Ashtabula County, Ohio - Chapter 41: Miscellaneous, 1924 (part 1 of 5)

Chapter 41: Miscellaneous

CHEESE INDUSTRY - GREAT INDUSTRY IN GLASS HOUSES - HORSES AND HORSKIMEN - ASHTABULA COUNTY TELEGRAPH COMPANY - RECLAMATION OF MARSH - NATURAL GAS - ANTI-SLAVERY ACTIVITIES - FAIRS - ASHTABULA COUNTY SOCIETY - INDUSTRIAL SURVEY - STATISTICS.

Cheese Industry. - From a perusal of the sketches of the different towns of Ashtabula County, it is easy to conclude that one of the principal industries of the early years, and up to a few years ago, was cheese making. This was a great dairy county in the middle and latter years of the last century. Nearly every settlement had its cheese factory, and the product was turned out by the ton and this county was famed afar for the quantity and quality of its cheese. As in the present day the leading hotels of New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Boston, Buffalo and many other cities serve Ashtabula grown cucumbers, lettuce, mushrooms, tomatoes and other delicacies at any season of the year, so in the earlier years one might be almost as certain of having Ashtabula County cheese served with his pie at such places. The making of cheese became a science, and makers of this county were considered authority on methods and curing. The layman can not appreciate the different varieties that could be turned out. At one time West Andover boasted ownership of the largest cheese factory in the world with the largest annual production, and it was quite fitting, therefore, that this place should turn out the largest cheese ever made - of which the following account is given by Charles S. Denslow, of Saybrook, retired New York Central engineer, who had a hand in the making:

"A derisive epithet of modern slang language is 'You Big Cheese', which really is senseless in its application, but time was when that very phrase meant something. To me it recalls the Philadelphia Centennial demonstration in celebration of the one-hundredth anniversary of the independence of this great country of ours. That was in 1876, and was, up to that time, the greatest exhibition ever held. One of the sights at which millions of visitors marveled at this great exhibit was the 'Big Cheese from Ashtabula County, Ohio', and (also in modern parlance) it was 'Some Cheese'. After so many years it is not easy to remember all the details of the making, and I am not certain as to what factory turned it out. Some say it was made at West Williamsfield; others at West Andover. J. J. Lobdell of Ashtabula says he recalls distinctly that he was a lad playing around the factory at West Andover and that it was manufactured there, as he can remember the interest he felt in the work. I presume he is right, but is really immaterial what individual factory it was, just that it was made in Ashtabula County, the commonwealth that has always been noted for doing big things. I have never heard the claim that it was the largest piece of food of the kind ever made disputed. The exact weight was 2,300 pounds. No one factory could have produced such a product alone, and five factories participated in the work. These were at West Andover, Cherry Valley, Wayne, Pierpont and Mineral Springs (Greene). Dorset was to have been included in the honor, but when their curd was prepared it was found to be not of the necessary consistency. The contract with these factories was to furnish "firm-cheese' curd, each to contribute one day's output. The late J. J. Phillips of Orwell was the instigator of the project, and everybody saw at once the advantage as an advertisement for this county. It was figured that the cheese could be sold for an amount sufficient to cover the expense of making the exhibit. P. J. Norton, of Ashtabula, and I were at that time employed in the Mineral Springs factory and helped to make the curd furnished by that institution. A mammoth mold had to be specially made for the big cheese and several extra men employed, and when the mammoth was finished it was too large to go through the door of a box-car and it was loaded into a flat-car and a tent-house erected over it. Three men, whose names I am unable to learn at this time, accompanied the exhibit to Philadelphia, living in the tent en route, and after its arrival one man was on watch at all times, as long as it lasted. Toward the close of the Centennial Exposition the cheese was cut and sold from the car to the visitors in quantities to suit. In a very short time it was all disposed of and the men returned home with the cash."

A little idea of the process of making cheese is given by J. J. Lobdell, of Ashtabula, who served an apprenticeship in the West Andover factory when a boy. "The largest number of cheeses turned out from the West Andover factory", said Mr. Lobdell, '"'was 104, and I want to say the force worked lively. The average weight was from 47 to 49 pounds, so that day's output amounted to about 214 tons. The usual number was about 90 daily. As fast as they were taken out of the moulds they were hustled to the dry-house, which had shelves that would hold a week's accumulation, when necessary. The next operation got us up and at work at 4 o'clock in the morning to begin the work of 'rubbing', each cheese having to be rubbed on both sides daily till properly dried for market."

W. Frank McClure, of Chicago, who was for several years an Ashtas bula "feature" writer, in one of his stories on the cheese industry in Ashtabula County, written in the early years of the present century, gave the following information:

"The average modern cheese factory daily takes care of the milk from a thousand cows. Such a factory is furnished its entire supply by perhaps 100 farmers. The output of a dairy of 1,000 cows is about 25,000 pounds of milk each day. There was a time when the farmers made the : curd at home and took it to the factory for the final process, but all the work is now done at the factories. The force of men required to gather the milk and bring it to the factory was larger than that at the factory. The milk, as it reaches the factory, is weighed and the producer credited therewith, then it is poured into the vats. The milk received at night stands in the vats till morning, when it has become slightly sour. The morning's milk is poured into the vat with the other and this combination has been found to be conducive to the best cheese. Within the vat is a compartment into which, during the operation of cheese making, hot water from the boiler, at a temperature of 86 degrees, is poured and allowed to stand for 45 minutes, scalding the milk. For the purpose of inducing coagulation three ounces of rennet are put into the milk for each thousand pounds. Rennet is a liquid obtained from a calf's stomach. A mechanical agitator is used to stir the milk and assist in the coagulation process. A curd knife, also mechanical, cuts the curd and liberates the whey. When the curd is sufficiently sour, the whey is drawn off. To determine when the curd is right, bits of it are applied to a hot iron. If it adheres quickly it is sour. Taken from the vats, the curd is placed in presses. The presses are telescopic and round devices, having an inner diameter equal to that of a finished cheese. The sides or hoops of the presses are raised to their full height and. filled with curd, cheese-capping being placed within the presses before filling. Screws are then applied and the operation of pressing begins. When the cheese has been compressed to the regulation size, it is taken out and carried to the dry-house for the final curing.

"The by-product of cheese is an important part of the business, everything being utilized. The whey is converted into sugar of milk, with another by-produce called casein, which latter is fed to a drove of hogs that are kept at all factories, because it costs nothing to feed them. An ordinary factory will fatten 50 hogs for market without extra expense. The liquid sugar of milk is drawn off into tubs and in the course of time becomes crystalized, when it is carted to a refinery to be worked over, after which it is ground into powder and is ready for the market. The ordinary factory will produce from 200 to 500 pounds of these crystals daily."

Austinburg also gained fame as a cheese-producing town. During the year ending June 1, 1850, 489,000 pounds were made in that town. In that output was included one cheese that weighed 1,720 pounds, which was made from one day's milk of 600 cows. It was displayed at the annual exhibition of the American Institute, in New York City, where it took first prize and was bought by the proprietor of a hotel in Philadelphia, where it was served to the patrons. Another great cheese was made in this county and exhibited at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Ashtabula County cheese was always on exhibition at the Ohio State Fair, and invariably brought home prizes. During the mid-century years a great amount of cheese was exported from this county to Europe.

It is noted, in perusing a county paper published in 1850, that the first premium for cheese awarded at the Ohio State Fair that year was on a 130-pounder which was at the time three years old, exhibited by A. Krum, of Cherry Valley. In the year 1868 Ashtabula County's output of cheese was 2,007,782 pounds.

The rapidly increasing demand for milk for home consumption gradually sounded the death knell of the cheese-making industry in this section. The rapid growth of surrounding cities created a great problem as to how to furnish the needed supply of milk and the only answer was to go out into the country. Organizations were formed in cities which sent men out into all rural sections for more than a hundred miles to contract with farmers for their dairy product, offering. them much better pay than they could get from the cheese factories. There could be but one result. Special trains were run on the railroads into the great centers of population, twice a day, to bring in the milk from a great radius. From cheese making the tide turned to the raw milk and cream, and large creameries displaced the factories. The reverting of the milk to the large cities resulted in a steady raise in the price and the consumer, of course, "paid the fiddler". So great has become the traffic in milk that special tank cars have been constructed for conveying it, and are so built that the lacteal fluid will stay sweet and marketable for several days after it has left the cow. The tanks are constructed on the same plan as a thermos bottle and are used for nothing but the transportation of milk. Dorset, in this county, claims to have today the largest milk receiving station in the world. The Reich Co., of Pittsburgh, owns the plant, and the entire output is shipped to Chicago by fast freight. Milk produced in Ashtabula in the afternoon is served to patrons on milk routes in Chicago next day. Dorset is located in a splendid dairy territory and the modern good roads and UTD are great factors in expeditious handling of the milk.

In this connection it is timely to mention that the dairy industry in Ashtabula County has been revolutionized through the activities of the Farm Bureau, an organization given more extensive mention elsewhere. The following figures give the status of the dairying industry in Ashtabula County at the present time, according to statistics of the Farm Bureau: Pounds of butter-fat sold, 78,504; pounds of milk sold, 70,239,106; pounds of butter-fat in milk, on 314 per cent basis, 2,107,173; gain on butter-fat in milk at 5 cents a pound, $122,918.40; gain on butter-fat sold as butter- ~ fat, $3,925.20, making a total gain on milk and butter-fat of $126,843.60.

