|
THOMAS
RAJALA, is an enterprising and well known merchant of
Conneaut. He was born in Wasa, Finland, Apr. 18, 1881, and is
the son of Thomas and Mary (Hunaks) Rajala, natives of
Finland. Mr. Rajala died Aug. 20, 1888, and his wife
died Apr. 28, 1918. They were the parents of the following
children: John, deceased; Otilla, married
Henry Kangas, lives in Finland; Lydia, married August
Takloma, lives in Finland; Mattie, lives in Conneaut;
Mary, married John Erkla, lives in Minnesota; Henry,
died in Mar. 1923; Thomas, the subject of this sketch; and
Eric and Senfa, both deceased.
Thomas Rajala was educated in Finland and came
to America in 1898, locating at Ashtabula, Ohio, where he remained
several years before coming to Conneaut. In 1906 Mr. Rajala
returned to Ashtabula for three years and since that time has lived
in Conneaut. He has been engaged in the bakery business since
1921 and has an extensive trade.
On Aug. 16, 1902, Mr. Rajala was married to
Miss Mary Maki, a native of Finland, born Oct. 24, 1878, and a
daughter of Samuel and Anna (Mannala) Maki. Mr. Maki
died in 1906 and his widow resides in Finland. They had three
children: Mrs. Rajala; Alena, married Andy Avinil,
lives in Massachusetts; and Emil, lies in Ironwood, Mich.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rajala have been born three children:
Louie D., born Mar. 10, 1906, was graduated from Conneaut High
School in 1923; Toini R., born Nov. 25, 1907, and O. O., born
May 17, 1909.
Mr. Rajalais a Republican and belongs to the
Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church and are
favorably known in Ashtabula County.
Source:
History of Ashtabula County, Ohio
by Moina W. Large - Vol. I - 1924 ~ Page 1052 |
|
JOHN W.
REDINGTON —Among the countless occupations to which men lend
their time and energies there are few that are fraught with greater
responsibilities or that demand a more perfect mental and physical
balance than that of the locomotive engineer. A grave responsibility
rests upon the shoulders of him who essays the duties of such a
position, and careful preparation and discipline are demanded.
John W. Redington, of Conneaut, Ohio, is one of those
clear-headed men to whom has come such preferment as a result of
unmistakable ability and fitness for the work, and he now holds a
desirable position as engineer on the Nickel Plate Railroad. Mr.
Redington was born at Salem, Columbiana county, Ohio, May 5,
1864, his parents being Michael and Ellen (Burke) Redington.
The father was born in Ireland and the mother in England, though she
also was of Irish descent. They were married on " the ould sod," and
while still in the fresh vigor of their young life turned their
faces toward the land of promise and came to America in 1862. They
located at New Haven, Connecticut, where, for a time, Mr.
Redington followed his trade, that of stone mason, subsequently
being concerned as a railroad contractor, and having charge of the
construction of the roads. He removed, after a few years, to Salem,
Ohio, and for twelve years gave his attention to railroad
contracting. He held various offices in the gift of the people of
Columbiana county, having served two terms as County Commissioner.
He-has ever taken vital interest in the political affairs of his
adopted country, having, in early years, been a member of the
Democratic party, but for the past eighteen years of the Republican.
He is now retired from active business, and at the mellow age of
sixty-eight years abides in well-earned repose at his pleasant home
in Salem. Mr. Redington has been twice married, and
two children were the result of the first union and six of the last.
The second wife, a gracious helpmeet, is still living, at the age of
forty-six years, secure in the love of husband and children. Of the
eight children death has claimed not one, and it is but consistent
that we make the following record concerning them: Mary is
the wife of William O'Brien, who is a resident of Kinsey,
Kansas, and is Road master on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
Railroad; Stella is the wife of John McGlyntcy
of Salem, Ohio; Maggie, the oldest of the second family, is
the wife of Jefferson Crouch, and resides at Salem;
our subject; John W. was the second-born of the second
family; Patrick; Michael; Sadie and Alice,
the three youngest of the family, are still at home. All, with but
one exception, are devoted members of the Roman Catholic Church.
John W. Redington, to whose life this sketch has
particular reference, learned the machinist's trade in the engine
works at Salem, Ohio, continuing his connection with that concern
for about three and one-half years. He then found it to his
advantage to make a change, and accordingly he resigned his position
and accepted one in charge of the machinery utilized in the
operation of extensive coal mines in the Ohio coal fields. In this
connection he remained about two years, then went to Alliance, Ohio,
and took charge of the great engine of the Alliance Hammer Works.
After six months, and looking to ultimate results, he accepted a
position as fireman on one of the engines of the Cleveland &
Pittsburgh Railroad. After about three years, and again descrying an
opportunity for a better field of labor, he came, in 1886, to
Conneaut and took position as fireman on the Nickel Plate Railroad.
