Cuyahoga County, Ohio - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 44 of those read), 1870

John Henry Devereux

were a#mong the first settlers of the colony- of' Massachusetts Bay' He has also a long ancestry in the aristocracy of the Old World, being of the twenty-sixth generation in England aud ofthe seventh in this country, in direct lineal descent from Robert de Ebroicis, or Robert D'Evreux, known in history as one of the Norman conquerors of England in 1066.

He was educated at Portsmouth (New Hampshire) Academy, and,-early in 1848, left his home in Massachusetts and came to' Ohio in the capacity of a civil engineer.

At that time he was but sixteen years old, a very independent and high-spirited boy, possessed of undaunted courage and unbounded enterprise. On arriving at Cleveland, he was at once employed as a constructing engineer on the Cleveland, Columbus and

In 1852 he went south, and, until 1861, was engaged as civil engineer in the construction of railroads in Tennessee. He was prominently connected with the internal improvements of that State and section, and was referee in several important cases, as to location and construction. He became the leading spirit in railroad affairs, and had determined upon residing there the remainder of his life, but on the breaking out of the war he left T'ennessee - regretfully and regretted.

In the spring of 1862, after having made a reconnoissance for a military railroad in the Shenandoah valley, he received the appointment of superintendent of military railroads in Virginia, and under it had charge of all railroads out of Alexandria, and connected therewith. It was early in the spring of 1862 that the forward movements of the Federal armies in Virginia called for active operation, by the government, of the railroad lines centering in Alexandria and connecting with Washington. These lines of in the midst of chaos, and of imperative demands for endless transportation to and from the advancing armies, General McCallum was suddenly called to the head of the department of railroads, and in turn summoned Colonel Devereux to act as the controller and chief of the Virginia lines.

enemy upon the roads being almost equaled in injurious effect by the intolerance and ignorance of Federal officers, whose ambition by turns extended to the special ownership and direction of every mile of line was drawn between the jurisdiction of the chiefs of the road management, of the War Department, and of the army, but the unwritten law was none the less saries' departments, by ordnance and hospital departments, by the chiefs in command in the field. Through the whole ran the demands necessitated by the move-

Biographical Sketches

The roads were infested with suspicious characters and peddlers, and the trains swarmed with these, to the injury of every interest in the service. There was no time for preparation. Colonel Devereux plunged into the chaotic mass, and, meeting unmoved cach obstacle, laid at once the foundation of discipline and brought the strictest order and obedience into almost instant action. He filled the reconstructed shops with tools, and the roads with adequate equipments; quietly and patiently but persistently developed the system of military railroad Jaw, and made it harmonize with the regulations of each department. Ie swept away with a single stroke every peddler, and leech, and spy, and thief from the trains, which now became in reality ''through trains of government supplies," as the orders required, and were manned and officered with the most rigid discipline. He organized a corps of inspection and detection which swept away all that was bad or suspicious, and made his eye eye the chicf sentinel of the army, before which everything and everybody had to pass for recognition and approval.

With strong practical sense he avoided clashing between the departments by fitting the vast. machine of transportation to their wants, and thus aided greatly all the plans of General Haupt, as of his predecessor, General McCallum. With unwearied energy he developed the resources of the same ponderous machine until Alexandria became the center of a great system, that worked with the precision of a chronometer in the distribution, under his hand, of countless stores, munitions, and troops. It mattered but little how many roadways or bridges were destroyed by the enemy, the railroad trains were never behind. Major General Meade particularly was supplied with rations wnd forage "'so magnificently," as he expressed it, under all circumstances, that his repeatedly expressed appreciation removed the last obstacle that might have remained to cause friction to the system.