Great Industry in Glass Houses. - (By Charles H. Gallup, President Ashtabula Lettuce Growers' Association.) Ashtabula County is one of the foremost counties in the United States in the production of vegetables under glass. It is estimated that there are approximately 50 acres covered by these steam-heated houses, in addition to which there are numerous extensive mushroom pits.

The modern industry dates back nearly forty years to a time when Frank Luce greatly enlarged his plant in Ashtabula. Employed by Mr. Luce was C. W. Hopkins, who had previously been in partnership with E. A. Adams, operating the "Griswold Gardens" in that city. In 1892 Mr.

Hopkins and BE. A. Dunbar, then a fruit grower, built a modern plant in Saybrook, just west of Ashtabula, which many consider the start of the real boom in the business.

About the year 1897 R. W. Griswold, Jr., entered into a partnership with his aunt, Fanny Boalt, and started a business that has resulted in two plants, the present enormous business establishments of Mr.. Griswold and the very large corporation known as the Griswold Greenhouse Company. These plants are grouped at the west end of Ashtabula and extend over the line into Saybrook. The Griswold Greenhouse Company came into existence in 1906 when J. H. Rice took over Mr. Griswold's interests in the partnership and the latter embarked in the business as an individual. In his work Mr. Griswold has been so phenomenally successful that he is considered by many the most successful grower of vegetables under glass in the United States. He developed a system of. steam-cooking the soil, and a type of greenhouse, both of which are extensively used throughout the country.

In 1906 the Griswold Greenhouse Company came into existence when J. H. Rice took over Mr. Griswold's interest in the partnership, and assumed management of the business. Several years later Mr. Rice established the J. H. Rice Company, which is now a floral concern known as the Sunnyside Nurseries, also located in Saybrook Township.

In my opinion the "big man" of the industry in Ashtabula County is E. A. Dunbar, who learned the business from his partner and in 1906 organized the Ashtabula Lettuce Growers Association, which is still in a flourishing condition and considered the oldest and most successful organization in the country for the co-operative packing and sale of highgrade vegetables. Mr. Dunbar has been secretary and sales manager of the company ever since it was organized. The association now has a large and modern packing house on the Electric Package line just west of Ashtabula, where tomatoes, cucumbers and mushrooms are carefully graded and packed under the most sanitary conditions and the quality is uniform and guaranteed, so that Ashtabula products bring the highest market prices in all the large cities from Chicago to Boston, which can readily be supplied by these products in car lots.

instead. Lettuce, which used to be the standby, is now subordinate to cucumbers, tomatoes and mushrooms. Rhubarb and asparagus are also grown in some plants. :

Besides his work in the association Mr. Dunbar is one of the leading figures in the Vegetable Growers' Association of America, which he was instrumental in forming, in Cleveland, in 1908, and which held a monster convention in Ashtabula the next year and has met yearly ever since. Mr. Dunbar was the first president and has been reelected to that office several times since.

About the time that Luce, Dunbar & Hopkins and R. W. Griswold were building modern plants, E. A. Adams & Sons started their plant on Benefit street, which has grown to be one of the large and successful establishments of the city.

In 1906 Charles H. Gallup resigned a fine position with the Cincinnati Post and came to his former home in Ashtabula to join his brother, E. P. Gallup, in what is today the large and successful business of the Gallup Brothers that has plants on Woodman avenue, Ashtabula, and Sanborn road, Saybrook.

brook, the most remarkably developed greenhouse man in the entire community. He has a record of "pricking out' 22,000 little lettuce plants, two inches apart each way, ina day. He can set more lettuce, pack more cucumbers and do more of any class of greenhouse work in a day than any man I ever heard of. While some of us use a gang of five men to steam-cook our soil, he has devised a method whereby he can do the whole operation by his own labor. Mr. Reublin was a leading plant-man for Dunbar & Hopkins before he went into business for himself.

Walter Tickner, about fifteen years ago, established the plant now owned by Mr. Reublin. He now owns a much larger one on the North Bend road in Saybrook. His brother, Archie, for many years foreman for Gallup Brothers, formed a partnership with P. C. Remick and they now have a large modern plant near Samuel street, Ashtabula. Harry Tickner conducts a plant in Saybrook and his brother one on Nathan street, Ash-

Some 40 years ago Charles Bliss conducted a combined floral and vegetable greenhouse on what is now Grove avenue, in Ashtabula. Frank Luce, who is known as the "daddy" of the greenhouse business in Ashtabula, has six sons, three of whom are in the business. Sherman is in partnership with his father; Robert has a plant on Woodman avenue and has gained fame as a mushroom grower; Clarence had a plant on West street, which formerly raised vegetables (now devoted to flowers).

Something like 20 years ago F. C. Bail had a large vegetable greenhouse plant on Bunker Hill, in Ashtabula. It passed to other hands and is now devoted to the culture of flowers, and Mr. Bail has another plant at his home.

John Regner left Gallup Brothers and built a plant on the South Ridge in Saybrook which is now owned by Westcott & Blake, formerly with the Dunbar-Hopkins Company.

While the Messrs. Dunbar and Hopkins are still active in the business, many of the details are taken care of by their sons, Robert Dunbar and Alden Hopkins, both joint stockholders with their father.

Fred Chapman & Sons have a large greenhouse plant in Geneva, and truck most of their output to the Cleveland market. There is a plant near the fair grounds in Jefferson, which changes management frequently. Hall Brothers have a small but successful establishment at Saybrook Center. Harry Phelps is conducting a large plant on Prospect street in Ashtabula. Charles E. Belden & Son own one on Nathan street. Henry Swedenborg recently erected a greenhouse on Carpenter road; Saybrook, and Ray Brothers one in East Ashtabula.

No other city in the country disputes the supremacy of Ashtabula in this line, excepting, possibly, Toledo, in which city there is one glass roof covering ten acres.

Horses and Horsemen. - (By John L. Hervey.) The pioneers who settled the Western Reserve were, many of them, accustomed to good horses and, in particular, imbued with the New England love for fast trotters, and as the county developed and settled up and smooth, level roads were constructed it became widely noted for its splendid driving horses, and, in due time, its trotting race horses. Harness racing became the chief form of entertainment almost from the beginning of the county fairs at Jefferson, about three-quarters of a century ago, and still remains so. The first race track built on the fair grounds was but a third of a mile in size, and a few years ago traces of it were still discernable. The present half-mile track dates back about 60 years, but has been reconstructed and improved several times. Many horses of national fame have appeared over it. The large and substantial grandstand was erected about 1890 and was later enlarged and improved. In the early days of the fairs there were no accommodations for seating the spectators; then there were temporary bleachers erected each season and the demand for something better ultimately led to construction of something better.

The foundation stock of the fine and fast horses of Ashtabula County were the animals of Morgan and Messenger families, brought in from New England and New York, and of the St. Lawrence (Canadian) strain, while a good deal of thoroughbred (running) blood was also introduced. The first large stock farm for the breeding of trotters in the county was 'Maplewood', near Jefferson, established by the late Maj. H. P. Wade, in 1874. Shortly afterward the late R. W. Davis established the Pymatuning Valley Stock Farm at West Williamsfield. Major Wade went to Orange County, New York, and purchased there the stallion New York 524, by Hambletonian 10, and other animals for breeding purposes; while Mr. Davis went to Kentucky and bought the stallion Atlantic, by Almont 33. The rivalry in the middle '80s between Major Wade's stallion Reveille 2:2134, by New York, and Mr. Davis' horse Atlantic was the most stirring chapter in the horse history of the county. Both were grand horses and the county was about equally divided between their admirers. Both also proved very successful sires, but Atlantic, which trotted to a record of 2:21, was sold while still a young horse.by Mr. Davis and soon afterward was exported to Italy, where he made a great reputation.

Beside Reveille and New York Major also bred and owned the stallion Gold Leaf 2:1614, a splendid race horse and successful sire, as well as many other fast trotters that raced on the Grand Circuit and elsewhere. ©

Third in prominence among the horsemen of the county was the late George W. Smith, of Jefferson, the most gifted trainer of colts ever resident in this county and the breeder and owner of Oakleaf 2:28, Oakbourne 2:2714, Clover Leaf 2:2114, and many other good ones.

The Eagleville Stock Farm of J. R. Stone at Eagleville was for a number of years an important establishment. Mr. Stone bred Franklin 2:1014, by Gold Leaf, dam Stella A., by New York, a superb race horse that, with Maud C. 2:1014, by Binderton, dam Nita, by Atlantic, bred by L. M. Corn- - well, of Jefferson, were the two fastest trotters ever bred in the county.

Another breeding farm that for a long while attracted the attention of horsemen was the Harrington Stock Farm at Rock Creek, where Binderton and the pacing stallion Conway 2:1834, were owned. At Rock Creek and also at Orwell there were half-mile tracks where many races were held in former years, but never on a pretentious scale.

There was also much interest in horsefiesh in'and about Andover, and the track built there was one of the first ever laid out in the county. Here racing was held as early as in the Civil War period of the '60s. At West Andover were bred the two most noted pacers ever produced in the county, the own brother and sister Hal B. 2:0414 and Fanny Dillard 2:0334, by Hal Dillard 2:0434,, whose breeder was the late Martin McNulty. - Both these horses attained national reputation and Hal B., after retiring from the turf, became one of America's foremost sires of pacers. He is still living at West Williamsfield, and owned by C. A. Barber, aged about thirty years. The off-spring of Hal B. have won over $250,000 in stakes and purses on American race tracks in all parts of the country.

