Cuyahoga County, Ohio - Biographical sketches (1 of 2 so headed), 1870 (part 2 of 2)

In 1852 Mr. Parsons was elected a member of the city council of Cleveland, and the following year was chosen president of that body. In 1857 he was elected to the Ohio legislature. He was re-elected in 1859, and on the meeting of the legislature the fo:- lowing winter he was chosen speaker of the house of representatives. He was the youngest person who had eyer filled that position, yet his thorough knowledge of parliamentary rules, his prompt and decisive address, and his great personal popularity secured his re-election with little opposition. In 1861 President Lincoln tendered him the mission to Chili, which he declined. He was subsequently appointed consul at Rio Janeiro , where he served one year with great advantage to our commercial and maritime interests at that port.

Returning to Cleveland Mr. Parsons was appointed, in 1862, collector of internal revenue for the Twentieth district, which position he filled for four years, when he was removed by President Johnson, because he refused to give in his adherence to the " Johnson party." In 1866 he was appointed marshal of the Supreme Court of the United States, and after serving for six years, resigned.

In 1873 Mr. Parsons was elected to the forty-third Congress as a Republican, from the Twentieth Congressional district of Ohio, receiving thirteen thousand one hundred and one votes, against ten thousand three hundred and seventy-seven for the candidate of the Democrats and Liberals. In Congress he was at onee placed on important committees, on which he served with industry and marked ability. By his intelligent and well directed efforts he secured the first appropriation for the breakwater at the port of Cleveland, a work of inestimable value to the commercial interests of the city. In 1877 he joined William Perry Fogg in the purchase of the Cleveland Herald, and becaine editor-in-chief of that journal, in which position he still remains. He is a forcible and able writer, and has made the Herald one of the conspicuous features of Western journalism:

Iienry B. Payne

His father, Elisha Payne, was an early settler of that county, having removed thither from Lebanon, Connecticut, in 1795. He was a man of great personal integrity, purity of character and publie spirit, and was instrumental in an eminent degree in founding Hamilton Theological Seminary.

Henry B. Payne was educated at Hamilton College, Clinton, New York, and was graduated in the class of 1832, ranking high in mathematics and belles-lettres. Ile commenced the study of law in the office of John C. Spencer the same year. In 1833 he removed to Cleveland, then a village of some three thousand inhabitants, and was admitted to the bar the following year. He at once commenced the practice of law in company with H. V. Willson, his partner and former classmate. This partnership continued twelve years, until, in consequence of hemorrhage of the lungs, Mr. Payne was compelled to relinquish the profession,

Ile subsequently served two years in the city council, chiefly engaged in reforming the finances, restoring the municipal credit, and reconstructing the fire department. In 1849, conjointly with John W. Allen, Richard Hilliard, John M. Wolsey and others, he entered earnestly into measures for constructing the Cleveland and Columbus railroad. It is no disparagement to the labors of others to say that to him, Richard Iilliard, Esq., and Hon. Alfred Kelley, that great enterprise was mainly indebted for its success - a success which, being achieved at a most critical period in the fortunes of Cleveland, contributed in a very great degree to its prosperity. Upon its completion in 1851 Mr. Payne was elected president, and retained that office till 1854, when he resigned. In 1855 he first became a director of the Cleveland, Painesville and Ashtabula railroad (afterwards the Lake Shore). In 1854 he was elected a member of the first board of w.ter-works commissioners, which so successfully planned, located and completed the Cleveland water works.

In 1862 the legislature created a board of sinkingfund commissioners for the city of Cleveland. Mr. Payne has been the president of the board since its organization. How wisely the commissioners have fund, originally about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, increased in the course of twelve years, under the management of the board, to nearly two millions of dollars, an instance of prudent and sagacious management of a trust fund which was perhaps without a parallel in the United States.

At an early day Mr. Payne became interested in and identified with the manufacturing enterprises of Cleveland. He was at one time a stockholder and director in some eighteen corporations, devoted to coul and iron mining, manufacturing in various branches, banking, etc., all of which were in asound and flourishing condition.

In politics Mr. Payne has ever been a conservative Democrat - not always active, and sometimes independent. In 1849 he was elected to the State senate, and served two years in that body. In 1851 he was the nominee of the Democrats in the legislature for United States senator, but after a prolonged balloting the contest finally resulted in the election of Benjamin F. Wade by a majority of one. In 1857 he was the Democratic candidate for governor, and made a canvass remarkable for its spirit and brilliancy, at the end of which he came within a few hundred votes of defeating Salmon P. Chase. Mr. Payne was chosen a presidential elector on the Cass ticket in 1848, und was a member of the Cincinnati convention which nominated Buchanan in 1856. He was also a delegate at large to the Democratic National convention at Charleston in 1860, and reported from the committee the minority resolutions which were adopted by that convention. He advocated the report in a speech remarkable for its perspicuity, brillianey and power, but earnest warnings to the men of the South. The speech won for him the gratitude and applause of the Northern delegates, and the personal admiration of the Southern members, and gave him a national reputation as a sugacious and able statesman.

