|
Biographies
Source:
History
of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio
Published by D. W. Ensign & Co.,
1879
< BACK TO BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX FOR 1879 >
< BACK TO ALL
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES FOR CUYAHOGA COUNTY >
 |
ROBERT F. PAINE.
The subject of this sketch was born in Madison county, New York,
on the 10th day of May, 1810. He is the second son of
Solomon J. Paine and Lucretia Bierce Paine, who were
both natives of Cornwall, Litchfield county, Connecticut.
His father was the son of Rufus Paine, and his mother was
the daughter of William Bierce, both of whom served in
the American army during the entire war of the Revolution, and
both of whom shared with that army the sufferings and privations
of the winter of 1777-8 at Valley Forge. They both also
lived to be over eight years of age.
In March, 1815, Solomon Paine left his native
town and removed with his family to Nelson, Portage county,
Ohio. His entire property consisted of two horses and a
wagon, and such goods as he was able to store in the latter
after furnishing room for a wife and four children. After
five weeks weary journeying they arrived at Nelson, where the
family remained until after the death of Mr. Paine, which
occurred in 1828.
Robert F. Paine's opportunities for obtaining
and education were very few. He had to travel a mile and a
half daily to the log school-house, and after he was nine years
old was obliged to work on the farm during all but the winter
months. At the death of his father, which occurred when he
was eighteen years of age, he gook charge of the family and
continued to provide for them by his labor until the children
were able to care for themselves.
In 1837 young Paine determined to become a
lawyer, and, without an instructor and with but few books, he
entered upon a course of hard study. Without a single
previous recitation, he was examined at the September term of
the supreme court, sitting at Ravenna, in 1839, and was admitted
to practice. In the fall of the same year he was elected
justice of the peace, and served a term of three years.
Immediately after his admission to the bar he opened an office
in Garrettsville for the practice of his profession.
In 1844 Mr. Paine was elected to the Ohio
legislature, and the following year was renominated but
declined; his declination being followed by his election as
prosecuting attorney of Portage county and his removal to
Ravenna. At the expiration of his term of two years he
removed to Cleveland, and on the 1st of May, 1848, opened a law
office in that city. In 1849 he was appointed clerk of the
court of common pleas, which position he held until the adoption
of the new constitution in 1852, when he returned to his legal
practice. In 1860 he was chosen a delegate to the
Republican national convention at Chicago, which nominated
Abraham Lincoln for president, and took an active part in
its proceedings. He was appointed United States district
attorney for the northern district of Ohio, in April, 1861, and
held that position four years.
In 1869 Mr. Paine was elected judge of the court
of common pleas of Cuyahoga county, which office he retained
until May, 1874. During his term he disposed of an unusual
number of civil and criminal cases. Some eight or ten
cases of homicide (five of which resulted in conviction of
murder in the first degree) were tried before him. Among
them was the noted trial of Dr. J. Galentine, convicted
of manslaughter. The defense of emotional insanity had
been ineffectually set up, and in his charge to the jury the
judge dealt in an original and able manner with that class of
defenses. The following letter was written to him on that
occasion by General Garfield:
WASHINGTON, D. C., February 6, 1871
"Dear Judge: - Allow
me to congratulate you on your splendid charge to the jury at
the close of the Galentine case. The whole country
owes you a debt of gratitude for brushing away the wicked
absurdity which has lately been palmed off on the country as
law, on the subject of insanity. If the thing had gone
much further all that a man would need to secure immunity from
murder would be to tear his hair and rave a little, and then
kill his man. I hope you will print your opinion in
pamphlet form and send it broadcast to all the judges of the
land.
"Very truly yours,
"J. A. GARFIELD."