It was a gullant thing, with Pope's army driven back and scattered in confusion, to bring into Alexandria every car and engine in saftey - in some cases working the cars up the grades by hand while the ground trembled with the shock of battle. Such work as this he repeatedly performed. It was a noble labor, that of caring for the sick and wounded, which was made a part of the military railroad work, and the United States Sanitary Commission gratefully _acknowledged his constant and valuable aid in this direction. No officer stood better with the War Secretary nor with the President, and, holding a position which could have been turned into a source of immense personal gain, his integrity was beyond doubt - no man dared even attempt to bribe him. He directed and moved men and machines by a thorough system, and the result was great smoothness in operation and precision in management; hence the promptness of

In the spring of 1864 the military railroad work was drawing to a close, and Col. Devereux felt at liberty to heed the calls made for his services in civil life. During his connection with the Army of the Potomac he had won the good will and respect of all, and the entire confidence of the leading men in the army and the government with whom his position brought him in contact. His resignation was received with sincere regret, and he bore with him to Ohio the hearty good wishes of those with whom he had been associated. Accepting the management of the Cleveland and Pittsburg railroad, he was its vice president and general superintendent for five years, and under his control it was one of the most judiciously managed roads in the State.

In 1866 he was invited to become vice president of the Lake Shore railroad company, and soon after accepting that position he was elected to the presidency. When the consolidation of the Lake Shore road with the connecting lines between Buffalo and Chicago was effected, under the name of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railroad company, he was appointed general manager, and had executive control of this great line with all its connections and branches. During his government the line was very successful, and its reputation among railroads for sufety and accommodation to the public, and prudent and economical management in the interests of the stockholders, stood deservedly high.

'The estimate placed upon his ability as a railway manager was so high that in June, 1873, he received overtures from the Atlantic and Great Western and the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis railroad companies of such a character that he could not in justice to his own interests refuse the offer. He accepted and held, at the same time, the position of president of both the companies. At the same time he was president of minor railroad corporations, whose lines formed part of the system of the larger companies under his direction.

When he assumed control of the Atlantic and Great Western railroad its fortunes were at a low ebb. Laboring under the most discouraging odds, he succeeded in putting the line in the best condition under the circumstances, but at the close of the year 1874 it was deemed useless to continue the struggle, until a change in its financial condition had been effected. He was accordingly made receiver, and shortly afterwards resigned his position as president and director, as incompatible with that of receiver appointed by the courts. His appointment to the position just named was received with satisfaction by all concerned, who knew that their clashing interests were in safe and honorable hands.

Although never a politician, Col. Devereux has always manifested an active interest in public affairs. Twice he was tendered a nomination to Congress, but declined. He is a man of large brain, great capacity for work, generous impulses and a benevolent heart. He is amember of the Episcopal Church, and very active in its affairs, particularly in missionary and Sunday-school work, laboring zealously and giving freely to aid the cause of religion. In the Masonic order he ranks high, and in 1860 was elected Thrice Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Tennessee.

IIe was married in 1851 to Miss Antoinette C. Kelsey, daughter of Hon. Lorenzo A. Kelsey, formerly mayor of Cleveland. They have four children.

William H. Doan

William H.. Doan is descended from one of the oldest families i the country, which has, for generations, supplied many substantial and worthy members to the community. The name is an old one in the county of Cheshire, England, and is thus alluded to in the '' Patronymica Brittanica" by Lower:

""Wone - A great Cheshire family, whom Omerod designates as a 'race of warriors' who held Utkinton (supposed to be the Done of Domesday) as military tenants of Venables from the time of King John. The chiefs of this house will be found in the battlerolls of Agincourt, Bloreheath and Flodden. The name is pronounced Done (0 long) and is also spelled Doane by members of the same (Cheshire) family."

John Doan, the founder of the Doan family in this country, crossed the Atlantic in one of the three first ships that sailed to Plymouth, landing at that famous spot in the year 1630. A brother came afterward and settled in Canada, and another brother settled in Virginia, where he founded xn extensive family. Jobn Doan took a prominent and useful part in the affairs of Plymouth colony, and in 1633 was chosen assistant to Governor Winslow. In addition to that and other civil offices which he held, he was made a deacon in the church at Plymouth and at Kastham. Ife died in 1685 at the advanced age of ninety-five years. ILis wife's name was Abigail, and by her he had five children - Lydia, Abigail, John, Ephraim and Daniel.

Daniel had four elildren by his first wife, among whom was Joseph Doan, who was born June 27, 1669. Joseph had twelve children by two wives. Te was a deacon of the church at Eastham for forty years, and was a pious and God-fearing man. Ilis first child was named Mary after her mother, and the second, Joseph, after his father. Joseph, Jr., was born November 15, 1693, and married Deborah Iaddock September 30, 1725. He moved to Middle Ifaddam, near Middletown, on the Connecticut river, and there engaged in ship-building. His children were Joseph, Nathaniel, Seth, Eunice and Phineas.

