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

The Valley railroad was projected previous to the panic of 1873, which puta stop toit. As the times began to improve, vigorous efforts were made to carry it forward, which met with but little success until the summer of 1878.

The importance of this road was strongly advocated by the newspapers, meetings of the citizens were held and a general interest awakened. Under this impetus the road was put under contract, and considerable progress was made in the work, when it was checked by a controversy between the contractors and the company.

Before this a contract had been made by the city of Cleveland with the Valley railroad for the transfer to the company of that portion of the bed of the Ohio canal sold to the city by the State, which would give the railroad the most favorable entrance into the city and access to shipping facilities on the lake.

The terms of this contract had not been complied with, and its abrogation by the city was threatened. At this juncture the management of the Valley railroad succeeded in effecting a negotiation with capitalists for the amount necessary to complete and equip the road, but the parties who agreed to lend the money demanded as a condition that Mr. Wade should become the president.

Mr. Wade took the matter into consideration, and announced his willingness to assume the position if the canal-bed negotiation could be satisfactorily adjusted without a lawsuit with the city, to which he was utterly averse. The city council met the difticulty by a resolution authorizing the mayor to make and sign a new contract, on terms satisfactory to Mr. Wade and the Valley railroad company.

The company was reorganized, with Mr. Wade at its head, the difficulties with the contractors were satisfactorily adjusted, work was renewed and the road will be completed by the end of the present year (1879).

In addition to his other manifold duties Mr. Wade has been appointed by the citizens of Cleveland as commissioner of the city sinking-fund, park commissioner and director of the Workhouse and House of Refuge. For several years he was vice president of the Homeopathic hospital, to aid which he has contributed freely. He is one of the trustees of the Cleveland Protestant Orphan Asylum, and is now building for that purpose, at his own expense, a magnificent fireproof building, sufficiently large to accommodate from one hundred to one hundred and fifty children. This building is located on St. Clair street, and will be completed in a few months.

Mr. Wade has also contributed freely to many other charitable causes and objects. He is now in the zenith of his power, and is universally beloved by the people of the beautiful city which he has made his home, and which he has done so much to enlarge and adorn, and by the many recipients of his unostentatious charities.

Samuel Williamson

The subject of this sketch was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, on the 16th of March, 1808. He is the eldest son of Samuel Williamson, who was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and removed to Crawford county about the year 1800. During his residence in that county he was married to Isabella McQueen, by whom he had a family of seven children. On the tenth of May, 1810, he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where, in connection with his brother, he carried on the business of tanning and currying, which he continued until his death, which occurred in September, 1834. He was aman of enterprise and public spirit, highly esteemed as a citizen, liberal in politics, and for many years justice of the peace and associate judge of the court of common pleas.

Samuel Williamson was but two years of age when he came, with his parents, to Cleveland. When he attained a suitable age he was sent to the public schools, which he attended until 1826, and then entered Jefferson College, in Washington county, Pennsylvania. He graduated from that institution in 1829, and, returning to Cleveland, entered the office of Judge Andrews, with whom he read law for two years. In 1832 he was admitted to the bar, and immediately commenced the practice of his profession in connection with Leonard Case, with whom he was associated until 1834, when he was elected to the position of auditor of Cuyahoga county. He remained in that office for a period of eight years, at the expiration of which he returned to the practice of law. This he continued with slight interruptions until 1872, when he retired from its activities to the enjoyment of a well-earned leisure. During these years his time was not, however, wholly engrossed by his professional interests. He was elected to a number of responsible positions of public trust, and discharged the duties pertaining to them with unvarying fidelity and marked ability. In 1850 he was chosen to represent the county in the legislature; in 1859~'60 he was a. member of the board of equalization, and in the fall of 1862 was elected to the State senate, in which he served two terms. He rendered valuable service as a member of the city couneil and of the board of education, being active in promoting public improvements and educational institutions. He was a director of the Cleveland and Columbus railroad, and for two years held the office of prosecuting attorney. He is now president of the Cleveland Society for Savings, one of the largest and best conducted associations of this kind in the West, having a deposit of over $8,000,000.

Throughout his professional career he maintained a high rank at the bar of Cuyahoga county, and while he had a wide and varied experience in every branch of legal practice he was particularly successful as prosecutor's counsel, and was extensively employed in the

In all the phases of his career and life he has been thoroughly upright, and well deserves the high respect and esteem in which he is held by all who know him.

Hiram Vy. Willson

This gentleman, an eminent lawyer and jurist, and the first judge of the United States Court for the Northern District of Ohio, was born in April, 1808, in Madison county, New York. He was educated at Hamilton College, graduating from that institution in 1832. Immediately afterward hc commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. Jared Willson, of Canandaigua, New York. Subsequently his legal studies were continued in Washington, D. C., in the office of Franeis S. Key, and, for a time, he taught in a classical school in the Shenandoah valley.

During his early studies he acquired the familiarity with legal text books and reports which in afterlife became of great service to him. Throughout his collegiate course, and during his law apprenticeship, he maintained a close intimacy with the Hon. Henry B. Payne, then a young man of about his own age.

In 1833 he removed to Painesville, Ohio, but soon proceeded to Cleveland, where he formed a law partnership with his friend, H. B. Payne. They commenced business under the most disadvantageous circumstances, being almost destitute of means in a land of strangers. They, however, met with encouragement from some of the older members of the profession, and in a short time established their reputation as able and rising lawyers. After a few years years Mr. Payne withdrew from the firm, and it became successively Willson, Wade & Hitchcock and Willson, Wade & Wade. By these partnerships even the extensive business and high reputation of the old firm were much increased.

In 1852 Mr. Willson was the Democratic candidate for Congress against William Case on the Whig, and Edward Wade on the Free Soil ticket. In this contest Mr Wade was successful, but Mr. Willson received a heavy vote.

In the winter of 1854 he was selected by the Cleveland bar to labor in behalf of a bill to divide the State of Ohio, for Federal judicial purposes, into two districts. After a sharp struggle the bill was successful - mainly through his efforts - and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio was formed. In March, 1855, President Pierce appointed Mr. Willson judge of the court just authorized; an act which was reccived with general

Until the time of his appointment he had been a strong political partisan, but in becoming a judge he ceased to be a politician, and to the time of his death never allowed political or personal motives to affect his decisions. He proved himself an upright judge, whose decisions were based entirely on the facts of the case and its legal and constitutional bearings. The new court did not lack for business.

In addition to the ordinary civil and criminal cases, the location of the court on the lake border brought it a large number of admiralty suits. Many of his decisions in these cases were regarded as models of lucid statement and furnished valuable precedents.

Among the most noteworthy of his decisions in admiralty was one regarding maritime liens, in which he held that the maritime lien of men for wages, and of dealers for supplies, is a proprietary interest in the vessel itself, and eannot be divested by the acts.of the owner or by any casualty until the claim is paid, and that such lien inheres to the ship and all her parts, wherever found, and whoever may be her owner.

In the case of L. Wick vs. the schooner '' Samuel Strong," which came up in 1855, Judge Willson reviewed the history and intent of the common-carrier act of Ohio, in an opinion of much interest.

In other cases he supported his decisions by citing precedents of the English and American courts for several centuries. A very important case was what is known in the legal history of Cleveland as the "Bridge Case" in which the questions to be decided were the legislative authority of the city to bridge the river, and whether the bridge would be a nuisauce, damaging the complainant's private property. Judge Willson's decision, granting a preliminary injunction until further evidence could be taken, was a thorough review of the law relating to water highways and their obstructions. In the case of Hoag vs. the propeller "' Cataract" the law of collision was clearly set forth.

