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BIOGRAPHIES
 Source:
1798
PIONEER and GENERAL HISTORY of
GEAUGA COUNTY
with
SKETCHES OF
some of the Pioneers and Prominent Men.
Published by
The Historical Society of Geauga County,
1880
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Chardon -
ALBERT GALLATIN RIDDLE,
sixth son of Thomas and Minerva Riddle, was born at Munson,
Massachusetts, Jan. 28, 1816. The death of his father occurring
when he was but seven years old, left the family with fortune much
shattered by the withdrawal of their sole dependence. The young
boy had the usual fortune falling to the children of a family partly
broken up and dispersed by the death of a father. At different
times, sent into the families of friends who would gladly care for him,
with strong love for home and especial affection for his mother, he
would run with strong love for home and especial affection for his
mother, he would run away, and no matter how long the distance, or wild
the road, find his way back to her. The Riddle family was
regarded as unusually intelligent. They had books and newspapers,
and later the township library was kept at their house, making it a
place of resort for the reading people of the locality. Albert
was a great reader, devouring books and papers which came into his
hands. At twelve years he, and his sister next younger, had
completed " Gibbon's Rome," and every other book in the small
collection before referred to. About this time he was apprenticed
to Seth Harmon, a farmer, living in the northeast corner
of Mantua. The Harmons were well to do, in high standing
and in this family young Riddle was treated, in all respects, as
a member. In the winter he at tended school, and in the summer and fall
engaged in the varied labors of the farm, interspersed with hunting and
colt riding, in which sport he was proud to equal any Portage county
boy. The memory of this Mantua life is cherished by him with great
warmth, showing his home there to have been a pleasant one.
In the summer of 1831 he returned to Newbury, and for
this and the following season, with his two elder brothers, engaged in
house carpentry. His tastes were not, however, in this direction,
and the following two years his time was divided between his books,
under Dr. O. W. Ludlow, a man of considerable cultivation, who
came to Newbury a few years previously, and guns and fishing rods.
In 1835 at the request of his brother, Harrison, who had
commenced the study of the law, he went to the college at Hudson,
carrying a set of bench-tools, with which it was hoped he would work his
way through that institution of learning. In a few months after he
again showed himself to his friends in Newbury. Up to this time he
seems to have failed in pursuing any given course with sufficient
steadfastness of purpose to ensure success.
He now entered upon his studies with zeal and
determination; taught school in Auburn during the winter, and entering
Painesville academy in the spring; remained there for a year, making
great improvement. He found here a popular lyceum, and at once
took high rank as a debater among the young lawyers and students who
were its members. His first appearance in this role, as recalled
by others, was some years before this time at Newbury center, in reply
to the Morman apostles. Asked when he first discovered he had the
gift of oratory, his reply was "I do not know. I cannot remember
when my mother taught me to read, nor the time when I could not speak."
He entered the study of law, in 1838, under the tuition
of the late Governor Seabury Ford. After an
examination before the supreme court, which did him great credit, was
admitted to practice, in 1840. In Governor Ford's
office, he found and read, for the first time, such works as Scott's,
Shakespeare's, and Irving's, and also Smith's
"Wealth of Nations." With both taste and tact for public speaking,
he took an active part, as a Whig orator, in the campaign of 1840.
At the October election of this year he was chosen prosecuting attorney
of the county, having been nominated at the Whig convention, three weeks
after his admission to the bar. On appearing, to assume the duties
of his office at a term of court, immediately after his election, it was
objected that he had not been commissioned by the governor. The
statute was silent upon this point. Labored arguments were adduced
by older counsel of the opposing parties, and the court, made up of the
Democratic associates, decided against the young prosecutor. Mr.
Riddle, in a brief speech in his own behalf, raised the point
that the governor only knew of his election by the certificate of the
county clerk. his certificate he exhibited in court, and made the
point so clear, and by his power of ridicule, showed the absurd position
of the court in such a light that the bar and crowded court room burst
into a shout of laughter. In this the court was forced to join;
but adhered to its decision.
Between this and the ensuing term of court he devoted
himself to the study of criminal law. When entering upon the
duties of his office, the new States attorney, always leading in his own
cases, met with brilliant success. Receiving several convictions,
losing but one verdict, Judge Willey complimented him as
the youngest and ablest prosecuting attorney in his circuit. Early
in his law studies Mr. Riddle was called to try cases
before magistrates, and in a few months this practice became quite
extensive. Popular estimate of him was flattering and rapidly
extended. The region often rang with stories of his contests with
Bruce and Thrasher, two noted "irregulars," who were famous in
all the region.
Mr. Riddle came to the bar without law
books or money, ability and determination to succeed constituting his
only capital. He settled at Chardon,
forming a partnership with Alfred Phelps, able,
experienced lawyer, finely cltured, but with little confidence in
himself as an advocate. At this time Painesville lawyers largely
controlled the business of the county. He was twice re-elected
prosecuting attorney, serving in that position six years, at which twice
re-elected prosecuting attorney, serving in that position six years, at
which time he was engaged in nearly every case in Geauga, and had quite
a practice in Lake county. Two prosecutions in which he gained
much credit were those of Britton, for murder, and Meyers for
horse stealing.
Mr. Riddle was a Whig of the Giddings
school. Upon the nomination of General Taylor in
1848, he issued the first call for a mass meeting at Chardon, which
inaugurated the Free-soil party of Ohio. Leading men came from
surrounding counties, and in their timid hesitancy attempted to control
the large assemblage in the interests of conservatism. After
tedious waiting, Mr. Riddle took the floor, and when he
left it the tide which was to overthrow the Whig party in Ohio swept in.
The convention declared unanimously against Taylor, and was
followed by similar conventions all over the Reserve. The Whig party
bolted in a mass. Geauga and Trumbull counties at the time constituted a
representative district. The Whig conventions of both counties
nominated Mr. Riddle for representative, with Isaac
Lee his colleague. That was a memorable year in the history
of Ohio. Those familiar with public affairs at the time will
recollect the long struggle between the Whig and Democratic parties,
each claiming to have an organization of the house, and maintaining this
separate organization for some time. Mr. Riddle was
recognized as a member of each faction, and it was largely through his
influence that difficulties were finally adjusted. The Free-soilers
holding the balance of power, submitted through him a basis of
settlement, which was finally adopted. Whenever, during the
balance of the session, the Whigs and Free-soilers acted together, Mr.