We also quote
extracts from the New York Tribune, embodying the best
opinions of the country. After giving a brief synopsis of
the case it says:
"But it is to the extremely lucid and sensible charge
of Judge Paine to the jury that we desire to call special
attention. It is not always that a judicial summing up has
so much common sense crowded into it. 'If you should find,' said
Judge Paine, 'that the defendant was overwhelmed by any
real or supposed provocation, which for the moment deprived him
of all power to control his action, and incapable of reasoning
or deliberation, then inquire, did the defendant, by indulging
passion, by meditating revenge and cultivating malice toward the
deceased, for real or fancied provocation, voluntarily produce
the inability to reason, reflect, deliberate and control his
will; or was he rendered powerless in these respects by the
circumstances which surrounded him, and for which he was not
responsible?' We do not remember in any of the now
unfortunately numerous trials for homicide in which that most
intangible thing, 'temporary insanity' has been the defense, to
have seen the true law of the case stated more lucidly.
The number of murders committed in cold blood, and with strict
malice prepense, is comparatively small; and these are mostly
perpetrated with the ulterior purpose of robbery. A murder done
for the sake of private vengeance is quite another matter. The
culprit broods over what he considers to be his injuries,
'cultivating,' to use the language of Judge Paine,
a disposition to execute vengeance until his passions have
become too powerful to be controlled by his will and judgment.'
Can he therefore take the life of the subject of his hatred with
impunity? 'To my mind,' said the Judge, 'to hold thus
would be to offer a premium on depravity and to encourage the
cultivation of the worst elements of our nature.' We do
not think that we have ever seen the truth of a vexed and much
discussed question more clearly stated. Laws are made and
penalties more or less severe are provided for their violation,
simply that members of society may have a motive, even if it be
not the best one, for keeping the mastery over illicit passions.
Thus it has been held for centuries, and it is good law to-day,
that the inebriety of a murderer is no excuse, and to only a
limited extent an extenuation; and hundreds of men have been
hanged who were intoxicated when they did the fatal deed.
The case is much stronger when a man supposing himself to have
been wronged, instead of seeking at the hands of the law that
satisfaction which is free to all, constitutes himself judge,
jury and executioner, making havoc of every principle of order
upon which social institutions are founded."
In politics Judge Paine was an ardent
Whig until 1848, after which he acted with the Free Soil party
until the formation of the Republican party. He then
united with the latter, of which he was an earnest supporter
until 1872. He then advocated the election of Horace
Greeley to the presidency, since which time he has voted
the Democratic ticket. During the whole of his public
life, in the many responsible positions to which he has been
appointed, he has maintained a high character for honor and
straightforwardness, and has discharged his duties with
unvarying fidelity and ability.
He is a self-made man of no ordinary kind, having under
the most disadvantageous circumstances, and without help of any
kind, worked himself up from poverty and obscurity to
distinction on the bench and at the bar.
Judge Paine has been married three times - first
in August, 1846, to Miss Miranda Hazen, of Garrettsville,
who died at Cleveland in August, 1848, leaving an infant
daughter; second, in 1853, to Mrs. H. Cornelia Harris,
who died in 1870, leaving three sons; third, in May, 1872, to
Miss Delia Humphrey, of Summit county, Ohio.
Source: History of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio -
Published by D. W. Ensign & Co., - 1879 - Page 368 |
 |
HENRY PARKER.
The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch is
descended from one of the old New England families. His
grandfather, Benjamin, was a resident of Connecticut; was
born May 25, 1755, and was married June 27, 1778, his wife
having been born Sept. 9, 1755. They lived to a good old
age, the former dying Feb. 22, 1823, the latter Apr. 19, 1841.
Henry Parker's father, Henry, was born at
Wallingford, Conn., June 4, 1792, where he remained till 1815,
when he emigrated West and settled in the town of Brunswick,
Medina Co., Ohio. During the trip from Connecticut, which
was accomplished by teams across the country, he became
acquainted with his future wife, Miss Melinda Harvey and
on March 16 of the following year they were married, being the
first white couple to wed in the town of Brunswick. She
was born in Tyringham, Mass., Apr.9,1796. Their family
consisted of four children, the subject of our sketch being the
youngest child and only son. He was born in Brunswick,
Apr. 28, 1824. His father, who was engaged in agricultural
pursuits, died when Henry was only two years old.