(who died early), Mercy, Job, John M. and Deborah. The two Seth Doans, father and son, were taken prisoners by the British from a merchant vessel in 1776, during the Revolution, the father at the time being mate of the vessel on which he was captured. They were released in 1777, and soon after the younger Seth died from sickness contracted while a prisoner, and due to his captivity.

Nathaniel, fourth child of Seth and Mercy Doan, was born about the year 1764. Ie came to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, in 1796, with the party which surveyed the Western Reserve, and in 1798 moved thither with his family. The route of emigration was down the Connecticut river, along the coast by vessel to New York, up the Hudson river, across by land to Lake Ontario and thence by boat to the mouth of the Cuyahoga river. The family lived in the then little village of Cleveland until the next fall, when they removed to what is now the east part of the city of Cleveland, settling at the '* Corners," just west of Wade Park.

Nathaniel Doan was a man. of great piety and of sterling qualities. The first Presbyterian churchsociety in the Western Reserve was organized in his house, and was known as the First Presbyterian church, of which he was appointed deacon. Ife marricd Sarah Adams, of Chatham, Connecticut. Lis children were Sarah, Job (who died young), Job, Delia, Nathaniel and aLaNsy: He died November 29, 1815.

Job, his eldest son, was born June 10, 1789, and was nine years of age when he came with his father to Ohio, where he experienced in his youth all the privations of pioneer life. At the age of twenty-six he was married to Harrict Woodrulf, daughter of Nathaniel and Isabel Woodruff, of Morris county, New Jersey. She was born August 31, 1797, and came to Ohio in 1814. Job Doan took a prominent part in the affairs of the town and county. LHe was a Whig in politics, and in 1832 and 1833 was a member of the legislature. Ie was also a justice of the peace for many years. He likewise built and kept the first hotel in Kast Cleveland. Although he had but a limited education himself, he was a liberal supporter of educational interests, and was also an enterprising and public-spirted citizen, charitable and generous to afault. He died on the 30th of September, 1834, of cholera. He had eight children, Nathaniel Adams, Sarah C., who is now the wife of John Walters, Ilarriet J. wnies Ann, Martha M. (who died in infancy), Wilt T., Martha M., and Edwin W.

William Ir. Doan, the subject of this sketch, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on the 3d of July, 1828. He was educated in the public schools, and the Shaw Academy of Euclid, also attending Mr. Beatty's preparatory school in Cleveland. me the age of twenty he entered the law office of Hitchcock, Wilson & Wade where he remained nine months. Soon afterward he generously voluntered to go to Sandusky to assist in caring for the sufferers by the cholera, and rendered faithful service until the discase abated.

pursuits, such as nining, trading, ete. His business ventures proving unsuccessful, he returned to Ohio, and, after remaining one year in Cleveland, went to Corry, Pennsylvania, where he resided from 1861 to 1865. During that time he was engaged in building shanties along the line of the Atlantic and Great Western railroad, and served as an employee in various positions on the Oil Creek railroad. Ile also went into the commission business, selling crude oil, with a partner, under the firm name of W. H. Doan & Co. The trade in oil rapidly increasing, he removed to Cleveland, where he entered more extensively into the traffic. THe subsequently engaged in the manufacture of oils and naphtha, which has proved moderately successful. He employs at the present time fifty hands, having considerably extended the business.

As a citizen Mr. Doan deservedly takes a high rank. A member of the Congregational church, in which he holds the offices of deacon and trustee, he has contributed freely, both in time and money, to the interests of Christianity and charity. In public enterprise and benevolent projects he is ever ready and willing to lend a helping hand.

Iie originated and built, mostly with his own funds, the Tabernacle, located on the corner of St. Clair and Ontario streets, which he has devoted to the use of the people of Cleveland. eis deeply interested in the Sunday school work, serving at present as superintendent of the Tabernacle school. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, being an active and untiring worker in the cause of temperance. His many social qualities and personal virtues have won the esteem of a large circle of friends, and the respect of all with whom he he has been brought in contact. He was married on the 3let of July, 1861, to Miss E. J. Hemmel, of New York City.