Riddle was their acknowledged leader. This struggle
resulted in sending Salmon P. Chase to the United States senate,
and in the repeal of Ohio's " black laws." At the next election
the Free-soilers and Democrats united in the support of Mr.
Riddle, and he was elected by a very large majority, the vote of the
Whigs being cast for an opposing candidate.
At the meeting of the legislature it was found that the
parties were again very nearly equally divided. The Free-soilers
nominating Mr. Riddle for speaker, the Whigs withdrew
their candidate in his favor, but he was defeated by one vote, through
defection of a Free-soiler. During this session he was offered,
but declined the secretary of stateship. He also declined being a
candidate for a seat in the convention to revise the constitution of the
State, a bill for which he had been instrumental in passing. It is
safe to say that at this time he was regarded as one of the most
promising young men of the State, possessing the talents and address
requisite to success. But he seemed to feel that for the present
he had enough of public life. Impaired health may have had its influence
in bringing him to this conclusion.
In the spring of 1850 he removed to Cleveland, forming
a partnership with Samuel Williamson, a lawyer of
acknowledged ability, and for a time devoted himself purely to his
profession. He also took into the Chardon firm Mr. A. H.
Thrasher, making the firm of Phelps, Riddle &
Thrasher, and besides extended business relations in Lorain and
other adjoining counties. He gave especial attention to criminal
business; the most important case at this date was that in which he
defended one Brooks. His client was convicted, but the
management of the case placed Mr. Riddle among the best
criminal lawyers and advocates in Ohio. A year or two after
entering this Cleveland firm, Mr. Williamson was chosen
prosecuting attorney, but the preparation of indictments and trial of
cases mainly devolved upon his partner, Mr. Riddle.
At the close of the term the latter was chosen to succeed Mr.
Williamson. His rule was never to prosecute a doubtful case,
or a case in which he himself had doubts of a man's guilt, however sure
he might be of a conviction. It is said that the public so
confided in him that no complaint was ever made of his conduct of State
cases under this rule. Conviction was generally looked for when he
put a man on trial, unless, as sometimes happened, the evidence induced
him to abandon the case. Of the fifty last cases of felony tried
by him, there were forty-seven convictions. Reference to some of
the more important cases in which he was engaged during these years
would be of interest, but want of space forbids. His quick
appreciation and ready application of any point in evidence or law which
would favorably affect his clients' interests, aided by his fertility of
resource, made him an opponent to be dreaded, and frequently brought
success where defeat seemed certain.
The celebrated "Oberlin Rescue Case,'' afforded a fine
field for exhibiting this fertility of resource. A slave, fleeing
from his master in Kentucky, found refuge in Oberlin. One
Jennings, of Kentucky, secured a United States marshal in Ohio, with
a warrant for his apprehension. Instead of openly arresting him,
they secretly stole John away and fled with him to Wellington.
Oberlin rushed to the rescue. John was re-captured and sent
to Canada. Some twenty of the Oberlin people were arrested and put
on trial at Cleveland, in April, 1859. They were tried separately.
They chose Mr. Riddle to defend them, placing their
interests entirely in his charge, with authority to take to his aid any
counsel he might choose. Distinguished counsel were employed on
both sides. The trial produced great excitement in Ohio and the
north. Mr. Riddle occupied two days in his argument,
portions of which were unusually thrilling, and produced applause,
difficult to be controlled by the court. There were none but
Democrats on the jury, and, of course, Bushnell, who was first
tried, was convicted. His conviction was followed by that of
Langston. Both prisoners were sentenced, and the court adjourned.
Mr. Riddle took the case to the State supreme court,
secured a writ of habeas corpus, and, by the marshal attaching a record
of conviction to his returns, the whole case was brought under review.
It was heard by the court, Mr. Riddle again fully argued
the questions involved, and was aided and opposed by other able counsel.
The court, three to two, upheld the law. Then the grand jury of
Lorain county indicted the Kentuckians, marshal and posse, for
kidnapping, under the Ohio statute, and they were arrested. This
new deal entirely changed the complexion of affairs. Able counsel
from Kentucky interviewed Mr. Riddle in Cleveland, to
learn his purpose, and were frankly told that it was to "force the
United States to abandon further prosecution of the 'rescuers,' and
liberate those already convicted." "Don't yon know," demanded
Mr. Stanton, of Kentucky, "that John was a slave, and that
his pursuers had a right, under the laws of the United States, to take
him by any means they chose?" "I know all that," was the reply,
"but you know that although John was a slave, you can't identify
the man you captured! He is beyond your reach now, and you have
not a witness in the world by which you can prove that he was a slave.
Your gang, instead of executing their warrant like men, kidnapped the
boy - as thieves; - and as thieves they shall be tried, convicted, and
sent to the penitentiary, unless these men are liberated."
The Kentuckians went on to Oberlin, and were soon
satisfied, from the temper of the people, that the threat would be
executed. Slaveocracy humbled herself, the terms were acceded to,
and further prosecution of the cases was abandoned. Judge
Jeremiah S. Black, of Pennsylvania, was at the time United States
attorney-general, and had the State Supreme Court made an adverse
decision, there was great danger of collision between the two
governments. By request of Governor Salmon P. Chase, the
attorney-general of the State aided Mr. Riddle.
Years after this, Judge Black and Mr. Riddle
sat face to face at a dinner-table in Washington. Judge
Black referred to the peril of the time, and the means he had
prepared" to meet it, and spoke of a young lawyer in Ohio, by the name
of Riddle, who had been instrumental in creating the disturbance.
He would like to meet him, and hear what he could say for himself.
A gentleman sitting by his side, pointed out Mr. Riddle,
as the lawyer to whom he referred. The judge looking in amazement
at the smiling face before him, asked, "What did you intend to do by
your course?" and received the reply, "To secure the acquittal of my
clients." "Did you not know that you were imperiling the peace and
integrity of the government?" quoth the judge. "If the supreme
court had decided your slave law unconstitutional," said Mr.
Riddle, "it would not then have been the law in Ohio. Had you
sought to enforce it, the responsibility would have rested with you.
I confess, Judge, that the idea of precipitating over that act of
Congress a collision between Ohio under Chase, and the United
States under Buchanan and his attorney-general did occur to me,
as a thing not to be shunned. It might have hastened the war when
the south was as little prepared as the north." This was the
beginning of a warm friendship between these gentlemen, and soon after,
the judge proposed a law partnership with Mr. Riddle, and
was especially anxious he should train his young son, Chauncey,
in jury practice.