Some years after his mother was married to Abraham Conyne
of Strongsville, Cuyahoga Co., a miller by trade, and removed
her family to that point in 1830.
Dr. Parker's early life was passed in assisting
his stepfather in his grist- and saw- mill, and he had therefore
a poor opportunity of receiving an education, which was limited
to what could be procured at the common schools in the district.
He remained in Strongsville till 1844, when he journeyed West
and located at Laporte, Ind., where he followed the trade of
painting. He remained there till the following year, when
he removed to Berea, Ohio, and was employed in a woolen-mill at
seven dollars and board per month. In 1846 he commenced
the study of medicine, and was graduated from the American
Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1854. He has
always practiced at Berea, but his business has extended into
the five adjoining towns. He has been since 1871 a member
of the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association, and is the
present president of that organization. In 1872 he became
a member of the National Eclectic Association.
He was married, Nov. 23, 1847, to Elizabeth,
daughter of Sullivan and Aurilla Sherwood, of Royalston,
Cuyahoga Co. Her parents were among the early settlers of
that town, her father having driven the first ox-team into the
township, where she was born Aug. 18, 1824. By this union
he had four children, one of whom died in infancy; the others
are as follows: Henry E., born Nov. 20, 1851,
married, and a partner with his father in the practice of
medicine; James M., born Oct. 13, 1853, at Attica, Seneca
Co., Ohio; and Charles W., born Aug. 26, 1860, secretary
and treasurer of the Berea Savings Loan Association, of which
institution Dr. Parker was one of the original founders
and incorporators, and of which he has been the president since
its organization. A Republican in politics. Dr.
Parker was formerly a Free-Soiler, and between 1840 and 1843
was instrumental in helping many a runaway to Canada. He
has never been an aspirant for political honors, but has
represented his fellow-citizens at different times in the
various village and township offices, and has performed his
duties with satisfaction to his constituency. During the
year 1862, while the war of the Rebellion was in progress, he
was appointed by Dr. J. S. Newberry, of Cleveland (who
was general manager of the Western Sanitary Commission), and
received a commission from Edwin M. Stanton, secretary of
war, and Surg. Gen. Hammond to perform the duties of camp
and hospital inspector. In this capacity he served two
years and a half, giving satisfaction to the general government
and his fellow-soldiers. While in the service he was
located in Western Virginia; was with the army of the
Cumberland, and with the 14th Army Corps, under Gen. Sherman.
Dr. Parker, in allowing his portrait and biography to
appear in this work, is simply showing to coming generations an
example of what industry, energy, and perseverance can
accomplish. He is emphatically a self-made man, and in his
varied career as a citizen, neighbor, or physician merits the
respect and honor of all.
Source: History of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio - Published
by D. W. Ensign & Co., - 1879 - Page 476 |
R. C. Parsons |
RICHARD C. PARSONS Source:
History of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio - Published by D. W. Ensign & Co.,
- 1879 - Page369
Portrait Source: History of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio -
Published by D. W. Ensign & Co., - 1879 - Page 192 |
H. B. Payne |
HENRY B. PAYNE,
a prominent lawyer and statesman, was born in Hamilton, Madison
county, New York, on the 30th of November, 1810.
His father, Elisha Payne, was an early settler
of that county, having removed thither fro Lebanon, Connecticut,
in 1795. He was a man of great personal integrity, purity
of character and public spirit, and was instrumental in an
eminent degree in founding Hamilton Theological Seminary.
Henry B. Payne was educated in Hamilton College,
Clinton, New York, and was graduated in the class of 1832,
ranking high in mathematics and belles-lettres. He
commenced the study of law in the office of John C. Spencer
the same year. In 1833 he removed to Cleveland, then a
village of some three thousand inhabitants, and was admitted to
the bar the following year. He at once commenced the
practice of law in company with H. V. Willson, his
partner and former classmate. This partnership continued
twelve years, until, in consequence of hemorrhage of the lungs,
Mr. Payne was compelled to relinquish the profession.
