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Gustavus, Trumbull Co. -
BUEL
BARNES was born in Farmington, Connecticut, in 1797, on the
6th day of June, 1820. Mr. Barnes was a leading and
influential man in Gustavus. His first commission as justice
of the peace was dated Apr. 23, 1835, and he held the office
continuously until Apr. 15, 1871. He was twice elected to the
State Legislature, in 1844 and in 1845; was an honorable member and
faithful in the discharge of the trust the people of his county
placed in his keeping. He did not come to the bar until quite
late in life, and, being a man of ample fortune, did not care to
enter the arena with younger men, and therefore had not much
practice in the county courts.
Mr. Barnes was highly esteemed by his neighbors
and acquaintances, and died at the ripe age of eighty-seven years,
in 1880.
Source: History of Trumbull &
Mahoning Counties - Cleveland: H. Z. Williams & Bro. -
VOL. 1 - 1882 - Page
190 |
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Trumbull Co. -
MATTHEW
BIRCHARD. The Hon. Matthew Birchard was born in
Becket, Massachusetts, Jan. 19, 1804. His parents were
Nathan and Mercy ( Ashley ) Birchard, and he was the seventh of
ten children born to them. The family is of English
extraction, the founder of the family being Thomas Birchard,
who arrived in Boston, September 16, 1635. In 1812 his father
settled in Windham, Portage county, Ohio, where he became one of the
original proprietors of that township, when the subsequent judge was
a young lad. Judge Birchard was educated in the
common schools of that period, with some academical advantages at
Boston, Portage county, and Warren, Trumbull county. At the
age of twenty years he commenced the study of law with General
Roswell Stone, in Warren. He was admitted to the
bar in 1827, and at once entered into partnership with the late
Governor Tod, who was admitted to the bar about the same
time, under the firm name of Birchard & Tod.
In 1829 he was appointed postmaster at Warren,
under General Jackson's administration, which office he held
until 1833, when he resigned to accept the position of president
judge of the court of common please of the circuit in which he
lived, which at that time embraced nearly the whole of the Western
Reserve. In 1836 he resigned the judgeship to accept the
office tendered him by General Jackson of solicitor of the
general land office at Washington, which position he filled for
three years. His capacity and ability being appreciated, he
retained his position until the coming in of President Van Buren,
when he was promoted to the office of solicitor of the treasury,
where he remained until the Harrison administration came into
power in 1841.
While Judge Birchard was solicitor of the
Treasury, the celebrated "Florida claims" were pressed upon the
Government, in the adjustment of which Judge Birchard took a
leading part - his management of the same being so able and
honorable that leading men of both political parties gave him high
credit.
In the autumn of 1841, upon his retirement from the
Treasury department, he married at Washington the eldest daughter of
Lieutenant William A. Weaver, of the United States Navy, one
of the survivors of the memorable engagement between the Chesapeake
and Shannon; being wounded and taken prisoner in that action by the
British. His widow and two children survive him.
Returning to Warren he resumed his law practice with
Mr. Tod, continuing it until 1842, when he was elected by the
Legislature to the supreme bench of the State; holding this position
for seven years, being chief justice for the last two.
At the expiration of him term on the bench he resumed
the practice of the law in Trumbull county, and continued therein
until 1853, when he was nominated by the Democratic party for
Representative in the General Assembly, and was elected in what had
been one of the strongest Whig counties in the State.
After the expiration of his legislative term, Judge
Birchard devoted the greater portion of his time to the practice
of his profession, finding peculiar delight in the pursuit of that
which was so congenial to his feelings and tastes.
As solicitor of the land office and of the treasury, he
made an excellent record, instituting in these departments numerous
beneficial changes and practices, which proved to be of the highest
importance in the administration of the Government.