Eight months of faithful and capable service in this connection
resulted in his promotion to the position of engineer, and he has
remained thus employed ever since. Each of the changes made was
purely voluntary on his part and each was the result of a wise
discernment. Good luck, so called, has attended his labors as
engineer: he has never met with any accident. It is fatuous to
ascribe this condition to luck, for, rather, it is the result of
constant care and practical ability on his part.
Mr. Redington was married October 16, 1889, to
Miss Ida, daughter of Benton and Julia (Joseph)
Smith, residents of Columbiana county, Ohio. Mrs.
Redington is the younger of the two children, her brother,
John, being a prominent farmer of Columbiana county, Ohio. He is
happily married and has two children: Nellie and Lida.
Mr. and Mrs. Redington have one child:
Sophronia Juliette, a precocious and winsome little
maiden, about two years of age. Mr. Redington and his
estimable wife are consistent members of the Congregational Church,
and he is prominently identified with the Masonic and other civic
societies. He is a member of the blue lodge, chapter, council and
also of Cache Comrnandery in the Masonic order; of the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers and the American Protective Association. In
politics he is a Republican. Mr. Reddington is a man
of fine physique, tips the beam at about 210 pounds and has a
pleasing address. He is a man who has made it a point to acquire a
broad intelligence upon general affairs, and he is especially well
informed in regard to all matters pertaining to his line of work. He
is one of the eighty-four individuals who compose the local
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers at Conneaut. It is somewhat
doubtful whether there exists in the State another organization, of
equal membership, representing but one line of occupation that can
show a better class of men, nor those who, as a rule, are better
versed, in their profession; have better information in regard to
the general topics of the day, or who have more just cause for being
proud of their organization.
Source:
Biographical history of northeastern Ohio - Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1893
~ Page 1009 |
FERN REGAL,
proprietor of the Regal Sales Agency, is a prominent and successful business man
of Ashtabula. He is the agent for the Royal Vacuum
Cleaner and the Easy Vacuum Electric Washer in Ashtabula,
Lake and Trumbull
counties.
Mr. Regal was born on a farm in Fowler
Township, Trumbull County, Ohio, Jan.
26, 1885, and is the son of Edgar and
Leota (Oatley) Regal.
Edgar Regal was born in
Ohio and during his life lived at Lennox,
where he owned a cheese factory. He died
in 1890 and his wife now lives in Ohio. Mr.
and Mrs. Regal had one son, Fern,
the subject of this sketch.
Fern Regal received his education in
the public schools at Mecca, Ohio, and in early
youth manifested a great interest in salesmanship. After selling various articles he became
the agent in Ashtabula
County for the Royal Electric Vacuum
Cleaner in 1916.
Mr. Regal’s place of business, which
is known as the Regal Sales Agency, is located at 74 Main Street.
He also deals in electric irons and other electrical necessities.
On Dec. 5, 1914,
Mr. Regal was united in marriage with
Miss Frances Goe, who is a member of
one of Ohio’s
oldest families. She is the daughter of
John H. and Adelle M. (Smith) Goe. Mr.
Goe wa a native of Trumbull County,
Ohio, and was born Sept. 17, 1841, the son of
John and Mary (Meek) Goe. John Goe was born in Ireland, Aug. 3, 1798, and came to this country in 1819 and
settled in Beaver County, Pa., where he remained until 1873, at which time he moved his family to
Trumbull County,
Ohio. He
became a prominent farmer and died a number of years ago. His wife was a daughter of
M. Meek, pioneer farmer of
Washington County, Ohio.
John H. Goe, father of
Mrs. Regal, was reared and educated
in Ohio and at the age of 20 years went to California by steamship. After five years he returned to
Ohio and engaged in farming until 1875, at
which time he engaged in the dry goods business at
Cortland, Ohio. He was married on Jan. 21, 1868, to
Miss Mary L. Brooks, who was born in
1846 and died Oct. 20, 1874, leaving two children:
Arthur M., deceased; and Ray, deceased. In 1875
Mr. Goe was married to Miss Adelle M. Smith,
who was born in Trumbull County,
Ohio, Sept. 1, 1853, and the
daughter of Rev. Calvin and Marie Smith. To this union two children were born:
Alice, married
C. W. Kennedy;
and
Francis A. Regal, born Aug. 24, 1889. Mr.
Goe died in May, 1923, and his wife resides in
Ashtabula. To
Mr. and Mrs. Regal one daughter has
been born, Miriam, born June 6, 1918.
Mr. Regal is a member of the
Church
of Christ. He is a man esteemed in his community for
his integrity, and spirit of co-operation in all civic affairs.
~ Source #2:
History of Ashtabula County,
Ohio by Moina W. Large - Vol. I –
1924 – Page 467 |
|
CLARK E.
RICHARD, a prosperous farmer of Andover township, is a native
of Pennsylvania. He was born at West Salem, June 14, 1870, and is the
son of Abraham P. and Hannah (Artman) Richard.
Abraham P. Richard was a native of Pennsylvania,
born November 26, 1837. He moved his family to Ohio in 1882 and
settled on the present Richard farm in Andover township. Mr.