The trial of Cole for murder of his wife to make
way for a mistress, was one of much notoriety. Mr.
Riddle conducted the prosecution, and was opposed by such
distinguished counsel as Ranney, Sherman and Thrasher.
The closing argument of Mr. Riddle was conceded to be the
most brilliant ever delivered in that region. The jury acquitted
Cole, but the people condemned him, and he fled the country.
In 1860 the congressional district in which Mr.
Riddle lived, embraced Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties.
He made at this time an active canvass for nomination to Congress, and
succeeded over a most formidable opponent, Hon. F. T. Backus.
In July, 1861, he took his seat in congress, at the
extra session, called to take measures for suppression of the Rebellion.
This was a poor time for a new man to make a reputation in congress.
The executive monopolized the government; congress only met to sustain
and swell its force and power. Soldiers, not legislators, were
crowned with fame. Mr. Riddle was one of the few who
early predicted the rebels would fight. He was one of the first to
enlist; but delicate health unfitted him for a soldier's life. He
spent much time and means in equipping and caring for the soldiers, and,
in Washington, was conspicuous in his attention to them and their wants.
Of six nephews, old enough to bear arms, alL enlisted in the service.
One lost his life, and five fought the war through.
He was said to have been largely instrumental in
raising the Seventh and Forty-first Ohio regiments, and securing
General Hazen to command the latter; also, that he procured
the order for a battery, afterwards the Ninth Independent Ohio battery.
The first Union flag raised over the capitol, at Nashville, was that
presented to the Forty-first by one of his young daughters.
In his congressional career, Mr. Riddle
won the respect and confidence of his fellows. He made it a point
to be in his place, and confine himself to the business of the house.
At the assembling of this congress there was really but one party, and
no caucus named candidates for the various offices. Mr.
Riddle did not support the successful candidate for speaker, and was
paid by a place at the tail end of two important committees; but, on
acquaintance, he and the speaker, Galusha A. Grow, became fast
friends.
At the extra session, Mr. Crittenden's
famous "slavery saving" resolution, declaring the object of the war,
which in no event was to subvert slavery, passed, receiving but two
negative votes - John F. Potter, of Wisconsin, and A. G.
Riddle, of Ohio. Great intimacy between these gentlemen resulted
from this circumstance. Afterwards, in 1864, it was, intimated to
Mr. Riddle that he could have the consul generalship to
Canada, which he would have liked, but learning Mr. Potter
desired the place, he declined, and urged his friend's appointment,
which was secured.
Mr. Riddle first attracted attention in a
case of contest from Philadelphia. Espousing the cause of a
Democrat against the majority report of a committee, he succeeded in
retaining the sitting member by one vote. It was a case for an
advocate, and in his brilliant argument he gained the ear of the house;
showing that the contestant's claim rested on pure, but ingenious fraud.
This fraud was so covered up that Democrats had no hope of success, and
did little, until the quick eye and clear perception of Mr.
Riddle exposed the whole thing.
His first set speech upon the subject of slavery was
made in January, 1862. Its chief purport was to urge the arming of
the slaves as soldiers, and was said to be the first public utterance
upon the subject. Mr. Riddle's argument on the bill
to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia drew out an able article
in approval, in the Independent, by Horace Greeley.
Isaac N. Arnold, of Chicago, and Mr. Riddle were
the only avowed friends of Mr. Lincoln, at the end of the
Thirty-seventh congress, and the speech of the latter, on the last night
of the session, reviewing current events, and criticising the
conduct of members towards the president, was largely used as a campaign
document in the succeeding canvass in Ohio and elsewhere.
It will be remembered that the first, and disastrous
battle of Bull Run occur red during the session of congress. Mr.
Riddle and other members visited the battle-field and witnessed
some of its scenes of disaster and disgrace. In a familiar letter
to his wife, describing these scenes, in that vigorous, forcible, and
not over careful manner in which he was wont to express himself, he
sharply criticised the conduct of some of the officers and men of the
Union army. This, through the misjudgment of some of his friends,
found its way into the Cleveland Leader. In the then
excited state of the public mind, the impression produced was very
unfavorable to Mr. Riddle. The rivalry between the
Herald and Leader - the bone of contention being the
Cleveland post-office, and Mr. Riddle having recommended
Cowles of the Leader, for the position, made the Herald
his bitter opponent. The columns of that paper teemed with
articles fanning the flames of prejudice excited by the ill-judged
publication before refer red to. He, who but just now was riding
on the tidal wave of popularity, had heaped upon him all manner of
abuse.
At the nominating convention for the approaching
election, he was defeated, although leading in the ballot until his name
was withdrawn. During the continuance of this excitement, friends
wrote him not to return to Cleveland for fear of personal violence; but
when he did return, appearing in the most frequented places, no
disrespect was shown him. That, for the time, there was much
unpleasant feeling resulting from this occurrence, extending to a
greater or less extent among his friends, there is no doubt. There
certainly is just as little doubt of his intense patriotism and love for
the soldier. The struggle was one long expected by his mature
convictions, and every one heartily engaging in it upon the Union side
commanded his support. Every fibre of his nature, every impulse of
his heart prompted to, and all his means paid lavish tribute for the
support, care and comfort of those who, taking their life in their
hands, stood as a wall of fire between the government and those who
sought its over throw. Any representation from whatever source
differing from this did in justice to the man.
He was urged by Horace Greely, among
others, to run as an independent candidate, with the promise that the
Tribune would support him, but yielding to other counsel, he
declined to do so. This, and his failure to go to the defense of
John Brown, he regarded as the two patent failures of his
life. In the latter case he was absent from Cleveland when the
summons came, and on his return, it was supposed too late to reach him
in time for the trial, which afterwards proved not true, and Mr.
Riddle very much regretted that he did not go.
After the close of his brief congressional career he
again devoted himself to cthe law. He was active in securing
John Brough's nomination for governor in 1863, and did good
service in the Vallandigham campaign. In the autumn of 1864, Mr.
Riddle accepted a consulate in Cuba, proving a good pretext of
making an examination into the plans and workings of blockade runners.
In December he took passage to Nassau, and thence to Havana, in a
British steamer, on which was a large number of rebels and blockade
runners. He was absent until May, performing his mission to the
entire satisfaction of the State department, remaining in its service
sometime after his return. He was the means of the capture and
detention of two blockade runners, and of breaking up a well arranged
and extensive scheme, having its headquarters in New York.
