IRA V. NEARPASS – The subject of this sketch was born in Concord, Jackson county, Michigan, Apr. 28, 1848, his parents being among the early pioneers of that State.  Peter Nearpass, the grandfather of the aforesaid, with the father of the last named, Benjamin Nearpass, then a man past middle age, with five girls and one boy, the latter the father of our subject, came from York State by the overland route, purchasing Government land on which to settle.  The great-grandfather of our subject lived to the ripe old age of 104 years, his occupation in his younger days being that of a physician, he having been for some time connected with George Washington’s army as Surgeon.  He cast his last vote for John C. Fremont, dying soon after.  The forefathers of the subject of this sketch were ever noted for their patriotism, being “dyed-in-the-wool” Republicans from the time the party was organized.
     In 1862, the young blood began to burn in the bosom of Ira V., and while attending school in the western part of Michigan, he engaged to go to the front as an Orderly on the staff of Colonel E. G. Dunbar, of the Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, and in the spring of 1863 he was wearing the blue.  After remaining at the front about six months, he returned to Michigan to employ a company of men to unload cars and steamboats for the government at Chattanooga, Tennessee, returning with them and remaining eight months, when he came home and enlisted in the First Michigan Cavalry, joining the regiment at Chappel Point, Maryland.  After the grand review at Washington, May 24, 1865, the brigade to which his regiment was attached, left for the territories, fitting out for the march to the Great Salt Lake at Leavenworth, Kansas.  The brigade left Fort Leavenworth in July, 1865, and took up the line of march, following the Platte river trail to Denver, Colorado, after which they took the old trail over the summit of the Rockies.  The subject’s messmate, Franklin Kirkwood, was killed by the Indians at LaBenty Station, Dakota, and his captain was massacred near Fort Laramie.  The regiment was mustered out at Salt Lake City in the spring of 1866, when our subject “whacked” mules back as far as Leavenworth, continuing the journey to Michigan by rail and boat.
     In 1867 he entered the Statesman office at Marshall, Michigan, as an apprentice, finishing the trade in the same office in 1870, since which time he has been engaged in the printing business most of the time.  In 1883 he came to Kingsville, Ohio, and resurrected the Kingsville Tribune, which was then about six months old and which has since then grown to be a prosperous and paying plant.
     Our subject was first married Aug. 8, 1869, to Amelia Green, daughter of Asa and Sarah Green, natives of York State, then residents of Charlotte, Michigan.  Amelia was a native of York State.  There were three children born to them, viz.: Clyde a., died at the age of two years, in 1872; Purl a. and Winifred, both of whom are compositors, and doing good service in the printing office of their father.  Fern J. born Apr. 1, 1888, is the only child by our subject’s second marriage.  Both our subject and wife, also the daughters, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
     Asa Green was born July 19, 1816, and died in 1885.  Mrs. Amelia Nearpass was the elder of a family of two children, Clara, wife of Harry Rogers¸ now of Charlotte, Michigan, being the younger sister.  Amelia was born May 28, 1850, and died Aug. 6, 1880.  She was an attendant and ever took an active interest in the Baptist Church.
     Our subject’s second marriage occurred July 19, 1884, when he espoused Miss Winona Morris, daughter of Dr. J. L. and E. A. Morris, the wife a native of this county, and the parents natives respectively of New York State and Ohio.  The father, Dr. J. L. Morris, was Surgeon in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, the regiment being known as the “Pennsylvania Buck-Tails.”  He served somewhat over three years in the army of the Potomac, rendered good service, and is drawing a pension.  He retired with the rank of Lieutenant, and is still living.  Was born Aug. 20, 1830.  His wife is still living, she being born Oct. 10, 1835.
     Mrs. Nearpass is second in a family of three children, the other two being Minda and Pleton, the latter still living with his parents.
     Our subject is one of seven children, four of whom are now living.  His father was born in Rose, New York, Nov. 11, 1824, his mother in Akron, Ohio, Nov. 8, 1825, and died Aug. 1, 1858.
