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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Richland Co., Ohio -
from 1808 to 1908
Vol. I & II
by A. J. Baughman -
Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co.
1908
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CYRUS
GATTON, residing on his farm on section 12, Jefferson
township, was formerly an extensive landowner of this county and
was also engaged in the stock business to a considerable extent.
He was born in a log house in Jefferson township, Aug. 28, 1838,
his parents being Isaac and Hettie M. Gatton, who came to
Richland county in 1812. He obtained a common-school
education, pursuing his studies in a log schoolhouse, and he
remained with his father until he attained his majority.
Mr. Gatton began farming upon a part of his
father's home place. At the age of sixteen years he
commenced breeding Merino sheep, starting with only three, and
has since devoted considerable attention to that industry.
During his boyhood wool was worth sixty cents per pound and
during the Civil War sold for one dollar per pound. He
entered his sheep at the first fair held in Mansfield and
carried off the first prize. His fine Merino sheep have
been shipped all over the country, and he has also bought and
shipped cattle and hogs as well as sheep, starting in that
business in 1865 and continuing it for nearly twenty years.
He handled about fifty carloads annually, Bellville and Butler
being his shipping points.
Since then Mr. Gatton has engaged in farming and
at one time was the owner of seven hundred acres of valuable
land, all in Richland county, but is now farming only one
hundred and sixty acres on section 12, Jefferson township,
having distributed the remainder among his children. He
has placed many improvements upon his farm and is well known as
one of the county's most successful and prominent
agriculturists. Adjoining his place there is an Indian
graveyard, called the Mound, in which seven Indians and seven
white people are buried.
On the 3d of January, 1867, Mr. Gatton was
united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Hines, a native of
this county, while her parents were born in Maryland. Unto
our subject and his wife were born ten children, namely:
Isaac, a resident of Bellville; Nettie, the wife of
William Swagert, of Monroe township; Annie, at home;
Wilbur, of this county; Marilla, the wife of
Webster Tucker, of Monroe Township; George Clinton,
of Cleveland, Ohio; Floyd, at home; Daisy the wife
of Alvin Reeder; and Ella May and Albert,
who were accidentally shot at school. On the 28th of
December, 1902, Mr. Gatton was called upon to mourn the
loss of his wife, her demise being deeply regretted by many
friends as well as her immediate family.
Mr. Gatton gives his political support to the
republican party and has served in the position of supervisor.
Throughout his entire life, already covering more than the
Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he has
been a resident of this county and that his career has ever been
honorable and upright is indicated by the fact he has the
respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact
through business or social relations.
Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by
A. J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908 -
Vol. II - Pg. 1105 |
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PATTERSON
T. GATTON, successfully engaged in the livery business in
Mansfield, was born in Washington township, Richland county,
Nov. 24, 1865. His father, Aaron Gatton, was
likewise born in Washington township, Richland county, his natal
day being Aug. 27, 1845, while his parents were Thomas and
Sarah (Gatton) Gatton. The former was born in
Muskingum county, Ohio, and was but five years of age when his
father, James Gatton, who had come from Maryland, was
called to his final rest. Thomas Gatton was bound
out to a man named Beavers, who misused him, and for this
reason his brother brought him to Richland county about eighty
years ago. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted for service in
the Civil war as a member of Company C, Sixty-fourth Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, and died from blood poisoning resulting from
a wound which he received at the battle of Stone River,
Tennessee. His wife, however, still survives, having now
attained the age of eighty-eight years. Their family
numbered four children: David who is a practicing
physician located in Mahaska county, Iowa; Rachel, who
resides with her mother; Aaron; and John.
Aaron Gatton was educated in the common schools of
Washington township and remained at home until the time of his
marriage to Miss Mary J. Shively, of Richland county.
This union has been blessed with five children, namely:
Patterson T., of this review; James A., born August
27, 1870, who is a dealer in horses and is also engaged in the
livery business in Mansfield; Harry, a horse dealer of
Bellville, Ohio; Nancy A., at home, and Sadie, the
wife of Charles Grice, a street car conductor of
Mansfield. Aaron Gatton gives his allegiance to the
democracy where national questions and issues are involved, but
at local elections casts an independent ballot.
Patterson T. Gatton acquired a common-school
education, and began dealing in horses when but fifteen years of
age, having continued in this line of activity to the present
time. He has met with a gratifying and well merited
measure of success in his undertakings and is widely recognized
as one of the most prominent and best known dealers in the
county, making extensive shipments.
In 1887 Mr. Gatton was united in marriage to
Miss Etta Muttis, of Richland county, by whom he has two
children: Carl who is engaged in the livery business in
Mansfield in connection with his uncle; and Beatrice,
at home.
