BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Portage County, Ohio
Vol. 2
by Warner, Beers & Co.
1885
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INDEX >
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BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >
James F. Davidson |
Brimfield Twp. -
JAMES F. DAVIDSON, farmer, P. O. Brimfield, was born in
Buffalo Valley, Union Co., Penn., February 19, 1809; son of William and Mary
(Forester) Davidson, who settled in Springfield, Summit Co., Ohio, in 1816,
where they remained four years, settling in the spring of 1820 in Brimfield
Township, this county, on Lot 52, now owned by J. W. Sherman, where they
built a log-house and barn and cleared about thirty acres. They lived
there eleven years, when they moved to the farm now owned by Joseph
Fitch, and there lived and died. They had nine children: Jane H.,
Dorcas F., Betsey C, James F., Hetty M., John F., Mary M., William F. and
Harriet T., all now deceased but James F. Our subject
located on the farm where he now resides in 1859, and that portion of Lot 58 now
included in his farm he cleared and improved himself. He is one of the
representative farmers and citizens of Brimfield Township. In politics he
is a Republican
Source:
History of Portage County, Ohio - Vol. 2 - by Warner, Beers & Co. - 1885 -
Page 607
Portrait on page 520 |
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Garrettsville Twp. -
EDWARD L. DAVIS, grocer, Garrettsville, was born in
Shropshire, England, Mar. 8, 1840, and was brought to America when eleven years
of age by his father, Ellis Davis. They first located in Ravenna,
and from there went to Hiram Rapids, where they lived a few yeas. Ellis
Davis, who was a miller by trade, died in Garrettsville Sept. 3, 1865; his
wife died in England about 1843. Their children were two in number:
Ellis, who is in the insurance business in Cleveland, Ohio, and Edward L.
Our subject received a common school education, and early in life began to work
at the miller's trade. He was twice married, on first occasion Nov. 3,
1861, to Ann Ferry, who died Aug. 19, 1875, leaving to his care two
children: Mary G. and Ellis F. Mr. Davis was again
married Mar. 23, 1876, this time to Emma L. Morgan (widow of H. Morgan,
(widow of H. Morgan, of Hartsgrove Township, by whom she had one daughter
- Maud, now living with her step-father). By this union there were
two girls: Grace and Daisy. Mrs. Davis died Oct. 18,
1880. Our subject in 1861 took charge of the grist-mill at Garrettsville
and five years later purchased an interest in the same, but in 1880, owing to
the effects of dust on his lungs, he was forced to retire from milling. He
then purchased an interest in a grocery, but two years later again gave up
active business. The following year he purchased a stock of groceries, and
is still engaged in that business. Mr. Davis has served the people
as City Clerk two terms, and on the Board of Education three years. He is
an active member of Portage Lodge, I. O. O. F.
Source:
History of Portage County, Ohio - Vol. 2 - by Warner, Beers & Co. - 1885 - Page
725 |
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Hiram Twp. -
STEPHEN H. DAVIS, farmer, P. O. Rapids, was born in
Washington County, R. I., Aug. 23, 1829, son of Peter and Mary Ann (Hazard)
Davis, who moved to New York State in 1840, where they remained until 1852,
at which time they came to Geauga County, Ohio, where they now reside. Our
subject began at the age of seventeen years as an apprentice to blacksmithing,
which trade he continued for twenty-four years, mostly in Janesville, N. Y.
In 1866 he immigrated to this county and purchased land in Hiram Township, which
he has improved and upon which he still resides. He was married Nov.
5, 1850, to Miss Martha Ashard, born in Madison County, N. Y., Sept. 13,
1830, daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Howd) Ashard, residents of Madison,
and where Mr. Ashard died; his widow died in Hiram Township, this county.
Our subject is the father of five children, of whom two survive: William J.
and Mary H. Mr. Davis has given his attention since coming to
this county to agriculture. He was a member of the lodge of I. O. O. F.,
which gave in its charter in 1864. He is a Democrat in politics. His
wife is an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source:
History of Portage County, Ohio - Vol. 2 - by Warner, Beers & Co. - 1885
- Page 742 |
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Palmyra Twp. -
WILLIAM C. DAVIS, proprietor of restaurant and billiard
room, Diamond, was born in Paris Township, this county, in August, 1844, son of
John D. and Margaret (Jones) Davis, and grandson of William Davis,
one of the earliest pioneers of Palmyra Township. His father moved from
Paris Township to Palmyra Township in 1847, settling on a farm, where he died in
February, 1883, aged seventy-one years. The widow, who subsequently
married William Edwards, now resides in Alliance. The subject of
this sketch, one of eight children, was brought up on the farm, and served an
apprenticeship of three yeas in Cleveland as a stone-cutter. He worked at
his trade until he came to this place in the summer of 1880, and, purchasing a
lot, built his present residence and billiard room. This was the second
building erected in the place, and Mr. Davis has carried on a large and
successful business. He was married at Cleveland, Ohio, in May, 1872, to
Mary, daughter of Silas Betts, of Canfield. Three children
have been born to bless this union: Roscoe, Daisy, and Gracie,
latter of whom died in 1881, aged twenty-three days. Mr. Davis is a
man of influence in the community, highly respected by all who know him.
