BIOGRAPHIES
†
Source:
Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio
embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake
Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co. -
1893
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MRS. CAPT. GEORGE FIELD.
- One of the most prominent families of northeastern Ohio, of which
Ashtabula county is a component part, is that by the name of
Cheney, of which the oldest and most central figure it Thomas
Cheney, father of the subject of this sketch. So far as
date is now accessible, a record of his life is as follows:
Thomas Cheney was born in 'Windsor, Connecticut,
Sept. 12, 1797. and his parents were John and Mary (Stowel)
Cheney. He grew to manhood in his native State and
obtained a liberal education, which, combined with an excellent
intellect, made him a conspicuous figure among men. He had the
faculty of presenting his opinions in a logical and interesting
manner, and while he laid no claims to oratory and rarely spoke in
public from announcement, he experienced no difficulty in
entertaining his hearers when he had a bout with a political enemy.
He was a familiar object on the streets of Ashtabula, during the
exciting times before the war, when he might be seen expounding
anti-slavery doctrines to miscellaneous assemblies. He was one
of the four original abolitionists of Ashtabula county, and assisted
many a slave to cross the Canadian border to liberty and happiness.
He possessed no military history, other than serving as Fife Major
of a militia regiment during the old training days before the war,
although, he had lived, there is no doubt but he would have
supplemented his arguments for freedom by telling blows in her fair
cause. He was in early life, politically, an anti-Mason, later
a Free Soiler, and, finally, an uncompromising Republican. He
was by occupation a shoe merchant and manufactured n his own goods,
in which industry he employed quite a force of men. His last
years were passed on his farm, where he was killed by a falling tree
in 1852, spring in his fifty-sixth year, greatly lamented by all who
knew him. His wife, nee Lois Bush, to whom he
was married in 1820, two or three years after his advent to Ohio,
was born in 1800 and survived her worthy husband until 1885, dying
at the age of eighty-five. She was a daughter of Charles
Bush, originally a merchant near Bainbridge, New York, who,
early in the nineteenth century came to Painesville, Ohio, and
purchased a farm near that city, preparatory to removing his family
to this State, but who died in some village on his return trip, all
his valuable papers disappearing with him. His widow afterward
married Mr. McAdams, and in 1818, they moved to Ashtabula,
Ohio, accompanied by his family. They came from Buffalo to
this point on a small freight and passenger vessel of but a few
tons' capacity, which conveyance forms a striking contrast to the
present magnificent steamers which ply the lake. The family
settled on South Ridge, where they resided for many years, when late
in life the old people went to Springfield, Pennsylvania, where they
both died. The children of Thomas Cheney and wife were:
Samantha, born June 17, 1823, who married Birdsey Metcalf,
and died ten months later, leaving one child; Ruth, born Apr.
1, 1825; Mary, born Dec. 25, 1832, wife of Albert Field,
of Ashtabula; and P. H., born Apr. 13, 1836.
Ruth, the second daughter and the oldest
surviving member of the family, was reared and educated in Ashtabula
county, attending an academy in this vicinity. March 26, 1845,
she was married to Captain George Field, widely and favorably
known on the lakes and throughout the adjoining country as an able
and experienced seafaring man. Rev. Waldo, a
Presbyterian minister and a professor in Austinburg College,
officiated at their marriage. Captain Field was born in
Mentor, Ohio, Apr. 15, 1819, and was employed on the lakes from
early youth to middle age. He then engaged in buying and
selling stock, in which business he continued about ten years, after
which he returned to his first occupation, carrying business on the
lakes, this time as a boat owner and later as an owner of tugs,
operating from Saginaw, Detroit, Toledo and Ashtabula. The
Captain died Mar. 10, 1889, after a long and useful life, leaving
his family well provided with the comforts of this world, benefices
secured by his persistent industry and able management. His
father, Aaron Field, was born in Rhode Island, of New England
ancestry, and was a farmer by occupation. Captain and Mrs.