Mr. Patton casts his vote for the men and
measures of the republican party and gives stalwart support to
every movement calculated to advance the general welfare or
promote the upbuilding of his native county. He has gained
many friends throughout the community and is well known as an
enterprising and public-spirited citizen, an honorable and
upright business man and a devoted husband and father.
Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by
A. J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908 -
Vol. II - Pg. 1140 |
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GEORGE
W. GEDDES.
There are few men whose lives are crowned with the
honor and respect which was universally accorded Judge
George W. Geddes, but through long connection with the
history of Richland county, and the state his was an an
unblemished character. He was one of the world's workers,
assisting materially in laying the foundation for the stability,
progress and substantial growth of his home locality and the
commonwealth.
George W. Geddes was born July 16, 1824, in Knox
Co., Ohio, but in his childhood days was brought to Richland
county by his father, James Geddes, and was here
reared to the age of fifteen pursuing his education in the
public Schools. On putting aside his text-books he
returned to Mount Vernon, where he accepted a clerkship in the
employ of James Huntsberry, a prominent merchant of that
city, and that he was most faithful and capable is indicated by
the fact that he remained there for about six years, or until
nearly twenty-one years of age. He did not care to make
merchandising his life work, however, for it was his desire to
become a member of the bar and to this end he devoted all of the
hours which are usually termed leisure to familiarizing himself
with the text books of that profession. He had thereby
gained considerable knowledge of the law when he entered the
office of Hon. Columbus Delano as a
student. Under his direction he made rapid progress in his
studies, so that at the end of a year he was admitted to the bar
and well qualified, entering upon active practice.
In November, 1845, Mr. Geddes came to
Mansfield to begin his professional career and had his first
trial brought before a justice of the peace, with James
Stewart, then one of the leading lawyers of Mansfield.
Mr. Stewart was so favorably impressed with his young
opponent's skillful management of the case that he urged Mr.
Geddes to locate in Mansfield. This he did and for two
years had his office with Mr. Stewart, after which he
became his law partner in 1847. The relation was
maintained until 1850 and was then terminated by the fact that
Mr. ST\tewart was elected judge of the court of common
pleas. Mr. Geddes then entered into partnership
with Jacob Brinkerhoff, with whom he was associated until
Mr. Brinkerhoff was elected to the Supreme bench of Ohio,
in 1855. The following year Mr. Geddes received the
democratic nomination for common pleas judge, with his former
law partner and benefactor, Judge Stewart, as his
opponent. The election showed that Judge Geddes was
the choice of the people, and in 1861, at a district convention
of the democratic and republican parties, he was re-nominated
and re-elected without opposition. In 1866 he became a
candidate for the third term, but at this election was defeated
by seventeen votes, although he ran five hundred votes ahead of
his ticket - a fact which indicated his personal popularity and
the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens. Not
long after this the legislature created an enactment providing
for an additional judge in this judicial sub district and
Judge Geddes was again nominated and elected in 1868.
Upon the expiration of his third term he retired permanently
from the bench and resumed the practice of law. His course
on the bench had been in harmony with his record as a man and
also distinguished by the utmost fidelity to duty and by a
comprehensive understanding of the legal principles involved.
In 1872 he was placed in nomination by the democracy of Ohio for
supreme court judge, but the entire state ticket was defeated
that year.
When Judge Geddes again took up the practice of
law he formed a partnership with Mosts R. Dickey and
John W. Jenner, under the firm style of Geddes, Dickey &
Jenner. Mr. Dickey was later elected to the
common pleas bench while Mr. Jenner became a judge on the
circuit bench of this judicial district. On the expiration
of Judge Dickey's official term the partnership relations
between him and Judge Geddes were resumed. The firm
was a very strong one and enjoyed a most extensive clientage.
Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the bar of
the state, both for legal ability of a high order and for the
individuality of a personal character which impresses itself
upon a community. Of a family conspicuous for strong
intellects and indomitable courage and energy, Judge Geddes
entered upon his career as a lawyer, and such was hsi force
of character and natural qualifications that he overcame all
obstacles and wrote his name upon the keystone of the legal arch
of his district.
Judge Geddes was, moreover, a man of marked
influence in political circles in Ohio. In June, 1878, a
democratic convention of the fifteenth congressional district,
comprising the counties of Coshocton, Holmes, Knox, Richland and
Tuscarawas, met at New Philadelphia and after a session of three
days failed to nominate a candidate. An adjournment was
taken and the convention reassembled at Mt. Vernon, July 31, and
after a deadlock continuing through that day and the day
following, reconvened Friday, August 2, and resumed balloting
with the one thousand one hundred and eleventh ballot.
Colonel R. Burns was the Richland county candidate.