Source:
History of Portage County, Ohio - Vol. 2 - by Warner, Beers & Co. - 1885
- Page 779 |
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Shalersville Twp. -
ADAM DIETZ, farmer, P. O. Shalersville, was born July 20,
1820, in Germany; son of Ferdinand Dietz, a vineyard proprietor and
experienced horticulturist in that country. Our subject emigrated to
America in 1842, and in October, 1844, was married to Miss Elizabeth Yale.
By this union there are three children: Frederick, Elizabeth, wife of
J. Rosa (have three children: Elmer, John and James), and
Louisa, wife of L. Peck, all being among the leading families of
Shalersville Township. Our subject is a careful farmer, and from his
abundance enjoys the life of a retired gentleman. His farm is located in
the western part of the township, and is under lease.
Source:
History of Portage County, Ohio - Vol. 2 - by Warner, Beers & Co. - 1885 - Page
882 |
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Palmyra Twp. -
GEORGE R. DIVER, a member of the firm of Carson & Diver,
Palmyra, was born in Deerfield Township, this county, Sept. 12, 1865. His
father, Orison, was also a native of Deerfield Township, born Aug. 20,
1829, the youngest son of John and Christena (Hartzell) Diver. At
the death of his father, Orison Diver accepted his responsibilities,
became proprietor of the "Diver House," and attended to the transportation of
mails between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. He was twice married, first to
Samantha Mowen, who died one year after marriage, leaving one child named
Manty, who died at the age of five years and seven months. His second
marriage was with Sarah Gross, by whom he had one child - George R.,
our subject. He was a man of sound moral worth, widely and favorably
known. He died Sept. 21, 1877, and his widow is now the wife of D. D.
Carson. Our subject received school advantages, and, possessing
business ability, engaged in the livery business at Deerfield, this county.
This he subsequently disposed of and in May, 1884, formed the present
copartnership. The firm carry a general stock of goods, and enjoy a
lucrative trade.
Source:
History of Portage County, Ohio - Vol. 2 - by Warner, Beers & Co. - 1885
- Page 779 |
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Streetsboro Twp. -
ALBERT DOOLITTLE, farmer, P. O. Streetsborough, was born
in New Milford, Susquehanna Co., Penn., Oct. 7, 1806, son of Benjamin and
Fanny (Ward) Doolittle, natives of Cheshire, New Haven Co., Conn., and
Roxbury, Litchfield Co., Conn., respectively, and who settled in Streetsboro
Township, this county, in 1825, on the farm now owned by our subject. They
were the parents of the following children: Nelson; Albert; George,
deceased; Henry, deceased; Lydia, wife of E. F. Mason; William,
deceased; Polly J., deceased; Theodora B., deceased, and
Eloisa, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Doolittle were members
of the Disciples Church. He was Justice of the Peace of Streetsboro two
terms, and was a representative pioneer, one of the first in Streetsboro
Township, and for several years was land agent for the original owners of the
township. He died in September, 1849, in his seventy-ninth year, his wife
having preceded him Apr. 27, 1845, at the age of sixty-five. Our subject
has resided in Streetsboro Township, this county, since 1825. He assisted
in clearing his father's farm as well as several others in the vicinity, and
also helped form many of the early roads. He was married Dec. 22, 1836, to
Alamanda, daughter of Simon and Lucy (Green) Burroughs, who
settled here in 1818, the former a native of Walpole, N. H., the latter of
Bethel, Vt. The issue of this marriage is four children: Charles
R.; Augusta, wife of N. S. Olin; Horace A., and Lucy A., wife
of Charles E. Harmon. Mr. Doolittle has served his township
as Justice of the Peace one term and in other minor offices. In politics
he is a Republican.