A very noted trotting stallion once owned in Ashtabula County was Allie Wilkes 2:15, by Red Wilkes, bred in Kentucky and brought to this county by Byron E. Brown, of New Lyme. Many of the offspring of Allie: Wilkes were bred and developed in the county and became successful race horses, or notable fancy show horses.

Among other horsemen and horses of the county worthy of mention were, or are E. S. Phelps, of Austinburg, breeder and owner of numerous good trotters, including Octavia 2:1114, by Gold Leaf; F. H. Woodbury, of Jefferson, who bred the pacing mare Sufreet 2:0614, and others with fast records; W. M. Kelsey, of Dodgeville, who bred the pacing stallion Baron A. 2:0414, etc., ete. :

The most widely successful trainer and driver of trotters and pacers native of the county is Volney F.. French, who was born in West Andover and has been identified with many noted stock farms and racing stables and driven many horses to fast records. The late George Smith, above mentioned, was the most successful developer of fast colts that the county ever boasted. At present George Hunter, born in Jefferson, is considered one of Ohio's most promising young reinsmen.

At present racing occurs only at Jefferson at the annual county fairs, and in 1924 the record for that track was set at' 2:0914 by Hazel Kuestner. An excellent half-mile track was built at Ashtabula in 1890, beneath the brow of Bunker Hill, and there, for a number of years, high-class meetings were held, but the growth of the city caused it to be dismantled and the plot cut up into building lots over a decade ago.

In closing this brief sketch it may be noted that it was in Ashtabula in 1880 that there died a horse that was among the most influential in building up the reputation of the county as a producer of fine and fast drivers and race horses in "early days', namely, Blazing Star. He was foaled in 1853 and raised just over the county line, at Gustavus.

(By the Editor.) Among the lesser lights that were well known in the county in their day, may be briefly mentioned Major, owned by Marsena V. Miller, of New Lyme, in 1858; Comet, a Green Mountain Morgan owned by E. D. Hyde, of Harpersfield, and William Simons, Esq., of Dorset; Roanoke, owned by Lewis Austin of Austinburg; William Webber, of Rock Creek, owned Young Blackhawk; Samuel Bishop, of New Lyme, had Farmer's Delight, of English descent; Charles Stanhope, of Williamsfield, owned Dan, the Coney Island horse of the 2:40 class, by Perew's Hamiltonians; C. S. Case, of Kinsman, boasted Kinsman Boy, by Dave Hill, 2:20 class; he also owned the inbred Hamiltonian stallion Valliant, 2:40; Ashtabula, owned by M. H. Haskell, of Ashtabula, was another high stepper, and the last four horses named were out in the circuit races in the late '70s.

Little Jake, owned by Kelsey & Field, was in the 2:30 class, but had shown her heels in a 2:2314 clip. Nelson Humphrey's Prince Albert was quite a figure as either pacer or trotter, and Albert Field's Loafer was not what his name implied when he got on the track. In '77 Dr. P. E. Hall, of Ashtabula, had a brown filly, Lady Grace, that. was. conceded to be one of the handsomest yearlings in this section; also a black gelding, Douglass, that was some stepper. In later years there were others, prominent among ' which was Dr. D. E. Kelley's stallion Russell B. 2:1414, which made 2 :081% mark in his day. Allie Wilkes, mentioned in Mr. Hervey's sketch, was bought by Stanhope Brothers in 1887 for $2,000 and sold by them in 1890 to W. C. McCamy, Lexington, Ky., for $20,000.

Ashtabula County Telegraph Company. - Turning back into the opening of the decade of the '80s,'we find a home-grown and home-owned system of communication which developed into a rather expansive organiza- tion that was eventually known as the Ashtabula County Telegraph Company. Its inception was in a short, improvised circuit constructed between the home of one of the Seymour families in Plymouth and A. C. Stevens' residence in Sheffield, a distance of several miles. Members of both families took up the study of telegraphy, bought the necessary instruments and equipment and many pleasant hours were spent in visiting over the wire by the dot-and-dash language. Then a similar line was built between the two Kingsvilles, which was eventually extended to Kelloggsville and Sheffield, connecting with the Plymouth line, that was extended to Ashtabula and thence south to Jefferson and Rock Creek. Numerous residences along the line were "connected up" and the project developed into a veritable mill for turning out telegraph operators. The fever spread to Conneaut, to which an extension was made, and the Ashtabula County Telegraph Company was incorporated and organized with S. J. Smith of Conneaut president; C. W. Hall, treasurer; J. R. Cushing, secretary, and W. A. Brewer, superintendent and general manager. There had been a previous unofficial organization of which A. C. Stevens, of Sheffield, was president.

The Western Union Telegraph Company at that time was the only commercial line in this section and it only hit the towns through which railroads ran. The Ashtabula County Telegraph Company therefore stood in a good position to work in conjunction with the regular company and an arrangement was made whereby it became a recognized auxiliary. A schedule of rates was made and the Western Union tariff book published these rates in connection with their own and made the additional charges. Telegrams for the interior points touched by the local company were relayed at Ashtabula and the A. C. T. Companys receipts amounted to enough to cover the upkeep of the line until the telephone came into general use, when the local telegraph company went the way that the interurban trolley lines are now going, under pursuit of the auto busses.

Reclamation of Marsh. - The reclamation and conversion of the "Big Swamp" was one of the great achievements of Ashtabula County history. This section of over 600 acres of waste land existed as such far back into the years before the advent of the white man and for many years after his coming it was a thorn in the flesh of progress, as it lay in the direct course of travel between Ashtabula and the county seat, which was the most convenient route for all who resided in the northernmost townships of the county. It was many years before the road, which, lay directly

The account of how this acreage of no-good land was reclaimed and converted into one of the largest and best farms in the county is obtained from Russell C. Humphrey, whose father, the late William Humphrey, was the man who conceived the idea that such a change could be brought about. Mr. Humphrey said, when approached on the subject:

"My father was one of the early-day business men of Ashtabula and he had a great amount of business that necessitated frequent trips to Jefferson. The "Big Marsh" was always an eyesore to him and while passing through it one day when the conditions were particularly bad he resolved that he would use his influence toward an effort to do away with the nuisance. He broached the subject to others and to the county commissioners, but nobody thought it possible to drain it, much less to make anything of it. Father was not to be beaten, though, so he decided he would try and purchase the old hole, which belonged to the late E. C. Hubbard, who had moved to Ashtabula from Conneaut a few years before. Mr. Hubbard did not consider his marsh land very valuable as he finally traded it to father, 640 acres, for a horse that cost father $25 and some bottom land along the Ashtabula River. That was in 1864. The next move was to devise the best means by which to accomplish the draining of the swamp. A survey of its boundaries disclosed that the only means of drainage was through a little stream called Coffee Creek, so named from the color of its water from the swamp, which resembled coffee. This creek flowed into Grand River.

"The swamp is in Plymouth Township, six miles back from Lake Erie, and its altitude is 325 feet above the lake level. These facts had been ascertained in advance, and my father had satisfied himself that the drainage problem would not be a big one before he started out to acquire the property. The survey of the situation showed that it would be necessary to dig a ditch four miles long, as the small creek outlet never carried off very much water, only such as would be above a certain level, consequently there was constantly hundreds of acres of sluggish water. These facts were laid before the county commissioners again, and they agreed to dig half of the ditch which, toward the outlet, had to go down 12 feet. When it came to actual work it was discovered that what had been at one time the natural outlet of the swamp water had been most effectively dammed

"Before being drained there was always a heavy moss floating over the surface of the swamp and there was a general idea that there was no solid bottom. Here and there were the knowls indicating homes of the beavers and the place had acquired from them the name of "Beaver Meadows". There were lots of huckleberries and snakes, among the latter being frequent rattlers.

"The work of draining proved very successful, and when the water had been drawn off and the mass of moss that had settled to the bottom had been cleared or burned away, it was discovered that the bottom contained the trunks of thousands of large trees that had once constituted a towering forest so long before that no person living could remember seeing them standing. The beavers had felled the trees and stripped the branches for use in damming the water till its surface constituted a goodsized inland lake that made them a permanent home, till the progressive white man came along and broke it up. The work of clearing the land was almost equal to that of clearing the original forest. The efforts for reclamation were begun more than a half-century ago and the job was not fully accomplished until within the past 20 years. The reward, however, was great, for the land is exceptionally fertile and produces wonderful crops."

Most of this reclaimed land is still owned by the Humphreys. R. C. Humphrey and three sons have separate homes on and near the once considered worthless space.

Natural Gas. - Along in the years just before and after the beginning of the present century there was great activity in the line of prospecting for gas. It started with an oil boom that hit this section of the country and every community for miles around began drilling for oil. Many thousands of dollars were expended in finding "dry" holes, but, in the end, the effort brought its reward in developing of a gas vein that seemed to underlie pretty much all of the northern section of the county.