In 1857 Mr. Payne joined heartily with Senator Douglas in his opposition to the Lecompton constitution; made speeches against it at Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and other cities, and was active in procuring the passage by the Ohio legislature of resolutions denouncing that measure. He assisted Douglas in his'celebrated campaign in 1858 against Lincoln and the' Buchanan. office-holders in Illinois, and when the war broke out he took his stand with that patriotic statesman, and persevered in public and earnest efforts for the suppression of the rebellion. In 1862 he united with prominent men of both the Democratic and Republican parties in addressing the people to encourage enlistments, and joined with wv large number of the wealthiest citizens in a guaranty to the county treasurer against loss by advancing money to equip regiments; trusting to future legislation to sanction such advances.

Mr. Payne was chairman of the Ohio delegation at the Democratic national convention at Baltimore in 1872, which nominated Horace Greeley for President, and Liberal Republicans, he accepted the nomination for the forty-fourth Congress, and was elected by a majority of two thousand five hundred and thirtytwo in a district which prevously had giver a Republican majority of about five thousand.

On accepting the nomination he said: 'If elected, and life is spared to serve out the term, I promise to come back with hand and heart as undefiled and clean as when I left you."

In Congress Mr. Payne was appointed a member of the committee on banking and currency, and also of that on civil service reform. During the exciting contest over the election of president, in the winter of 1876 and 777, he was made chairman of the committee chosen by the House te unite with one from the Senate in devising a method of settling the impending diftculties. As such chairman he reported the bill, providing for the celebrated electoral commission, to the House, and had charge of it during its passage. He was also elected and served as one of that commission. He reported to the joint Democratic Congressional caucus a bill for the gradual resumption of specic payments, which was approved by the caucus but failed to pass. The principal feature of this bill was the permanent retention of the greenback as a constituent element of the currency.

As a lawyer Mr. Payne was distinguished for fidelity, thoroughness and forensic ability. The remarkable powers of his mind were especially manifested in hix influence over others in adjusting legal rights and moral equities in cases where great and antagonistic interests were involved. Coolness of temper, suavity of manner and genial humor, combined with firniness and strength of will, were his chief instrumentalities. As a political Jeader he always had the confidence of his party and the respeet of all. In April, 1875, he was prominently mentioned as the coming Democratic and Liberal nominee for the Presidency of the United 'States. Mr. Payne was married in 1836 to the only daughter of Nathan Perry, Esq., a retired merchant of Cleveland.

Frederick William Pelton

This gentleman, one of the ex-mayors of Cleveland, is of English descent, and was born in Chester, Connecticut, on the 24th day of March, 1827.

Ilis father, Russell Pelton, was born in Portland, in the same State, on the 20th of July, 1803, and married Pamelia Abby, daughter of Asaph Abby. on the 20th of August, 1821. In 1835 he removed with his family to Cuyahoga county, and settled in Brooklyn (now a part of Cleveland), where he still resides. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, an active and enterprising citizen, and a man of sterling integrity and honor.

removed to Ohio. He was educated at Brooklyn academy, finishing the course at the age of sixteen, when he immediately entered upon the duties of bookkeeper for Messrs. Wheeler, Chamberlain & Co., of Akron, Summit county, with whom he remained until he attained his majority. He then returned to Cleveland with Mr. Chamberlain, the second member of the firm, by whom he was employed in the same capacity until, on account of failing health, he was obliged to resign his position.

Returning to Brooklyn, young Pelton engaged in farming and soon recovered his health and strength. He did not, however, re-enter the counting room, but for ten years, which he regards as among the most pleasant of his life, he remained employed in agricultural pursuits. Desiring a change at the expiration of that period, he engaged in the ship chandlery business in Cleveland, which he carried on successfully until 1861, when he responded to the call made for troops to suppress the rebellion. He had served as acaptain of an independent battery for twelve years, and entered the First Ohio artillery as captair of Company E. The regiment to which he belonged - commaned by Gen. James Barnett - served three months in Western Virginia and then returned to Columbus and was mustered out.