Richard was successful as a farmer and stockman and was well
known throughout the county. He died March 11, 1916, and his wife, who
was born July 9, 1838, died August 20, 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Richard
were the parents of the following children: Milton, lives at
Youngstown, Ohio; Frank, deceased; Clark E., the subject
of this sketch Oscar W., lives at Erie, Pa., and five
children died in infancy.
Clark E. Richard spent his boyhood on the home place
and attended the district schools. In 1899 Mr. Richard
took over the home place in Andover township, which he has since
operated. He specializes in the breeding of dairy stock and is an
extensive dairyman.
On November 28, 1906, Mr. Richard was
married to Miss Alice Barber, a native of Williamsfield, Ohio,
born March 9, 1885, and the daughter of Ansel and Harriet Barber,
deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Richard four
daughters have been born as follows: Gladys B. born February
13, 1908; Ruth and Ruby, twins, born June 5, 1910; and
Arlie Irene, born November 9, 1911.
Mr. Richard is an independent voter. He is a
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr.
Richard is a substantial man, industrious and capable, who has
made a success of his work.
Source:
History of Ashtabula County, Ohio
by Moina W. Large - Vol. I - 1924 ~ Page 1003 |
|
CLARENCE E. RICHARDSON. One of the old and
substantial families of Ashtabula, who aided in
the upbuilding of a great and prosperous community, was the Richardson family, of whom
Clarence E., is a member. He was born in
Ashtabula, Dec.
25, 1856, and is a son of Capt. Chauncey
and Eliza (Scoville) Richardson.
Henry Richardson, grandfather of
the subject of this sketch, was a pioneer of the northern Ohio lake shore
region, was a merchant at one time and some 70 years ago was lighthouse keeper
at Madison Dock. It was at Madison Dock
that the late Capt. Chauncey Richardson
was born in 1832. He was a brother of the
late Capt. W. C. Richardson, also
prominent in lake shipping circles.
Capt. Chauncey
Richardson was captain on a vessel
many years and for five years, during
Grover Cleveland’s administration, was collector of customs at
Ashtabula Harbor. He died very suddenly while on a pleasure
trip up the lakes with his wife and friends in 1900. His wife was born in Ashtabula in 1832, the daughter of
Adnah and Persis Scoville. She died in 1901.
Adnah Scoville, one of
Ashtabula’s
oldest pioneers, was a brother of George
Scoville. They were blacksmiths and
had large families, most of whom are now deceased.
Adnah Scoville was a prime mover in the Good Templar’s society and a great
church worker in the Methodist denomination.
He was at one time mayor of
Ashtabula.
To
Chauncey and Eliza (Scoville) Richardson two sons
were born: Clarence E., and
Charley Henry
The latter resides in
Ashtabula
and has had an active career as a banker, merchant, and for 26 years was
associated with the Richards Bros.,
Wholesale Grocers, being at the head of the office force and a buyer. For the past two years he has been office
manager of the Ashtabula Bow Socket Company, as well as auditor for the Peoples
Building & Loan Company. He is married
and lives on North Main Street.
Clarence E. Richardson was educated
in the Ashtabula
public schools and spent the following nine years in the Ashtabula offices of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern
Railway, six years of which he served as cashier.
The next five years he was secretary of the Bradley Mfg. Co., of
Ashtabula. Mr.
Richardson was associated for 22 years with his uncle, the late
Capt. W. C. Richardson, in the vessel
offices of the W. C. Richardson & Co.,
who handled 20 steamboats up to three years ago when the various vessel
companies were merged into one, now called the Columbia Steamship Company, and
managed through the offices of Oglebay, Norton & Co., Hanna Bldg., Cleveland. Clarence E. Richardson retired from the positions of secretary and treasurer of
the various companies, and in 1923 engaged in the real estate business, with
offices in the National Bank Building in Ashtabula. He was
also associated with the Crabbe-Carrell
Company, real estate dealers of
Cleveland, where he has resided for the past 24 years. His home is at
1860 Alvason Road, East
Cleveland.
In March, 1885,
Mr. Richardson was united in marriage with
Miss Caroline King, the daughter of Wallace B. and Eliza (McHugh) King, both now deceased.
Mrs. Richardson was born at Racine,
Wis., and educated in the public schools of Youngstown, Ohio, and at Hiram College. She is a member of the Hiram Club of
Cleveland and several other
organizations.
Mr. Richardson is a past master of
Rising Sun Lodge No. 22, F. & A. M., a member of Western Reserve Chapter Royal
Arch Masons, Columbian Commandery No. 52, Knights Templars, Cleveland Council,
Lake Erie Consistory, Scottish Rite, Al Koran Shrine, Al Sirrat Grotto, Masonic
Lodge, the Lions Club and the Union Club of Cleveland. He is a life member of the Ashtabula Lodge
No. 308, B. P. O. E., of which lodge he was a prime mover in its organization in
1890, and its second exalted ruler. He is
also past president of the Cleveland Society of Ashtabula County. He served as mayor of
Ashtabula during the years 1888 and 1889 and has seen the city grow
from a small town to one now assuming metropolitan airs, and “Clarence” says “Ashtabula is surely on the map”.