In 1860, important decisions were made in respect to the extent of United States jurisdiction on the Western lakes and rivers. It was decided, and the decision was supported by voluminous precedents, that the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction possessed by the district courts of the United States, on the Western lakes and rivers, under the coustitution and the act of 1789, was independent of the act of 1845, and unaffected thereby; and also that the district courts of the United States having, under the Constitution and the acts of Congress, exclusive original cognizance of all civil causes of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, the courts of common law are precluded from proceeding im rem to enforce such maritime claims.

In a criminal case the question was whether the action of a grand jury was legal in returning a bill of indictment found by only fourteen members of the jury, the fifteenth member being absent and taking no part in the proceedings. After reviewing the matter at length and eiting numerous precedents, Judge Willson pronounced the action legal.

In 1858 the historical Oberlin-Wellington rescue case came before him, a case growing out of a violation of the fugitive slave law by certain professors - and leading men of Oberlin College and town, who had rescued a slave captured in Ohio and being taken back to Kentucky under the provisions of that law. Indictments were found against the leading res- cuers, and their trial caused great excitement. They were convicted, fined and imprisoned. The result caused a monster demonstration against the fugitive slavé law, which was held in the public square, midway between the court-house and the jail.

In this trying time Judge Willson remained calm and dispassionate, his charges merely pointing out the provisions of the law, and the necessity of obeying it, no matter how irksome such obedience, until it was repealed.

During the excitement caused by the John Brown raid, and afterward on the breaking out of the rebellion, he defined the law in regard to conspiracy and treason, drawing with nice distinction the line between a meeting for the expression of opinions hostile to the government, and a gathering for violently opposing or overthrowing the government.

At the January term in 1864 he delivered an admirable charge, in which he discussed the questions arising from the then recent act of Congress, authorizing a draft under the direction of the President, without the intervention of the State authorities, and conclusively established the constitutional validity of the act in question.

The judicial administration of Judge Willson was noticeable for its connection with events of national importance, and our limited space will allow us to quote but few of the important cases which came before his court. And here it should again be repeated that in all his conduet on the bench he was entirely free from personal or party predelictions. In 1865 his health began to fail and symptoms of consumption appeared. Ie yielded at last to the persuasions of his friends to seek the restoration of his health in a milder climate, and, upon the approach of the winter, visited New Orleans and the West Indies. The weather proved unusually severe for those latitudes and he returned without benefit from the trip. He gradually sank under the attacks of the fell disease, and died on the evening of the 11th of November, 1866. 'A few hours before his death he suffered much, but he became easier and passed away without a struggle. Some months before he had been received as a member ef the Presbyterian Church, of which he had long been a member and an active supporter.

On the announcement of his death the members of the Cleveland bar immediately assembled, and all vied with each other in rendering testimony to the integrity, ability and moral worth of the deceased. The bar meeting unanimously adopted resolutions of respect, in which he was truthfully described as "<a learned, upright and fearless judge, ever doing right and equity among the suitors of his court, fearing only the errors and mistakes to which fallible human judgment is liable." Not a word of censure was breathed against any one of his acts, and tributes of heartfelt commendation of his life, and sorrow for his loss were laid on his grave by men of all parties and shades of opinion. He was married, in 1835, to the widow of Mr. Ten Eyck, of Detroit, Michigan,

Rufus King Winslow

Richard Winslow was a direct descendant from Kenelm Winslow, brother of Governor Edward Winslow, of Plymonth Colony, and one of the Mayflower Pilgrims. Ife was born in Falmouth, Maine, on the 6th of September, 1769. He left that State in 1812, and removed to North Carolina, where he established himself at Ocracoke, He became largely interested in the commerce of that place, both by sca and by land.

In May, 1831, he arrived with his family in Cleveland, determined on inyestigating the chances which were then attracting considerable attention. He invested his capital in mercantile and shipping interests, and in addition became agent for a line of vesels between Buffalo and Cleveland, and also of a line of boats on the Ohio canal. His first venture as a ship-owner was the brig '' North Carolina," built for him in Black River. He afterwards became interested in the steamer '' Bunker Hill," of four hundred and fifty-six tons, which at that time was considered a very large size. These were the forerunners of a long line of sail and steam vessels, built for or purchased by him, alone or in connection with his sons, who became partners with him in the business. The Winslows became widely and favorably known and ranked among the foremost ship-owners on the western lakes. In 1854 Mr. Winslow retired, leaving his interest to be carried on by his sons, who inherited his business tastes and abilities.

For twenty-five years he had been in active business on the lakes, but he was destined to enjoy his retirement only for the short space of three years. In 1857 he met with an accident which seriously affected a leg he had injured years before, and resulted in his death, he being in the eighty-eighth year of his age.

Throughout his long and active life he enjoyed the respect of all with whom he was brought in contact, whether in business or social relations. He was a gentleman in the highest sense of the word, warm and impulsive in his nature, courteous to every one and strongly attached to those he fonnd worthy of his friendship. In business he was quick to perceive and prompt to act, but was free from the least suspicion of meanness or duplicity.

As a citizen he took a deep interest in public affairs, but was not a politician and neither sought nor desired public office of any kind. He was married to Miss Mary Nash Grandy, of Camden, North Carolina. By this union he had eleven children, of whom N. C., H. J., R. K. and Edward survived him. Mrs. Winslow died in October, 1858, having outlived her husband a little over one year. : land in 1831, and was educated at the old Cleveland academy. When he reached his majority he became associated with his brothers, N. C. and H. J. Winslow, in the shipping business, their father being, as already stated, a large owner of vessels on the lakes. The family had, indeed, from their first arrival in Cleveland, been among the foremost, if not at the head of all, in the ownership of vessels; they having a large fleet of ships always on the lakes. In 1854, when the father retired from active business, the management of the family's interests devolved upon Rufus K. and his brothers. Upon the death of their father in 1857, the business was left wholly to them.

It has since that time been successfully carried on, he remaining in Cleveland, whilst one brother settled in Buffalo'and the other in Chicago. In 1859 and 1860 they dispatched some vessels to the Black Sea, but most of their operations have been confined to the lakes, on which they are still extensively engaged.

'has avoided political life, having invariably declined to accept positions of public trust. During the rebellion he was an active and liberal supporter of the Union. He is deeply interested in scientific pursuits, and for many yeurs has been a devoted student of ornithology. In 1873 he was elected president of the Kirtland Academy of Natural Sciences, of which he had for a number of years been an active member. He is wel] known as a skillful connoisseur in paintings, and a liberal patron of art in all its branches.

He has never sought notoriety of any description, and is seldom seen at public gatherings. When occasion demanded it, however, he has always been found ready to take an active part in works of beneyolence or public enterprise. He is a member of the Western Reserve Historical Society, and has ever been an earnest supporter of educational interests. His sound judgment and correct taste have frequently rendered good service in devising and carrying out plans for charitable or other purposes. He was married in 1851 to Miss Lucy B. Clark, daughter of Dr. W. A. Clark, of Cleveland.

Reuben Wood

This early lawyer and statesman of Cleveland was _ born in the year 1792, in the county of Rutland, and State of Vermont. Brought upon a farm, he acquired sufficient education to teach school during the winter months, and made this the stepping stone to higher acquirements. Finding special facilities in Canada he went over the line to prosecute his studies, but was compelled to return by the breaking out of the war of 1812. Having already begun the study of the law, he completed it with Gen. Clark, a prominent lawyer of Middletown, Vermont, and obtained admission to the bar. j promising village, closely surrounded by woods. His only rival there in the legal profession was Alfred Kelley, except Leonard Case, who paid little attention to law except in connection with land. Mr. Wood being a wide-awake, energetic man, well suited to the western country, soon obtained a good practice, in which he was actively engaged for twelve years. His characteristics as a lawyer have been mentioned in the chapter devoted to the early bar of Cleveland.