There seemed to be gas everywhere and many individuals put down their own wells and had ample to supply all their individual needs for a score of years. What was known as the "Jefferson" field appeared to be the most productive locality, together with adjoining townships. Companies were organized with view to developing and commercializing the product which Mother Earth seemed to be so willing to furnish, and while many lost, some speculators were on the winning side. Simultaneously, great wells came in in Clarion County, Pa., and in 1901, or early in 1902, The Northeastern Oil & Gas Company was formed with a view to furnishing gas for this territory, and a supply line was laid from the Clarion field to Ashtabula, and branched east and west, and consumers had all the gas needed at an initial cost of 25 cents per thousand. Gas from numerous county wells was added to the supply from time to time as needed, but gradually the supply diminished and eventually became exhausted, as was also the patience of the consumers.

The Ashtabula Gas Company then made an arrangement with a concern in Fairport for furnishing manufactured gas for Ashtabula city. This entailed an enormous preliminary expense, as it was necessary to lay a pipe-line from Fairport to Ashtabula, but this was accomplished and the change in fuel took place in the summer of 1924. The service of the Fairport Gas was also extended to other county towns that had come to the end of thing's with Natures supply.

Anti-Slavery Activities - - The Anti-Slavery Society of Ashtabula County was organized in Ashtabula on May 27, 1834. At the organization meeting the following officers were elected: Amos Fisk, president; O. K. Hawley, vice-president ; Henry Cowles, corresponding secretary; A. E. Austin, recording secretary; L. Bissell, treasurer; Elijah Coleman, William Hubbard, Jacob Bailey, Eliphalet Austin, Jr., and G. W. St. John, managers. The preamble of the organization declared all men created free and equal, and its avowed object was the utter extinction of slavery by immediate emancipation of the salves. It was not, however, intended that the slaves would be turned loose to roam as vagabonds and aliens, nor that they: should be invested with political rights and privileges, but that they shall be employed as laborers and fairly compensated and protected.

The first annual meeting of the society was held in Austinburg on July 4, 1884, and during the subsequent years the membership became very large, and this county was well minded to support the policies advocated by and the cause of John Brown, when he decided to make it his place of assemblage of his followers, in preparation for the launching of the attack on Harper's Ferry, which resulted so disastrously for him and his followers.

"On Jan. 10, 1839, Senator B. F. Wade presented a petition from citizens of Ashtabula County for a repeal of all laws making distinction between persons on account of color; also two other petitions from the same county on the subject of slavery in the District of Columbia." (Ashtabula Sentinel.)

Probably no other commonwealth in the whole North took an individual part so conspicuous as that of Ashtabula County, and it was to this county, the home of their champions Benjamin F. Wade and Joshua R. Giddings, and the last resort of the greatest abolitionists of them all, John Brown, that the fugitive slaves who were so successful as to get across the Ohio River, resorted as their asylum and refuge, where they knew they would be well cared for and helped on their way out of the country.

The attitude of the residents of this county who were in sympathy with the great cause of freedom brought about the institution of the great "Underground Railroad', by which the runaway negroes were smuggled through this section to the shore of Lake Erie, where they were put aboard of vessels that conveyed them across to Canada, where they could be free and safe from capture and return to their former owners.

The "Underground Railroad" was a secret method of conveyance which was made necessary because of the fact that there were many persons in this section who were not in sympathy with the anti-slavery spirit, and who, believing that slaves were lawful chattels, would lend their assistance to the apprehension of the runaways whenever they could do so.

This veiled transportation route extended from Wheeling, W. Va., to Ashtabula Harbor and all along the way, at convenient intervals, were established "depots" or "stations" of the "railroad'', the same being homes of sympathetic people who were enlisted on the side of the "Antis" and had expressed their willingness to aid in the cause of the black man. Under cover of darkness, to avoid the eyes of those who were unfriendly to the cause, the fugitives would be smuggled from one "station" to the next on the route toward the lake. Certain men were designated to act as "conductors" and there was a code of signs and signals known only to those of the "inner circle', whereby the presence of a "passenger" was made known, and thus his transportation was accomplished, usually with success.

there were several "stations" in the homes of some of the most prominent people. This was necessary because of the fact that it was sometimes necessary for them to remain here several days before passage could be secured for them to the other side of the lake. In some of these houses are still existing evidences of the secret apartments set off for the occupancy of the runaways during their enforced sojourn. Some were in the attic, others in the cellar - anywhere where they would not be readily detected in case a search was made by Government authorities. The friends of the cause were pledged to aid the slaves who came their way, in every possible manner and especially to see that they were clothed and fed. It seemed to be good policy to carry on the work of the society secretly, because of the individual unpleasantness that would result from open action. Many men and families were instrumental in the work who were not even suspected of their connection by their neighbors who were on the other side. Open activities would very soon have disclosed the methods pursued and would have thus made it impossible to accomplish the desired good.

The joy of the slaves, upon finding themselves in Canada, where they knew they were safe from any chance to be captured and taken back to bondage, was implied by the following lines of a song that was well known and well sung in those days:

That the rescued were duly grateful for all that was done for them was made evident in many ways. Illustrative of this fact might be considered the following incident related by the late Rev. Charles Shipman, of Girard, Pa., who was known as the "marrying parson", and who traveled - all over this section when called upon for matrimonial services. (Incidentally it is mentioned that he officiated at the wedding of the parents of the author of this work, and also at that of the author, many years subsequently) :

"T was on my way to marry a couple south of Ashtabula," said Rev. Shipman, "and was waiting at the Lake Shore depot in Ashtabula, between trains. Becoming hungry, I stepped into the restaurant, adjacent to the waiting-room, for a lunch. The proprietor of the restaurant appeared to take my order, but upon seeing his customer he came forward with both hands extended, crying 'My God, is it you?' I was surprised at first by the strange greeting, but he quickly reminded me of the time, years before, when I had 'conducted' him over a goodly portion of the 'Underground Railroad', in his escape from bondage."

That colored man was John Leek, whom many residents of today remember as a good citizen. The Lake Shore Railway Company constructed the restaurant building that stood just east of the old depot for many years, and Mr. Leek leased it for the accommodation of the traveling public. In those days there was a stop of "ten minutes for refreshments" at intervals along the railroads. Mr. Leek's oldest son, Charles, was proprietor of Leek's Orchestra, which was in great demand for many years. He was also in charge of the telegraph office at the Lake Shore depot, and had the distinction of being the first colored man in the country who mastered the art of telegraphy.

In the early years there was another organization here known as the Colonization Society, which was in sympathy with the Anti-Slavery Society, but not in whole accord with all of its methods. Consequently their activities were carried on separately, like two church denominations, both having the same object, but different ways of attaining it.

Illustrative of the intense earnestness of the advocates of freedom for all mankind was the action at a meeting held in Hartsgrove in 1850, an account of which is found in the file copy of the Ashtabula Sentinel of Dec. 21 that year. Resolutions adopted at that meeting are given, and among them were the following:

"Resolved: That we hold the Fugitive Slave law in utter contempt, as being no law, and pledge ourselves to despise the conduct of the makers of it, for their utter destitution of principal, as well as for their reckless violation of the Constitution of the United States, which they were sworn to support.

"Resolved: That sooner than submit to such odious laws, we will see the Union dissolved; sooner than see slavery perpetual, we would see war; and sooner than be slaves, we will fight.

"Resolved, That Herod made a law in regard to male children; King Darius made a law in regard to Daniel; Duke George made a law in reference to Luther; John Bull made a law in reference to the American colonies ; and, meanest of all, Congress made a law in reference to fugitive slaves; a law to strip us of our humanity, to divest us of all claim to Christianity and self-respect, and herd us with blood hounds and men stealers, upon penalty of reducing our children to starvation and nakedness. Cursed be the Law!

"Resolved: That we will not aid in catching the fugitive, but will feed and protect him with all the means within our power, and that we pledge our sympathy and property for the relief of any person in our midst who may suffer any penalties for an honorable opposition or a failure to comply with the requirements of this law."

In another part of the same issue of the Sentinel we read: "The underground railroad through this section of the state is doing a fair business nowadays. Two fine looking 'chattels' fresh from 'Old Virginia', passed up the fourth range of this township last week, en route for Canada. We learn that they met with no difficulty in finding food, shelter and necessary assistance in their course. The voice of our people is 'Constitution or no Constitution, law or no law, no fugitive slave can be taken from the soil of Ashtabula County back to slavery'. If any one doubts that this is the real sentiment, they can test it."

Fairs. - Time was when all large towns of the county had their own fair associations of one sort or another and fair grounds of their own for annual exhibitions. In Jefferson, the Ashtabula County Agricultural Society held its first fair in 1846 or '47, and is today the only surviving organization of that nature in the county.

The Ashtabula Township Fair Association was organized in the late '*50s and held annual meetings for a dozen or so years. The fair grounds were in the southern section of the village that is now entirely built up with residences. The Ashtabula Farmers 'and Mechanics' Association was organized in 1857 and was a live organization for a number of years, havying annual exhibits.

The Orwell. Agricultural Society furnished an annual attraction for that and surrounding towns for a number of years from 1857. That organization also featured a horse fair every year.

The Conneaut Agricultural Society, formed in 1853, held successful exhibitions annually for about a quarter of a century. One of the old buildings still stands on the former site of the fair grounds in the western section of the city.