Source:
History of Portage County, Ohio - Vol. 2 - by Warner, Beers & Co. - 1885 -
Page 887 |
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Streetsboro Twp. -
CHARLES R. DOOLITTLE, farmer and cheese manufacturer,
Streetsboro, was born in Streetsboro, this county, Aug. 31, 1837; a son of
Albert and Alamanda (Burroughs) Doolittle. His paternal grandfather
was Benjamin Doolittle, a native of Connecticut, who settled in
Streetsboro in 1825, and his maternal grandfather was Simon Burroughs, a
native of Walpole, N. H., who settled in Shalersville, this county, in 1818, and
later in Streetsboro. Our subject was reared in Streetsboro, and educated
in the high schools of Kent and Shalersville, this county. He was married
Feb. 10, 1864, to Adelaide, daughter of Samuel and Mercy (Seymour)
Olin, of Streetsboro, this county, by whom he has had three children:
Clarence S., Addie M. (deceased) and Mettie. Mr. Doolittle
has always been occupied in farming, and has resided on his present farm since
1883. Since 1870 he has (in company with his father) engaged in the
manufacture of butter and cheese. He has filled nearly all the minor
offices of Streetsboro Township, and is now serving his third term as Infirmary
Director of this county. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He
is one of the enterprising farmers and business men, and is a worthy citizen of
Streetsboro.
Source:
History of Portage County, Ohio - Vol. 2 - by Warner, Beers & Co. - 1885 - Page
887 |
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THORNTON DOUTHITT, farmer, P. O.
Atwater Center, was born in Edinburg Township, this county, October 11, 1831;
son of Daniel and Rachel (Pumphrey) Douthitt, the former born in
Pennsylvania, the latter a native of Huron County, Ohio, and who joined the
early settlement at Edinburg. They were parents of twelve children, of
whom the subject of this sketch is the third. Daniel Douthitt, in
the latter part of his life, removed to Hardin County, Ohio, where he died in
February, 1881, Mrs. Douthitt dying in 1849, The subject of this sketch
was brought up on a farm with scarcely any educational advantages outside the
severe discipline of labor, which taught him economy. Honesty,
perseverance and regular habits, giving him a vigorous constitution, combined
with a natural ambition to achieve success, seconded by excellent judgment, have
caused him to more than equal his greatest anticipations. Neither early
habits nor later indulgences have weakened him in body or mind, using neither
strong drink nor tobacco. He married, February 16, 1852, at Atwater, Ohio,
Miss Matilda Ann Siddall, second child of Mahlon and Elizabeth (Gould)
Siddall, of Atwater, Ohio. Mrs. Douthitt was born April 1,
1831, and in all the laborious undertakings of her husband has borne her equal
share, acting nobly and truly a self-sacrificing part. She is a kind
friend, affectionate mother and good wife; their home being ample and
sufficiently ornamental to dispense to a large circle of friends that
free-hearted hospitality for which they are justly noted. She (Mrs.
Douthitt) had borne our subject five children: Andrew M., born
April 20, 1853, admitted to the bar, but engaged in teaching (has two children:
Bertha Ann and Dudley M.); George F., born June 12, 1856, a
teacher in the Union Schools, but preparing for the practice of law; Jennie
T., born September 10, 1864, married, January 1, 1885, to H. Alva Myers,
a teacher; Thomas D., born January 27, 1867, helping his father on
the farm. During the late war Mr. Douthitt located on his tracts,
and with the revenue received from the railroad company (in payment for
thousands of cords of wood) he has paid for the farm and liquidated other
service of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but not any are members of any
religious denomination. In politics Mr. Douthitt is an unswerving
disciple of his fellow-townsmen have seen fit to repose in him the responsible
position of Real Estate Assessor in 1880, and Township Trustee for three terms.
Source:
History of Portage County, Ohio - Vol. 2 - by Warner, Beers & Co. - 1885 |
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Garrettsville Twp. -
JAMES DUNN, farmer, P. O. Garrettsville,
whose portrait appears in this volume, was born Oct. 11, 1822, in Hartford,
Windsor Co., Vermont. His father, James Dunn, was a native of
Massachusetts, and early engaged in brick making. When over thirty years
old he went to Vermont, where he was employed in the manufacture of brick for a
Mr. Udall, and while there was married to Mary Udall, a niece of
his employer, and with her, in 1832, moved to this county, settling on the farm
where their son, our subject, now resides, and there remained until their death.
The father died in 1858 and the mother in 1864. He (the father) had some
reverses financially before his marriage, having lost the first $500 which he
had served by economy, but such vicissitudes only served to make them more
ambitious, and prosperity was the outcome of their efforts. They had seven
children: William, a resident of Troy, Ohio; Mary, married to
Albert Gage (they reside in Freedom Township, this county); Belinda,
married to Benjamin Baker (they reside in Crawford County, Penn.);
James; Amanda, married to James M. Bowman; Cosmo L.