     Our subject, as an Orderly, never carried a gun until he enlisted in the cavalry.  During his service in the West, his command engaged in several noted battles with the Indians, especially the Pole Creek fight, Wyoming, where the command sustained a loss of four killed and eleven wounded, killing forty-five warrior “bucks,” and capturing many ponies, camp equipage, squaws, and papooses.  In the winter of 1865, a detail was made to guard the stage coach containing the United States mail, our subject being one of the detail.  Their duty was to guard the mail and passengers from one relay or station to another.  On one occasion, about 2 a.m., the Indians, with a force of about 400, attacked the detail of eight men.  The horses of the advance guard, of which our subject was one, took fright, and his horse leaped over a precipice of eighteen feet.  The horse and rider were both seriously injured by contact with the rough boulders, but with the assistance of his comrade he regained the road, by which time the coach and balance of the detail came up.  A portion of the detail held the Indians in check, while the others turned the coach the way in which it had come.  They then fought the Indians a running fight for nine miles, where they received reinforcements.  Four of the detail were wounded with arrows, but none received more than flesh wounds.  The coach was well decorated with arrows, and most of the horses bore arrow points in their flesh to the camp.  The effects of that eighteen foot fall our subject carries to this day, and will while he lives.
     Mr. Nearpass is a member of Webster Post, No. 8, G. A. R.
Source:  Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake - Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1893 - Page 516
SHARON WICK'S NOTE:   Ira V. Nearpass was buried in East Lake Cemetery, Kingsville, Ashtabula Co., Ohio.  (Now North Kingsville, Ohio)

MRS. ELIZABETH NETTLETON.  Among the prominent characters of Ashtabula county, Ohio, who have contributed by their energy and ability to the material and moral advancement of the community may be mentioned Mr. George E. Nettleton, deceased.  His birth occurred in what was then the village of Ashtabula, now grown to a populous and beautiful city, on Apr. 24, 1824.  He was reared in this place, enjoying the educational advantages afforded by her excellent schools, until he was about nineteen years of age.  he was then induced by Major Watrous, at that time Indian Agent at Madlin island in Lake Superior, to accompany him to that point, which Mr. Nettleton accordingly did.  Securing a Government license, Mr. Nettleton established himself at that point as a trader with the Indians, in which business he prosperously continued for five years.  He then transferred his operations to Crow Wing, situated 150 miles north of St. Paul, where he engaged in the same enterprise, which he successfully prosecuted until 1853.  In this year he went to Superior City, where he became a member of the town site company, and assisted materially in the development of that now thriving town.  He also established a trading station on the upper shore of Lake Superior, on the site where now stands the beautiful city of Duluth, Minnesota.   He was also interested in t he organization and development of that place, and was one of its leading citizens as long as he operated there personally.
     Having prospered abundantly during these years of trading with the Indians, Mr. Nettleton concluded to return to his native county and pass the remaining years of his life in the enjoyment of the means accumulated by years of honest industry.  Accordingly, in 1858, he once more took up his abode in his native city, which had kept pace with him in prosperity.  He secured a fine farm near this place and engaged in raising high grade life stock, being passionately fond of cattle and horses, in the raising and care of which he took great pride and pleasure.  He exerted a marked influence on the live-stock interests of the county, which he greatly promoted and sustained, doing much thereby to educate the public to a correct appreciation of its benefits.
     This agreeable and remunerative departure did not, however, blind him to the public welfare when his country demanded his services.  During the historical struggle from 1861 to 1865, he was for three years in the quartermaster’s department in St. Louis, Missouri.  Besides this he employed a substitute for the ranks, without having been drafted or in any way required to enroll for military duty, which was a rare instance of loyalty to his country, and devotion to what he believed to be a worthy cause.
     In 1852, Mr. Nettleton was married to Miss Julia A. Watrous, a lady of domestic and social accomplishments, daughter of John B. and Julia (Montgomery) Watrous, both belonging to families of historic military achievements.  Her father served efficiently in the war of 1812, while his father was a brave soldier in the Continental army, under General Washington’s command.  Mr. and Mrs. Watrous were the parents of eleven children: Mary, born in 1824, now the wife H. Fossette; Ann Eliza, born in 1826, now Mrs. Judge Cadwell of Cleveland; John, born in 1828, now deceased; Cornelia, deceased, was born in 1830, and was the wife of James D. Bay, now of Duluth; Julia A., born in 1832; the subject of this sketch; Catherine, born in 1835, is the wife of James Beckwith, of New Orleans; John H. was born in 1837 and died in 1880; Ellen, born in 1839, married Dr. Fricker; Frances, born in 1842, married S. D. K. Stewart, brother of Senator Stewart, of Ohio: she died in California in 1891; Richard, born in 1848, died in 1890; and Leverett, born in 1850, died in 1884.  Mr. and Mrs. Nettleton had four children: Ralph, who died at the age of one month; Edward, who also died young in Superior City; Edward William, born Oct. 14, 1862, now a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota, is interested in mining; and Elizabeth, born Feb. 11, 1871, graduated at the Holman day school, in Detroit, Michigan, in June, 1891, and is an intelligent and accomplished young lady, highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.