In 1830 Mr. Wood was elected by the legislature president judge of the third judicial circuit. - He was, as described by an old lawyer, especially good asa nist prius jadge - that is, in presiding over the trial of suits - his quick, active mind enabling him to catch easily the main points of a case, to understand readily the bearing of evidence, and to appreciate off-hand the points of a lawyer's argument. In 1833 he was elected a judge of the supreme court of the State, and at the end of his term, he was re-elected. For the last three years of his second term he was the chief justice of the court.

Judge Wood was elected governor of Ohio in 1850 by the Democratic party, by a majority of over eleven thousand. His official term was brought to a close within a year by the adoption of the new constitution, but in the autumn of 1851 he was a candidate for election under that instrument, and was chosen by a majority of about twenty-six thousand. During both terms he served to the satisfaction of the people, and obtained a wide reputation for ability. When it was found impracticable, at the Democratie National convention of 1852, to nominate one of the leading candidates for the Presidency, Gov. Wood was strongly talked of as a compromise candidate. The position, however, was finally assigned to Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire.

After the expiration of Gov. Wood's gubernatorial career he was appointed, in 1853, by President Pierce, as consul at Valparaiso, in the republic of Chili. While. there he acted for a short time as minister to Chili. On his return he retired to a farm in the township of Rockport, where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 2d day of October, 1864, he being then seventy-two years old.

The characteristics of Mr. Wood's mind were quickness, promptness, acuteness and thorough knowledge of human nature; all qualities especially calculated to promote his success in a new, wide-awake, go-ahead country.

Timothy Doane Crocker

Timothy Doane Crocker, a lawyer and capitalist of | Cleveland, is descended on the paternal side through J. Davis Crocker, formerly of Lee, Massachusetts, in a direct line from the Crockers who settled at Cape Cod, shortly after the landing of the Pilgrim fathers upon Plymouth Rock. His mother is a daughter of Judge Timothy Doane, a native of Haddam, Connecticut. The old Doane mansion is still standing, the ancient frescoes of which represent scenes familiar to the patriots of the Revolutionary days. One of Mr. Crocker's name - a historical character - was a captain in the British navy before the Revolution, and was at one time governor of Long Island, under British rule.

Mr. Crocker's paternal grandfather was a prominent citizen of Lee, where he owned an extensive landed property. Being urged by his pastor, Dr. Hyde, and others, to head a colony of immigrants to Ohio, he consented to do so. Before leaving for the new settlement the colony organized a church, and he was chosen one of the officers.

He traveled-to Ohio in 1811 in his own private carriage, which was said to be the first pleasure carriage driven through to the Reserve. He purchased large tracts of land in Euelid and Dover townships, the village of Collinwood being now situated on a portion of the former tract, which was extensive and valuable, reaching to the lake, and as far west as the Coit farm.

Although quite young at the time of the Revolution, this gentleman was in the military service before its close, and was on General Washington's staff. After the passage of the act giving pensions to those who survived the war, he was urged by his friends to apply for one. His reply was: 'I would never be guilty of receiving reward for services rendered my country in time of peril and need." He was a gentleman of sterling qualities of head and heart, unblemished integrity, well informed, and one whose advice was sought from far and near. In this connection it is worthy of note that no representative of that branch of the family was ever known to-be a drunkard, although in early times a sideboard was esteemed a household necessity.

The father of the subject of this sketch, who was quite young when the family came to Ohio, possessed then, to a large degree, his father's superior qualities. He had four children - Sarah, who married Rev. E. Adams, an Episcopal clergyman, (of the family of John Adams, of Massachusetts) ; Mary, who married Judge P. H. Smythe of Burlington, Iowa (a descendant of the Patrick Henry family of Virginia); Timothy Doane; and Davis J., a lawyer, of Chicago.

The heads of the family of Mr. T. D. Crocker's mother, on the paternal side, were, for at least three generations, sea captains, owning the vessels they commanded, and trading to the Indies. John Doane,

Atlantic in one of the first three vessels that sailed to Plymouth. He was prominent in the affairs of the colony, and in 1633 was chosen assistant to Governor Winslow. Subsequently he was one of the commissioners chosen to revise the laws; in 1642 he was again chosen to be Governor Winslow's assistant, and for several years he was selected as a deputy in the colony court.

Herkimer county, New York, about 1794. In 1801 he migrated to Euclid, now East Cleveland, in this county. With his family he made the journey from Buffalo to Cleveland in an open boat rowed by Indians, landing where night overtook them, only to resume their travels the following day. Near Grand river they saw a. storm approaching and attempted to land, but their boat was swamped. All were saved, however, and Mr. Doane and his family continued their journey to Cleveland on horseback along the Indian trail. At this period the mother of the subject of our sketch was five years old, and at the present time (September, 1879,) is still living, in the full possession of her faculties, and thoroughly familiar with the growth and development of the country, especially in northern Ohio. During the war of 1812, and, later, during the rebellion of 1861-65, she was very active in giving aid and comfort to the sick and wounded soldiers, and good cheer to those in health. She is a woman of liberal and intelligent views, accomplished, and beloved by all who know her.

At the period of Judge Doane's advent, there were but three log houses where now stands the beautiful city of Cleveland. West of the Cuyahoga was Indian territory, and Judge Doane found the Indians to be peaceable and good neighbors. They were always received at his house as friends, and on many a night, Indian-like, they would wrap themselves in their blankets and sleep around the Judge's cheerful fire. In appreciation of his kindness they would frequently present him with some of the best venison or fish which their skill could procure.

During the first year of his administration the first governor of Ohio appointed Judge Doane to be a justice of the peace. The original commission is now in possession of Timothy Doane Crocker, and reads as follows:

Know ye, that we have assigned and constituted, and do by these presents constitute and appoint, 'Timothy Doane, Justice of the Peace for Cleveland Township, in the county of Trumbull, agreeably to the

In witness whereof, the said Edward Tiffin, Governor of the State of Ohio, hath caused the seal of the said State to be hereunto affixed, at Chillicothe, the 14th day of July, in the year of our Lord, 1803, and of the independence of the State of Ohio, the first. By the Governor, EDWARD TIFFIN.

At an early age, Timothy Doane Crocker exhibited those traits of character - energy, integrity and perseverance - which proved the beacon lights in his after career. In his youth he worked on his father's farm during the springs, summers and autumns, and in the winters attended a district school. Ile early showed especial facility in mathematics, and when only thirteen was a thorough arithmetician, being able to solve mentally many of the most difficult arithmetical problems. From the district school he went to Twinsburg academy, where his expenses were defrayed by the manual labor he performed, and where, by habits of industry, he undoubtedly laid the foundation of his successful hfe. Subsequently he attended Shaw academy and afterward entered Western Reserve College, where he paid the most of his expenses by his own labor. ILe was graduated in June, 1843, taking high rank both in scholarship and deportment - no unfavorable '"'mark" having been recorded against him.

In the fall of 1843, in which year his father died, he became principal of a select school near Bowling (ireen, Kentucky, prosecuting assiduously, at the same time, his classical and other studies. During his two years and a half stay at Bowling Green, he developed a high order of talent as an educator and disciplinarian. On his return to Cleveland in 1846, he read Jaw in the office of Allen & Stetson for «a few months, and then entered the law school of Harvard University, from which he was graduated in 1848; having previously - in 1847 - been admitted to practice at the Middlesex (Massachusetts,) bar, after wv severe examination in open court by Chief Justice Wilds.