(deceased), and Rachel (deceased). Our subject was taken from the
summer schools when ten years old to assist his father in farm duties, and was
permitted to attend school during winter terms until 1844-45, during which
period he was a student in the Troy, Ohio, schools. He was the only son to
remain closely associated with his parents in their farm labors, and was given
the greater portion of their property in return for his labor and care of them
in their old age, and to this he has added until he now ranks among the
well-to-do men of this county, having 180 acres of well-improved land lying pert
within and part adjacent to the village of Garrettsville. He also owns a
good share in the old bank building and the livery stable where Truesdall now
conducts a general livery business, Mr. Dunn being partial owner of the
stock. At one time he was interested in banking. During his farming
and business career he has been fortunate, scarcely meeting any reverses.
On his beautiful farm he has some fine Holstein cattle. Oct. 14, 1846,
Mr. Dunn was married to James VanHorn and George J., recent
graduate of the Garrettsville High School. Our subject was married, Feb.
3, 1874, on second marriage to Cordelia S., a widow of Dr. O. Manley.
Garrettsville has been an incorporated village for twenty years, and as an
appreciation of Mr. Dunn's ability and judgment, the citizens have
retained him as a member of the Council for eighteen years; he has also been
interested in the public schools, and is a member of the School Board. In
politics he is a Republican. Mr. Dunn, in his lifetime, has
experienced some miraculous escapes from sudden death or serious injury.
About the year 1860 he was driving an ambitious horse attached to a sulky, and
while moving at a rapid rate by the farm of Zeb. Rudolph, the
father of Mrs. James A. Garfield, the animal became frightened at a load
of straw, and made a sudden bound to one side, breaking the axle and throwing
Mr. Dunn with such force against the fence or ground as to render him
unconscious from that time, 3 o'clock P. M., till 4 o'clock A. M. the next day.
Within ten days he was back to his farm duties. At another time he was
clearing debris from his farm well, and the bucket, in which the dirt, etc.,
were drawn up, became detached from the cope when about twenty feet above him,
and descended with tremendous force, just glancing off his head and inflicting
an ugly incision, fracturing the frontal bone in three directions. In
three weeks he was himself again. In October, 1883, our subject was
engaged inserting blinds in a cupola of his barn, and by a misstep he fell down
a three-eighth pitch roof with rafters about sixteen feet long, and to the
ground, a distance of twenty-seven feet from the eave, and eleven feet from the
sill. It was nearly one hour before his hired hand found him in an
unconscious condition, covered with blood, and leaning against a trough about
eleven feet from where he struck the ground. The depression in the earth
showed that he struck on his toes and head, within eighteen inches apart.
It was the spring in his tows which saved his head from utter destruction, and
it appears as an act of Providence he received no serious injury. The
bones in one foot were broken, which was his only hurt, and he is now hale and
hearty.
Source:
History of Portage County, Ohio - Vol. 2 - by Warner, Beers & Co. - 1885 - Page
726 |
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Hiram Twp. -
HENRY A. DYSON, farmer, P. O. Hiram, was born in Hiram
Twp, this county, Oct. 18, 1822; son of John and Sarah (Young) Dyson,
natives of a Delaware and Connecticut respectively, and who came with their
parents to this county in 1804. The mother of our subject died in 1845,
and the father of county in 1804. The mother of our subject died in 1845,
and the father in 1868. Our subject began the trade of stone-mason in his
youth, which he followed in later years, giving also some attention to farming.
He became owner of land in 1857 in Hiram Township, upon which he now resides.
He was married in 1843, to Miss Lucinda Wright, of Hiram Township, a
native of New York State, born in 1822 of parents who were early settlers in
this county, now deceased. Our subject is the father of one son -
Nelson H., born Nov. 22, 1848, and married Nov. 22, 1868, to Miss Emma
Young, of Hiram Township, daughter of Andrew and Joann (Harris) Young,
natives of Connecticut and Rhode Island respectively, and of English descent,
who settled in this county in 1811. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Dyson are
the parents of three sons: Howard L., Eugene B. and Clarence A.
Mr. and Mrs. Dyson, with their son Nelson H. and his wife, are
members of the Disciples Church. Our subject has filled most of the
township offices; both he and his son are Democrats in politics.
Source:
History of Portage County, Ohio - Vol. 2 - by Warner, Beers & Co. - 1885
- Page 742 |
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