Some 50 years ago
Mr. Richardson was quite musically
and theatrically inclined and in 1873 organized the once famous Commonwealth
Minstrel Company, which organization was kept up for several years. Later he was treasurer for the ten famous
Walter L. Main Circus and Menageries,
but he says now as time passes on he is content to let the younger fellows take
a hand.
Source #2:
History of
Ashtabula County, Ohio by Moina W. Large - Vol. I – 1924 – Page 464
- Portrait on page 464a |
|
LOREN
WARREN RING, deceased, was a prominent citizen of
Ashtabula County for many years. He was born at Edinboro, Pa.,
Mar. 26, 1852, and the son of Almon and Eliza (Marble) Ring.
The Ring family settled in Ashtabula County
during the early days and were leading farmers. Loren
Warren, the subject of this sketch, has the following brothers
and sisters: Frank, George, Truman, Cornelia and
Mary, all of whom are now deceased.
Loren Warren Ring came to Ashtabula County when
a young man and engaged in general farming and stock raising.
He owned 302 acres of land which he improved, and at the time of his
death, March 26, 1905, he was among the prosperous farmers of
Conneaut Township.
Mr. Ring was married on Jan. 1, 1877, to Miss
Mary Jane Titus, a native of Conneaut Township, was born in
1854, and the daughter of Anson and Jane (Risley)
Titus, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of
New York. The Titus family were among the earliest
settlers of Ashtabula County, making the trip from their native
states by horse and wagon. They settled at Kelloggsville,
where Mr. Titus became a leading citizen. He died Oct.
20, 1881, at the age of 81 years, and his second wife died at the
age of 70 years. Mr. and Mrs. Titus were the parents of
the following children: Mrs. Ring; Ernest, a
fruit farmer, lives on the old home place; Isabel, married
John Irish, lives at Conneaut; Sarah, Henry, Marcus, Mary
Ann, and Alma, all of whom are deceased. The last
named five children were the children of Mr. Titus and his
first wife, and half-brothers and sisters of Mrs. Ring.
To Loren Warren and Mary Jane (Titus) Ring four children were
born, as follows: Milton A., an extensive fruit farmer,
lives at home; Roy Ernest, also a fruit farmer,
Conneaut Township; Bessie Belle, married William H. Baird,
lives in Conneaut Township; and John Burton, fruit farmer,
Conneaut Township. Mrs. Ring has ten grandchildren.
Mr. Ring was a Republican and a reliable and
highly respected citizen of his community.
Source:
History of Ashtabula County, Ohio
by Moina W. Large - Vol. I - 1924 ~ page 713
SHARON WICK'S NOTE: Loren W. Ring and Mary Ring are buried at
Amboy Cemetery, Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., Ohio.
Near them are Leonarda F. and Milton Ring. |
|
WARREN B.
RISLEY is a substantial citizen of Ashtabula County.
He was born in Conneaut Township, April 18, 1871, and is the son of
Henry and Laura (Tripp) Risley, natives of New York and Ohio,
respectively: Mr. and Mrs. Risley were the parents of the
following children: Delilah, deceased, was the wife of
W. B. Carter; Emery, a farmer, lives in Conneaut Township,
Ashtabula County; L. L., also a farmer in Conneaut Township;
Clara, married M. B. Lillie, lives at Conneaut;
Joseph L., lives at Conneaut; Warren B., the subject of
this sketch; and Warner, died in infancy. Mr. Risley
died May 27, 1913, and his wife died July 27, 1889.
Warren B. Risley spent his boyhood on his
father's farm in Conneaut Township and attended the district
schools. He began life as a hardware clerk for Charles M.
Traver in Conneaut, where he remained for three years.
Since 1907 he has been in the employ of hte Bessemer & Lake Erie
Railroad as telegraph operator and clerk, in which capacity he now
serves.
On June 8, 1898, Mr. Risley was united in
marriage with Miss Bertha Mae Phillips, a native of
Pennsylvania, and the daughter of George W. and Eleanora L. (Fraiser)
Phillips, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of
Pennsylvania. Mr. Phillips died April 7, 1899.
His wife died June 11, 1924. Before her marriage, Mrs.
Phillips taught school. There were five children in the
Phillips family: Clarence I., lives at Evansville, Ind.,;
Mrs. Risley; Glen G., lives at Toledo, Ohio; Clara,
a vocalist, married Dr. C. G. Shreve, lives at Martin's
Ferry, Ohio; and Georgia, also a vocalist, married Frank
Needham, lives at Cleveland. Before her marriage Mrs.
Risley taught music. To Warren B. and Bertha Mae
(Phillips) Risley have been born three children:
Zatella, born March 24, 1899, died March 27, 1899; Clarence
T., born March 29, 1902, attends college; and Henry George,
born Jan. 29, 1907, died in infancy. Clarence T. Risley
is studying medicine at Denison University in Ohio.