He now determined to establish himself in Washington
city in practice of the law, his family following him there late in the
fall. Having the confidence of Secretary Stanton, he
was retained in many important military cases, gaining him both
reputation and fees. Among these was defending General
Baker at Washington and Trenton, and General Schofield,
at Richmond. At Trenton was associated with him Mr.
Brady, of New York, who was so well pleased that he invited Mr.
Riddle to New York to enter into business arrangements, and
subsequently renewed the invitation with flattering assurances. Mr.
Brady's death soon after closed the negotiations.
On entering the Washington bar Mr. Riddle
was, and for some time continued to be, the only Republican lawyer in
the district, and his success with juries secured him a large practice.
"For a time he was the sole counsel and advocate for the colored race,
seldom receiving any fee for his services. The " Safe Burglary"
case was one of the most remarkable cases ever occurring in this
country. A full account of this trial, and of Mr.
Riddle's connection with it, would be interesting, if space would
permit. It must suffice to say that the ultimate confession of the
chief executor and a subordinate in this conspiracy, proved the theory
evolved by Mr. Riddle, from the evidence which was
entirely circumstantial, to the minutest detail. The prosecution
of this case was fatal to every man towards which the carefully prepared
and justly used evidence directed suspicion. They were marked and
ruined. It also proved somewhat unfortunate for the man who
conducted the prosecution. Some of the parties were very near to
the president, and thus his mind was prejudiced against him. When
Postmaster General Jewell desired Mr. Riddle
to prosecute certain parties for fraud in the |»st-office department, he
was not permitted to retain him. And in various ways he has been
made to feel the persistent influence of secret, and because secret,
powerful enemies. As shown by the record, Mr. Riddle
is often before the supreme court of the United States, and none are
accorded a more attentive hearing. He has tried many cases without
a fee, but never voluteered in but one - the case of Minnie
Gains. Reared a slave, she was abandoned by her betrayer in a
heartless and cruel manner, when two or three months advanced in
pregnancy. She killed a white man whose conduct, in the eye of
popular opinion at the capital, had honored her. She was colored,
without a friend. The man was well connected. It was in the
early days of emancipation, and feeling was intense against her.
She had no money, counsel, or witnesses. It was just the
case to call for help from such as Riddle. He volunteered
his services, sent into interior Virginia and, at much expense, secured
testimony. One of his daughters, with other Washinton
ladies, visited the woman in prison, and sat with her during her trial
for life. It was one of the first cases where
colored persons sat on the jury,
about equal numbers of each race being upon it. The trial lasted a
number of days. Excitement ran high, but the jury returned a verdict of
acquital. The girl found a home in a family in Boston, and, at
last accounts, was " proving herself worthy of her good fortune.''
This was one of about forty cases of homicide in which Mr.
Riddle was engaged, and in only one did he entirely fail - this was
in the case of Barney Wood, a Union soldier, who shot a
man in a drunken fray. In spite of all his efforts the man was
convicted and hanged. He has never engaged in a homicide trial
since, though much in the criminal courts. Mr. Riddle
has always had a large civil practice, and stood well as a commercial
lawyer. From the commencement he has advocated all the various
measures for the advancement of women. Woman's suffrage, he holds,
is to this only a means, not an end. Before the judiciary
committee of the lower house of congress he supported the proposition
that women are entitled to vote, by just construction of the fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments to the constitution. In the case of
Mrs. Spencer, who tried but was not permitted to vote, he
more fully discussed this question in an argument, regarded by the
friends of the movement as irrefutable.
Mr. Riddle always had a great passion for
books, and he is a large buyer of professional and miscellaneous works.
Still he rarely reads a book through. Mastering the author and
discovering the scope of his work, it is thrown aside to make way for
another. He inclines to history and biography, but his library
gives evidence of reading in a diversity of channels, including
Darwin, Spencer and Mills. His first publication
was a series of eight law lectures, delivered before the first class of
colored students in Howard university. His first novel was "Bart.
Ridgely," published in 1873. It was widely read and favorably
noticed as the best American novel of the year. This was followed
by the "Portrait,'' the scene of which, as of the former, was laid in
the vicinity of the author's early life. The next year came "Alice
Brand," a story of Washington life at the close of the war. Many
claimed it was over-drawn, but intelligent residents of Washington at
that day can identify many of the leading characters and incidents, and
know the work to be a graphic picture of that strange time. Mr.
Riddle has great facility in writing, and his capacity for
dispatching professional business, gives time for engaging in other
pursuits. In writing, his habit is to work out his idea mentally before
committing anything to paper, and he only goes over to correct when the
whole is done. It may fairly be said that his literary work has
been done in snatches of time, taken in the intervals of professional
business, and, more than anything else, in the nature of recreation.
He has written much for newspapers, and in 1878 wrote the pioneer
history of the townships of Geauga county, as published by the
Williams Brothers in that year. The facts for this
sketch are drawn from the life of Mr. Riddle published in
the work just referred to, and the memory of one who has a vivid
recollection of the time and very many of the incidents recorded.
It is written of one who, starting in life in the woods of northern
Ohio, with no very unusual early advantages, by his own effort
established reputation, rising to positions of standing and influence.
His reputation is especially that of a lawyer - perhaps it should be
said criminal, certainly jury lawyer. His style of oratory, power
of invective, ridicule, biting sarcasm and sympathetic appeal,
accompanied by his earnest manner and forceful utterance, give him great
power with twelve men in the jury box, as they do upon the platform,
before assembled multitudes. Brief extracts from reported speeches
widely commended show the character of his oratory. In memory of
John Brown, he said: "Then up arose John Brown,
soldier and prophet - do not say that he was crazy, do not think it, do
not so cloud his glory - and, scanning this slavery, said, 'It was
wrong, all wrong, allied to nothing good, or even indifferent, but
wholly wrong. No matter how old it is, or how deeply imbedded in
institutions; no matter how guarded by State constitutions and laws, or
how esteemed, and received as good. No matter, though hedged in by
the Union, and walled round by the triple bars of the national compact -
though thirty-three crowned sovereigns, with arms in their hands, stand
around it, it is wrong, and shalt be dealt with as wrong. I cannot
approach it through the law, that forbids me. I cannot strike it
through the constitution, that protects it. I cannot move the
power of the Union, to crush it, that shields it. Yet all
revelation commands me, all the instincts of humanity impel me, all the
voices of the free creation call me, and I fall back on the eternal
reservation of rights, and obey."
