pinney was Republican in politics. He was not a professor of religion, but was favorable to Universalism.  He died on the 22d day of December, 1877. Source: 1798 History of Ashtabula County, Ohio with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Pioneers and Most Prominent Men by Publ. Philadelphia - Williams Brothers - 1878 - Page 203
Calvin Poole Residence, w/ Portraits Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., OH	Conneaut Twp. - CALVIN  POOLE, JR.   Calvin Poole, father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Connecticut.  When twenty years of age removed to the State of New York, and, it is said, taught the first school west of the Genesee river.  His wife was Hannah Perkins. Of their four children, Calvin was the youngest, and is now the only one living.  He was born in Genesee, Livingston county, New York, on Apr. 22, 1811.  His parents removed to Wheatland, New York, in 1812, and his mother died there in 1813.  In the year 1819, Calvin was “bound out” to one Francis Smith; remained with him until 1832, and during this time was not allowed the advantages of school.  After leaving him, drove team one year, for twelve dollars per mouth.  On Dec. 1, 1834, he was married to Miss Harriet Trowbridge, and started soon for Ohio.  He, however, went no farther than Allegheny county, New York.  Here he made his first purchase of land.  This was forty acres, for which he paid four hundred dollars.  Remained on this farm only one year, when he sold out, and again started westward, halting this time at North East, Pennsylvania, for one year, and from this time until the date of his removal to Conneaut (February, 1873) resided in New York and Pennsylvania.  While in New York did some military duty; was in 1841 appointed on the staff of Colonel Stoner, One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Regiment, receiving his commission from Hon. William H. Seward.  In 1855 was appointed steward of the Erie county almshouse, and retained the position until his removal to Ohio, as above.  In April, 1874, began the mercantile business, in connection with Jno. A. Caldwell, at Conneaut village, and is yet engaged in that avocation.  The children of Mr. and Mrs. Poole are as follows: Dolly M., who was born Aug. 14, 1836; her present husband is C. R. Buchling; resides at Erie, Pennsylvania.  Daniel P., born Aug. 22, 1837; died October, 1859.  Delia D., born Nov. 26, 1838; married John A. Caldwell; resides at Conneaut, Ohio.  Emeline E., born Mar. 15, 1840; married Bensone Bingham; home at North East, Pennsylvania.  John C., born Nov. 9, 1842; enlisted August, 1862, in One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania; was wounded May 12, 1864, at battle of the Wilderness, in left knee, from which it became necessary to amputate the limb; this he endured with heroic fortitude; was removed to Fredericksburg, and died there on the 26th of same month.  Almost his last words were, “ I am glad that I died for my country.”  The next child was Henry P., who was born Nov. 18, 1843; he married Mary W. Brown; lives in Conneaut.   Harriet S., the last child, born Sept. 20, 1850, married Dennis McCarty, and is now resident of Ashtabula.  Politically, Mr. Poole is a Republican, and feels a just “ pride in belonging to that grand party.”  There are perhaps few men in the township who have battled with the strong current any more successfully than has he, and in closing he pays to his companion in life the highest compliment possible : “ She always made our home pleasant.’' Source: 1798 History of Ashtabula County, Ohio with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Pioneers and Most Prominent Men by Publ. Philadelphia - Williams Brothers - 1878 - Page 168 NOTE:  Buried in City Cemetery, Conneaut, OH

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