He subsequently served two years in the city council,
chiefly engaged in reforming the finances, restoring the
municipal credit, and reconstructing the fire department.
In 1849, conjointly with John W. Allen, Richard
HIlliard, John M. Wolsey and others, he entered earnestly
into measures for constructing the Cleveland and Columbus
railroad. It is no disparagement to the labors of others
to say that to him, Richard Hilliard, Esq., and Hon.
Alfred Kelley that great enterprise was mainly indebted for
its success - success which, being achieved at a most critical
period in the fortunes of Cleveland, contributed in a very great
enterprise was mainly indebted for its success - a success
which, being achieved at a most critical period in the fortunes
of Cleveland, contributed in a very great degree to its
prosperity. Upon its completion in 1851 Mr. Payne
was elected president, and retained that office till 1854, when
he resigned. IN 1855 he first became a director of the
Cleveland, Painesville and Ashtabula railroad (afterwards the
Lake Shore). In 1854 he was elected a member of the first
board of water-works commissioners, which so successfully
planned, located and completed the Cleveland water works.
In 1862 the legislature created a board of sinking-fund
commissioners for the city of Cleveland. Mr. Payne
has been the president of the board since its organization.
How wisely the commissioners have performed their duties was
shown by the fact that the fund, originally about two hundred
and fifty thousand dollars, increased in the course of twelve
years, under the management of the board, to nearly two millions
of dollars, an instance of prudent and sagacious management of a
trust fund which was perhaps without a parallel in the United
States.
AT an early day Mr. Payne became interested in
and identified with the manufacturing enterprises of Cleveland.
He was at oen time a stockholder and director in some eighteen
corporations, devoted to coal and iron mining, manufacturing in
various branches, banking, etc., all of which were in a sound
and flourishing condition.
In politics Mr. Payne has ever been a
conservative Democrat - not always active, and sometimes
independent. In 1849 he was elected to the State senate,
and served two years in that body. In 1851 he was the
nominee of the Democrats in the legislature for United States
senator, but after a prolonged balloting the contest finally
resulted in the election of Benjamin F. Wade by a
majority of one. In 1857 he was the Democratic candidate
for governor, and made a canvass remarkable for its spirit and
brilliancy, at teh end of which he came within a few hundred
votes of defeating Salmon P. Chase. Mr. Payne was
chosen a presidential elector on the Cass ticket in 1848, and
was a member of the Cincinnati convention which nominated
Buchanan in 1856. He was also a delegate at large to the
Democratic National convention at Charleston in 1860, and
reported from the committee the minority resolutions which were
adopted by that convention. He advocated the report in a
speech remarkable for its perspicuity, brilliancy and power,
condemning incipient session, and uttering kindly but earnest
warning to the men of the South. The speech won for him
the gratitude and applause of the Northern delegates, and the
personal admiration of the Southern members, and gave him a
national reputation as a sagacious and able statesman.
In 1857 Mr. Payne joined heartily with
Senator Douglas in his opposition to the Lecompton
constitution; made speeches against it at Columbus, Cincinnati,
Indianapolis and other cities, and was active in procuring the
passage by the Ohio legislature of resolutions denouncing that
measure. He assisted Douglas in his celebrated
campaign in 1858 against Lincoln and the Buchanan
office-holders in Illinois, and when the war broke out he took
his stand with that patriotic statesman, and persevered in
public and earnest efforts for the suppression of the rebellion.
In 1803 he united with prominent men of both the Democratic and
Republican parties in addressing the people to encourage
enlistments, and joined with a large number of the wealthiest
citizens in a guaranty to the county treasurer against loss by
advancing money to equip regiments; trusting to future
legislation to sanction such advances.
Mr. Payne was chairman of the Ohio
delegation at the Democratic national convention at Baltimore in
1873, which nominated Horace Greeley for
President, and warmly advocated that movement. In 1874, at
the joint and urgent solicitation of the Democrats and Liberal
Republicans, he accepted the nomination for the forty-fourth
Congress, and was elected by a majority of two thousand five
hundred and thirty-two in a district which prevously had
given a Republican majority of about five thousand.