"Shall slavery for all this repose one night?
Shall it not imagine the soul of John Brown, in form of
the red visaged angel of retributive wrath, hovering on the pinions of
fright and terror, over all her doomed domain, - distilling ghastly
images of blood upon the startling eyeballs of her cowering votaries.
And that blow! what a wonder! and what a revelation! That
little metallic clink, not so loud as the sullen anvil gives back to the
hammer, shook a continent, and its echoes and re-choes, as they repeat,
grow louder and louder, and they shall never die away. It
shattered the fetters of every slave in the land; and could the Moses
have gone on, another exodus might have been possible. It revealed
the utter, deathly weakness of slavery. At once and forever, it
dissipated the cloud, and mystery, and darkness that enshrouded it; and
an awakened world beheld it - empty, and hollow, and naked, and
helpless, and hopeless; languishing and dying in its deformity, - and
there were no reverent sons walking backward with its garments to cover
the unsightly hideousness from a mocking universe.
"What a revelation, too, this act has made of the
character and conduct of John Brown himself, showing us
that men of the grand old type, - souls of the great heroic mould - are
still possible - still have their birth in our land; men who realize the
images that have haunted our memories since the tales of our childhood.
The world has never seen the paragon of that incident in the last
struggle; when every thing had failed but the sacrifice, - and, as if,
without the "shedding of blood, there could be no remission," and that
the offering might be perfect, while one son lay dead before him, with
the lapsing pulse of the other dying boy ebbing from under the fingers
of one hand, with the other still grasping his rifle, the voice of the
old soldier prophet was heard ringing out over the din of battle,
calling the last of his band to death.
"To-day the earth mourns in storm and darkness,
the departure of its truest child. To-day the pearly gates opened
with light and gladness to the grandest soul that has passed their
portals for the last thousand years."
"Of his intimate friend, Judge Pashal: "I
stand amid crowds of men. I see fewer and fewer of my
contemporaries, and the world though full, becomes a desert. This
blow intensifies the solitude of my life. I cast my eyes about to
see how lonely I stand. I turn to this newly made grave; I would
lay a fitting offering upon it. The buds will no longer blossom
for me. The very leaves, with my tears upon them, wither and
perish in my hands. I remit the task to others." "To him was
given clear, steady hope of the future. He died with its glow on
the opening pinions of his spirit. We may not regret him.
His career was completed. He lived and died a man; every inch,
fibre, instinct, was pure, manly. Strong, brave, gentle, tender,
loving; true to his generation, true to his kind, true to his country,
true to his God. True counsellor, true friend, true lover,
true husband, true father."
Of Stanton, Lincoln's iron war secretary:
"There is a new made grave in our midst, so large that it seems to fill
all the land, and the earth that rounds it up is streaked with the red
of the great battle-fields of the continent; and I have something to say
of him whose remains rest under it. Not eulogy! God forgive
the man who attempts that. Anything, the words of hate are more
fitting than eulogy. Some strong, forceful, earnest words with
meaning - or silence from me. The sun, storm and clouds may
eulogize the mountain - not I. The ordinary functions of the
government were in abeyance, and all the primal energies of an aroused
people went to inspire the brain and strengthen the arm of the
executive. The executive was the government; Lincoln was
the prominent figure before men's eyes, towering and growing colossal.
Back of Lincoln was Stanton; back of Stanton -
nothing. Men say that he was rough. Of course, he was.
He was a primal force of nature; used to break up the old crust of the
earth, throw up new mountains, and change the configuration of a
continent. I fancy him in twilight solitude by some sounding sea,
quarrying a mountain and throwing up a giant's causeway in a night.
The extinction of rebellion by force was his task, and no fateful
destiny ever moved more inexorably than he, to its performance. He
would hear and see and know nothing else. Whatever would help, he
used; whatever would hinder, was ruthlessly thrust aside. Nothing
could deter or divert. To the world he was dark, cold,
inscrutable, inexorable: Union soldiers were perishing or becoming
idiots in Andersonville. He would rescue them by crushing
Richmond, and deal the blow when he got ready.
"How men hated him! Did he know it; did he care?
Did men love him? he never asked. Love was not necessary to him
then. How was he lied about! Did he hear it? Whether
he did or not, no word of his was ever uttered to contradict, deny,
explain, or expose. Though the earth wavered like a storm tossed
sea, he stood firm; though it was covered from sight by dead men, he saw
them not; though the bosom of the storm discharged fire and blood and
gobbets of mangled human flesh, he seemed unconscious of it. How
inscrutible that the staunch ship that had so defied and outrode the
storm should go so suddenly down, under a sunny sky, in its harbor.
After all, what was left for him. The one place proper for him,
might never come to him. What other was there that he would not
have to step down to. I confess that I think it
better for him as it is - that now his nobler part should follow up that
golden strand that connects this with the better life. To me it seems
well that the great seal of death should certify him and his case up to
the high tribunal of impartial history.
"Long hence, when this atmosphere is cleared, and the
light becomes white; when the sources of events are laid bare, and the
springs of actions disclosed; when all the hiding places of information
are revealed; some broad-browed, deep-eyed, thoughtful student of
history, with infinite care, will construct thestory of our struggle,
and Lincoln and his secretaries will take their final places.
Yet, long ere then we shall have passed away. The passing
footsteps of thronging generations will have beaten the green roofs of
our resting places back to the level plain, and our names and memories
will have perished from the earth."
His unpublished speeches upon the death of Chief
Justice Chase, and the younger Stanton are said to
have equalled any of the foregoing. A man of medium height,
slightly built, light complexion, quick, wiry, nervous temperament, and
somewhat impulsive; of strong convictions, warm friendships and sharp
antagonisms. When young he is remembered as seemingly abstracted,
preoccupied with his own thoughts and fancies, occasionally breaking out
in droll words and witty sayings. Apparently, he cared little for
those about him, and yet, then, as in later life, he was careful of
dress and personal appearance, but utterly reckless of consequences to
himself, as in his clear, terse and vigorous style, he gave utterance to
his conviction of men and things. He has been before the eyes of
men for many years; has done much work, and met many of the vicissitudes
of human experience. The world will judge of his life and
character, and assign him his place among the men of his generation.