Mr. Pelton did not re-enter the service, and, in the autumn of 1863 he went into the insurance business, as treasurer, and afterwards as seeretary, of the Buekeye Insurance company. In 1865 he was elected to the eity council from the ninth ward, and the following year was made president of that body. In 1867 he was re-elected from the same ward, and in 1870 was chief deputy treasurer under Colonel Lynch. He was elected mayor of the city of Cleveland in August, 1871, and served two years, winning universal approval by the ability with which he managed the municipal affairs. During his term he was noted for his advocacy of every measure tending to the improvement of the city and the development of its resources. His valedictory address was highly commended as giving a particularly clear and tangible exhibit of the local finances, and of important improvements and enterprises. In 1873 he was elected county treasurer, and in 1875 was re-elected, serving in this office two terms of two years each. He is a director of the Citizens' Loan Association and has been a member of the finance committee since its organization.

In politics he is a Republican, and is actively interested in the men and measures of that party. Mr. Pelton is an active member of the Masonic order, belonging to West Side Lodge No. 498, F. and A. M., Thatcher Chapter No. 101, Cleveland Council No. 36, and Oriental Commandery, having held the office of Master and High Priest. He is also a member of the order of Odd Fellows, in which he takes a high rank, being a member of Phoenix Lodge, 1.0. O.F., and North Wing Encampment.

mental in forwarding the best interests of the people of Cleveland. In the relations of social and business life he has uniformly borne himself in such a manner as to win the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been associated.

He was married on the 26th of August, 1848, to Miss Susan A. Dennison, of Brooklyn, Ohio, by whom he has hud seven children, only three of whom are living.

Jacob Perkins

Jacob Perkins was born in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, on the Ist of September, 1822. He was next to the youngest of the children of General Simon Perkins, one of the earliest and most prominent business men of northern Ohio.

He developed a strong inclination for study in early years, acquiring knowledge with unusual facility. After thorough preparation at the academies of Burton, Ohio, and Middletown, Connecticut, he entered Yale College in 1827. There he distinguished himself by his literary and oratorical abilities, delivering the philosophic oration at the junior exhibition, and being chosen second editor of the Vale Literary Magazine, aposition he filled with credit to himself and fo the pride and satisfaction of his classmates. His close application to study and the additional labor of literary work were, however, too much for his strength, and before the close of his junior year he was obliged to relinquish his studies and go home, so that he did not graduate with his own class. In the succeeding year, his health having improved, he returned, and graduated with the class of 1842. On leaying college he entered his father's oftice, in Warren, and engaged closely in its business until the death of his father, when, with his brothers, he was some time engaged in settling the large estate.

After his return to Warren, he was frequently called on to address the people on public occasions, and he did so with marked success. Ie became early interested in politics, taking the anti-slavery side, which was then not in popular favor, and made many effective speeches, in support of its principles and measures. An address delivered in 1848 attracted much attention from the boldness and distinctness with which it asserted the right of sclf-ownership in every person without regard to color or race.

The abilities he displayed, his strong convictions of right, and the fearlessness with which he manifested them, led the people of his district to chose him as one of the convention that framed the Ohio constitution, which was adopted in 1851, and remains the fundamental law of the State. His political principles placed him with the minority in that body, but his influence and position were equaled by few in the dominant party. This was the only political position ever held by him, except that in 1856 he was one of the Ohio presidential electors at large, on the Fremont ticket.

As might be expected from his early devotion to study, he was in later life an earnest friend of educational enterprises. It was owing to his suggestion and persistence that the authorities of Western Reserve College were induced to adopt the conditions of a permanent fund, rather than to solicit unconditional contributions, and, in connection with his brothers, he made the first contribution to that fund. The wisdom of the course adopted was shown in after years, when dissensions and embarrassment crippled the institution, and wonld have destroyed it but for the permanent fund which enabled it to weather the storm, and which became the nucleus of its permanent endowment. Ie gave another proof of his public spirit and generosity by uniting with two others of like disposition in purchasing the grounds for Woodland cemetery, at Warren, beautifying them, and then transferring the property to the corporation.