On accepting the nomination lie said: "If elected, and
life is spared to serve out the term, I promise to come back
with hand and heart as undefiled and clean as when I left you."
In Congress Mr. Payne was appointed a
member of tiie committee on banking and currency, and also of
that on civil service reform. During the exciting contest
over the election of president, in the winter of 1876 and '77,
he was made chairman of the committee chosen by the House to
unite with one from the Senate in devising a method of settling
the impending difficulties. As such chairman he reported
the bill, providing for the celebrated electoral commission, to
the House, and had charge of it during its passage. He was
also elected and served as one of that commission, lie reported
to the joint Democratic Congressional caucus a bill for the
gradual resumption of specie payments, which was approved
by the caucus but failed to pass. The principal feature of
this bill was the permanent retention of the greenback :is a
constituent clement of the currency.
As a lawyer Mr. Payne was distinguished
for fidelity, thoroughness and forensic ability. The
remarkable powers of his mind were especially manifested in his
influence over others in adjusting legal rights and moral
equities in cases where great and antagonistic interests were
involved. Coolness of temper, suavity of manner and genial
humor, combined with firmness and strength of will, were his
chief instrumentalities. As a political leader he always
had the confidence of his party and the respect of all. In
April, 1875, he was prominently mentioned as the coming
Democratic and Liberal nominee for the Presidency of the United
States. Mr. Payne was married in 1836 to the
only daughter of Nathan Perry, Esq., a retired merchant
n( Cleveland.
Source: History of
Cuyahoga Co., Ohio - Published by D. W. Ensign & Co., - 1879 -
Page 370
Portrait Source: History of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio
- Published by D. W. Ensign & Co., - 1879 - Page 72a |
 |
FREDERICK WILLIAM PELTON
Source: History of Cuyahoga Co.,
Ohio - Published by D. W. Ensign & Co., - 1879 - Page 371
Portrait Source: History of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio - Published by
D. W. Ensign & Co., - 1879 - Page 322a |
|
|
FREDERICK WILLIAM PELTON
Source: History of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio - Published by D. W.
Ensign & Co., - 1879 - Page 373 |
 |
JACOB PERKINS
was born in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, on the 1st of
September, 1822. He was next to the youngest of the
children of General Simon Perkins, one of the earliest
and most prominent business men of northern Ohio.
He developed a strong inclination for study in early
years, acquiring knowledge with unusual facility. After
thorough preparation at the academies of Burton, Ohio, and
Middletown, Connecticut, he entered Yale College in 18_7.
There he distinguished himself by his literary and oratorical
abilities, delivering the philosophic oration at the junior
exhibition, and being chosen second editor of the Yale
Literary Magazine, a position he filled with credit to
himself and to the pride and satisfaction of his classmates.
His close application to study and the additional labor of
literary work were, however, too much for his strength, and
before the close of his junior year he was obliged to relinquish
his studies and go home, so that he did not graduate with his
own class. In the succeeding year, his health having
improved, he returned, and graduated with the class of 1842.
On leaving college he entered his father's office, in Warren,
and engaged closely in its business until the death of his
father, when, with his brothers, he was some time engaged in
settling the large estate.
After his return to Warren, he was frequently called on
to address the people on public occasions, adn he did so with
marked success. He became early interested in politics,
taking the anti-slavery side, which was then not in popular
favor, and made many effective speeches, in support of its
principles and measures. An address delivered in 1848
attracted much attention from the boldness and distinctness with
which it asserted the right of self-ownership in every person
without regard to color or race.
The abilities he displayed, his strong convictions of
right, and the fearlessness with which he manifested them, led
the people of his district to chose him as one of the convention
that framed the Ohio constitution, which was adopted in 1851,
and remains the fundamental law of the State. His
political principles placed him with the minority in that body,
but his influence and position were equaled by few in the
dominant party. This was the only political position ever
held by him, except that in 1856 he was one of the Ohio
presidential electors at large, on the Fremont ticket.