Mr. Risley is a Republican and a member of the
Baptist Church. He is a reliable citizen, who is highly
esteemed by his fellow citizens.
Source:
History of Ashtabula County, Ohio
by Moina W. Large - Vol. I - 1924 ~ Page 679 |
|
JOHN S. RIST,
a substantial citizen of Conneaut, in the employ of the Pittsburgh &
Conneaut Dock Company as a foreman, was born at Connellsville, in
Fayette County, Pa., June 8, 1872, and is a son of John S. and
Catherine (Bailey) Rist.)
Conrad Rist, grandfather of the subject of this
sketch, was among the earliest settlers of Philadelphia. His
son, John S., Sr., was employed by the National Locomotive
Works at Erie, Pa., for a number of years. He was a Republican
and a prominent politician in his time. He died Oct. 24, 1876, and
his wife died Oct. 25, 1921. They were the parents of the
following children: George, lives at Connellsville, Pa.;
Charles, lives at Conneaut; Mary married William Cole,
lives at Pittsburgh, Pa.; John S., the subject of this
sketch; and Anna, died in infancy.
John S. Rist spent his boyhood at Braddock, Pa.,
and attended the public schools there. After spending 13 years
there in the employ of the public schools there. After
spending 13 years there in the employ of the Edgar Thompson
Steel Works, he traveled throughout the country, working at his
trade, that of a tin smith and plumber. In 1904 he located at
Conneaut, where he entered the employ of the Pittsburgh & Conneaut
Dock Company, and in 1907 was promoted to foreman of the plumbing
department.
On Nov. 19, 1890, Mr. Rist was married to
Miss Tennie Cogan, who was born at Titusville, Pa., Dec. 9,
1873. To this union were born three children: Clyde
S., a conductor on the New York Central Railroad, lives at
Cleveland; Leroy lives at East Alton, Ill., is a World War
veteran; and Earl, deceased. On Dec. 24, 1913, Mr. Rist
was married to Miss Hazel B. Groninger. Mrs. Rist has
the following brothers and sisters: Harry E., lives in
Pennsylvania; Edna, married Alfred Beers, lives in
Cleveland; Charles H.; Hilda; Leona H., and Glen.
Mr. Groninger died May 15, 1919, and his wife died in 1891.
To John S. and Hazel B. (Groninger) Rist has been born one
son, John S., Jr., born Apr. 21, 1918.
Mr. Rist is identified with the Republican party
and is a member of the Methodist church.
Source:
History of Ashtabula County, Ohio
by Moina W. Large - Vol. I - 1924 ~ Page 1060 |
|
LEVI RITTER,
of Dorset township, Ashtabula county, was born December 7, 1829, a son
of Christian Ritter, a native of Pennsylvania. The latter's father,
Jacob Ritter, was of German parentage, and one of the first
settlers of Canfield, Mahoning county, Ohio, Christian Ritter was
married in Mahoning county, to Mary Dustman, a native of
that county, and of German descent. They afterward spent four years in
Wood county, Ohio, returned to Mahoning county; later went to
Champion, Trumbull county, Ohio, and in 1857 removed to Lenox
township, Ashtabula county. Mr. Ritter, a farmer by occupation,
died at the age of eighty-four years, and his wife departed this life
at the age of eighty-three years. They had nine children, viz.:
Rebecca, Jacob, Adaline, Levi, Barbara, Elias, Sarah, Christopher,
Washington, and one deceased in infancy.
Levi Ritter, the subject of this notice,
was early inured to farm labor. He has followed carpentering most of
his life, and also owns a well improved farm of forty-eight acres. He
has a good one-and-a-half story residence, 16 x 24 feet, with an " L "
of the same dimensions, and a barn 30 x 40 feet.
Mr. Ritter was married at the age of twenty-three
years, to Eveline C. Kibler, a daughter of Adam and
Elizabeth (Brandon) Kibler, natives of Virginia, members of old
and prominent families in that State. The father died at the age of
sixty years, and the mother at the age of seventy-two years. They had
eleven children, namely: Sarah, Julia, Martha, Polly, William,
Eveline, George, Zachariah, Eliza, James and Nancy. Mr.
and Mrs. Ritter have four children: George, at home;
William, married, resides in Windham, Portage county, Ohio;
Emma, wife of Comfort Struck, of Canfield, Mahoning
county; and Floyd, at home.
Source:
Biographical history of northeastern Ohio - Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1893
~ Page 170
|
JUDGE
JAMES W. ROBERTS of the Court of Appeals at Jefferson, is one
of the widely known and successful attorneys of Ashtabula County.
He was born at Kinsman, in Trumbull County, Ohio, Aug. 3, 1858, and
is a son of Lorenzo W. and Mary Jane (Ward) Roberts.
Lorenzo W. Roberts, deceased, was a
veteran of the Civil War. He was born at St. Albans, Vt. and
at an early date settled in Lake County, Ohio, and later went to
Trumbull County, where he engaged in farming and stock raising.
