OHIO STATEWIDE FILES OH-FOOTSTEPS Mailing List Issue 310 *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 00 : Issue 310 Today's Topics: #1 Bio - 1885 - Portage Co, OH, Nelso [Betty Ralph ] Administrivia: To unsubscribe from OH-FOOTSTEPS-D, send a message to OH-FOOTSTEPS-D-request@rootsweb.com that contains in the body of the message the command unsubscribe and no other text. No subject line is necessary, but if your software requires one, just use unsubscribe in the subject, too. ______________________________ ------------------------------ X-Message: #1 Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 12:40:58 -0500 From: Betty Ralph To: OH-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <2.2.32.20001021174058.0075fd58@HiWAAY.net> Subject: Bio - 1885 - Portage Co, OH, Nelson # 2 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Bios: Hannah, Hedger, Hobart, Hopkins, McCall, Merwin, Payne, Prentice, Sherwood, Smith - Portage County, Ohio, from "History of Portage County, Ohio" published by Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885 ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net AMOS F. HANNAH, hotel keeper, Nelson, was born in Nelson Township, this county, January 3, 1836, the second in a family of four children born to John and Clarissa (Foot) Hannah, natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively. John Hannah came to Ohio in 1813, lost his wife in 1844, and subsequently married Susan Hannah, who now resides with her step-son; John Hannah died in 1872. Our subject was married, in 1861, to Maria L. Clark, a native of Nelson, who has borne him five children, only two of whom, Archie and Ruby, are living. Mr. Hannah followed the occupation of a farmer until the spring of 1877, when he purchased the "Cascade House," erected in 1868 by H.L. Bancroft, at Nelson Ledges, one of the most romantic spots in Northern Ohio, which has become a very popular summer resort, and under Mr. Hannah;s able management the business of this hotel has steadily increased. GEORGE E. HEDGER, farmer, P.O. Garrettsville, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, May 24, 1837; son of Calvin and Sally (Richards) Hedger, natives of Connecticut and Vermont respectively, and early settlers of Trumbull County, both now deceased. They were the parents of seven children: Amanda, Alonzo, Joseph, Martha, Mary, John and George E. Our subject was brought up on a farm and has been engaged more or less extensively in raising and dealing in thoroughbred cattle. He came to this county in 1859, and on November 7, 1861, was married to Caroline Curtis, who was born June 11, 1837, on the place which has always been her home, daughter of Julius Curtis, who was born in Glastonbury, Conn., December 25, 1797, and who at the age of eighteen removed to Ohio, locating in Geauga County, where he remained five years and then returned to Connecticut. Later Mr. Curtis once more became a resident of Ohio, and in 1822 married Rhoda McCall, who is still living, aged seventy-six, and who bore him four children: Catherine, Ebenezer, Barsheba and Caroline. Mr. Curtis soon after his marriage came to this county, where he died March 6, 1883; he was a prominent stock-dealer and farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Hedger have two children: Walter J. and Susie A. Our subject has served nine years as Justice of the Peace, and has also been Trustee and Assessor of Nelson Township. JOHN S. HOBART, farmer, P.O. Parkman, Geauga County, was born in New Hampshire, November 25, 1806; son of Benjamin and Mary (Wheeler) Hobart, natives of Massachusetts. Our subject came to Ohio in 1814, and has always been a farmer. He was twice married, on the first occasion, in 1834, to Margaret Moore, who died October 29, 1856, the mother of nine children, as follows: Thomas M., Benjamin E., Mary E., Jefferson R., William W., Marsena, Freedom, Hannah and Marcellus. His second marriage occurred March 1, 1858, with Aurilla C. Alton, born at Warren, Ohio, December 16, 1823, daughter of William and Nancy (Budd) Netterfield, natives of southwestern Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Trumbull County, Ohio. Three children were born to this union: Addison, Allison and John S. Mr. Hobart has been a member of the Congregational Church at Nelson for forty years. LUMAN C. HOPKINS, farmer, P.O. Nelson, was born in Cornwall, Conn., May 8, 1820; son of Luman and Anna (Clark) Hopkins, natives of that State, who had a family of six children: Harriet (deceased), Catharine (deceased), Ann, Luman C., Palmer (deceased) and Charlotte. Luman Hopkins came in 1824 to the farm where Luman C. now lives and has always lived, when the latter was four years old. Our subject received a common school education, and chose the occupation of a farmer, which he has always followed, and for several years has conducted a large dairy. He has been twice married, on the first occasion, in 1844, to Miss Janette L. Sackett, who died in 1847. His second marriage, in April, 1848, was with Eliza Stilson, born in Palmyra Township, this county, June 16, 1828. By this union there were six children: Philo, George, Ernest, Nettie, Herbert (deceased) and Arthur. Mr. Hopkins has held the office of Township Trustee several times, also that of Township Treasurer. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for fourteen years. WILLIAM W. McCALL, farmer, P.O. Nelson, was born in Nelson Township, this county, January 13, 1834, son of Joseph and Mary P. (Sherwood) McCall, natives of Connecticut, and parents of five children who attained maturity. Joseph McCall was born in 1804, came to Ohio in 1820, and for fifty-three years resided on the homestead where he died June 26, 1884. His widow, who survives him, was born September 6, 1812, daughter of Joshua B. and Anna (Bonny) Sherwood, who brought her to Ohio in infancy. Mr. McCall was married October 21, 1856, to Miss Mary A. Knowlton, born in Nelson Township, this county, September 13, 1836. Mrs. McCall was the daughter of James and Isabel Knowlton. James Knowlton, a native of Blandford, Mass., came to Charlestown in this county in 1809, and to Nelson in 1810. Isabel (Nicholson) Knowlton was a native of Canaan, N.Y. To Mr. and Mrs. McCall were born five children: Jonathan N. (Superintendent of Schools at Ithaca, Mich.), Ella, Almon W. (a graduate of Garrettsville High School, and was engaged as Principal of the Girard schools, to assume the duties of this position on Monday, September 8, 1884, but the evening previous was drowned while bathing), Rosa M. and Ernest J. In early life our subject taught school, but subsequently identified himself with agricultural pursuits, and has since continued this occupation. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church about twenty-five years. THOMAS MERWIN, local minister, Nelson, was born in Onondaga County, N.Y., July 16, 1816, son of Jesse and Lydia (Ewers) Merwin, natives of New England, and who came to Ohio in 1822, settling in Nelson Township, this county, where the former was the first physician to practice. Our subject received a common school education and began life as a farmer. In 1853 he was ordained a minister of the Church of the United Brethern in Christ, in Stark County, Ohio, October 17, and appointed to preach at Nelson, McClintocksburg, Southington and Middlefield. He was obliged to retire, however, on account of his wife's precarious health. He was also called to the pulpit at Pierpont, Ohio, but declined, and at the following annual conference he withdrew from the itinerancy, and since then has held a local membership. He has since given his attention somewhat to his farming interests. Mr. Merwin was twice married. His first wife was Lucy M. Messenger, a native of Windham Township, this county, who died November 17, 1854, aged thirty-four years and four months, leaving two children to his care: Matthew A. and Wealtha Almina. His second wife was Mary A. Palm, born in Austintown, Mahoning Co., Ohio, by whom he has one son - John P. KETCHEL B. PAYNE, farmer, P.O. Parkman, Geauga County, was born in New York, August 18, 1812, son of Solomon J. and Lucretia (Bierce) Payne, natives of Connecticut, who came to Ohio in 1816 and located in the county and township. They were the parents of six children. Solomon J. Payne died at the age of forty-six years; his widow at the age of fifty-eight. Afforded but little opportunity to attend school, the education of our subject has been largely obtained in his intercourse with the world, and through business and social relations. He was married, April 18, 1844, to Mary Jane Chaffee, born in Vermont, February 7, 1826. They have four children living: Robert K., Benjamin F., Melinda E., wife of Robert Everett, and Solomon. Our subject has always been a farmer, and his ax has helped cut down the forests and to prepare the way for the many pleasant homes that now adorn the county. He has filled the offices of Treasurer and Constable; for many years he has been a consistent member of the Congregational Church. BENJAMIN F. PAYNE, farmer, P.O. Nelson, was born May 20, 1851, in Nelson, son of Ketchel B. and Mary Jane (Chaffee) Payne, natives of New York and Vermont respectively. Our subject availed himself of the advantages of a common school education, and has devoted his life to farming, in which he has been prominently successful. He was married September 30, 1871, to Miss Belle Brown, born December 30, 1854, in Parkman, daughter of James and Susan (Hannah) Brown. By this union there is one son - Algernon, born June 8, 1872. Mr. Payne purchased his present farm in 1872, and has a fine herd of Shorthorn cattle. During the spring he engages quite extensively in the manufacture of maple sugar, having an orchard of 800 maple trees. He is regarded as one of the promising young men of the county. He is now serving Nelson Township as Constable. EBENEZER T. PRENTICE, farmer, P.O. Nelson, was born in Onondaga County, N.Y. November 29, 1811, son of Salmon and Edna (Sweet) Prentice, also natives of the above county and State, and who were the parents of eight children, of whom Ebenezer T. is the sixth. Our subject was married in Chautauqua County, N.Y., June 15, 1836, to Sarah Vallance, born October 9, 1817, in Dutchess County, N.Y. By this union there are five children: Samuel, Byron, Charles, Cyrus and Eri (latter deceased). Mr. Prentice has always followed agricultural pursuits, clearing in all three farms. He came to Nelson Township, this county, in 1849, and located the farm on which he now lives. He has served the people as Trustee, and for nearly twenty years has been a F.&A.M. DUANE E. SHERWOOD, farmer, P.O. Nelson, was born on the place where he now resides, November 16, 1854, son of Ebenezer B. and Joanna (McCall) Sherwood, who were the parents of three children: Duane, Laura (now Mrs. Heddon) and Carrie (now Mrs. Mattison). Ebenezer B. Sherwod was a native of Connecticut, and came to Nelson Township, this county, in 1813. He was an energetic, enterprising man, and cleared a large tract of land. He died in 1882, aged seventy-two years. His widow still resides on the old homestead, at the advanced age of sixty-seven years. Our subject, who has been a farmer all his life, was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools of the district and at Hiram College. FRANKLIN SMITH, retired farmer, P.O. Garrettsville, was born in Bennington County, Vt., October 26, 1804. He was married to Alvira White, a native of Connecticut who bore him two sons and two daughters: Harriet (deceased), Warren, Albert J. and Eleanor, wife of George Combs. Mr. Smith immigrated to Geauga County, Ohio, in 1818, and is one of the oldest pioneers now living of that county. In 1825 he removed to Michigan for four years, and then returned to Geauga County, Ohio, purchased a large farm, upon which he resided for seventeen years, and then came to this county. His wife died, in September, 1880, and he has disposed of his farm and retired from the labors of an active life. He has been an energetic, enterprising man, and was ever considered one of the substantial, practical farmers of Nelson Township. At an early day Mr. Smith became a F.&A.M. ______________________________ ------------------------------ End of OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest V00 Issue #310 *******************************************