AS might be expected from his early devotion to study,
he was in later life an earnest friend of educational
enterprises. It was owning to his suggestion and
persistence that the authorities of Western Reserve College were
induced to adopt the conditions of a permanent fund, rather than
to solicit unconditional contributions, and, in connection with
his brothers, he made the first contribution to that fund.
The wisdom of the course adopted was shown in after years, when
dissensions and embarrassment crippled the institution, and
would have destroyed it but for the permanent fund which enabled
it to weather the storm, and which became the nucleus of its
permanent endowment. He gave another proof of his public
spirit and generosity by uniting with two others of like
disposition in purchasing the grounds for Woodland cemetery, at
Warren, beautifying them, and then transferring the property to
the corporation.
The most important enterprise of his life, and one
which has conferred vast benefits on the public, was the
building and management of the Cleveland and Mahoning railroad.
Soon after returning from the constitutional convention he
became interested in the scheme for a railroad between Cleveland
and Pittsburg, by way of the Mahoning valley, and was very
influential in procuring the charter and organizing the company,
of which he was made president. It was very difficult to
procure subscriptions to the stock, most of the capitalists of
Cleveland and Pittsburg being interested in other and partly
conflicting lines.
IN 1853 the work was commenced with a small stock
subscription, and the gradual tightening of the money market
operated to prevent much increase. The bonds were disposed
of with great difficulty, and when the financial crisis of 1857
occurred, with the road still unfinished, the bonds were
unsaleable. Railroads which were to have connected with
the Mahoning, and to have prolonged the line to the seaboard,
were abandoned, and the prospects of that road were thus
rendered still more gloomy. In this emergency but one of
two courses remained open to the management; to abandon the
enterprise and lose the whole investment, or to push it to
completion from Cleveland to the coal fields by the pledge and
at the risk of the private fortunes of the managers. The
latter course was chosen, at the earnest entreaty of Mr.
Perkins; he agreeing in case of disaster, to pay the first
$100,000 of loss, and to share equally with the others in any
other sacrifice. In 1854 he went to England, with the hope
of raising money, but returned unsuccessful. In 1856 the
road was completed to Youngstown and the development of the coal
and iron business commenced.
In the month of June, 1857, his wife, to whom he was
devotedly attached, died of consumption. His close
attention at her sick bed broke down his constitution. The
latter part of the winter of 1857-8 was spent in the Southern
States, as was also the following summer. But the disease
was beyond cure, and on the 12th of January, 1859, he died at
Havana, Cuba. His remains were embalmed and brought to
Warren, where they were interred in Woodland cemetery. His
character is clearly shown in the acts of his life. Richly
endowed with natural gifts, he used those gifts in the interest
of humanity and freedom, though thus sacrificing all hope of a
political career he was so well fitted to adorn. Fond of
study, and with wealth to indulge his tastes, he sacrificed
ease, wealth and health for the public benefit. One of his
last remarks was that on his tombstone might be engraved, "died
of the Mahoning railroad."
He was married Oct. 24, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth O.
Tod, daughter of Dr. J. I. Tod, of Metson, Trumbull
county, Ohio. His wife and two of his three children died
before him. His son, Jacob B. Perkins, alone
survived him.
Source: History of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio -
Published by D. W. Ensign & Co., - 1879 - Page 372
Portrait Source: History of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio - Published by
D. W. Ensign & Co., - 1879 - Page 202a |
Nathan Perry |
NATHAN PERRY
Source: History
of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio - Published by D. W. Ensign & Co., - 1879
- Page 373
Portrait Source: History of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio -
Published by D. W. Ensign & Co., - 1879 - Page 52a |
A. Pomeroy |
ALANSON POMEROY.
The late Alanson Pomeroy whose name is held in high
esteem by the people of Strongsville, was born in Northampton,
Massachusetts, Feb. 20,1805. He was the son of Ebenezer
and Violaty (Thayer) Pomeroy and was the fifth of a family
of eight children, consisting of five-sons and three daughters.