He returned to Cleveland the same year, and in November again left home - this time for Burlington, Iowa - spending the winter in the office of Grimes & Starr. In March, 1849, he opened an office, and was engaged in active practice until 1864. He distinguished himself as counsel in many important cases, in which some of the best legal talent in the State was opposed to him. His practice rapidly increased until it became worth ten thousand dollars a year; an exceedingly large one in a city of the size of Burlington, and one of the largest in the State of Iowa. Ie invested his professional gains in land, becoming a large landholder in Iowa, Missouri, Iinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Ohio, and this real estate has now increased very greatly in value. Mr. Crocker was also attorney for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincey railroad company from the time that it broke ground on the east side of the Mississippi. He became interested in other railroads as well as in plankroads in that section, and was a stockholder and director in the Burlington Bank.

The health of his wife demanding a change of residence, he remoyed his family to Cleveland in 1860. Since closing his legal business (about 1864) the care of his estate has required all the attention he could give to business matters. He has, however, been prominent in the support of benevolent institutions, and in the promotion of religious education. He was president for several years of the Sabbath School

Union, and superintendent for ten years of the Mission Sabbath School of the First Presbyterian Church, of Cleveland, of which latter body he was.a member. The school had but eighty pupils when he took charge of it, while at the time of his resignation there were one thousand enrolled, seven hundred of whom were regwar attendants.

He is one of the trustees of the Western Reserve College, afi Hudson, (in aid of whieh he has given ten thousand dollars), and of Mount Union College, of Alliance, Ohio, in which latter institution he is also the lecturer on political economy and commercial and international law.

Mr. Crocker has ever eschewed politics so far as seeking political preferment is concerned. In Iowa he was often solicited to be a candidate for judge of the district court, but declined the honor. During the war for the Union he devoted much time and money to the national cause, and rendered valuable service to the Christian Commission on the Potomac.

His success in life has been due not only to great industry and energy but to a peculiar and intuitive faculty of seizing the right opportunity at the right moment, together with the foresight to determine accurately the probable results of an undertaking.

Mr. Crocker is one of the few representative men of Cleveland who are natives of Cuyahoga county. He was married in September, 1853, to Eliza P., only daughter of the late Wm. A. Otis, Esq., of Cleveland and has had five children; three sons and two daughters.

Rufus P. Ranney

The subject of this sketch has been a resident of the city of Cleveland for the last twenty-one years. He was born in Hampden county, Massachusetts, October 30, 1813. His father, who was a farmer of moderate means in that rugged region, having exchanged his land for a larger tract in the West, removed with a large family in the fall of 1824 to what was afterwards known as Freedom, in the county of Portage, in this State, and erected a log hut near the center of a nearly unbroken forest of about seven miles square, without roads, schools or churches, and still filled with wild beasts, including the bear and wolf, in such numbers as to make the rearing of domestic animals next to impossible. It is needless to say that such a state of things must be attended with many privations, and, for those who had nothing but wild land, the provision of food and clothing became a consideration of the first necessity.

To secure these, the land must be cleared of the heavy timber upon it, and to this very hard labor, for a growing boy, Rufus P. devoted himself for the next six years, with only one winter's schooling in a neighboring town during the period. This course of life then began to tell on his health, and an irresistible desire to acquire some education ensued, whieh his parents warmly seconded by their wishes, although

But the departure was to be made, and, having no reliance but upon his ax, he chopped cord-wood for a merchant to pay for a Latin dictionary, a Virgil and a razor - this being an implement his age began to demand, while the others, he was told, were necessary to commence a literary career. 'Thus prepared, he commenced study with Dr. Bassett, of Nelson, who taught an academy part of the year and gave private instruction the residue. After staying a considerable time with him and contracting a very strong attachment for him, he pursued bis studies at the Western Reserve College, supporting himself during this period by frequent intervals of manual labor, and by teaching two terms, the first in a district in Hiram, where Mormonism first broke out in the West, and the last in the academy building in Nelson formerly occupied by Dr. Bassett. At the end of this term, in the spring of 1834, when he was preparing to return to Hudson, a mere accident, without previous thought or calculation, ended his plan of completing a classical education, determined his profession and settled the course of his whole life.

Accidentally meeting an old college friend who was designed for the bar, and who had been a year with Joshua R. Giddings and Benjamin F. Wade (who have since acquired such marked distinction) his friend advised him to give up the college, and go back with him to Ashtabula county and read law. He received the proposal with the utmost astonishment, knowing absolutely nothing of courts, law or lawyers; but having a vague idea that a college graduation was indispensable to such an undertaking. His friend knew how to correct this impression, and so effectually to remove other objections that a single night's reflection decided him to go to what then seemed a distant point, where he had never been, and where he knew no one, haying until the day before never heard even the names of the lawyers whose office he proposed 'to enter. His reception and treatment were, however, such as to make the two and a half years ensuing the most enjoyable and profitable of his life, and resulted in the formation of personal friendships between him and his instructors and fellow students which no subsequent events ever impaired.

The study of jurisprudence as a science was so exactly suited to his tastes that a constant incentive existed to master its fundamental principles, which he accomplished so. thoroughly as to account for the ease and readiness with which he has ever used them.

In the fall of 1836 he was admitted to the bar of the supreme court, and soon after located at Warren, in the then large county of Trumbull, where he commenccd practice alone. But in the course of the ensuing winter, the firm of Giddings & Wade being dissolved and Mr. Giddings elected to Congress, at the earnest request of his old preceptor, Mr. Wade, he returned to Jefferson and formed with him the

During this period he married a daughter of Judge Jonathan Warner, and in 1845 he took up his residence again in Warren. The firm of Wade & Ranney was rather noted for the extent of its business than for the gains from it, and at its conclusion, such was the confidence of the partners in each other, its affairs were settled by simply passing mutual receipts. In addition to the heavy labor which their practice imposed, neither of the partners neglected the interests of the political party to which they respectively be- Jonged. The junior, from his majority, was an ardent Democrat of the Jefferson and Jackson school, and without a thought for his personal interests or prospects he cast his lot with the small minority then comprising the party in this part of the State, and at once became one of the leading advocates of its doctrines. Without any hope of local preferment, it was nevertheless a settled principle with the leaders that in aid of the general State ticket the best local nominations should be made, and that those who urged others to stand by the cause should, without a murmur, take such positions as their associates assigned them.

In accordance with this idea, Mr. Ranney was first nominated for the State senate, but was obliged to decline because he was not of an age to be constitutionally eligible. He was three times a candidate for Congress; once in 1842 in the Ashtabula district, then including this county and Geauga; and in 1846 and 1848 in the Trumbull district, which embraced also the counties of Portage and Summit. But his exertions were not limited to law and politics. Conscious of the deficiency of his general education, he resolved to supply it so far as possible by individual exertion. While he was yet a student, availing himself of the aid of a French scholar and his books, he had commenced the study of that language, and from that day to this has constantly read a French newspaper, and -the solid literary and scientific productions of French authors, including the Code Napoleon and the commentaries upon it, in the language in which they were composed.

After the dissolution of the firm of Wade & Ranney he continued the practice alone until 1850, and in the spring of that year, in connection with the late Judge Peter Hitchcock and Jacob Perkins, he was elected, by a large majority, a member from the counties of Trumbull and Geauga of the convention called to revise the constitution of the State. In that convention, comprising, as is well known, a very able body of men, he served upon the judiciary committee, and - was chairman of the committee on revision, to which the phraseology and arrangement of the whole instrument was committed. He took a very active part in the debates upon most of the important questions considered, and may be said to have done as much as any one to impress upon the instrument those popu-

Immediately after the adjournment of the convention, in the spring of 1851, when he had just returned to his neglected practice, and without any previous knowledge on his part that a vacancy existed, he learned of his election, by the legislature then in session, as a judge of the supreme court of the State, at the same joint session at which his old preceptor and partner was first elected to the United States Senate.