Ashtabula County Society of Cleveland. - One of the social organizations that are prominent in the city of Cleveland is the "Ashtabula County Society of Cleveland', which today has a membership of some 4,000, and which, for its loyalty and constant devotion to the old home county, is truly entitled to a place in the annals of such environs.

"The founders of this society and the incentive for these so-called "home-comings" were Brothers E. J. Pinney, E. E. Northway, Thomas Covert, Minor G. Norton, J. C. Talcott, George H. Eddy, D. L. Maltby and A. A. White. They, with their families, constituted a party of former Ashtabula County residents then making their homes in Cleveland who held a picnic in Wade Park one day in the summer of 1892.

"The reunion of these old friends, who had kept track of each other since the old days 'at home', was a most delightful occasion and it was suggested that the happy day should be repeated and that they invite other former Ashtabula County residents to join them on the next picnic. The outcome of this enthusiastic little gathering was the organization, the following year, of the 'Ashtabula County Society'.

"From the very inception of the idea of organization, interest was spontaneous with all to whom it was mentioned, and it was very soon agreed that it was not enough to have a picnic once a year. So it was decided that they would try an old fashioned 'warm sugar party' (maple of course) and a committee was appointed to make arrangements for same. This initial event was a success beyond expectation and from that time till the present, the yearly program of the organization has included a summer picnic and a winter 'sugar-lick'.

"The facilities at Euclid Beach Park won for that resort the place of holding the picnic parties. For several years the winter socials were held in the auditorium of the Spencerian College, and later in the Woodward

"From the time of its organization, the society maintained a steady growth in membership and at each successive semi-annual gathering there was an increased attendance. These occasions were looked forward to with great interest by outsiders, as well as members, as it has been a custom for years to many Ashtabula County people to go to Cleveland to attend them. Here old friends meet who do not see each other from one picnic, or social, to another. The gatherings assume all the features and pleasures of a real family reunion and each meeting is in the hands of a live committee, who enliven the occasion with interesting programs. There is always a 'speaker of the day' and usually he is one of the members. It is not necessary to go outside of their own circle for orators, as the membership contains the names of numerous men and women who are gifted in that direction."

Industrial Survey. - Steel works and rolling mills led in industrial activity in Ashtabula County during 1923, it was shown in reports filed by 216 industries there with the labor statistical bureau of the industrial relations department. The manufacture of agricultural implements ranked second, the making of automobiles and parts third, leather tanning and finishing fourth and ship and boat building fifth. Foundry and machine work was last in the group of six leading industries.

An aggregate payroll of $3,127,393 was reported to the bureau, Chief Otto W. Brach stated in the compiled report to Herman R. Witter, industrial relations director. This sum was paid in the six industries alone and represented approximately half the wage distribution in all the 216 plants and establishments. The entire wage earnings in 1923 in Ashtabula County was $6,704,095, of which $521,251 went to managers and superintendents; $563,892 to bookkeepers, stenographers and office clerks.

There were 6,068 male and 582 female wage earners on all the industries reported and of the former the largest number received between $20 and $25 a week, of which there were 1,254. Those whose pay was less than $15 in the male class numbered 174 and those who drew amounts in excess of $50 a week numbered 484. Salaries from $25 to $30 weekly were paid to 1,197 employes, and 1,030 received $30 to $35 weekly.

Among the women employes of the 216 industries 164 received less than $12 a week and eight more than $30 weekly, the largest wage recorded in the female scale. There were 218 who received from $12 to $15 weekly, 121 to $20, 57 between $20 and $25 and 13 between $25 and $30.

The peak of employment was reached in July when 6,488 persons were reported as employed and February was the lowest with 5,105 persons employed.

Construction trades found employment for 1,055 persons and in wages paid them there was $630,204 spent. An important industry in Ashtabula County is that of transportation by water, including stevedoring, and six firms reported $1,405,796 paid in wages to 1,100 persons.

Personal Valuation. - The automobile has not driven "Old Dobbin" out of Ashtabula County. It has, however, greatly reduced his kind, and according to the number returned for taxation, there are 8,858 such animals in the county, outside of the cities and villages. The value of them is placed at $511,991.

The complete list returned equals a valuation of $1,133,455. After the deduction allowed which amounts to $568,700, the balance for taxation is $6,654,740.

William Eh. Wenner

William E. Wenner, educator, lecturer and legislator, is one of the widely known men of Ashtabula County and Northern Ohio. He was born in Pennsylvania, Aug. 27, 1872, the eldest of 12 children, 11 of whom are living. His father was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, and his mother was of Scotch Irish parentage.

Mr. Wenner received his elementary training in the public schools of Pennsylvania, and afterward attended the Westminster Preparatory School, Clarion State Normal and Westminster College, receiving from the last named institution, his Bachelor of Arts Degree. He was dependent upon his own efforts for the means of defraying his expenses while a student in these institutions.

For four years Mr. Wenner taught in rural and high schools. For eight years he was superintendent of schools at Fredericksburg, Ohio. Following this, he was, for two years, head of the English Department of the Slippery Rock State Normal School at Slippery Rock, Pa. He resigned this position to become assistant principal of Wooster University Preparatory School at Wooster, Ohio, being associated in this relationship with Prof. J. H. Dickason, head of the Wooster University Summer School for Teachers. This widely popular school was in session upwards of 20 summers, during 14 of which Mr. Wenner was a member of the faculty teaching Latin and Literature. For 15 years, Mr. Wenner has been superintendent of the Harbor Special School District at Ashtabula, and during that time, these schools have maintained a high standard too well known

Mr. Wenner is now serving his third term in the Ohio State Legislature, being a member of the Senate in the 85th Session. Mr. Wenner has advanced in a political way, not as a result of efforts on his own behalf during campaigns, but because the voters realize his unusual ability, his fairness and fearlessness, his integrity and dependability. His only boss is his own conscience - his sense of right and justice toward all whom he represents. He is particularly well equipped to fill a position in which direct first-hand knowledge of the requirements and interests of men in different relations to society is essential. He knows what it means to work up by his own efforts. He spent the first 18 years of his life on a Pennsylvania farm with comparatively limited opportunities, but he struggled and studied until he acquired a good education through the exercise of an eager and retentive mind. Today he is known as a student of many of the big questions of local, state and national interests. His analytical mind, quickened by keen perception has given him an unusually clear conception of some of the most intricate problems.

While in the Legislature, Mr. Wenner has been particularly interested in legislation affecting public education, Americanization and labor. In the 83rd Session, he was chairman of the Committee on Building Loan and other savings institutions, was a member of the Committee on Universities and Colleges, States and Economic Betterment, Cities, Common Schools, Federal Relations and Labor. In the 84th Session he was a member of the Committees on Cities, Labor, Taxation and Common Schools. During his first term he introduced among other measures, a bill for the revision of the school code which is now part of the statutes of Ohio. While serving his next term he presented a bill providing for compulsory physical education, and a bill for the Extension of the Benefits of the Workmen's Compensation Act, commonly known as the Occupational Dis- - ease Bill. Mr. Wenner is especially interested in revision of the methods of legislation; changes in the methods of levying taxes; education, with special emphasis on physical training, and practical Americanization; and questions affecting labor.

For ten summers, Mr. Wenner has been en the Redpath Chautauqua Circuit, lecturing on civic, social and educational themes. During this time he has delivered over 1500 addresses in over a thousand cities in about thirty-five states.

Mr. Wenner is a member of the Masonic Lodge, holding membership in Garfield Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No. 528, Shreve, Ohio; the Council at Conneaut, Ohio; the Chapter and Commandery at Ashtabula, and the Consistory at Cleveland. He is a member of the District, State and Na- tional Educational Associations. He is President of the Ashtabula Chamber of Commerce and of the Community Fund Committee, and is a member of the Congregational Church and of the National Council of the Young Men's Christian Association.

Barrett B. Seymour, president of the National Bank of Ashtabula, is a member of: one of Ashtabula County's prominent pioneer families, and ranks among the successful and influential business men of the county. He was born at East Plymouth, Ohio, Feb. 5, 1856, and is the son of Leverett and Nancy (Gillett). Seymour.

The Seymour family originally came from Litchfield, Conn., where Bennett Seymour, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born. In 1809 he came west to Ashtabula County and located on a farm in East Plymouth Township, where he lived until the time of his death in 1866. He became a prosperous citizen and was a large vessel owner. His son, Leverett, was born in 1830. In 1856 he moved to Clayton County, Iowa, and became a prominent farmer of his time. He died there in 1866. Nancy (Gillett) Seymour was also a native of East Plymouth, born in 1834. They were the parents of two children: Barrett B., the subject of this sketch; and Mary E., born in 1864, married George C. Hubbard, of Ashtabula, Ohio. She died in 1917.

Barrett B. Seymour was educated in the public schools of Ashtabula County and after having finished his schooling in 1874 he was employed as a clerk in the Ashtabula post office for five years. He then was connected with a lumber company at Manistee, Mich., for a short time. In 1882 Mr. Seymour became associated with the National Bank of Ashtabula as clerk and remained there until 1890, at which time he went to Washington, returning to Ashtabula in 1896. At that time he was appointed cashier of the National Bank of Ashtabula, which office he held until 1908. Mr. Seymour was then appointed first superintendent of the banks of Ohio and organized the banking department of Ohio. In 1911 he became president of the National Bank of Ashtabula, which office he has since held.