Field had three children: Arthur, born Nov. 5,
1845; Frank, born Sept. 30, 1849, and Charles T., born
Dec. 29, 1855. The last named married Miss Kate M. Sperry,
a lady well known in social circles in Ashtabula, of which city her
father is a prominent resident. They have four children:
George, Bessie, Willie and Ruth.
Mrs. Captain Field is an earnest and useful member
of the Presbyterian Church, and holds a high social position.
She is intellectual, possesses unusual executive ability, is deeply
interested in the material, educational and moral progress of her
community, to which she has contributed, and is deserving of the
esteem which she so fully enjoys.
Source: Biographical History of
Northeastern Ohio - embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and
Lake Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1893 - Page 298 |
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RAYMOND FREEMAN,
County Commissioner and a prominent and wealthy farmer residing in
Madison township, Lake county, is an excellent example of the
self-made man. Following is a resume' of his life:
Mr. Freeman was born in Lorain county, Ohio,
Jan. 28, 1836, son of Henry Freeman, a native of Brown
county, New York, and grandson of Joseph Freeman, also a
native of the Empire State. The Freemans are of
German descent, their ancestors having located in this country
previous to the Revolutionary War. Grandfather Freeman
passed his life and died on a farm in his native State.
Henry, his son, was also a farmer. He made the journey to
Ohio with an ox team in 1831, bought seventy-five acres of
Government land in Lorain county, and there built his rude cabin and
went to work to develop a farm. It was all thick woods there
at that time. Wolves were abundant, and the wildcats were so
numerous that on one occasion they fought on the roof of Mr.
Freeman's cabin. Deer were also plenty. When his
children grew up and began to go West, Mr. Freeman moved to
Dane county, Wisconsin, where he spent the rest of his life, and
died at the age of seventy-two years. His wife, whose maiden
name was
Nancy Noles, and who was a native of Rutland, Vermont, also lived
to be seventy-two. She was an active member of the Disciple
Church. They had a family of nine children, Raymond,
the subject of our sketch, being the eighth born.
Raymond Freeman was reared in Lorain county.
He began life on his own responsibility when he was seventeen, at
which time he went to Geneva, Ashtabula county, this State, and
commenced working on a section of the Lake Shore Railroad, at ninety
cents per day. This was in 1852. He continued in
railroad employ for twenty-eight years, and during all that time
never lost a day. Starting in as a common laborer he was
promoted as foreman of the section and had charge of ten miles of
road, and afterward was made road master between Cleveland and Erie.
He had charge of building twenty miles of that road. Finally,
on account of failing health, he was compelled to quite the
business. At this time he was offered six months' vacation
with steady pay and free transportation to wherever he wished to go,
if he would continue with the company, but he refused it.
Subsequently he turned his attention to contracting. He built
twenty-five miles of the Nickel Plate Railroad, and built yards at
Ashtabula and Collinswood for the Lake Shore. Afterward, on
seventeen miles of road he built for the West Shore line, he cleared
$25,000. He erected the high-service reservoir at Cleveland,
which cost $150,000, and he also built the waterworks at Findlay,
Ohio. His last contract for railroad work was nine miles for
the Lake Shore, near Youngstown.
Mr. Freeman bought his present farm, 165 acres
in Madison township, in 1884, and has since been engaged in
agricultural pursuits. This land is composed of a great
variety of soil and is well adapted to general farming, for which
purpose it is utilized. The fine residence, good barns, and
general appearance of his premises are all indicative of the
prosperity which has attended the owner.
Mr. Freeman was married Dec. 25, 1856, to
Anna Rennington, a native of Rutland, Vermont. She is a
member of the Congregational Church and is a most estimable lady.
Their three children are: Cora, Mary and Frank.
Politically, Mr. Freeman affiliates with the
Republican party. He was elected Commissioner of Lake county
in the fall of 1891, and is now serving in that office.
Socially, politically and financially, he is ranked with the leading
men of the county.
Source: Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio - embracing
the Counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake - Chicago: The Lewis
Publishing Co. - 1893 - Page 875 |
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