The most important enterprise of his life, and one which has conferred vast benefits on the public, was the building and management of the Cleveland and Mahoning railroad. Soon after returning from the constitutional convention he became interested in the scheme for a railroad between Cleveland and Pittsburg, by way of the Mahoning valley, and was yery influential in procuring the charter and organizing the company, of which he was made president. It was very difficult to procure subscriptions to the stock, most of the capitalists of Cleveland and Vittsburg being interested in other and partly conflicting lines,

In 1853 the work was commenced with a small stock subscription, and the gradual tightening of the money market operated to prevent much increase. The bonds were disposed of with great. difficulty, and when the financial crisis of 1857 occurred, with the road still unfinished, the bonds were unsaleable. Railroads which were to have connected with the Mahoning, and to have prolonged the line to the seaboard, were abandoned, and the prospects of that road were thus rendered still more gloomy. In this emergency but one of two courses remained open to the management; to abandon the enterprise and lose the whole investment, or to push it to completion from Cleveland to the coal fields by the pledge and at the risk of the private fortunes of the managers. The latter course was cho- - in case of disaster, to pay the first $100,000 of loss, and to share equally with the others in any other sacrifice. In 1854 he went to England, with the hope of raising money, but returned unsuccessful. In 1856 the road was completed to Youngstown and the development of the coal and iron business commenced.

In the month of June, 1857, his wife, to whom he was devotedly attached, died of consumption. Ilis close attention at her sick bed broke down his constitution. The latter part of the winter of 1857-8 was spent in the Southern States, as was also the following summer, But the disease was beyond cure, and on the 12th of January, 1859, he died at Havana, Cuba. His remains were embalmed and brought to Warren, where they were interred in Woodland cemetery. His character is clearly shown in the acts of his life. Richly endowed with natural gifts, he used those gifts in the interest of humanity and freedom, though thus sacrificing all hope of a political career he was so well fitted to adorn. ond of study, and with wealth to indulge his tastes, he sacrificed ease, wealth and health for the public benefit. One of his last remarks was that on his tombstone might be engraved, ''died of the

_T{e was married October 24, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth O. Tod, daughter of Dr. J. I. Tod, of Metson, Trumbull county, Ohio. His wife and two of his three children died before him. His son, Jacob B. Perkins, alone survived him.

Nathan Perry, one of Cleveland's pioneer merchants wnd millionaires, was born in Connecticut in 1786, and died in Cleveland June 24, 1865. Wis father, Judge Nathan Perry, first came from Connecticut to Ohio in 1796, and continued during that season with the surveyors who were running township lines of that portion of the Western Reserve east of the Cuyahoga river. The judge removed with his family to Cleveland in 1806 or 1807, and on the organization of Cuyahoga county in 1809 he was appointed one of its judges. Ife died in 1813, leaving four children, viz: a daughter who beeame the wife of Peter M. Weddell; and three sons - ILoratio, who settled in Lorain county; ILorace, who was for many years clerk and recorder of Cuyahoga county, and who died in 1835, highly respected by the community; and Nathan, the subject of this sketch.

The last named settled at Black River. now in Lorain county, in 1804, and engaged in trade. By great efforts he mastered several Indian dialects, and thus built up an extensive trade with the tribes which then occupied all the territory west of the Cuyahoga river. The incident related on page fifty-five of the general history of the county, when he and Quintus F', Atkins rescucd a Mr. Plumb from the fate which had slain his companions, shows some of the hardships of that period.

In 1808 the subject of this memoir removed from Black River to Cleveland and began trading at that place, where for more than twenty years he was a leading merchant. ILis store and dwelling, both under one roof, were located at the corner of Superior and Water streets, on the present site of-the Second National Bank building. Aftera few yearsa brick store and dwelling were erected in the same place; it bemg the third brick building in Cleveland.

following the wagon containing them from Buffalo to the former city. On arriving there he encountered John Jacob Astor, who endeavored to get from him the "asking price" of his furs, which he declined to give. Mr. Astor becoming importunate, he was told that he could not have the furs at any price. Mr. Perry had made up his mind that he could do better with any one else than he could with Astor, (who was not only the great fur merchant of those days but was also one of the closest men in New York), and therefore he would not even show his furs.

"Mr. Perry was really the pioneer merchant of this part of Ohio; that is, he was the first who carried on the mercantile business on a large scale - his predecessors having merely supplied a few local wants. Endowed with a vigorous constitution, exhaustless energy and restless enterprise, he was well qualified to encounter and subdue the hardships, exposures, and perils incident to frontier life. .The men of to-day can hardly realize the fatigue, self-denial and anxieties of the merchant of sixty years ago, when goods had to be transported from Philadelphia to Pittsburg on *'Pennsylvania wagons" and thence by pack-horse or ox-team to Cleveland, and bartered to Indians and rugged settlers in exchange for all sorts of commodities, under the constant personal care and inspection of the trader.

A distinguishing trait in Mr. Perry's character, developed in his youth and predominating through his life, was the celerity with which he formed an opinion, and the extraordinary tenacity with which he adhered to it when formed. Ile was never known to relent, or change his decision. But he was a man of warm affections, generous and steadfast in his friendships, of the strictest integrity and honor, and ever active and influential as a citizen. When the village of Cleveland was organized, he was one of the first trustees, but he had no predilection for public life. He inyested largely in real estate which increased enormously in value, and made him, at his death, very wealthy.