     In politics, Mr. Nettleton was a Republican, but never held office, his numerous private interests occupying his entire time and attention.
     This worthy man died June 18, 1885, while serving as juror in the famous Harrington murder trial, death finding him at his post of duty, in the faithful discharge of which he had passed his entire life, and relinquished only to clasp the responsibilities of the world beyond.
Source:  Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake - Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1893 - Page 836

REV. GEORGE TAYLOR NORRIS, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Windsor, Ohio, was born Dec. 12, 1857, in the town of Green, Monroe county, this State.  His grandparents were among the earliest pioneers of Monroe county, having effected a settlement there when the county was nearly all a wilderness, and when wild animals and Indians were its chief inhabitants.  There his father, Edward Norris, was born in 1823.  His mother, whose maiden name was Miss Jane Jackson, was also a native of that place.  They had six children: William Leonard, Martha Ann, John Wesley, Isaac Harvey, George Taylor, and Mary Ellen.  Death has not entered this family circle.
     During his minority, George T. worked on his father’s farm, obtaining the usual education of a farmer boy, but no sooner did he attain his majority than he set about his long cherished project, that of getting a college education.  He entered Scio College in the autumn of 1879, where he graduated in 1882.  As illustrative of his determination to let nothing interfere with his purpose of obtaining an education, it may be said that for several terms he by careful management was enabled to live upon less than $1 per week of average expenditure.  During the last year of his college course he filled the place of junior preacher on an adjoining circuit.  After his graduation he entered the East Ohio Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church at its annual session in the fall of 1882, and was appointed to Pleasant Valley charge, where he remained two years.  His services at that place brought about a substantial church growth, and through his efforts both the house of worship and parsonage were repaired.  At the conclusion of this pastorate he was sent to Hudson, Ohio, where he remained one year, and from thence he was sent to Mantua.  At the latter place he served the full term of three years, accomplishing that which seemed an impossibility ere he attempted it, namely, the erection of a beautiful brick church, at a cost of $4,200.  Desiring to take a theological course of study, in 1888 he retired from the conference and entered the Boston Theological University, also entering certain classes at Harvard, remaining there two years.  During this time he preached on the Sabbath in a church at Hull, on Boston bay.  Returning to Ohio in 1891, he was appointed to his present charge at Windsor, where his pastorate has already been signalized by the erection of a beautiful new church in Windsor Mills, at a cost of $3,000.  It is a gem of a building, an ornament to the community, and a monument to the untiring zeal and energy of the pastor, for under a leadership less devoted than his it must have been a failure.  The corner stone of the structure was laid in May, 1892, and. the dedication services were held Feb. 5, 1893.
     Mr. Norris was reared a Democrat, but left that party to join the Republican ranks and subsequently became an ardent Prohibitionist.  His position on the temperance question is well known.  Thus far he has eschewed all secret societies and orders.
     Aug. 28, 1889, Mr. Norris married Miss Alice Hale, of Springfield, Ohio.  Mrs. Norris is the older of two children, her brother, Fred Hale, residing with their parents at Springfield.  She is a woman of culture and refinement, takes an active and enthusiastic interest in her husband’s work, and is in every way fitted for the position she occupies as past jr’s wife.  Mr. and Mrs. Norris are the parents of a little daughter, born May 20, 1893.