Dan P. Eells

Major Samuel Eells came to this country from Barnstable, England, and settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts, probably in the year 1633, where his son, Samuel, was born. Major Eells returned to England while his son was yet a babe, and remained until Samuel, Jr., was twenty-one years old, who then returned to the land of his nativity, and settled at Milford, Connecticut, where he was a lawyer and an officer in the army. He died at Hingham, Massachusetts, at the age of sixty-nine. Nathaniel, his third son, was graduated at Harvard University, and was settled as pastor ever the church at Scituate, Massachusetts. Edward Eells, son of Nathanicl, was also graduated at Ifarvard, and was settled over the church at Middletown, Connecticut. James Eells, son of Edward, was graduated at Yale College in 1763, and like his two preceding ancestors became a elergyman, being settled over the church at Glastonbury, Connecticut. His son, James, was also graduated at Yale in 1799, and was pastor over the Presbyterian church in Westmoreland, Oneida county, New York, in 1804. He removed to Ohio in 1831, where he resided in Worthington, Franklin county, in Charlestown, Portage county, and in Amherst, Lorain county, until the death of his wife, in 1849, after which he lived in the families of his sons until May 3, 1856, when he died at Grafton, Lorain county, from being injured by a locomotive on the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati railroad.

Rev. James Eells had seven children, one of whom, a datighter, died in infancy. The remaining six, five sons and one daughter, all born in Westmoreland, Oneida county, New York, lived to mature years.

James Henry was educated at Hamilton College and Princeton Theological Seminary, was pastor of the Presbyterian church at Elyria, Ohio, and afterward at Perrysburg, where he was drowned in the Maumee river, December 7, 1836. Samuel, born May 21, 1810, was educated at Hamilton College, where he was graduated in 1832. He became a lawyer and settled in Cincinnati, where he was for a time a partner of the late chief justice, S. P. Chase. He was the founder of the college society, Alpha Delta Phi, and, though less than thirty-two years of age at the time of his death, he was ranked among the very ablest lawyers of his time, and as an advocate had no superior at the Cincinnati bar. Mary Lucretia, born June 18, 1812, married Dr. Asa B. Brown, at Elyria Ohio, December 31, 1835, and died at Cleveland February 9, 1855. 'Timothy Dwight, born November 1, 1815, died at Cleveland, April 18, 1876. James, born August 27, 1822, was educated at Hamilton College and Auburn Theological Seminary. He was first settled over the Presbyterian church at Penn Yan, New York; was afterwards pastor of the Second Presbyterian church in Cleveland, and also of the Dutch Reformed church on the Hights, in Brooklyn, New York, whence he removed 'to San Francisco, and became the pastor of the First Presbyterian church of thatcity. Heis now pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Oakland, California, and professor of pastoral theology in the San Francisco Theological Seminary.

Dan Parmlee Eells was born April 16, 1825. He entered Hamilton College, but before completing his course removed to Cleveland, where he continued his studies, being graduated with the class of 1848. In March, 1849, he was given a position in the Commercial Branch of the State Bank of Ohio. Here he remained until 1857, manifesting such decided financial abilities and winning so many friends among business men, that he was solicited to become a partner in a private banking house, and the firm of Hall, Eells & Co. was formed, Mr. Eells being the managing partner. In November, 1858, the managers of the Commercial Branch Bank, desirous of regaining his services, elected him their cashier. In this position he remained until 1865, when the charter of the institution expired. The Commercial National Bank was now organized, and the business of the Commer- cial Branch Bank was transferred to it. Mr. W. A. Otis was chosen president, and Mr. Kells, vice president. On the death of Mr. Otis, in 1868, Mr. Eells was elected president, and has remained in that position until the present time. This has been one of the flourishing banking institutions of the city, having a capital stock of $1,250,000, and a large surplus. It has always pursued a liberal Sut prudent policy under Mr. Eclls' management; the wisdom of which is manifest by its large and profitable business. He has also been interested in other large business enterprises; being a director and the vice president of the Republic Iron Company; a director in the Otis Steel and Iron Company, and having large investments in numerous manufacturing and other enterprises.