In January, 1845, Mr. Riddle married
Caroline, eldest daughter of the late Judge Avery, of
Chardon, a young lady of rare grace of figure and strong, sweet traits
of character. To them have been born a family of interesting
children, six of whom are still living, one son and five daughters, the
youngest of whom is nineteen years old.
Source:
1798 Pioneer and General History of Geauga County with
Sketches of
some of the Pioneers and Prominent Men. -
Published by
The Historical Society of Geauga County, 1880 - Page 327-337 |
|
|
Newbury Twp. -
GEORGE WASHINGTON RIDDLE.
Thomas Riddle was warmly a patriot, and marked his appreciation
of the great men of his country by naming some of his boys after them.
He survived the bestowal of the last but a few months, and may have died
with the fancy that they were not unworthy of them. These two bore
them not long, and wore them blamelessly.
The youngest was born at Newbury, April 26, 1823, and
died at his eldest brother, Almon's, house, in Wabash county,
Mar. 8, 1843, not twenty years of age. His father died the
September following his birth. In the general sickness, distress
and hardships of the family that season, George, at the death of
his father, was for a few months received and ceared for by a Mrs.
Savage, a daughter of Rev. Justin Alexander,
a friend of the family. One of the usual fortunes of the youngest
attended George - he was the favorite, and not alone of his
family. He was too young to ever know, even by memory, the sorrows
and misfortunes of his house. Of rare beauty as a child, joyous
and gay-spirited, the outside air was filled with sunshine. The
woods were near and the ground produced nothing but flowers for him.
His first preference, like that of many boys, was for martial display.
His brother, Harrison, made him a sword, gun and a plume, and
with such uniform as his mother furnished, he performed many campaigns,
being himself the whole contingent. He was at once dubbed
"Captain," and was for years known by no other name. Among the
friends and neighbors of this numerous family, the children were
arranged in groups, and George was classed with the hunters and
sportsmen. He used to shoot before he could load his own fowling
piece. He had quite the ingenuity of Harrison - was expert
inthe production and use of traps and cross-guns. One of his
earliest exploits was the shooting of a famous chipmunck, which, as he
averred, he "blew into pieces so fine, and so entirely away, that you
couldn't find a speck of his blood, not even a hair of 'im." Many
were the contests he had with his brother, Roswell, next older,
over the remarkable disappearance of this ground squirrel (Roswell
more than insinuating that he got off quite in a mass, and in
comparatively good bodily health.) Although one of the most social
of urchins, George carried on his industrial pursuits quite
alone. He had a separate garden, a cornfield and potatoe-patch of
his own, as also a sugar camp, and he always disposed of their fruits to
advantage. At ten or twelve he built quite a bee-house in the
garden, though the impression was that this institute had too many
predacious visitors to make large returns. His term for study and
books came late, in the Riddle family, not until he was
twelve or thirteen. Up to that age it was quite impossible to get
him to school, unless there was some one to go with him. His
mother would push him out of the door in the morning, in the pleasant
summer days. He would stop and cling to the gate, upon loosening
his hands from that, he would seize on to a corner of the fence, and was
so loth to go on, that it was many times quite difficult to launch him
on the journey to school. He was really quite stupid with his
books, and it was amusing to witness an interview between him and Dr.
Ludlow, the neighborhood tutor. A dialogue like this was
often heard between them, at a call of the doctor:
Doctor. "Well, Captain, can you tell me where
England is?"
Captain. "Don't you know."
Dr. "I want to see if you know."
Capt. "Why do you care about that?"
Dr. "I want to see how you get on with your
geography."
Capt. "What is that to you?"
Dr. "O, I take a lively interest in it."
Capt. "Do you known where it is, Doctor?"
Dr. "Yes, but I want to see if you do."
Capt. "I'll bet you don't know, and are trying to
have me tell you?"
Dr. "Well, wont you?
Capt. "No."
And so it would run on, in every way but the right one.
George, pleasant tempered, would grow sulky, and the doctor would
laugh, but he seldom, if ever, got a direct answer. It was amusing
to watch the frank, ingenious boy's face at these interviews.
Every particle of intelligence would at once go out of it. But his
mind, when it awoke, like the sabor of the Corsair,
"Shed fast atonement for its first delay."
At fourteen or fifteen, he
quite mastered everything the district schools could do for him, and
became a somewhat independent student. At sixteen, after the help
of some of the better select schools, he had several months at the old
Painesville academy. He taught, and studied as he could. His
appetite for books became all absorbing and ravenous, and he neglected
the conditions favorable for human life. Strangely, with the fate
of his elder brother before him, his mother and friends were blind to
the course he was pursuing, and his death came as sudden and startlingly
to them, as did that of the other. In the tall of 1842, he went to
his elder brother's, in Indiana, taught school a few months, became a
little ill, closed his school for a day or two, went home to his
brother's house, and, about the third or fourth day of seeming
indisposition, laid down and died, without note of warning to them.
He had been buried many days ere his mother, brothers and sisters in
Ohio, knew of his illness.
A favorite resort of his was an open space in the
woods, on the high bluff which overlooks the beautiful Paw-paw creek.
Here, under some grand old oaks, his brother laid him to rest in his
beautiful youth. As the country settled, and children died, they
were buried by him. When his mother visited the place, she carried
from her own lawn a sprig myrtle, and planted it on his grave. In
the fulness of time, she was laid by him, and the myrtle extended its
green cover over them both.
He had not ripened and matured sufficiently, so that
one is warranted in speaking of his mental qualities. His mind was
quick, and he had much wit. In person, of the full height, of
quite rare personal advantages, hair of a light gold, fine black eyes,
and complexion to match his hair, fine features, and a mouth of girlish
sweetness and beauty. Gentle, tender, loving, no unseemly word
ever passed his lips; no uncomely act, such as are readily forgiven to
youths of spirit, were the fruit of his hands. His feet but a little way
pressed the earth, and they bore no stain of its soil to the presence of
his God.
The lives and fates of these youths, to the survivors
of the family, were ever an inscrutable mystery. It was many years
after their departure, ere their names were spoken in the presence of
others. They have almost passed from earthly speech. Ere
they pass entirely away I would lay here a broken spray for the memory
of each of them. A. G. R.
Source:
1798 Pioneer and General History of Geauga County with
Sketches of
some of the Pioneers and Prominent Men. -
Published by
The Historical Society of Geauga County, 1880 - Page 248 |
|
|
Newbury
Twp. -
JOSEE MERRICK RIDDLE.