Ebenezer Pomeroy left Northampton about the year 1817,
and removed to Onondaga county, New York, where he remained five
years. He then pushed forward to what was considered the
"Far West," and in 1822 settled in Strongville, where he spent
the remainder of his life. He was accidentally killed in
August, 1835, by falling from a wagon.
The subject of this memoir remained in teh paternal
home until the death of his father. His advantages for
schooling wore quite limited, but he possessed an active mind
with a faculty for picking up scraps of knowledge in his daily
life, and thus learned many practical lessons which were never
forgotten. The first years of his residence in
Strongsville were spent in helping to clear up his father's
farm, and to ake it a comfortable home. In addition to his
farming he after a while engaged in the mercantile business at
Strongsville Center, in partnership with Mr. Benjamin
Northrup, and subsequently with Mr. Whitney,
Beginning with nothing but his own industry, skill and
integrity, by dint of perseverance and good management he
gradually acquired a considerable property. In 1870 his
health becoming very poor, he retired from active business. He,
however, received no permanent benefit from so doing, and died
in the seventy-second year of his age, on the 4th day of
January, 1877, after a painful and lingering illness.
In all local affairs Mr. Pomeroy took an active
and prominent part. For many years he held the office of
justice of the peace. He also was one of the incorporators
of the first National Bank of Berea, which he assisted in
organizing, and of which he was a director until his decease.
He was a member of the Congregational Church of
Strongsville, and his circumstances enabled him to take the lead
in supporting it. He also contributed liberally to the
American .Missionary Association, the Western Book and Tract
Society and other Christian
organizations. He increased materially the funds of
Western Reserve College, of Baldwin University, and of Berea
College, Kentucky, and gave several thousand dollars to Oberlin.
Mr. Pomeroy's acquaintance in business circles
was quite extensive in different sections of the State where he
had capital invested. He was particularly noted for his
sterling integrity and business tact. What he performed
was always thoroughly done. He was very tenacious of his
reputation for fidelity to engagements of all kinds, suffering
nothing to deter him from keeping an appointment or agreement.
He was a strong believer in the duty and dignity of labor.
With the industrious poor he always sympathized; often helping
them out of pecuniary difficulties. Every branch of what
he considered true reform drew forth his active and hearty
support. He possessed a warm heart and generous
disposition, but was reserved and shrank from public notoriety.
He was very careful not to wound the feelings of any one, and
his counsel and advice was sought for by many. The news of
his death was received with sensations of profound sorrow, and
his loss will long be felt in the community in which he had
resided over half a century.
Mr. Pomeroy was married on the 9th day of
January, 1831, to Miss Kezia Pope, daughter
of Jonathan and Kezia Pope, of Strongsville. Mrs.
Pomeroy was born in 1809, and is still living in
Strongsville, surrounded by an affectionate family and esteemed
by all who know her.
Mr. and Mrs. Pomeroy had nine children:
The two eldest, Hollish L. , born Nov. 26, 1832. and
Lorency, born Apr. 10, 1834, died in infancy; A. H.,
born Mar. 7, 1836, is cashier of the First National Bank of
Berea; Orlando D., born Jan. 7, 1830, resides near
Strongsville, engaged in farming; Elizabeth C., born
November 39, 1840, is the wife of Henry K. Day, of
Elyria, Ohio; Vienna, born July 3, 184.3, is the wife of
C. W. D. Miller, of Berea; Hollis C., born Mar.
13, 1846, died in infancy; Perlina M., born Aug. 19,
1849, married W. W. Smith, of Strongsville; Harlan,
born June 27, 1853, now at home, is a graduate of the Cleveland
Homoepathic
College.
Source: History of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio - Published
by D. W. Ensign & Co., - 1879 - Page 527 |
H. H. Poppleton |
HOUSTON H. POPPLETON
Source: History of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio
- Published by D. W. Ensign & Co., - 1879 - Page 373 |
|