Although so Targely engaged in business, he has always found time to assist in all the benevolent projects of the time. He is the treasurer of the Cleveland Orphan Asylum, and the Bethel Home has always had his warm support. When the Cleveland Bible Society was organized, in 1857, Mr. Hells was chosen its treasurer, which position he held until 1877, when he was elected its president.

Mr. Eells married Mary, daughter of George A. Howard, of Orrville, Ohio, on the 13th of September, 1849. They had two children; Howard Parmlee, born June 16, 1855, and Emma Paige, born April 8, 1857. He married as his second wife, Mary, daughter of Stillman Witt, of Cleveland, on the 15th of June, 1861. By this marriage there have been four children, Eliza Witt, born July 1, 1867, who died from injuries by explosion of the steamer '' Chautauqua," on Chautauqua lake, August 15, 1871; Stillman Witt, born April 24, 1873; and William Hamilton and Winifred Douglass, (twins), born October 20, 1874; of whom William If. died July 16, and Winifred D. July 17,1875. Mr. Kells is an elder of the Second Presbyterian church, and is one of its most active supporters. A descendant of a long line of honorable and educated ancestors, six generations of whom have been clergymen in the New England Presbyterian and Congregational churches, Mr. Eells' life has been an example, socially and morally, of what may be expected from such a lineage.

Sylvester T. Everett

The subject of this sketch, a son of Samuel Everett, a prominent merchant and manufacturer, was born in Liberty township, Trumbull county, Ohio, on the 27th of November, 1838. Te was educated in the common schools of his native town and lived on his father's farm until 1850, In that year he came to Cleveland, to reside with his brother, Dr. Henry Everett; attending the public schools until 1853, when he entered the employ of S. Raymond & Co. In March of the succeeding year he was admitted to aclerkship in the banking house of Brockway, Wason, Everett & Co., and three years after his entrance was promoted te the position of cashier. In

1859 he was called to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to aid in settling up the affairs of his uncle, Charles Everett, Esq., a well known merehant, who was about to retire from active business life. After a year spent in that work he returned to Cleveland and resumed his position in the banking house.

new firm of Everett, Weddell & Co. In 1869 the Republicans nominated him for city treasurer, and he was elected by a decided majority. At the end of the first year he presented to the council a clear, concise and complete statement of the financial affairs of the city. This had not been done for some time before. The outstanding obligations of the city were at the same time managed with such ability that the outlay for interest was largely reduced, and the credit of the city was so greatly improved that the municipal bonds were sought for by investors at a decided advance, and in many instances a premium. This improved condition of the city's financial management continuing, he was renominated at the end of his term of two years, and re-elected by a large majority.

In 1873, at the end of his second term, he was nominated by both the Republican and Democratic conventions, and was again elected, receiving the largest vote that had ever been polled for one candidate from the organization of the city to that time. In 1875, and again in 1877, the same compliment was paid him; he being a third time the nominee of both parties, and elected by a unanimous vote. In 1879 he was unanimously nominated by the Republican party - the Democrats making a separate nomination. This election was hotly contested upon local issues, but he nevertheless was elected by about five thousand majority, running nearly three thousand votes ahead of his ticket.

The confidence of the public in Mr. Everett's ability as a financier, and his trustworthiness as a man, was shown not only by his election for six consecutive terms to one of the most important and responsible positions in the city government, but also by the other offices of trust to which he was chosen without his seeking. In 1876 he was elected one of the directors and also vice president of the Second National Bank, one of the leading institutions of the State. He assumed the management on the Ist of, June, 1876, and the following year was made the president, which position he still holds. He is also vice president and treasurer of the Valley Railway Company, and it was largely through his influence that funds were raised for the completion of this road. IIe is a director of the Cleveland Rolling Mill Company; of the Union Steel Screw Company; the Citizens' Savings and Loan Association; the Saginaw Mining Company, Lake Superior; the American District Telegraph Company, and of Everett, Weddell and Co., bankers; he is also a director and the treasurer of the Northern Ohio Fair Association. All these enterprises haye found in him an efficient and trustworthy