The descent of the Riddles is mentioned in the sketch of W. H.
H. The subject of this notice, the second son of Thomas
and Minerva Riddle, was born at Monson,
Massachusetts, July 27, 1808. He received the name of his maternal
grandfather. During his early life, he was usually called by the
first, later by the second name. The internal farm was of Massachusetts
rills, rocks and sand, with one or two small alder swamps; one fine
trout stream traversed it, called "sap brook," for a clump of maples
that grew near it. The family was well to do, and the child early
developed the hardy, cheery, active spirit, delighting in free out-door
action, which marked his life. When he was eight years old, the
family then numbering five children, moved to Ohio. The journey
was made in a stout wagon with a pair of strong, active young oxen, on
the pole; shod and working in breeching, with a pair of mares on the
lead; Josee M., and his elder brother, Almon, riding the
horses. The journey was made late in the autumn, most of the
incidents of which, remained fresh in the memory of this adventurous
boy. The fortunes of the family in Ohio were those of the
pioneers. Never was a boy better fitted by spirit, hardihood,
activity and strength, for the rude stimulating life of the frontier.
Born insensible to fear of men or beasts, understanding wood craft
almost by instinct, gay and gallant of spirit, self-devoted and hopeful,
few boys ever got more out of such life, or made themselves more useful
in the woods. His father carried with him a new rifle, also a shot
gun, was himself a good rifle shot, but went into the woods too late to
become an expert hunter. His guns, however, did good service.
The young boy with the fusee, attended him in the hunt, and usually
pointed out the game, while many turkeys, partridges and myriads of
pigeons, fell under his hand. As he grew older and able to master
the rifle, he became an expert hunter, widely known for his skill with
that weapon. His father died when he was fifteen years old.
He was now a fine, well-grown, strong, ruddy-faced, brave, willing boys
almost the only one of the numerous family, who escaped the sickness of
that season. The eldest, Almon, remained prostrated for
months after the loss of the father. Bravely he bore the brunt,
for the sad, almost awful months which followed. For the three or
four ensuing years, he remained on the farm, unselfishly with the elder
brother, making a subsistence for the mother and the helpless brood of
infants. When the mother made a brief change in her life, he
became an apprentice to Joel Chapman, of Mantua, learned
the carpenter's trade, and became, for several years, a master builder,
prosecuting his business in Newbury Auburn, and the adjoining townships.
He was an ingenious and thorough workman.
In 1836 he was joined in marriage with Caroline,
eldest daughter of Moses Hayden, then of Newbury, one of the most
attractive young ladies of her time, in that region. He now made
arrangements with the heirs to become the owner of the Riddle
homestead, where he built a house and commenced his married life;
cleared a large new breadth across the whole lot, built barns, purchased
horses, cows, and worked quite all the hours of all the days. The
markets and times were adverse. A part of his mother's family were
on his hands. No exertions could meet and overcome the
difficulties which gathered around him. He finally exchanged his
property in the homestead for wild land in Genessee county, Michigan,
and in 1845 he made a new house in the woods of Thetford, miles from any
other cabin, still occupied by the native Indians, and swarming with all
the animals ever known to that region, especially bears. Here,
with his brave-hearted, devoted wife, and three children, he began life
anew. Stout, spirited, resolute and hopeful, he cleared a new
farm, hunted and destroyed the predacious animals, which preyed on the
fruits of his hands and new fields. He had just conquered life
anew, when in the midst of his labors and hopes, he was smitten with a
fatal fever, and died within seven or eight days, leaving his wife and
seven children to continue the battle as best they could. His
death occurred Aug. 9, 1855. Thus far, all the members of this
family, including the parents, have died after very short illnesses.
In quite early manhood, Mr. Riddle was attracted
to the militia service, and he arose rapidly to the command of a
regiment, and became known as Colonel Riddle. Although of a
quick, bright mind, distinguished by good sense, good judgment of men
and things, he betrayed little aptitude for books, and none for study.
He could not endure the school-room. He was a hunter. He
would leave school any sunshiny day to hunt bees, track coons, or to run
foxes with the dogs; even breaking steers or colts, had a greater charm
for him than the problems of Daybol, which exercised such influence over
his brothers Almon and Harrison. He loved a farm,
loved farming, loved cattle and horses, liked the odor of growing
things, the smell of newly cleared land, the fragrance of freshly plowed
ground, the aroma of the fallen autumn leaves; loved every thing rural;
knew the haunts and habits of all wild animals, their calls and voices;
the notes of all wild birds, the cries and sounds of all insects; loved
the changes of the seasons, the skies and clouds, and his life was a
part of the free and healthful outside life of nature. His soul,
too, was reverent, as the souls of such men are. He lived in
constant recognition of the power which rules.
Though disregarding the ordinary means of education,
and averse to early study, he became quite an extensive reader, and was
a well informed man of varied intelligence. In person he was five
feet eight and a half inches, straight as an arrow, and admirably made.
Though without regular features, he had fine eyes, carried himself well,
and with his frank, pleasant ways he had the reputation of being one of
the best looking young men of his time. His appearance was
striking and manly, especially on horseback. He loved horses -
rode and managed them with skill and grace. To few persons of
either sex was given more of the faculty to win regard than to him.
All men liked him, many trusted him. All women admired him, many
loved him. Unselfish, he bore these regards modestly, without ever
attempting to use them. Generous and high-hearted, scrupulous of
the rights of others, full of kindness to all about him, his untimely
death was deeply and widely deplored.
His widow survives him. Of his sons, the eldest
is the well known Elmer Riddle. The second son, Corwin,
served through the war in the Seventh Ohio, and was severely wounded at
the battle of Cedar Mountain. He resides near the mother, in
Thetford, Michigan. The youngest, Charles, is in business
at Titusville, Pennsylvania. The daughters are all married and
pleasantly situated in life.
Elmer is a prominent Republican, at times
serving upon the county executive committee; was an ardent supporter of
the government during the war; for several years was engaged in running
a steam mill a half mile west of Newbury center, and is now in the
lumber business at Chardon, Ohio. An active, energetic,
gentlemanly business man, he is well liked by all.
A. G. R.
Source:
1798 Pioneer and General History of Geauga County with
Sketches of
some of the Pioneers and Prominent Men. -
Published by
The Historical Society of Geauga County, 1880 - Page 246 |
|
|
Newbury -
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON RIDDLE.