The new constitution being afterwards adopted by the people, he was elected to the same position, in the fall of the same year, by a majority of over forty thousand votes, and continued to discharge 'its duties, both in the district and supreme courts, until shortly before the expiration of his term, in the winter of 1856, when he resigned. He soon after associated himseif with F. T. Backus and ©. W. Noble in the practice of law in Cleveland, and about the same time was appointed, by the President, United States attorney for this district; but as the appointment, which had been wholly unsolicited, proved to be too much in the way of his more important civil business and not suited to his tastes, he resigned it a few months afterward,

Nothing further occurred to interfere with the large and increasing business of his firm until 1859, when the State convention of his party unanimously and very unexpectedly placed him in nomination for governor. The canvass was a very spirited one, and was attended with the unusual feature of a joint discussion between him and his competitor at many of the important points in the State; but the Republican party retained its ascendancy, and he was defeated.

On the breaking out of the civil war, which he did everything in his power to avert, he became satisfied that arms must settle the conflict, and that the preservation of the Union depended upon making it as short and decisive as possible; and to this end, in the spring of 1862, he readily accepted the invitation of

- Governor Tod, and, in connection with Hon. Thomas Ewing and Samuel Galloway, addressed the people at several points in the middle and southern portions of the State, to encourage enlistments.

In the same year he and his partner, Mr. Backus, were nominated as opposing candidates for the supreme bench. Not desiring the place, and having a very high opinion of the qualifications of Mr. Backus for it, he declined the nomination, but his party not acquiescing his name was kept upon the ticket, and in the fall he found himself again elected to the position. He took his seat and remained two years, when, convinced that duty to his family required it, he very reluctantly resigned, resolved to devote himself exclusively to his profession, to which resolution he has steadily adhered; holding no public position in the time, except that of president of the State board of Centennial managers, for the Philadelphia exposition. The result has been that, in addition to his large practice in the courts of his own State, his engagements in important cases have extended into several other States, and into all the courts, State and Federal, where such cases are disposed of; and, while he is very far from having amassed a fortune, he has so far succeeded, without ever embarking in any speculation, and from the avails of his labor alone, as to have acquired a competency, which with his disregard of all show, and his economical habits, places him in a position of complete independence.

Of one so well known as he is, but little need be added. That he has discharged the duties of every position in which he has been placed with distinguished ability and strict integrity, no one that has ever known him well will deny. As an advocate and jurist he has had very few if any superiors among his contemporaries, while his recorded judicial opinions upop many great questions that arose during his service upon the bench are conceded to be models of clearness, learning and force, and especially distinguished for the broad and comprehensive principles upon which his reasoning is generally founded. In the very best sense of the words, he is a specimen of a self-made man; and his history furnishes additional evidence that integrity of purpose, when coupled with perseverance and assiduous labor, will overcome all the difficulties which may beset the path of the young American, and enable him to fully fit himself for honorable and useful positions in society.

Part Third Bedford

Location - Surfate - Soil - Tinker's Creek - Picturesque Scenery - The Pioneers - The First Settlers - Rapid House-building - Parker's Tavern - A Mighty Hunter - The First Child - First Settler in the Northwest - Getting Plenty of Food - First Permanent Resident at the Center - Other Settlers before 1823 - Householders in 1880 - Civil Government - First Officers - List of Officers - Cemetery - Town Hall - The Village - Location and Appearance - The Beginning - The Laying Out - The Incorporation - Officers since 1860 - Post Ofice - Stores - Hotels - Physicians - Bedford Intellingencer - Early Mills - Woolen Factory - Pail Factory - Tannery - Foundry - The Rolling Mill - Machine Shop - Chair Factories - Schools - Union School - Chureh of Christ - First Baptist Church - Methodist Chyrch - piscopal Church - Masonic Lodge.

Tuts township lies on the Summit county line, east of Independence and south of Warrensville. On the east it is bonnded by the township of Solon. It is known in the survey as township number six in range eleven. When it was organized for civil purposes, in 1828, it received its present name at the suggestion of Daniel Benedict, in compliment to the place of his nativity - Bedford, Connecticut.

Along the streams the surface of the township is sumewhat broken, but in other parts it is generally level. Being also quite elevated, Bedford is a very healthy township. Heavy forests originally covered the ground, but these have been generally removed, although the appearance of the country is yet pleasantly diversified by bodies of timber which have been allowed to remain in their primitive beauty. The soil is variable, but is usually a light loam. It is generally free from stones, and may be cultivated with ease. It is fertile, and yields the ordinary products of this part of the State, but dairying has, to a large extent, become the chief industrial pursuit of the inhabitants.

Tinker's Creek is the principal stream.* It flows from Solon in a westerly course, south of the center of Bedford, to the Cuyahoga, into which it empties in the township of Independence. Its channel is very deep and rugged, forming in places chasms several hundred feet deep, which have almost perpendicular banks of shale or sand rock, and present a grand and picturesque appearance. Along a part of its course through the township, the scenery for varied and attractive beauty is seldom surpassed. The volume of the stream is not so great as formerly, but it yet affords good water power, which has been well utilized. The other streams of the township are small brooks, which flow into this creek from the north,

Pioneer Settlers

About 1810 the township was surveyed into one hundred lots, numbered from the northwest, but no speedy attempt at settlement followed. In 1813 Elijah Nobles settled on Tinker's ereek near the line of Independence, and was probably the first pioneer of Bedford. He was a man of loose business habits, and soon found himself reduced to extreme poverty with avery heavy incumbrance on his land. As it did not seem possible for him to retain his home there, one of the Hudsons, of Hudson, who was related to him, offered him a part of lot forty-six (at the center), if he would make certain improvements on it. With this purpose he moved to what is now the village of Bedford, in November, 1815, and was the first man who lived there. His neighbors in Independence turned out to the number of eighteen, and in a single day built him a cabin from the trees growing on the spot, leaving the family there at night nearly three miles from any other occupied house. Nobles remained all winter at the center, but the following spring he returned to his old place on the creek, and not long after removed to another part of the State. A part of his property on Tinker's creek passed into the hands of Adams & Starr, who built there the first mills in the township, and another part became the home of Cardee Parker who opened the first tavern, (although Nobles may have entertained oecasional travelers.) Parker's tavern became quite famous in its way, and after his death, was continued by his widow, who was widely known as Mother Parker. After the canal was built she removed to Independence, and opened a public house there.

Several months after the settlement of Nobles at the center, Benjamin Fitch, who came to Independence in 1813, squatted on a piece of land in that locality, but after Nobles had left he, too, became discouraged and moved back to the creek. He sold his ''betterments" to Wetherby Nye, but the land ultimately became the property of Joseph Goodale, who the year Fitch returned to the center and built a uew cabin on the eastern part of the site of the village, where he lived a number of years, but finally made a permanent settlement on lot fifteen. He was probably the greatest hunter that' ever lived in the township, being so uniformly successful that some of his less fortunate neighbors used to '' change works " with him - they clearing his land for him while he provided them with game. He was also well known as a maker of splint-bottom chairs, and some of these useful articles made by him, over sixty years ago, are yet in existence in the township. In the latter part of his life he moved to Indiana, where he died. He had three sons, named Joseph, George C., and Andrew G. The latter was born at the center in 1818, being the first child born in that locality. His two daughters yet live in Bedford, Harriet being the wife of W. O. Taylor.