As a lawyer Judge Birchard ranked high in his
profession. His knowledge of the fundamental principles of the
law was exceedingly clear, whilst his tact in their applications was
not surpassed by his colleagues on the bench. His cool
reflection and matured judgment made him eminently safe as a
counsellor. In the preparation of his cases he used the
greatest care. As an advocate he confined himself to the
presentation of the law and the evidence, presenting both in a calm,
lucid, and logical manner for a verdict rather on their intelligence
and good sense than on any biased appeal to their passions or
prejudices. This course he regarded as the true mission of the
advocate.
The possession of these qualities peculiarly adapted
him to the bench; and we are not surprised to find that in the
office of judge he achieved his greatest success. Being a man
of sober reflection, sound judgment, mature deliberation not easily
swayed by prejudice or emotion, together with high integrity, and
possessing an innate perception of what constituted justice and
equity, he became a model judge.
His decisions are always made with the greatest
circumspection, prudence, and diligent research. He did
nothing hastily, but supported every decision with such copious,
standard authorities, and such sound, logical reasoning, that they
stand today as authority. In fact, but few of his decisions,
which were made with the majority of the court, have been reversed.
In political belief and action Judge Birchard
was a Democrat of the old school, casting his lot with that party in
its earlier and palmier days - the days of Jackson, Van
Buren, and Wright. Conscientiously believing in
the principles of his party, he clung to it with marked fidelity
through all its vicissitudes; working earnestly and faithfully for
its success, always standing high in the councils of its leaders.
But not alone as a political leader, or his ability as a judge, did
the deceased stand high in the opinion of the people. As a
good citizen, a kind neighbor, and an honest man, he had a strong
hold on his fellow men.
He was public spirited, working for the advancement of
the educational, the religious, and material interests of the
community. His kindness of heart, his sympathy for the
suffering or afflicted, his generosity to the poor, and his leniency
towards his debtors, were proverbial. His word was as good as
his bond. His integrity and honesty were never doubted at home
or abroad.
Although descended from pious parents Judge Birchard
never connected himself with any church, and for many years he
regarded himself as inclined to infidelity; but was an habitual
student of the Bible and led a moral and upright life.
However, during the last six months of his life, his religious
feelings experienced a charge, and his end was the quiet, cheerful,
trusting death of the Christian - of one who unreservedly trusted to
the atonement of Jesus Christ for the pardon of his sins - looking
toward with implicit confidence to the blessed immortality of the
faithful.
During the last three years of Judge Birchard's
life his health gradually declined; but he had a wonderful tenacity
of life, and an indomitable with that resisted the attacks of
disease which would long before have undermined a less vigorous
constitution. He peacefully expired at his residence in Warren
on the 16th of June, 1876.
On the 17th of June a meeting of the Trumbull county
bar was held, at which appropriate resolutions were passed, and his
funeral was attended in a body by his brethren.
Source: History of Trumbull &
Mahoning Counties - Cleveland: H. Z. Williams & Bro. -
VOL. 1 - 1882
- Page 177 |
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Bloomfield, Trumbull Co. -
EPHRAIM
BROWN. It is impossible within the limits of a short
sketch to give an adequate idea of the character, or to detail
particular events in the life of Ephraim Brown. His
father, whose name was also Ephraim, resided at Westmoreland,
New Hampshire, and was much esteemed for his many excellent
qualities. His mother was Hannah Howe, a woman of deep
religious feeling. The family consisted of ten children, of
whom Ephraim, born Oct. 27, 1775, was the oldest.
Mr. Brown owned a small farm and by adding to its productions
the fruits of occasional labor in some mechanical pursuit, his large
family was comfortably supported until he lost all his property by
going security for a friend, a loss from which he never recovered.
It thus happened that the eldest son, at an early age, became the
main support of a large family. This misfortune of his father
offered him a field for the exercise of that indomitable
perseverance which was so conspicuous an element of his character.