Source:  Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake - Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1893 - Page 839

S. S. NORTH. - It now becomes our privilege to briefly touch upon the more pertinent points in the life of one of the most prominent residents of Williamsfield township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, - that of him whose name gives caption to the appending paragraphs.  S. S. North was born at Madison, Lake county, Ohio, Sept. 30, 1819, being the son of Salmon and Sallie (Reed) North, natives respectively of Vermont and Massachusetts.  Salmon North was one of those noble patriots who took up arms in the Revolutionary war in order to gain and insure to coming generations a national freedom.  He was of English descent, his father having been a native of that favored isle on whose possessions the sun never sets.
     The father of our subject determined to follow the star of empire in its westward course, and in 1821 he emigrated to Ohio, settling in Williamsfield township, and setting to work to develop a productive farm in the section still given over to the trackless forest wilds.  With an indomitable energy and with a sustaining confidence in the ultimate results of his toil, he made for himself and family a rudimentary domicile beneath the wide-spreading trees and gave himself to the work demanding from nature that reward which ever comes to him who lays siege with ax and plow.  On this same field he died, at the age of seventy-nine years, having lived to realize the fullest measure of compensation for the early years of privation and arduous toil.  His wife, who had bravely wrought out her quota in the development of the home, also lived to enjoy the ample harvest garnered in the peace and prosperity of the later years.  She died at the age of seventy-nine years.  Mr. North was a carpenter, as well as a farmer, and his knowledge in this line was put to excellent use in the new country, fast yielding to the sturdy inroads of the pioneers.  In politics, he was a Whig, and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church.
     S. S. North, the subject of this sketch, developed gradually and simultaneously with the old homestead, receiving his perliminary education in life at a log schoolhouse, three miles distant from his home.  He recalls the fact that occasional bear tracks along the pathway between the schoolhouse and his home used to prove ample cause for prevention of dallying on the way.  In 1883, he located on his present farm, then known as the Truman Phelps farm, the same containing 100 acres and being under a high state of cultivation.  The farm is a particularly fine one and is well equipped in the way of buildings.  Mr. North has a good two-story residence, 21 x 28 feet in dimensions, with an L, 16 x 36 feet; a well arranged barn, three miles from Andover, and all the essential conveniences for facilitating the work of the farm.  In political matters Mr. North joins issues with the Republican party, and has served as Township Trustee, Assessor and as a member of the School Board.
     Mr. North was first married at the age of twenty-three years, to Maria Squires, daughter of Daniel Squires.  Six children were begotten of this union, and of the number four still survive, namely: Ellen Rose, Emma Phelps, Marshall, and Charles A.  The wife and mother died in December, 1856, and Mr. North was subsequently married to Lydia Gillett, a native of Steuben county, New York, and a daughter of Asil and Olive (Mason) Gillett, also natives of the Empire State.  They had ten children, viz.: Laura, Varerum, Calvin, Harriette, Alzina, Lydia, Mary A., Nancy, Sarah, and Philo.  The parents died in Cherry Valley township, the mother in 1852, and the father in 1863.  Mr. and Mrs. North have one child, Dorrie, wife of H. B. Wight, of this place, and they have three children: Sedgwick, Walter, and Nellie.   Both Mr. and Mrs. North are prominently identified with religious work in the community and are members of the Baptist Church, in which Mr. North holds the honored perferment as Deacon.
Source:  Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake - Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1893 - Page 844

HON. S. A. NORTHWAY, a widely known public man, eminent lawyer and ripe scholar, was born at Christian Hollow, Onondaga county, New York, June 19, 1833, being the second of five children.  The tide of emigration steadily setting westward, and ever since continuing thus to move, was joined in July, 1840, by the parents of the subject of this sketch, who moved to Orwell township, Ashtabula county, Ohio.  In December of the same year, they took up their habitation in a log house, which was built in the woods, some distance from any road.  Here each member of the family who was qualified by age and strength took part in the work of clearing away the forest and making a new home.  Amide these invigorating surroundings, which were eminently calculated to strengthen and build up a character, young Northway passed his early years.
     Mr. Northway began his education in a schoolhouse nearly three miles from his home.  This he attended until he was old enough to go to Kingsville Academy, which was then a flourishing school in the northern part of his county and which he attended one term.  In 1851 Orwell Academy was opened under the charge of the now celebrated Jacob Tuckerman, and at this institution young Northway pursued such studies as the school offered.  He taught during the winter to acquire the means wherewith to pursue his studies at the academy the remainder of the year.  Thus was continued that experience which was calculated to mold and strengthen a worthy character.  In 1858 he commenced the study of law with the then leading firm of lawyers, Messrs. Chaffee & Woodbury, of Jefferson, the county seat of Ashtabula county, and in September, 1859, was admitted to the bar.