Benoni Brown settled in the southwestern part of the township about 1815, but removed in the course of ten years. At the old mill, in the Tinker's creek settlement, Timothy Washburne lived at a very early day, but did not remain long. He was the first blacksmith in Bedford. In this locality also Stephen Comstock settled in 1814, and a'daughter, Sarah, born soon after, was the first child born in the township. The family also comprised two other daughters, and two sons named Charles and Stephen. Stephen Comstock, Sr., was probably the first settler of Bedford who retained a permanent residence. A little later James Orr made some improvements in the same locality, but also removed before 1830. About 1818 Moses Gleeson likewise settled there. He was an enterprising citizen, and reared seven sons, named Edwin, Elias, Charles, William, Moses, Sardis and Lafayette, and three daughters.

In April, 1819, Samuel Barnes, of Vermont, came from Newburg, where he had settled in 181%, and located in the northwest part of Bedford, but afterwards settled at the village. He died in November, 1872, but Mrs. Barnes is yet living, and is the earliest surviving settler of the township. They reared a son, Orville, and two daughters. One of them, Cordelia, was born in June 1819, hers being one of the first births in the township.

The following year and the year after, Moses Barnum, Abijah S. Barnum and Prentice B. Ross settled on the Newburg road, but at least two of them moved away at an early date. In 1820 Jason Shepard located on lot two, where he lived until after 1830, when he removed to Newburg. It is related of him that while he was out hunting he shot a black bear which was helping himself to the wild honey from a '' bee tree," which also became the prize of the hunter; and, returning home, shot a deer and some wild turkeys near his house, which was certainly obtaining a pretty good supply of food for one day. He had a son, Elias, who is yet a citizen of Newburg.

leaving seven sons, named Ambrose, Chester, Alonzo, John, Asa, Jehiel and Lorenzo. Of these, Asa, who resides on Dunham street, is the only one living in the township. Wetherby Nye became a resident of Bedford about the same time, and after living in various places finally located in the western part of the township, where he died in 1877. Nathaniel K. Joy lived in the same neighborhood as early as 1822, but soon moved away. On lot four Solomon White was an early settler, locating on the present Libbey farm. Samuel Morton lived in the same neighborhood in 1822, but after a few years moved to Canada.

In 1822 Stephen Robinson located on the present Comstock place, on lot twelve, where he died in 1882. He had eight sons, named Daniel, Nathan, Isaac, Ebenezer, Ezra, Nathaniel, John and Newman. The latter is the only one remaining in the township; John lives in West Cleveland; and Ezra in Brooklyn. John White was a neighbor of the Robinsons before 1823, and died in that loeality. He reared two sons, named Wilham G. and Charles.

Daniel Benedict settled at the village of Bedford in 1821, and was the first permanent resident there. His family consisted of eight sons: Darius, Ralph, Julius, Sillock, Judson, James, Rodolphus, Phinamber and Allison. Phinamber is the only one living in the county, he being yet a resident of the village. A little later Moses Higby settled in the southwestern part of the township, where he remained until his death.

Others living in the township before 1823 were Jared Barnes, Barzilla Burk, William Dunshee, Laban Ingersoll, John Johnson, John Marvin and Peter Comstock. Within a few years came Philo Barnes, Justus Remington, George M. Payne, Luther and Ziba Willis, Daniel Gould, Hiram Spofford, Barney Cobb, Enoch Allen and Nathaniel C. Hains.

Bedford Civil Government

Agreeably to an order of the commissioners of Cuyahoga county, the inhabitants of the present township of Bedford assembled at the house of Prentice 3. Ross, April 7, 1823, to elect township officers. John Dunham, Daniel Benedict and Aaron Shepard were appointed judges; Laban Ingersoll and A. 8. Barnum, clerks. The officers elected were as follows: Trustees, Daniel Benedict, James Orr, Laban Ingersoll; clerk, Abijah S. Barnum; treasurer, John Dunham; constables and listers, Peter Comstock, Darius R. Benedict; fence viewers, Prentice B. Ross, Wetherby Nye; overseers of the poor, Barzilla B. Burk, Stephen Comstock; road supervisors, Daniel Benedict, James Orr, Barzilla B. Burk. Jonathan I*isher, a justice of the peace of the county, qualified the clerk to perform the duties of his office.

A meeting to elect a justice of the peace for Bedford was held July 19, 1823, when John Dunham received seventeen votes; Janicl Benedict, eleven; and A. Shepard, one. Dunham declined to serye, and on the 9th of August another election was held which resulted in the choice of James Orr; he having received twenty-five votes. The justices in 1879 are A. M. Whitaker and EK. HW. Hammond. It is impossible to compile even a reasonably full list of those who have served as justices in the intermediate period; even as to other officers it is very difficult, some of the records having been destroyed or mislaid. As near as can be ascertained they have been as follows: in 185% the township appropriated five hundred dollars to purchase a tract of ground for burial purposes. A lot of three and one-third acres was selected in the southeastern part of the village, which has been well fenced, laid out in blocks, planted with fine trees, and a vault provided. The township also furnished a hearse and provided the services of a sexton. The cemetery contains some very fine monuments, and has become the general place of intermeut of the | people of the township.

On the 30th of May, 1874, the trustees of Bedford contracted with David Law,-of Willoughby, to build a town hall at the village, for $13,500. The hall was subsequently scated and furnished, making the entire cost about $15,000. The building is three stories high, witha Mansard roof of figured slate, and has a very attractive appearance. The lower story is fitted up for townsh'p offices, and has a room in which the general meetings are held. It was first oceupied for this purpose in the spring of 1875. Thesecond story forms a public hall, for lectures, concerts, and other occasions; and the third story has been fitted up by the Masons for the use of their order. The hall is an appropriate monument to the enterprise and progressive spirit of the people of Bedford.

Public Thoroughfares

The first roads of Bedford were merely underbrushed paths, but afterwards, when the township was organized, the people went to work in earnest to improve them. TheStute road, passing through the township diagonally from southeast to northwest, was built about 1830, and at once became a popular thoroughfare, and is still the principal highway of the township. The other highways were i due time improved, the low places being turnpiked. At present the roads are in a very fine condition, and in 1879 were in charge of the following supervisors: William Trimple, U. Wright, George Nichols, J. H. Stohlman, George Laing, David Winders, James Rees, D. Wells and Amos Allen.

In the spring of 1849 ground was broken in Bedford for the Cleveland and Pittsburg railroad, and in-1852 the road was fully opened for traflic. It has a length in Bedford of about seven miles, and at the village a good station has been provided. 'The railroad bridge across 'Tinker's creck is a very fine piece of massive stone masonry, more than one hundred feet high. About the same time that the railroad was built, the Twinsburg and Bedford plank road was constructed; and at a little later date the Cleveland and Mahoning railroad was opened through the northeastern part of the township. The plank road was abandoned about 1860.

Bedford Village

This is chiefly situated on lot forty-six, near the center of the township. It is located mainly on the north bank of Tinker's creek, which there flows through a deep gorge, the sides of which are almost perpendicular walls of rock, partly bare and partly covered with trees and shrubs, and presenting a very picturesque appearance. Ata berd of the creck, on lot fifty-six, the first effort to start a village was made about 1826 by Luther Willis. He was the owner of water-power which had been employed to operate machinery, but beyond the building of a few houses nothing resulted from the endeavors of the proprietor.

lot forty-six, a portion of which he caused to be surveyed for a village in December, 1834. The plat was made by John C. Sill, and embraced a number of lots south of the present village park (which was at that time devoted to the public use), and west of the turnpike road. Lots were also set aside for a hall for town meetings, and the several religious societies each received a building site. This liberal spirit, and other inducements held out by the proprietors, caused a number of improvements to be made, necessitating, in 1836, an addition of lots on the east side of the turnpike, which was also made by the Dunhams. Other additions were made by the owners of adjoining real estate from time to time, until the area of the village has been greatly extended.