He served in the 10th Ohio Cavalry throughout the Civil War and died
in February, 1905. He was a Republican and a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic. His wife died in October, 1910.
Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were the parents of five children:
James W., the subject of this sketch; Harriet A.,
lives at Kinsman, Ohio; Frank A., hardware dealer, lives at
Kinsman, Ohio; Perry M., building contractor, lives at
Geneva, Ohio; and Arva L., lives at Kinsman, Ohio.
Judge James W. Roberts was reared on
his father's farm and received his education in eth Kinsman Academy
and also attended Jamestown Seminary. After teaching school
for several terms, he began the study of "law with Clarence
Darrow, and was admitted to the bar in 1881. Judge
Roberts practiced his profession at Andover from 1884 until
1897, at which time he removed to Jefferson, where he formed a
partnership with S. A. Northway. After several years
Judge Roberts became associated with E. S. Perry,
who later served as common pleas judge. He was appointed
common pleas judge on Aug. 3, 1905, by Governor Herrick to
succeed Judge Hall, who died while in office. After
serving Judge Hall's unexpired term, he was reelected to this
office for three successive terms and in February, 1921, resigned as
common pleas judge to accept his present office.
On May 24, 1883, Judge Roberts was united in
marriage with Miss Clara C. Brockway, a native of Mercer
County, Pa., and a daughter of Jeremiah and Caroline Brockway,
natives of Pennsylvania, now deceased. There were four
children in the Brockway family ; Sumner S. and
Wendell W., both deceased; Mrs. Roberts; and Martha M.,
married Frank A. Roberts, hardware dealer of Kinsman, Ohio.
To Judge and Mrs. Roberts three children were born; Ethel
E., court reporter in the Court of Appeals, lives at home;
Burke B., a graduate of Case School of Applied Science, Ohio
University, and Baldwin-Wallace University, now a civil engineer in
the employ of the Crowell-Little Construction Company of
Cleveland; and Mary C., married R. A. VanWye, lives at
Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a veteran of the World War and after
two years in active service was selected as a member of General
Pershing's band. There are four grandchildren: James W.,
and Burke B. Roberts; John R., and Nancy VanWye.
Judge Roberts is a Republican and belongs to the
Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern
Woodmen of America and the Elks Lodge. Judge Roberts is
a capable lawyer and has a wide acquaintance in Ashtabula County.
Source:
History of Ashtabula County, Ohio
by Moina W. Large - Vol. I - 1924 ~ Page 1065 |
JOHN
PORTEOUS ROBERTSON. This gentleman is the oldest of
eleven, the children of John and Marbaret Robertson, the
former of whom was a native of Jedburgh, Scotland, and the latter of
Cambridge, New York, from which point they removed to Ripley,
Chautauqua county, New York, in 1827, and from there to Ashtabula in
1847. Here they died, the father in 1851, and the mother three
years later. The subject of this sketch was born in Cambridge,
New York, Oct. 3, 1807. the opportunities afforded him for an
education were limited, consisting of from four to six months per
year at the district school, until he had arrived at the age of
twelve years. His ambition was to acquire an education and fit
himself for teaching; but his father's means being limited, and a
large family to support, he was taken into the blacksmith shop with
his father and remained there till of age. With the one
purpose still in view, he saved every sixpence. He had hoarded
enough to purchase a set of school-books, and every spare hour was
from this time on employed in "digging out" the hard problems of old
Pike and mastering Murray, which was done without a teacher.
Thus, by dint of hard study, he was, on attaining his majority, a
fair English scholar.
From 1828 to 1834 his time was occupied principally in
teaching. In 1835 he began his mercantile career in Rockville,
Crawford county, Pennsylvania, with a capital of less than one
thousand dollars; came to Ashtabula in 1838, and has remained there,
the greater part of the time engaged in trade, until this time.
The crash of 1837 found him in Pittsburgh with a fleet of ten boats
or arks loaded with lumber. The was landed two days after the
suspension of the banks. He lost two thousand dollars by this
venture; came home, closed up business, paying every indebtedness in
full, and with the one thousand dollars saved from the wreck came to
Ashtabula and entered into a copartnership with J. I. Post &
Co. Since 1841, with the exception of three yars, he has
"sailed his own ship." During his long and busy life, Mr.
Robertson has filled many official positions, beginning, in
1836, by an appointment as justice of the peace by the governor of
Pennsylvania. Has been a mayor of Ashtabula one year; eight
years member of council; six years township trustee; seven years
treasurer of township; five years treasurer of borough; and six
years treasurer and member of board of education. Mr.
Robertson was on Jan. 26, 1836, united in marriage to Miss
Lovenia, daughter of John and Susannah Seiple, of
Rockville, Crawford county, New York. From this union seven
children have been born, three of whom are boys and unmarried.