At this formative period of his life the engrossing labor which
circumstances threw upon him was not allowed to interfere with his
intellectual culture. He read the best books obtainable, and
sought the society of the best people in his neighborhood and
wherever business called him. It is inferred from letters
still in existence that he soon became a young man of some mark, for
his advice was sought by elders, and his judgment received with much
deference. Considerable of his correspondence at this early
period related to moral, religious, and political subjects. He
shows in these letters habits of earnest and honest thought, always
ready to listen to argument, and when convinced of error always
ready to renounce it. For example, when a young man he joined
the Masonic fraternity, but years afterwards, when a young man
sought his advice on the subject of joining he expressed the opinion
that with advanced civilization the need of such societies was past.
Being a man of broad and tender sympathies Mr. Brown
very early in life conceived a bitter hatred of the system of
slavery, then fast growing into a political power, which sixty years
it required the whole energy of the nation to suppress. In a
letter written in 1807 to a Southern relative, who had located in
the South and was endeavoring to persuade him to follow by arguing
the superior facilities for making money in that section, Mr.
Brown questioned the method by which wealth might be acquired so
rapidly by "commerce in human flesh," and added, "I have been taught
from my cradle to despise slavery, and will never forget to teach my
children, if any I should have, the same lesson."
The same letter contains sentiments thirty years afterwards given
public utterance by William Lloyd Garrison and other
distinguished abolitionists.
Mr. Brown inherited from his mother deep
religious feeling, which was strengthened by analytic habits of
thought and extensive reading. But he distinguished between
real piety and the mere semblance of religion, and his whole life
was characterized by a high moral tone. His denunciation of
evil was always vigorous and sometimes alarming to the more
conservative and temporizing souls about him. His love of
freedom and habits of thought prevented him from being closely
associated with societies of any kind, though as an individual he
was always industrious and kind.
As early as 1803 Mr. Brown became engaged
in mercantile pursuits in connection with Thomas K. Green, of
Putney, Vermont, who had charge of the business at that place, and
Mr. Brown managed the branch at Westmoreland, and
continued in business until his removal to Ohio in 1815. In
the meantime he had represented his town in the Legislature several
times. He was married on Nov. 9, 1806, to Mary
Buchanan, eldest daughter of Gordon anbd Temperance
(Huntington) Buchanan. She was born at
Windham, Connecticut, Aug. 29, 1787; while yet a child her father
and mother removed to Walpole. New Hampshire. She was a
woman of talent, which she cultivated during her whole life.
She taught school before her marriage; her attainments were
therefore of a solid character.
In the year 1814 Mr. Brown formed a
partnership with his uncle, Thomas Howe, and purchased
of Peter C. Brooks, of Boston, township seven, range four, of
the Western Reserve, since known as Bloomfield, to which place he
removed his family in the summer of 1815. The journey was
accomplished in six weeks and the family reached its future home
July 16, some preparations having been
previously made for its comfort and support. The two partners,
Messrs. Brown & Howe, were in business
temperament and character the antipodes of each other. The
former was energetic, pushing, and fearless; the latter slow,
hesitating and doubting. It is not strange that two such men
should soon dissolve business relations. Mr. Howe
after a short time retired from the partnership, and Mr.
Brown assumed the burden of the debt, which in a few years, by
the most scrupulous economy, unresting industry, and fortunate
thriftiness was fully discharged.
A few years after Mr. Brown's settlement
in Bloomfield (in 1819) the Ashtabula & Trumbull Turnpike company
was formed and chartered under the laws of Ohio. Mr.
Brown took an active part in pushing this enterprise, which at
that time looked like an enormous undertaking, to a
successful completion. For many years he maintained a ceaseless care
for the interests of the company and the preservation of the road.
The post-office at Bloomfield was secured through his influence.
Within seven years after the first settlement of Bloomfield daily
four-horse mail coaches
passed through the place on their route between the lake and the
Ohio river. Land rapidly advanced in value, and the more
thrifty settlers were soon able to improve their homes.
Mr. Brown was several times a member of
the General Assembly, and always gave his potent influence to
measures looking toward material improvement and educational
advancement. His love of freedom was active, and influenced
his whole conduct. The effort of a prominent religious sect in
1822 to dominate in politics, was condemned and resisted as strongly
as the effort of the slave power to rule the country in after years.