The National Bank of Ashtabula was organized in 1872. as the Ashtabula National Bank and in 1892 became known as the Ashtabula Bank-_ ing Company. In 1896 it was reorganized as the National Bank of Ashta-

In 1890 Mr. Seymour was united in marriage with Miss Mary H. Greer, who died in July, 1906. She was the daughter of William F. and Conelia (Huntington) Greer, natives of Painesville, and now deceased. Mr. Greer died in 1876 and his wife died in 1912.. To Mr. and Mrs. Seymour one daughter was born, Eleanor P., now the wife of Holland H. Hubbard, and they live in Toledo, Ohio, where he is engaged in the real estate business. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard have a son, Thomas H. Hubbard.

Mr. Seymour is president and treasurer of the Ashtabula Water Company, treasurer and director of the Ashtabula Telephone Company, vice president and director of the Ashtabula Hide & Leather Company, trustee of the Ashtabula Public Library and trustee of Lake Erie College at Painesville, Ohio. Mr. Seymour has taken a keen interest in the welfare of the Smith Home for Aged Women, which was founded by James L. Smith, who died in 1919. It was opened in 1922 and at the present time has 27 women living in the home. Mr. James L. Smith left his entire estate to equip and maintain a home for aged women. Mr. Seymour was appointed one of the executors and trustees to build and equip this home. Mr. Seymour is a Republican and a member of the Episcopal Church. He is public spirited and progressive and takes a deep interest in the welfare of Ashtabula, to the advancement of which he has materially contributed.

Milo A. Taylor, the well known city auditor of Ashtabula, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Clinton County, near Wilmington, and is the son of Seth and Martha (Gallaher) Taylor. Seth Taylor was a native of Ohio, as was also his wife. He followed general farming and met with success, and in later life engaged in carpenter work. Mr. Taylor died in 1908 and his wife died in 1888. They were the parents of eight children, of whom five are now living.

Milo A. Taylor removed to Logan County with his parents when a young boy, and received his education in the district schools of that county. In 1889 he located at LaRue, iu Marion County, Ohio, where he was connected with the LaRue Bank as assistant cashier for 13 years. He then removed to Ashtabula, and became associated with the Ideal Hoop Company as assistant manager until 1916, at which time he was made manager of the Ashtabula Hoop Company. On March 1, 1919, Mr.

Taylor resigned his position to accept the appointment of city auditor of Ashtabula. He has proven to be a trustworthy and capable official of the city and is favorably known throughout the county.

Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Louise Konkle, a native of Union County, Ohio, and the daughter of Abraham and Julia (Bigelow) Konkle, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Konkle are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor one son was born, Walter Jay, who married Miss Francis M. Reed, a native of Ashtabula, and they have one child, Margaret Louise. Mr. Taylor is a member of the editorial staff of the Cleveland News.

In politics Mr. Taylor is a Republican. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. He is a member of the Exchange Club of Ashtabula of which he is secretary.

Norman E. Sheldon, a prominent merchant of Ashtabula, engaged in the wholesale fruit business on Fisk Street, is a native of New York. He was born at Oswego, Sept. 9, 1877, and is the son of C. A. and Frances (McCully) Sheldon.

C. A. Sheldon was born in New Haven, Conn., in 1837, and his wife was a native of Fulton, N. Y., born in 1847. When a young man Mr. Sheldon removed to Oswego, N. Y., where he engaged in the fruit business until 1890, at which time he came to Ashtabula. Mr. Sheldon died in 1916 and his wife died in 1919. They had three children: Norman E., the subject of this sketch; Merwin, died in 1897; and Robert, born in 1888, married to Miss Grace Weisel, and he is employed by his brother, Norman E. Sheldon.

Norman E. Sheldon spent his boyhood at Oswego, N. Y., and received his education in the public schools there. In 1890 he came to Ashtabula with his parents and engaged in the fruit business with his father on Spring Street. Two years later they moved the business to Center Street, where they remained for 15 years. Mr. Sheldon has occupied his present building for 14 years. He carries a fine line of fruits and ranks among the successful business men of the city.

In 1904 Mr. Sheldon was united in marriage with Miss Maude O'Neil, a native of Ashtabula, and the daughter of J. A. and Anna (Schafer) O'Neil. Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon have no children. Mr. Sheldon is a director of the Commercial Savings & Trust Company of Ashtabula. He is a Re-

H. H. Louis, president of the H. H. Louis Company, dealers in heavy hardware and mill supplies, is among the successful and enterprising business men of Ashtabula County. He is a native of Russia, born at Yeznow, Nov. 25, 1868, and the son of Abraham and Della Louis.

Abraham Louis, deceased, was a leading merchant of Yeznow, Russia, where he spent his entire life. He died in 1904 and his wife died in 1891. They were the parents of 13 children, as follows: Herman H., the subject of this sketch; Bessie, married. Frank Good, lives in Cleveland; Israel, deceased; Diana, married Herman Bohn, lives in Cleveland; Ethel, married Harry Macknin, lives in Cleveland; Arthur, married Bessie Brownstein, lives at Fort Worth, Texas; Samuel, Ft. Worth, Texas; and three children died in infancy.

H. H. Louis left his native land when he was 13 years of age and came to the United States alone. He went direct to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he lived a year with an uncle, J. Goodinsky. He worked at various positions and after coming to Cleveland was employed in the junk yard of J. Goldman. Mr. Louis engaged in that business in Cleveland for two years, after which he removed to Marietta, Ohio, where he became a business partner of Dubinsky Brothers. From there he went to Parkersburg, W. Va., where he spent eight years, after which he returned to Cleveland for a short time before locating at Wilmington, Ohio. There he became associated with the Wilmington Fruit & Produce Company, and after a year removed to Ashtabula, where he engaged in the junk business. Mr. Louis organized the Ashtabula Junk Company in 1914, which was incorporated in 1921 as the H. H. Louis Company. This company deals in heavy hardware, mill supplies and waste materials, and has been: located in its present location on Fisk Street since 1912. Mr. Louis began business with a small 60 foot lot and his place of business now covers 214 feet front. About 20 people are employed and the company operates five automobile trucks. It is among the leading business enterprises of Ashtabula. The officers of the H. H. Louis Company are: H. H. Louis, president; Arthur Louis, secretary and treasurer; and Della Louis, assistant secretary and secretary to H. H. Louis.

In 1894 Mr. Louis was married to Miss Celia H. Orkin, a native of Russia and the daughter of Isaac H. and Dora Orkin, natives of Regie, Russia, who came to the United States in 1891 and located in Cleveland. Mr. Orkin died in 1902 and his wife died in 1899. They were the parents of the following children: Louis, married Minnie Kohn, lives at Geneva, Ohio; Fannie, married A. Shapero, lives in Cleveland; Shirley, married M. Duboy; Helen, married J. A. Brower; Adolph, married Rose Gimp, deceased; D. L., married Rose Lamden, deceased; Mary, married Max Shapiro; Dora, married A. Cohen; Mrs. Louis; and Benjamin, married Mary Lamden. To H. H. and Celia (Orkin) Louis three children have been born, as follows: Arthur, born April 4, 1898, a member of his father's firm, lives in Ashtabula; Della, born Aug. 25, 1903, lives at home; and Harold, born Feb. 1, 1905, at home.

Mr. Louis is a member of the Elks Lodge and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He and his family are widely known and highly respected citizens of Ashtabula County.

Gust Anderson, well known building contractor of Ashtabula, and substantial citizen of Ashtabula County, was born in Sweden, May 20, 1871, the son of Andrew J. and Alice (Person) Anderson.

Andrew J. Anderson and his wife, now deceased, were natives of Sweden, where they spent their entire lives. He was a carpenter by trade and died in 1909. His wife died in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had eight children, as follows: Peter; Hanna; Mary; John; Christian, married L. Larson; Gust, the subject of this sketch; August, deceased; and Augusta, lives on the home place in Sweden.

Gust Anderson was reared and educated in Sweden and came to the United States in 1891 and located at Ashtabula. He later was employed on the farm of H. R. Holman and L. Fargo, and three years later entered the employ of.a building contractor, Mr. Drumeller, of Ashtabula. After Mr. Drumeller's death in 1914 Mr. Anderson purchased the business, which he has since conducted with success. The place of business is lo- --eated at 7-9 Spring Street. -Mr. Anderson is a reliable business man and is widely known.

In 1898 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage with Miss Selma Josephine Anderson, also a native of Sweden, born in 1871 and the daughter of August and Anna (Anderson) Anderson. Mr. Anderson died in

Sweden and his wife and children came to this country in 1893 and located in Ashtabula. There were 14 children in the Anderson family. To Gust and Selma Josephine (Anderson) Anderson the following children have been born: Annie, supervisor of penmanship in a school at Warren, Pa.; Fritz, engaged in the contracting business with his father, married in 1923 to Miss Florence Davison; Algot, Alvar, Alice, Signi, Lawrence and Laura, all at home.

Captain Edward Orson Whitney, superintendent of the Ashtabula & Buffalo Docks, is a citizen who holds the high regard of the entire community. He was born at Henderson, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1872, and is the son of Myron J. and Florence J. (White) Whitney.