The Riddles are a Scotch clan, several members of which are known
in the histories of the British Isles, and some of the descendants have
gained honorable mention in this country. James the I
planted a colony of the Riddles and others in Tyrone county,
Ireland, and most of the Riddles of America are the descendants
of those colonists.
Thomas Riddle, a native of Ireland, emigrated to
this country in childhood, married, and reared a numerous family, of
which three of the older sons served in the Revolutionary war.
The youngest son, Thomas, born in 1781, in
Monson, Massachusetts, married Minerva Merrick, of Welch descent,
in December, 1805. They migrated to Newbury, Geauga county, Ohio,
late in the year 1817. They were the parents of nine children, of
whom the seventh, Mrs. V. N. Clark, now residing in Indiana, was
the sole daughter. The third died in infancy. The subject of
this sketch was the fourth, and born at Monson, Apr. 13, 1812. He
was a large, vigorous, bright child, and in the air, frugal fare, and
active exercise of pioneer life, grew up to vigorous and seemingly hardy
manhood. His years were mostly spent on the farm; chopping
clearing land, plowing, hoeing, reaping, mowing, making sugar, black
salts, and a great many other things that few farmer boys could do.
the family had unusual mechanical aptitude, and Harrison, as he was
called, except the youngest, was the most ingenious of the brothers,
several of whom became skilled mechanics. There were few things
formed of wood that he could not make. All the needed things about the
house and farm, as he grew up, passed under his hands, from handsleds to
ox-carts, the first of which, ever used on the farm, was made by him,
and was noted for the neatness, almost elegance of its finish and
painting. He made lasts, and on them made shoes for himself and
others. Later, though he had never seen one, he constructed an
electrical machine of very considerable power, which he used in a vain
attempt to relieve his sufferings from rheumatism.
His father died when he was eleven years old, and the
numerous family was soon after scattered, never again to be permanently
reunited. This consequence was especially painful to Harrison, who
was devotedly attached to his mother, brothers and sister, and to the
family home. He first lived with Harmon Bosworth,
near the center. Though not remote, a dense forest of a mile
intervened between. Here he remained for a year or so, then
returned home. He was taken with inflammatory rheumatism in the
right ankle and leg when he was thirteen or fourteen years of age, and
though he fully recovered the use of the limb, it confined him to the
house, at intervals, during quite all his life. From his
thirteenth to his fifteenth year he lived with Deacon Atwater,
in Mantua. He then returned to the neglected homestead, to the
care of his mother and the younger children. Here he remained
until he was twenty-three years old, and few men of his age ever wrought
more effectively than he during these years. The mother, for her
time and advantages, may well be called a remarkable woman.
Harrison certainly was a remarkable young man. At seventeen,
he had quite reached his full growth, above the ordinary height and
size. His mind and judgment seemed fully matured. The fences
and log buildings were quite dilapidated, and the farm stocked neither
with cattle, sheep or horses. The oldest brother sent, from
Painesville, a quantity of grain for the first few months' food.
The next oldest was away at a trade. The mother and younger
children had, for a time, abandoned the place. The buildings were
repaired, fences rebuilt, new fields redeemed from the forest, and
nearly all the old ones sown to wheat, or planted with corn the first
season. The farm was well stocked, the juniors neatly clothed and
sent to school, and finally commodious, and neatly finished frame
buildings took the places of those of the pioneers. Much more than
this was done.
This young Riddle might well be called
intellectual. From earliest child hood he manifested an eager,
inquiring, grasping mind. Quickness, solidity, and logical
accuracy were its characteristics. At school he was at once noted
as the best in all his classes; at home and in the neighborhood he was
remarked for the extent of his reading and the accuracy of his
knowledge. At this modern date of the family, after his return
from Mantua, he found Dr. O. W. Ludlow in the neighborhood - a
man of intense mentality, some learning, and much reading. The
friendship and companionship of this man was of great use to the young
man. As his means increased, he was enabled to indulge his taste
and hunger for reading. He purchased new books, took two or three
leading journals from the eastern cities, and the house became quite a
little center for the literary and intelligent of that immediate circle.
As years increased, it became apparent that he could not hope to have
the constant bodily activity necessary for the life and labor of a
farmer. He was intensely ambitious, had already, with Ludlow's
aid, become a good Latin scholar, as well as an accomplished
mathematician, and he resolved to study law. His friend took him
to Jefferson, Ohio, and introduced him to Joshua R. Giddings, and
Benjamin F. Wade, then practicing in Ashtabula county, who received
him as a student. He entered there in the spring of 1835, and
remained there two years, making a very extensive and thorough course,
as well as keeping up his classical and other studies. When he
finished, Mr. Wade, as a token of his esteem, presented
him with a complete outfit of fine clothes, from hat to boots, including
a beautiful pin for the shirt front.
At the recommendation of Mr. Giddings and
Mr. Wade, Reuben Hitchcock, of Painesville,
received him as a law partner, and he entered upon this in April, 1837,
under the most flattering prospects. He became one of the family
of his partner. Here he died on the sixth of the ensuing June.
He was ill but four or five days, was a little wandering in mind; was
hardly confined to his room, and died with his clothes on, a victim of
intense and continuous devotion to study. Thus died, at
twenty-five years, one of the most promising of the young men of his
time, and his name is already becoming effaced from the stone that marks
his resting place, in the little burial-ground, by his father's side, in
the west part of Newbury.
In person he was near five feet ten inches, well
formed, with large head, massive forehead, fine brow and eyes, otherwise
plain featured. A born gentle man, if such there are, of fine
address, and polished manners. In mind, not brilliant, or showy, but
strong, massive, and would have become profound, with time and thought.
High-souled, brave of spirit, pure of life, devoted, self-sacrificing,
few were more fortunate in winning the love of all who knew him.
None ever were more strongly loved, more deeply deplored, or their
memories more fondly cherished, by family and kindred surviving.
The homestead, which he did so much to rebuild and
improve for the mother and the younger children, is now nicely kept by
Roswell, the youngest son living. On the site of the
original block-house he resides, a quiet farmer, having the family
mental structure, and fond of reading. He was in the one hundred
days' service for the Union. His first wife was Romelia
Smith. After her death he married Mrs. Alvira Way, and
they are well situated.
Source:
1798 Pioneer and General History of Geauga County with
Sketches of
some of the Pioneers and Prominent Men. -
Published by
The Historical Society of Geauga County, 1880 - Page 248 |
NOTES:
|