The eldest daughter, Mary, married James H. Prentice,
and resides in Saginaw, Michigan; Margaret, the next
daughter, married G. C. Mygall, of Ashtabula; Alice is
unmarried; Caroline married George W. Kepler, who
perished in the Ashtabula disaster, Dec. 29, 1876. He was at
the time of his death proprietor of the Erie store, a young man of
splendid business talent, and highly esteemed by his associates.
His remained were never found. His widow still carries on the
business, under the name of Kepler & Co.
Politically, Mr. Robertson began life as an
old line Whig, and is now a Republican, stanch and true.
His religious belief is Calvinistic. Having been
trained in the Scotch Presbyterian church, he early embraced its
faith, and is now an elder of that church. His life has been a
busy one, and he has now the satisfaction of knowing that he has
ever met his obligations, has done his share towards supporting
church and state, to assist the needy, and to benefit his fellow
man.
Source #3 -
1798
History of Ashtabula County, Ohio - Page 146 |
ANDREW L. RODGERS, a prominent ex-employe
of the Lake Shore Railroad Company, in the capacity of superintendent
of buildings and bridges on the entire Toledo Division, was born in
Randolph, Orange county, Vermont, Apr. 4, 1818. His father,
Adonijah B. Rodgers, was born in Norwich,
Connecticut, and was a carpenter by occupation. He married
Alsa Woodard, also a native of the New England
States. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was
wounded in the battle of Lundy's Lane, losing a knee-cap. He
emigrated to Vermont about 1812; some years later moved to New York,
and died in Syracuse, that State, at the age of eighty-two years.
This worthy couple had six children: one died in infancy; A.
L., subject of this sketch; Frederick,
living near Syracuse, New York; Cornelia died with
cholera in 1832, when young; Betsy; and
Adaline, who married Charles Leer, and died
at the age of forty. The paternal grandfather of the subject of
this notice, Adonijah Rodgers, was a merchant by
occupation. He married a Miss Noble, a native
of Scotland. Eight children were born to them; Andrew,
Pelatiah, Nehemiah, Benjamin, Sallie, Betsy, Clara and
Harriet. The grandfather died at the advanced
age of probably ninety years, and while our subject was serving his
apprenticeship.
The gentleman whose name
heads this brief biography was reared and liberally educated in his
native city. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to
Samuel Doyl, of Montpelier, in the same State, to
learn the carpenters' trade, requiring a service of seven years to
became its master, during which time he worked in Vermont and in Essex
county, New York. His trade learned, Mr. Rodgers
decided to settle in the West, toward which emigration was
turning, and accordingly, in his twenty-second year, commenced his
journey to Ohio. He visited, however, along the way for a few
months, finally stopping in Trumbull county, Ohio, securing work in
Niles, Youngstown and other points, and being there employed for about
seven years. He next removed to Orwell, Ashtabula county, the
same State, and there built many substantial structures, which may yet
be seen, after a lapse of forty years, in good condition. Five
or six years later he came to Ashtabula to reside, which has since
been his permanent home. In 1852 he secured employment with the
Lake Shore Railroad Company as a carpenter, at $1.25 a day, and after
working three weeks was given charge of a gang of men and ordered to
report direct to the engineer's department. One year later he
was given general supervision of the repair work on buildings and
bridges, and was sent to superintend the construction of all the
wooden structures on a railroad line running from Jamestown to
Franklin, and afterward extended to Oil City. On his return to the
Lake Shire Railroad Mr. Rodgers was promoted to be
foreman of construction on the Toledo Division of the Lake Shore &
Michigan Southern Railroad, then consolidated. After erecting
the iron bridge at Ashtabula he was ordered to Cleveland to
superintend the construction of the new depot, a building 185 x 300 x
66 feet. These and many other important services were rendered
by Mr. Rodgers to his company during his twenty-eight years of
faithful and efficient service, which ended in 1880. Mr. Rodgers
has invested largely in real estate in Ashtabula and other cities, and
these investments yield him a handsome income, and to them be now
devotes his attention, enjoying in comfort the products of his earlier
years of labor.
In September, 1841, Mr.
Rodgers married Lydia Ann Raxford, a lady highly esteemed for her many
excellent qualities, and daughter of David and Jane (Smith) Raxford.
They have had three childen, two of whom survive: Andrew
Benjamin, residing in Geneva,
Source:
Biographical history of northeastern Ohio - Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1893
~ Page 584 |
ALVA W.
ROGERS, a successful business man of Ashtabula, engaged in
the transfer business, is a member of one of Ohio's prominent
pioneer families. He was born at Lenox, Ohio, Jan. 5, 1850,
and is the son of William E. and Lucy A. (Loomis) Rogers.
In 1830 William E. Rogers came to Ashtabula
County from his native state, Connecticut. He follows general
farming during his life and net with success. Mr. Rogers
died in 1908 and his wife died in 1880. They were the
parents of the following children: Lucy, died at the
age of 13 yeas; Alva W., the subject of this sketch;
Henderson lives at Jefferson, Ohio; Eda A., married
Frank Marsh, both deceased; and Alice, deceased.