After the twelve hundredth and fiftieth ballot had been taken
Judge Geddes was brought out as a compromise candidate and
he received the nomination on the twelve hundredth and
fifty-fifth ballot and was elected by a large majority over
G. A. Jones. In 1880 he was nominated in the
fourteenth congressional district and was elected over
Colonel S. E. Fink. In 1882 he was again nominated in
the fourteenth district and overcame a large republican
majority, defeating Rollin A. Horr, while in 1884 he was
nominated in the sixteenth district and defeated the
Honorable H. C. Hedges. While a member of congress he
took an active part in all the work that was in the council
chambers of the nation, gave careful consideration to each
question which came up for settlement and opposed or
supported every measure, as he saw fit, with the whole strength
of his nature.
In 1848 Mr. Geddes was married to Miss Nancy
Lemon, of Ashland county, and to them were born three sons:
S. L., now deceased; James I., living in Joplin,
Missouri; and George M., deceased. After the death
of his first wife, which occurred December, 1880, Mr. Geddes
married Mrs. Amelia B. Gass, the widow of Colonel
Isaac Gass, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume.
The death of Judge Geddes occurred November 9, 1892, and
thus passed away one of the most honored, respected and valued
citizens of Richland county. He gained distinction as a
lawyer and jurist and also as a statesman, striving to build up
for the benefit of the people and to insure the country's
national progress, believing that nations, like men, cannot
stand still; they must go forward or backward; they cannot go
backward without decay, therefore it is imperative that they go
forward. Judge Geddes was conspicuous as a public
officer who was always at his post of duty and always at work,
and no public official has been more faithful to the trust
reposed in him by the people. His manly characteristics
are of the solid and practical, rather than of the ostentatious
and brilliant, order. He was especially strong in
intellect and capable of reaching safe, reasonable and prudent
conclusions. His life was varied in service, constant in
honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation.
Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by
A. J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908 -
Vol. II - Pg. 598 |
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ROBERT
GRIBBEN. A well developed and highly
improved farm of one hundred and sixty-seven acres, situated on
section 12, Plymouth township, is the property of Robert
Gribben, which is known as the old Gribben homestead.
He was born in Plymouth, Richland county, September 24, 1833, a
son of Isaac and Mary (Ralston) Gribben, both of whom
were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Chester county,
in1796, while the latter was born in Washington county in 1802.
Mrs. Gribben was a daughter of Robert Ralston, who
served in the war of 1812 and came to Richland county in 1815.
He and his wife lived to be over eighty-six years of age.
They were the parents of ten children, five sons and five
daughters, and with the exception of three, all lived to be over
eighty-four, while the three were over seventy-three years of
age at the time of their deaths.
Isaac Gribben, the father of our subject, came
to Richland county from the Keystone state in 1823, and became a
resident of Plymouth township in 1829, settling in 1834 on the
farm which is now the home of our subject. It was at that
time all wild and unimproved, but he at once set to work to
clear the land, and in due course of time placed it under a high
state of cultivation. His entire life was devoted to farm
work. Both the parents are now deceased, the father having
passed away on this farm in 1880, while the mother survived for
about eight years, her death occurring in 1888. Their
family numbered four children, two sons and two daughters,
namely: John who died at the age of two years; Almira
Jane, who died in 1875; Mary, who died when young;
and Robert, of this review.
Robert Gribben, the second youngest and only
surviving member of his father's family, was but one year of age
at the time of the parents' removal to his present farm.
He was early trained to the duties of farm labor, assisting his
father in the development and improvement of the home place, and
in the cultivation of crops throughout the period of his boyhood
and youth. During the winter seasons, when not busy on the
home farm, he pursued his studies in the district schools near
his father's home. He is now the owner of this valuable
property of one hundred and sixty-seven acres, located on
section 12, Plymouth township, which is improved with good
buildings. Everything about the place has a neat and
thrifty appearance. Mr. Gribben is engaged in
general farming and his labors are attended with excellent
success.
In 1890 he was united in marriage to Miss Martha E.
Shutt, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, a daughter of
John and Susan (Bell) Shutt. The father was born in
Maryland, while the mother claimed Pennsylvania as the place of
her birth. They were married in the former state, after
which they made their way to Holmes county, Ohio, the year 1833
witnessing their arrival there. There the father engaged
in farming until his death, which occurred in 1865. The
family removed to Richland county in the fall of 1865.
Mr. and Mrs. Shutt had five sons and six daughters,
of whom nine reached years of maturity.
Mr. Gribben's study of the political questions
and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart support to
the democratic party. He has never been active as an
office seeker, however, preferring to give his time and
attention to his private business affairs. He finds his
greatest social enjoyment at his own fireside, where his wife
and intimate friends know him to be a delightful companion.
He has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone of life's journey,
his entire life having been passed in Richland county, so that
few men have more intimate knowledge of its history or of events
which have left their impress upon its annals.
Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by
A. J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908 -
Vol. II - Pg. 1122 |
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