Myron J. Whitney, a native of Henderson, N. Y., was born Jan. 27, 1843, the son of Truman Orson and Martha (Wood) Whitney. Truman Orson Whitney was a farmer and spent his entire life at Henderson, N. Y. On March 12, 1840, he was married to Miss Martha Wood. From 18632 until 1867 he held the office of revenue assessor and from 1863 until 1872 was supervisor of the town. Mr. Whitney was accidentally shot in the foot and his foot was amputated by Dr. Grafton of Watertown, N. Y. He died March 8, 1876. Mr. Whitney was a prosperous farmer and owned a farm of 450 acres near Henderson, N. Y. His son, Myron J., also farmed during his life and died at Henderson, N. Y., in 1905. His wife, who was born. Dee. 28, 1853, still lives in that city. She is the daughter of Edward White, a native of Henderson, N. Y., who was a pioneer sea captain. To Myron J. and Florence J. (White) Whitney three children were born, as follows: Edward Orson, the subject of this sketch; Lee, born, in 1876, married Matilda McHugh, lives at Henderson, N. Y.; and Ethel D., the widow of Capt. Ralph Gleason, who died in July, 1911.

Capt. Edward Orson Whitney was reared at Henderson, N. Y., and received his education in the public schools there and at Watertown, N. Y. He began his career as a deckhand on the steamer "Missoula" when he was 17 years of age. He was promoted to porter and watchman during the second season and served on the steamer "Spokane" as wheelsman in 1891. In 1892 he served on the steamers "Northern King" and "Pioneer", and in 1894 was second mate on the latter steamer. The following year he was mate and in 1896 was mate on the steamer "Hiawatha" and the following year mate on the steamer "Horan A. Tuttle'. In 1898 he was mate on the steamer "Joseph L. Colby" and the following year on the same vessel. In 1900 Captain Whitney was mate on the steamer "Thomas Wilson" and the following year on the 'Queen City", and later master on the barge "Martha" and the barge "Madsira". In 1902 he was master on the steamer "Bartlett" and the following years on the steamers "Henry Cort", "William H. Gilbert", "John Erickson" and the "F. B. Morse". In 1909 Captain Whitney was promoted to his present position as superintendent of the Ashtabula & Buffalo Docks and removed to Ashtabula from Henderson, N. Y. He lives at 95 Walnut Street. Captain Whitney succeeded Capt. E. S. Henry, deceased. In 1912 the name of the company was changed from the Ashtabula Dock Company to the Ashtabula & Buffalo Dry Docks.

On Jan. 21, 1896, Captain Whitney was united in marriage with Miss Bertha M. Howard, a native of Henderson, N. Y., and the daughter of Clarence and Clara (Vorce) Howard. Mr. Howard was born in Henderson, N. Y., in April, 1853, and died May 1, 1912. - His wife died at the age of 57 years. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Whitney; Alma, deceased; Iva, married Phillip Lane; Ina; and Earl, married Edith Peters. To Mr. and Mrs. Whitney four children have been born, as follows: Zelma H., born Sept. 14, 1897, married Ralph Duff, lives in Ashtabula; Howard, born Oct. 25, 1900; Zaida E., born Nov. 19, 1905; and Harry Payne, born April 28, 1915.

Politically, Mr. Whitney is a Republican and he and his family are members of the Episcopal Church. He belongs to the Masonic lodge and Shrine of Cleveland and the Elks, and is a director of the Chamber of Commerce, president of the Ashtabula County Health League, and chief of the American Protective League of Northeastern Ohio. In January, 1924, he was elected a member of the city council. Captain Whitney is one of Ashtabula's representative citizens and the Whitney family stands high in the community.

Tom B. Knox is an enterprising and well known druggist of Ashtabula Harbor and a member of one of Ohio's honored pioneer families. He was born at Minerva, Ohio, May 20, 1888, and is the son of William S. and Nellie M. (Perdue) Knox.

builder of the early days and his father was one of the first shipbuilders on the Ohio River. M. G. Knox is now 93 years of age. His son, William S., was for many years a prominent printer at Canton, Ohio, and is now retired. His wife is the daughter of M. Perdue, a captain of the Civil War, now deceased. To William S. and Nellie M. (Perdue) Knox four children were born, as follows: William Clifton, born in 1886; Tom B., the subject of this sketch; Ray, born in 1893; and Louise, born in 1895.

Tom B. Knox was educated in the public schools of Canton, Ohio, and was a student of Ohio Northern University, where he studied pharmacy. He then entered the employ of Mr. Schnaffer, a druggist of Ashtabula, where he remained until 1906, at which time he joined the navy at Cleveland. After four years he returned to Ashtabula and worked with Mr. Schnaffer until 1920. He then became a partner of Mr. Helender, and the business is known as Helender & Knox. In 1923 they opened another store. Mr. Helender manages the one on Bridge Street and Mr. Knox the one on Lake Street. They carry a full line of drugs, stationery and toilet articles and have an extensive trade.

In 1918 Mr. Knox was united in marriage with Miss Florence E. Large, a native of Ashtabula, and the daughter of Ed and Monia Large, of Ashtabula. To this union one daughter has been born, Sallie Louise, born in 1914. -

Mr. Knox is a Republican, a member of the Episcopal Church and belongs to the Masonic Blue Lodge and Chapter and Commandery. He and his wife have many friends and stand high in the community.

Arthur V. Hillyer, manager and director of the North Eastern Finance Company, is a leading and influential citizen of Ashtabula and Ashtabula County. He was born at Eaton, Wis., Sept. 9, 1869, and is the son of Riley and Angle C. (Case) Hillyer.

Riley Hillyer was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, June 9, 1845. He came to Ashtabula in 1870 and was a prominent citizen of his time. Mr. Hillyer served with the Trumbull Guards during the Civil War. He died Feb. 8, 1909. His wife, Angle C. Case, was born at Mecca, in Ashtabula County, June 7, 1847, the daughter of Asa and Nancy (Smith) Case. The latter was born in Connecticut, Dec. 16, 1821, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Smith, of old New England stock. At the age of 11 years, Nancy (Smith) Case went to New York with her parents and located at

Genoa, three years later removing to Ohio. On April 8, 1846, she was married to Asa L. Case, and to this union three children were born, as follows: Angle C., the mother of the subject of this sketch; Myrtie E., died in 1882; and Edith, died Dec. 28, 1907.

To Riley and Angle C. (Case) Hillyer two children were born: Arthur V., the subject of this sketch; and Mabel C., born Jan. 12, 1885, unmarried and she is supervisor of drawing at Salem High School, Salem, Mass. Mrs. Hillyer lives in Salem, Mass.

Arthur V. Hillyer was educated in the public schools of Ashtabula and began life as a clerk in a local store. He later entered the employ of the New York Central Railroad and was an engineer with that road for 22 years. After being injured in an accident on March 23, 1907, Mr. Hillyer resigned his position with the railroad and became clerk to the county commissioner, which office he held for six years. He was elected county treasurer of Ashtabula County in 1914 and was in office four years. In 1919 Mr. Hillyer helped organize the North Eastern Finance Company, of which he is manager and director. The business is located on Spring Street and is among the dependable financial institutions of the county.

Mr. Hillyer was married to Miss Charlotte E. Bacchus, a native of New York. To this union four children have been born, as follows: Gertrude, born Oct. 12, 1890, married on Sept. 14, 1914, to Carl Crozier; William R., born July 4, 1893, married on March 10, 1916, to Mildred Fortune; Lowes, born May 21, 1901, married on June 22, 1921, to James Peck; and Freedus, born June 10, 1908, lives at home.

Mr. Hillyer and his family hold membership in the Prospect Street Presbyterian Church and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Mr. Hillyer and his family are substantial citizens of their community and have many friends and acquaintances.

A. B. C. Palmer, superintendent of the division of electricity for the city of Ashtabula, is one of the well known and substantial citizens of the county. He was born at Fitchville, in Huron County, Ohio, July 14, 1872, and is the son of Edwin and Mary (Chase) Palmer.

"A. B. C. Palmer was reared and educated at Fitchville, Ohio, and his first business position was with the Western Union Telegraph Company. He later was connected with telephone work and did construction work in the long distance division. On Jan. 28, 1900, Mr. Palmer came to Ashtabula and entered the employ of the city. Since his connection with the electric light plant, many improvements have been made in the service, a new power plant being completed in 1921 at a cost of $1,000,000. All power and light in the city of Ashtabula is furnished by the local plant and the city railway street cars are also operated by the city power. Electric power is also furnished to several towns near Ashtabula, including Jefferson and Rock Creek.

In 1900 Mr. Palmer was married at Norwalk, Ohio, to Miss Byrd Tucker, a native of Fitchville, Ohio, and the daughter of Edgar and Mary (Clark) Tucker, natives of New York.

Raymond H. Godley, who ranks among Ashtabula's most substantial and enterprising citizens, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born at Easton, June 3, 1873, and is the son of Charles R. and Mary Josephine (Brotzman) Godley.