Alva W. Rogers spent his boyhood on his father's
farm and received his education in the district schools. At
the age of 24 years he removed to Ashtabula and engaged in the
transfer business, operating one wagon. Horse drawn street
cars were being used at that time in Ashtabula and Mr. Rogers
relates many interesting stories of early day life in the county.
He has lived in the same house since 1884. Mr. Rogers
carries on a large volume of business and is known as an
enterprising and progressive citizen of his community.
On April 5, 1882, Mr. Rogers was married to
Miss Lillian Webster, a native of Kingsville, Ohio, and the
daughter of Lyman and Anna (Hart) Webster, natives of England
and early settlers of Massachusetts and later of Kingsville, Ohio.
Mr. Webster became a prosperous farmer of his community and
was well known. To Alva W. and Lillian (Webster) Rogers
four children were born as follows: Fred, who was
killed in an accident in 1907; Effie, married E. F. Clark,
lives at Jefferson, and they have seven children, Lillian,
Jeanette, Luella, Robert, Dorothy, James and Norman; and
Lawrence, married Pearl Sims, lives in Ashtabula, and
they have one child: Jean Adair; and Clifford C., a
clerk in the New York Central Railroad freight office at Ashtabula.
Politically, Mr. Rogers is a Republican.
He and his family are members of the Baptist church and are highly
esteemed members of their community.
Source:
History of Ashtabula County, Ohio
by Moina W. Large - Vol. I - 1924 ~ Page 576 - photo in book. |
J.
C. RODGERS, a well known general merchant of Colebrook, is a
native of Ashtabula County. He was born in Colebrook Township,
May 11, 1892, and is the son of J. C. and Emma (Thurber)
Rodgers.
J. C.
Rodgers, deceased, was born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 23, 1860,
and was the son of William and Mary Rodgers, who came to this county
in 1878 and settled on a farm in Colebook Township. J. C.
Rodgers followed farming during the early part of his life and later
became a merchant at Colebrook, where he opened a store in 1897.
In 1907 he sold his business and served as county commissioner
of Ashtabula County for two terms. In 1910 he purchased the
business of Wade & Andrews at Orwell, and five years
later made his sons partners in the business, which was then
known as Rodgers & Sons Company. Mr.
Rodgers died Jan. 9, 1916, and is buried at Colebrook.
He was the owner of 240 acres of good farm land in Colebrook Township
and the Rodgers residence at Colebrook is among the attractive homes
of that section. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and a thirty-second degree Mason.
J. C. Rodgers was reared and educated at Colebrook,
where he has always lived. He has a well established business
and is widely known throughout the county.
Source:
History of Ashtabula County, Ohio
by Moina W. Large - Vol. I - 1924 ~ Page 1082 |
C. N. ROYCE
- The lumber industry is well represented in Jefferson, Ohio, by the
subject of this sketch, who is largely engaged in the manufacture of
all building material, and who by his energetic efforts has done
much to advance the interests of the city and county.
Mr. Royce, was born in Lenox township, Ashtabula
county, Ohio, May 2, 1848, son of Jasper and Malinda (Chapin)
Royce, natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively.
His father removed with his first wife from New Jersey to Ohio about
1835, when that State was wild and unsettled, Indians being
plentiful and much game abounding. He settled in the woodland
of Lenox township, Ashtabula county, where he was deprived by death
of his first wife. Some time afterward he married the mother
of the subject of this sketch, who came with her parents to
Ashtabula county in the '30s.
C. N. Royce was reared on a farm and received a
common-school education. When sixteen years of age he had the
misfortune to lose his mother, and at the age of nineteen was doubly
bereft of his father. Thus early deprived of parental care and
guidance he soon learned to shift for himself, learning those
lessons of self-reliance and perseverance which have since been of
such incalculable benefit and have aided in placing him in his
present prosperous and honorable position. He was married Jan.
12, 1869, to Miss Rildie E. Dodge, daughter of Edward R.
and Harriet A. (Groves) Dodge. The father died in 1885;
the mother lives with her daughter. They were natives of New
York and Ohio, respectively, and they have two daughters, Amy A.
and Nellie. After marriage, Mr. Royce and
his wife settled in Lenox township on a farm, which he industriously
improved until 1882, making it one of the best farms in the county
and greatly enhancing its value. In 1885, he removed to
Jefferson, where for the last few years he has been extensively
engaged in the lumber business, operating both a saw and planing
mill, the former with a daily output of 8,000 feet and the latter
3,000. He handles all kinds of building material and for the
last few years has dealt largely in carriages, from which varied
enterprises he derives a profitable income, and is the means of
furnishing employment to a large number of people, and has done much
toward advancing the interests of the community.
In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.
He is a worthy member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
Ensign Lodge No. 400. As a Business man he is upright and
energetic, and as a citizen is progressive and public spirited,
enjoying to a high degree the confidence and esteem of his fellow
man.
Source:
History of Ashtabula County, Ohio
by Moina W. Large - Vol. I - 1924 ~ Page 490 |
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