It is not compactly built, and since the Cleveland and Pittsburg railroad located a station here, in 1852, it has partaken somewhat of the characteristics of a suburban village in relation to Cleveland. It is only six miles distant from the limits of that city, and has a population of about eight hundred. 'The village contains a very fine public hall, a Methodist, a Disciple, a Baptist and a Presbyterian church, an elegant Union School building, a number of comfortable residences, and the various establishments mentioned a little further on. :

Bedford was incorporated according to the proyisions of an act of the general assembly, passed March 15, 1837, which set forth ''that so much of the township of Bedford, im the county of Cuyahoga, as herein described, viz.: The whole of lots forty-five, forty-six and fifty-six, and that part of lot fifty-five which lays northeast of Tinker's creck; also a strip thirty-two rods width off the south end of lot thirtysix, and a strip of thirty-two rods width off the south end of lot thirty-five, west as far as the west line of Justus Remington's land, be and the same is hereby created a town corporate, and shall hereafter be known by the name and title of the 'Town of Bedford.' " An election of a mayor, a recorder, and five trustees was ordered to be holden the following April, and yearly thereafter. 'The mayor chosen was George M. Payne; the recorder, David B. Dunham.

All the records prior to 1860 have been destroyed by fire, so that no complete list of officers can be given. The village allowed its first charter to lapse, and on the 3d day of May, 1852, a new act of incorporation was granted, with the limits before given, which yet remain as originally fixed.

Since 1859 the principal officers have been as follows: 1860, J. C. Cleveland, mayor; A. M. Whitaker, recorder. 1861, J. C. Cleveland, mayor; W. L. Lord, recorder. 1862, L. D. Benedict, mayor; C. A. Ennis, recorder, 1863 « 64, F. H. Cannon, mayor; 5. P. Gray, recorder. 1865. B. J. Wheelock, mayor; Sidney Smith, recorder. 1866, R. C. Smith, mayor; H. Freeman, recorder. 1867, A. J. Wells, mayor; Sidney Smith, recorder. 1868, Benjamin Lemoin, mayor; Sidney Smith, recorder. 1869 to 1873, C. A. Ennis, mayor; A. M. Whitaker, recorder. 1874

In 1879 the village officers were as follows: V. A. Taylor, mayor; W. 8. Warner, recorder; M. L. Hillard, C. B. Marble, J. C. Nelson, C. A. Ennis, John II. Gause, J. H. Lamson, councilmen; Robert Forbes, treasurer; If. P. Bredes, marshal. <A tax of three and one-half mills was levied on the valuation of the village for all the purposes of the corporation in 1879.

Post Office, Stores And Iiotels

The Bedford post office dates from about 1826. Ziba Willis was the first postmaster. Tis successor in 1833 was D. B. Dunham, who held the office until 1842. At that time there was one mail per day, by stage; the arrival varied from two to ten hours, according to the condition of the roads. The successors of Mr. Dunham have been J. P. Robinson, R. D. Benedict, Leverett Tarbell, Levi Marble, and the present postmaster, Charles B. Marble. The office enjoys good mail privileges.

The first store in the village, and also the first in the township, was opened by David B. Dunham, in November, 1831, in a building which stood at the forks of the road, opposite the present hotel. He occupied that building eight years, when he removed to a fine stone block, which stood just north of his present residence, and which was occupied by him when it was destroyed by fire in June, 1878. In that building was transacted, for a number of years, a business which aggregated more than $100,000 per year, and which made Bedford one of the best trading points in the county, outside of Cleveland. Other prominent merchants have been F. H. Cannon, J. P. Robinson, W. B. Hillman, Paddock & Esselstyne, George M. Payne, Zachariah Paddock, Chester Hamilton, Watson I. Gray, M. B. Dawson, Leverett Tarbell, A. H. Comstock, James Thompson, L. D. Ilathaway, L. P. Gray, ete. The present merchants are Newman Robinson, since 1845; Robert Forbes, since 1865; C. B. Marble, L. C. Hains, Joseph Hains, C. H. Dustin and J. R. Tudor & Oo.

Enoch Allen had the first public house in the village, about 1829, near the present chair factories. He was followed by Amos Belden and others. In 1832 Calvin Barnes put up a good hotel, north of the park, which was widely known as the "' Checkered House." Among other keepers were Silas Gray and George Lathrop. In 1871 the house was destroyed by fire. In 1832, also, the present '' Fountain House" was built by Levi Marble, who kept it a few years, and was followed by Abner Heston and others. Th« present proprietor is Charles Turner, and it is thc only hotel in the place. Formerly hotels were kept in the stone block and at other places; the village having, at one time, had five public houses.

Physicians And The Press

Dr. J. M. Turner, who came about 1828 and lived a little south of the village, was the first physician and was in practice about five years. Dr. Charles Goodrich came about 1830, but fell a victim to the cholera in 1832; Dr. J. P. Robinson was in practice from January, 1882, till his removal to Cleveland in 1865. Dr. D. G. Streeter came in 1845, and remained until his death, October, 1878, and Dr. S. M. Tarbell was one of his contemporaries. Others, formerly in practice, were Doctors A. W. Oliver, Noble H. Finney, Brainard, - - Gerold and B. M. Hutchinson. The present physicians are Doctors C. M. Mawley, N. A. Dalrymple - - Daniels, and N. B. Armstrong. The veteran Dr. T. Garlick, for many years one of Cleveland's most eminent surgeons, is a retired citizen of the village.

In 1838 John Hammon, of Ravenna, began the publication of the Bedford /ntelligencer, a small sheet devoted to local news and the interests of the Democratic party. In five years it was discontinued, and the place has since been without a paper.

Manufacturing Interests

The first manufacturing in the township was on Tinker's creek, near the line of Independence. Sometime about 1815 two men, named Adams and Starr, put up a sawmill and a gristmill, both small, at a point about thirty rods above the mills now situated in that locality. The first mills were suffered to go down, and in 1820 Culverson and Boland improved the present site. The mills erected by them soon after became the property of Moses Gleeson, and have since been operated by him and his family.

About 1821 Daniel Benedict built a sawmill, and soon after a carding machine, on Tinker's creek, near the State road, at Bedford village.. These were destroyed by fire, but on the site there is now a sawmill, belonging to Henry Wick. Below this point Luther Willis built mills in 1825, which are at present operated by Levi Marble. Near by is a building in which blinds were formerly made and which, at a later day, was a chair factory, but which is at present little used.

Farther down the stream, and just inside the corporate limits of Bedford village, Stephen C. Powers built and set in operation a woolen factory, in 1842, which was in operation about fifteen years. Here, also, was formerly a sawmill; but at present the power is unemployed. In 1843 a pail factory was built by Lee Lord and Enoch Allen, which was carried on successfully a few years but was then destroyed by fire. Formerly a brush factory gave employment to a number of men, but after a short season it was removed. :

Hinman Robinson. About 1845 Robinson & Hillman engaged in tanning on a large scale, but after a few years operation the enterprise was abandoned. About 1840 Comstock, Kirkham & Dickey put up a foundry near the ereek, which was burned. It was subsequently rebuilt near the railroad, where it remained in operation until 1868, when it was again destroyed by fire.

rolling mill. <A large capital stock was subscribed, and II. N. Slade chosen the first president. A good mill was built near the railroad bridge, in which from fifty to seventy-five hands were employed. The mill became the property of E. W. John about 1869, and subsequently was owned by the '' Leetonia Iron and Coal Company," which also failed. After standing idle a few years, it was purchased by parties resident in Massillon, who removed it to that place, where it is now in operation. During the time it was carried on at Bedford, it is estimated the place sustained a direct and indirect loss of more than two hundred thousand dollars, which was chargeable to that source, while the benefit derived from it was very slight.