In his younger years^ he was a Jeffersonian Republican, and an
avowed abolitionist always. He always offered assistance and
protection to fugitive slaves, as is shown by instances elsewhere
narrated.
The tide of colonel was conferred upon Mr.
Brown in New Hampshire, not, however, on account of any military
service. He was captain of a company of militia, and promoted
Governor's aid with the rank of colonel.
It has been said of Mr. Brown that he
never sought or desired fame, but in a certain sense he won what was
better than fame—the perfect respect and confidence of all who were
capable of appreciating such a character. An intimate friend
at the time of his death said in a letter, "In his social relations
he was distinguished for his kindness, benevolence, and hospitality;
in his business transactions for prudence, promptness, and
integrity. Throughout a long and active life he eminently sustained
the character of a patriot, philanthropist, and an honest man."
He died of paralysis after a short illness, April 17, 1845, being in
the seventieth year of his age.
Mrs. Brown was a woman of great
excellence as wife, mother, neighbor, and friend. A life of
well directed study gave her broad culture; a knowledge of the world
widened her sympathies, and tenderness of feeling made her
charitable. In her family she was gentle, loving, and
interesting. In the social circle her influence was elevating
and refining. Her death occurred January 26, 1862.
The family consisted of nine children : Alexander,
born in 1807, lives in Bloomfield; George W., born in 1810,
engaged in business in Pittsburg
and died in Bloomfield in 1841; Mary, born in 1812, married
to Joseph K. Wing and resides in Bloomfield; Charles,
born in 1814, died in South Carolina in 1880; Elizabeth, born
in 1816, resides in Bloomfield; James Monroe, born in
1818, died 1867 in Massillon; Marvin Huntington, born
in 1820, resides in Painesville, Ohio; Fayette, born in 1823,
resides in Cleveland, Ohio; Anne Frances, born in
1826, resides in Bloomfield.
Source: History of Trumbull &
Mahoning Counties - Cleveland: H. Z. Williams & Bro. -
VOL. 1 - 1882
- Page 398 |
James S. Brown
Mary A. Brown |
Mahoning Co. / Trumbull Co. -
JAMES
S. BROWN. William Brown, the father of
the subject of this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania, Sept. 28,
1788; came to Trumbull county (now Mahoning) in an early day and
located on the farm now occupied by his son, James S.
He married Miss Ann Porter Apr. 15, 1813. Their
children were James S., born Jan. 4, 1814; David, born
June 30, 1816, and died Mar. 7, 1824; Martha, born June 24,
1822, married Wyoming N. Fry, and resides in Suffield
township, Portage county. William Brown served in the
War of 1812. He died Apr. 20, 1833. James S. Brown
was married to Mary Ann Printz, who was born in Canton, Ohio.
Her parents were Joseph and Susan (Blosser) Printz, who were
united in marriage Sept. 23, 1830. They had the following
children: Henry, born June 21, 1831; Mary Ann
(now Mrs. Brown), Aug. 20, 1832; Barbara, Jan. 29,
1834; Isabel Sept. 22, 1835; Jacob, Mar. 17, 1837;
Samuel, Nov. 27, 1838; Ambrose, Feb. 3, 1843.
Mr. Brown is a Democrat in politics, yet he recognizes a higher
duty in the use of the ballot than mere attachment to party, and
endeavors to vote for the best candidates. He has resided all
his life on the old homestead, having been born there. From
actual experience he knows what pioneer life is, and his memory
carries him back to the days when the present beautiful and thrifty
neighborhood where he lives was covered with the original forest,
interspersed here and there by small clearings and rude log cabins.
He has always been a hard-working and industrious man, and is now,
in his old age, blessed with a comfortable home. Mr. and
Mrs. Brown are Presbyterians in their religious faith.
Source: History of Trumbull &
Mahoning Counties - Cleveland: H. Z. Williams & Bro. -
VOL. 2 - 1882
- Betw. pps. 72 & 73 |
NOTES: |