     His ride in his chosen profession was rapid, - thanks to that energy and unflagging perseverance which had become characteristic of the man by reason of the hardships endured and difficulties overcome in former years!  In 1861 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney and at once moved to Jefferson, where, Jan. 1, 1862, he opened an office, and where he has ever since made his home.  He discharges the duties of his official position with ability and integrity, distinguishing himself as a logical, forcible and eloquent speaker and as a profound lawyer.  In 1863 he was re-elected to the office of Prosecuting Attorney, which was but a precursor of other positions of trust conferred on him by an appreciative people.  In 1865 he was nominated and in due time elected Representative in the Ohio Legislature, whereupon he resigned his position as Prosecuting Attorney and served two years in the higher office.  On the expiration of his term, he returned to the practice of his profession.   From 1867 to 1880, he took no active part in politics, except to do campaign work for the Republican party.  In 1880 he was a candidate for Congress to succeed General Garfield, but Judge E. B. Taylor was the successful candidate.  He was then engaged in the practice of his profession until 1892, when he was nominated by the Republicans of the nineteenth district to succeed Judge Taylor in Congress, the latter having declined to be again a candidate.  Mr. Northway was elected by a plurality of about 8,000.  This was a great compliment to him, and the position is one that affords him ample opportunity for the exercise of those powers of oratory and debate that have won for him the plaudits and admiration of the people and that have conspired to establish him so strongly in their confidence and esteem.  He will he a distinguished figure in the halls of Congress and betimes will take his place in the front ranks of that body, as one of its most gifted orators and statesmen.
     Mr. Northway was married Jan. 1, 1862, to Miss Lydia A. Dodge, an intelligent and accomplished lady of Lenox, Ohio, who has been to him a helpful companion during all of life’s vicissitudes.  They have but one living child, a daughter, who is now the wife of Herbert Williams, Mr. Northway’s law partner.
     Thus is briefly considered the life of an eminently busy and useful man, whose influence has always been cast in the scales of justice for the uplifting and advancement of the people.
Source:  Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake - Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1893 - Page 317

J. NORTON, of Colebrook, Ashtabula county, Ohio, is well known in this vicinity, where he has been engaged in merchandising for a number of years.
     Mr. Norton was born in November, 1820, son of J. and Patty (Avery) Norton, being one of a family of nine children, five of whom are living.  The names of the deceased are Philo, Dorothy, Experience and Jonathan; and those living are Betsey, the subject of our sketch, Edward, Reuben and Alonzo.  Mr. Norton's father was a farmer, a man of means and an influential citizen.  He and his wife were prominent and consistent members of the Free-will Baptist Church.
     The subject of this article has been a resident of Ashtabula, then at Hart's Grove, and for a number of years at Colebrook Center.  he attended the academy in Ashtabula two terms, after which he taught school three years.  Then he turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, owning and operating a farm of 153 acres for several years.  On account of failing health, he sought a change of occupation, and for some time was engaged in selling fruit-trees.  Next, he was employed as a huckster, and for the past twenty-three years he ahs been engaged in merchandising.  Two years he served as Town Treasurer.  In all his dealings he has proved himself a straightforward, honorable and upright business man, and has gained the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact.
     Mr. Norton was married in 1847, to Miss Mary Jane Avery, who was born in 1830.  They have eight children, namely: E. Lottie, Angeline, F. W., Philo, Avery, Sextus, Lena and Ernest - all married and settled in life, except the youngest.  Our subject and his wife are members of the Free-will Baptist Church, in which he is a Deacon and Clerk.  Five of their children are also members of this church.  With Sabbath-school work Mr. Norton has long been identified, having served as Superintendent of the Sabbath-school and as teacher of the Bible class.  Of a generous nature, he contributes freely of his means toward the advancement of religious and benevolent enterprises.  Politically, he is a Republican.
     In early life Mr. Norton frequently indulged in the sport of hunting, being an expert in hunting bees.  During one fall he found twenty-two colonies of bees.
Source:  Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake - Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1893 - Page 585