Mr. Perry's last illness was of about five weeks duration. Paralysis set in, first attacking the lower extremitics and gradually working up until it reached the heart.

He was marricd in 1816 toa daughter of Captain Abram Skinner, of Painesville. His son, Oliver Hazard Perry, named after Commodore Perry, a distant relative of the family, met with an accidental death upon a railway in December, 1864. His only daughter was marricd to Ion. II. B. Payne, of Cleveland and still survives. Wis eldest grandson, Hon. Nathan P. Payne, was elected mayor of Cleveland in April, 1875.

Houston H. Poppleton

Ifouston H. Poppleton was born near Bellville, Richland county, Ohio, March 19, 1836, and is the youngest son of Rey. Samuel and Julia A. Poppleton.

Rev. Samuel Poppleton was born in the State of | June, 1858. He taught school several winters in the Vermont, July 2, 1793, but while quite young moved : counties of Delaware and Richland, while pursuing with his father to Genesee county, New York, where he lived until 1820, when he moved to Ohio. He lived in Richland. county, Ohio, from 1822 until March, 1853, when he moved to Delaware, Ohio, where he continued to reside most of the time until his death, which occurred at Delaware, September 14, 1864. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and served with honor and distinction. Shortly -after its close he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and continued to preach, as his health would permit, for nearly fifty years. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Parthenia Steinback, of Genesee county, New York, and his second, Miss Julia A. Smith, of Richland county, Ohio. By the first marriage, four children were born, to wit: Rowena L., intermarried with F. W. Strong, of Mansfield, Ohio; Samuel D., killed in 1864, at the battle of Atlanta, Georgia; Mary Ellen, intermarried with Daniel Fisher, of Bellville, and Andrew J., who died at West Unity, Ohio, September 25, 1850.

and after residing in Elyria for over twenty-two years, moved to Cleveland. She died-at Salt Lake City, Utah, January 7, 1878, and is buried in Lake View cemetery, near Cleveland. & formerly a member of the Lorain county bar, andnow chief justice of the State of Nebraska. She died in April, 1854, and is buried in the cemetery at Elyria.

Karly F. read law, and was admitted to the bar at Elyria, and, after practicing there several years, moved to Delaware, Ohio, where he has ever since been an active and successful lawyer and politician. He was elected State senator from the counties of Licking and Delaware, and after serving one term was elected on the Democratic ticket to the forty-fourth Congress, from the ninth Ohio Congressional district. Although one of the youngest members of that body, he was active and industrious; serving with marked ability, and with credit to himself and to his party.

Zada C. was married to Thomas H. Linnell, of Elyria, and resided there during the whole of her married life. She died March 29, 1875, and is buried in the cemetery at Elyria.

Houston H. Poppleton received bis early education in the common schools at Bellville, but entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, in the spring of 1853, and, although his attendance was not ais studies at the university, and also had general charge of his father's mercantile house at Richwood, from April, 1855, to February, 1857. In September, 1858, he entered the law office of Stevenson Burke, at Elyria, and prosecuted his studies there until October, 1859, when he entered the Cincinnati Law College. Completing the prescribed course there, he graduated from it on the 16th of April, 1860, and was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati the same day. Returning to Elyria, he formed a law partnership with his brotherin-law, Mr. Burke, and commenced practice May 2, 1860. after Mr. Burke's election to the bench, Mr. Poppleton formed a law partnership with Hon. H. D. Clark, which continued about two years. On the 10th of February, 1864, he was marricd, at Cincinnati, to Miss Lucinda H. Cross, of that city. He resided in Elyria until September 24, 1875, when he moved with his family to Cleveland.

From the latter part of 1864 he continued in active general practice at Elyria, without a partner, until November, 1873, wher he was appointed general attorney of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis railway company, with headquarters at Cleveland, which position he still holds. He was prominent, active and successful in his practice, as the records of the courts of Lorain and ,adjoining counties abundantly show, and in his removal the bar of Lorain county sustained a seriousloss. By accepting the position of general attorney of the company mentioned he became the head of the legal department of that corporation, and has had entire charge of its legal business along its whole line, as well as elsewhere. Giving his personal attention to the details of all the litigation of the company - trying onlythose causes that should be tried, and settling those that should be settled - he has, by his fair, honorable and judicious course, made many friends for himself, and secnred for his'company a reputation and good will that any railroad company in the country might well envy.