Charles R. Godley, who now lives retired, is a veteran of the Civil War. He was born in Northampton County, Pa., and has spent most of his life at Easton, Pa., where he was employed by the Lehigh Valley Railroad for 51 years. Mr. Godley was a railroad carpenter, having learned his trade when a boy with the Lehigh Valley Railroad. At the age of 16 years he volunteered for service during the Civil War and served with the 129th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Mr. Godley is the son of William V.* Godley, a native of New Jersey who settled in Pennsylvania at an early date. He was superintendent of the Glendon mines for many years. There were 14 children in William V. Godley's family, of whom 12 are now living. To Charles and Mary Josephine (Brotzman) Godley 11 children were born, as follows: Forrest A., died in service in Cuba during the Spanish-American War; John P., a foreman in the plant of the Westinghouse Electric Company at Brooklyn, N. Y.; Charles A., postal clerk at Easton, Pa.; Paul, watchman for the Lehigh Valley Railroad at Easton, Pa.; Grace, married Frank Coppock, lives at Easton, Pa.; Cora, married William Walters, deceased, and she lives with her father at Easton, Pa.; Elva and Hattie, deceased; Raymond H., the subject of this sketch; and the remaining children died in infancy. Mrs. Godley is deceased.

Raymond H. Godley attended the public and high schools of Easton, Pa., and began life as a machinist with the Lehigh Valley Railroad in 1887. He remained with that company until 1899, at which time he went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he spent two years. Mr. Godley has since been in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad and has beén located at Ashtabula since 1902. He is engine house foreman.

In 1896 Mr. Godley was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Bittner, a native of Phillipsburg, N. J., and the daughter of Phaon and Alma (Hineline) Bittner, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New Jersey. Mr. Bittner was a truck farmer and died at the age of 77 years. His wife died when Mrs. Godley was about 10 years old and he was later married again. There were six children in the Bittner family: Amanda, William, Herbert, Mrs. Godley, Emma, and Laura. To Mr. and Mrs. Godley five children have been born, as follows: Kenneth, died in 1899; Elizabeth, lives in Cleveland; Margaret, attends college at Athens, Ohio; Dorothy, who was graduated from high school in 1923; and Ellen,

Mr. Godley belongs to the Masonic Lodge and He Ashtabula Chamber of Commerce. He and his family hold membership in the Presbyterian Church and are well and favorably known throughout Ashtabula County.

Floyd C. Williams, principal of the Ashtabula Business College, is among the prominent and influential citizens of Ashtabula County. He was born in Jasper County, Ind., June 29, 1887, and is the son of J oat and Mahala (Adair) Williams.

Joseph Williams was a native of Indiana, and his wife was also born in that state. He followed farming and stock raising during his life in Jasper County, Ind., and met with success. Mr. Williams is deceased and his widow now resides on the home place near Rensselaer, Ind. They were the parents of the following children: Laura, deceased, was the wife of Orville Garriott; William O., lives at Valparaiso, Ind.; Bertha, married George Barker, lives on the home place. Floy, twin sister of Floyd, married Russell Kunce, and they live at Cromwell, Ind.; Floyd, the subject of this sketch; and Lillie, married Halley Alter, lives at Rossville, N. M.; and Ray, lives near the home place.

his degree of Bachelor of Accounts in 1909, he was principal of the Commercial Department of the Westfield College (United Brethren College), Westfield, Ill., for one year. He was instructor one year in the Bookkeeping Department of the Chicago Business College, Chicago, IIl., and two years instructor of Shorthand in Metropolitan Business College, Chicago, Ill., after which he was appointed manager of the Huntington Business University, Huntington, Ind. In 1913 Mr. Williams came to Ashtabula and purchased the Ashtabula Business College, which was organized in 1895 by A. E. Reynolds and located on the northwest corner of Center and Main Streets. It was purchased by Mr. Williams and T. F. Juergens, but the following year Mr. Juergen's interest was purchased by Mr. Williams and it has since been conducted by him and his wife, and associate teachers. The Ashtabula Business College was later located in the Fickinger Building and in April, 1920, the college was completely destroyed by fire and in September of the same year was re-established in the Eastman Block, 206 Main Street.

The Ashtabula Business College courses of instruction are designated to give to the future business man and woman, in the shortest possible time, the instruction he needs if his work is to be of the right quality and quantity and to be rendered in such a manner as to build business that is profitable and permanent. The school is fully accredited by the National Association of Accredited Commercial Schools. This is the only authoritative accrediting agency among private commercial schools. It is made up of nearly 300 leading business training schools of the country that have pledged themselves. to establish and maintain the highest possible ideals and standards in business education.

Before a school can be accredited by this association it pledges itself to the maintenance of a set of standards of practice covering its relations with the student and with the public. A school cannot remain a member of this association unless it measures up to these standards. There are a number of excellent reasons why a student should attend a school . accredited by the N. A. A. C. S., among them being these:

1. Grades made in one accredited school are good in every other accredited school and will be transferred when the student finds it necessary to move from one community to another.

2. Every graduate is entitled to the free service of the employment departments of all accredited schools throughout the United States and Canada, should he at any time desire help in securing a position.

5. Students in an accredited school have the opportunity to earn the degree, Honor Graduate in Business, which is conferred by the association in co-operation with the individual school.

4. The excellence of accredited schools is so generally recognized that the graduate enjoys an exceptionally favorable introduction to the business public when he leaves his school.

While there are many good schools not accredited by this Association the fact that a school is so accredited is one of the very best evidences of its excellence. -

The courses of study consist of the following: Complete Business Course, Shorthand Course, Bookkeeping Course, Secretarial Course, Civil Service Course, and Public Accounting and Auditing.

Mr. Williams is a public accountant and holds membership in the National Association of Cost Accountants and the National Association of Public Accountants. He is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a deacon, and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Chamber of Commerce, the Y. M. C. A. and Secretary of the Ashtabula County Sunday School Association. He is known throughout Ashtabula County as an upright and reliable citizen.

In 1913 Mr. Williams was married to Miss Bessie Sheats, a native of Wood County, Ohio, and the daughter of Frank L. and Nettie (Strayer) Sheats, natives of Ohio and residents of Grand Rapids, Ohio, where he is. engaged in fruit growing. Mr. and Mrs. Sheats have five children, as follows: Agnes, married Hiram Stocker, lives at McClure, Ohio; Mrs. Williams; Ruth, married LeRoy McWilliams, and she is postmistress at Grand | Rapids, Ohio; Pauline, married Guy A. Nevison, automobile salesman at Ashtabula, and Florence, married Sidney Mawer, lives at Weston, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have no children.

Mrs. F. C. Williams is a graduate of the Grand Rapids, Ohio, High School. She then received her teachers' training at the Marion Normal College, Marion, Ind. She taught in the public school at Grand Rapids for three years and two years at Bloomdale, Ohio. Since coming to Ashtabula in 1913, Mrs. Williams has been associated with Mr. Williams in the Ashtabula Business College. She is a member of the First Presbyterian Church and a teacher in the Junior Department of the Sunday School, and Business Women's Club of the Y. W. C. A.

Mrs. Carter is a graduate of the Geneva High School and of the Ashtabula Business College in 1919 and now a bookkeeper in the Machine Department of the American Fork & Hoe, Ashtabula, Ohio. She is an assistant in the Night School.

Miss Hazel Lewis a graduate of the Ashtabula High School and of the Ashtabula Business College. She was an honor student, receiving a diploma which is granted by the Accredited Schools for superior work. She received her teachers' normal training at the Oberlin Business University, Oberlin, Ohio. Miss Lewis has charge of the Stenographic Department.

Mrs. Nevison, a former graduate of the school, was a teacher for three years in Ashtabula Business College and then entered Civil Service work, being a Stenotypist at the Toledo State Hospital for three years.

Miss Lelia Holcomb, of Geneva, Ohio, and a graduate of the school, was a successful teacher in the Stenographic Department for four years in the Ashtabula Business College and then two years in the Commercial Department of the Erie Business College. She is now Secretary in the Lutheran Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio.

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

Clarence E. Richardson

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. 208, 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 then 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.

John Carlson, who now lives in Kingsville Township, is a leading farmer of Ashtabula County. He was born in Sweden, Feb. 15, 1869, the son of Carl and Elizabeth Isaacson.

Carl Isaacson was born in Sweden, where he died in 1924. He came to this country, but after five years returned to his native land. His wife died in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Isaacson were the parents of the following children: John, the subject of this sketch; Ed, lives in Sweden; Theodore, Ashtabula; Louie, Ashtabula Township; Anna, Sweden; and Hilda, married Abbie Dickerson, lives in Cleveland.

John Carlson spent his boyhood in Sweden and was educated there. Thirty-six years ago he came to the United States and located at Altoona, Pa., where he was employed in the mines four years. He then came to Ashtabula Harbor and worked at the docks for 15 years. In 1902 Mr. Carlson purchased his first farm of 50 acres, which he sold in 1920. The Carlson farm is located on the south ridge east of Ashtabula and is among the fine dairy farms of the community. Mr. Carlson resided in Ashtabula for a few years at 32 Fargo Avenue. In 1924 he moved to his present farm of 80 acres. He has owned several farms in the county.

On Jan. 29, 1892, Mr. Carlson was united in marriage with Miss Tilda Jepson, a native of Sweden, who came to this country with her parents when a child. Elsie Jepson, the mother, lives in Ashtabula. Her husband died in 1921. On April 23, 1923, Mrs. Carlson died very suddenly, leaving 12 children, as follows: Carrie, lives at home; Mabel, cashier of the Ward

Baking Company, Cleveland; Agnes, teaches school in Ashtabula; Lillie, died in -1902; Edith, teaches school; Mildred, an instructor in penmanship in the Saybrook Township School; Martha H., at home; Elizabeth, died at the age of 17 years; Alice, at home; Della, Arlene and Jane, all at home.