A machine shop for general iron work was built about 1854 by M. A. Purdy & Son, near the above site, which was last carried onby C. Purdy. In July, 1875, the establishment was totally destroyed by fire.

The Bedford Chair Factories

These have for many years been among the principal industries of the place, and are the only ones whieh have survived the mutations of time.. In 1851 B. J. Wheelock began the manufacture of cane-seated chairs in the old building by the mill, having at first a force of five men. Changes in the firm followed, and the capacity of the shop was largely increased, more than twenty men being employed. In 1855 B. J. Wheelock and L. F. Osborne built a large factory on the hill north of the old establishment, the latter being continued meanwhile by Lord, Park & Co. and others. In 1858 the new shops were enlarged by the firm of Wheelock & Wright, and about the same time M. A. Purdy & Son erected a new shop devoted to the chair business, in thesame locality, and operated it a number of years. In 1867 the different chair manufacturers in the village united their interests and formed the Bedford Chair Company. Another building was then erected to connect the two factories on the hill, the establishment then being made to assume the shape it now has. At that time about fifty men were employed. At present thc factory is operated by Wheelock & Co., on a mor limited scale, in the manufacture of single canc-seated work only.

As carly as 1833 Benjamin Fitch carried on thc manufacture of splint-bottom chairs at his home in the northern part of the township, on lot fifteen. Here W. O. Taylor learned the chair-maker's trade, and in 1844 began work on his own account. In 1863 he erected a shop in this locality, in which he shortly after began the manufacture of cane-scated chairs, although still continuing to make splint work, In 1874 his factory was removed to Bedford village, where the business has since been yery successfully carried on by W. O. Taylor & Son. At present they occupy a large building more than one hundred feet long, with several capacious wings, in which sixty being given employment outside of the factory, in weaving and braiding chair seats. The work of this factory has attained a wide reputation, and in 1876 was awarded the medal at the Centennial Exhibition. More than forty styles of single and double-seated cane work are made, and the demand for the wares of the factory is so great that it is taxed to its utmost to supply it. EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS. |

The records of the township are silent in regard to the early condition of the public schools, nothing of interest but a list of teachers prior to 1840 being obtainable. 'This includes the names of Miss Barnes, H. L. Sill, C. Ruggles, R. Root, W. Johnson, D. Baldwin, M. Smith, Polly Allen, Betsey Predner, Mary Ann Sill, Laura Gould, Mary McCartney, Mariah Peck and L. Ruggles. In 1848 there were eleven districts in the township, having an aggregate of six hundred and sixty-two children of school age. The school fund amounted to $665.40.

Thirty years later there were two fractional districts and eight sub-districts, in addition to the Union School of Bedford village. Not including the latter, the expenditure for school purposes were $3,441.56. Thirty-three weeks of school were maintained, and the aggregate enrollment was one hundred and ninetysix boys and one hundred and seventy-five girls. The average attendance was nearly three hundred, all the scholars being engaged in the study of the common branches, except two. The average wages of the male teachers was $36.00; of female teachers, $16.50. There were eight school houses the value of which was set at $10,500. The most of them present an attractive appearance on the outside, and are comfortably fitted up on the inside. In 1879 the board of education was composed of R. J. Hathaway (District No. 4), president; W. 8. Warner, clerk; Ozro Orborne, of District No. 1; A. J. Hansay, of No. 2; H. H. Cox, of No. 3; George Laing, of No. 5; F. B. McConnor, of No. 6; Leonard Hershey, of No. 7; 8. S. Drake, of No. 8.

Bedford Village Union Sciiool

The district was originally organized to embrace only the territory within the corporate limits of the village, but in 1874 the bounds were extended so as to inelude all of lots thirty-six, thirty-seven, fortyfour, forty-five, forty-six, fifty-three, fifty-four, fiftyfive, fifty-six and parts of thirty-five, forty-seven, fifty-seven, "sixty-five, sixty-six and sixty-seven. In 1873 the present school building was erected, under the direction of a board of education composed of Robert Forbes, R. Moffatt and W. H. Wheelock, and was ready for oecupancy in the early part of 1874. It is a very handsome edifice of brick, forty by fifty_ six feet, two stories high, with basement, and cost $15,000. There are four rooms, but at present only three are occupied for school purposes. The schools were attended by two hundred and forty-one pupils in 1878, the average attendance being two hundred and five. Thirty-cight weeks of school were maintained at a cost of nearly $1,600, under the principalship of R. C. Smith.

Since 1877 the board of education has been composed of six persons. The present members are J. W. Derthwick; president; N. L. Hillard, secretary; Robert Forbes, treasurer; W. T. Wheelock, M. B. Dawson and J. I. Bently.

Religious Societies

Soon after 1830 several religious societies were formed in Bedford, which failed to maintain their organization more than a few years. There being no church building in the place, a small framed meeting house was erected about this period by Mrs. Fanny Willis, which was the first place of worship of the several societies organized before 1841.

The Disciples were the first to form a society that proved permanent. In May, 1830, Rey. EH. Williams visited the village to preach, and for some time came every month thereafter. In August Noel C. Barnum was baptized by Mr. Williams, and in April, 1831, Enoch Allen and six others received the same rite. Preaching was continued by Rey. Messrs. Williams, William Hayden, J. J. Moss and others, and in December, 1833, was organized with twenty members and the following officers: Thos. Marble, overseer; Enoch Allen and George M. Payne, deacons. The following year these were under the ministrations of the Rev. A. B. Green. In 1834 Rev. J. J. Moss became a resident of Bedford, and for five years taught and preached from house to house. In 1837 a great revival prevailed whereby thirty-two persons were added to the membership of the church. In 1835 Enoch Allen and Allen Robinette were elected overseers; Samuel Barnes, N. C. Barnum and W. W. Walker, deacons.

The church has enjoyed numerous revivals; in 1843 receiving one hundred and six additions, and in 1848 fifty-four additions - among them being thirty persons who had formerly belonged to the Baptist church. In 1852, under the preaching of Rev. A. B. Green, one hundred and fifteen persons joined at one meeting. The aggregate membership has been very large, reaching nearly twenty-five hundred; and from the Bedford society haye originated fifty churches in various parts of the country. At present there are three hundred and twenty-five resident, and one hundred non-resident members. Among those who have originated here as ministers were Irvin A. Searles, Theo. Johnson, Burdette Goodale, Alonzo Dunham, J. P. Robinson, William Robinson, Charles F. Bartlett, Sidney Smith, and a number of others who expound the Word at home.

The elders of the chureh have been, in the order of their election: Thomas Marble, Allen Robinette, Enoch Allen, Sidney Smith, James Young, C. F. Bartlett, R. S. Benedict, S. F. Lockwood, James Egbert,* W. H. Millman, A. TT. Hubbell, Alonzo Drake,* R. J. Hathaway,* Hiram Woods and A. C. Hubbell; and the deacons have been Enoch Allen, George M. Payne, Samuel Barnes, N. C. Barnum, W. W. Walker, A. Gray, Charles F. Bartlett, George Comstock, Silvan F. Lockwood, Augustin Collins, Silas A. Hathaway, Daniel Gould, N. P. Benedict, Lee Lord, J. 8. Benedict, A. T. Hubbell, D. D. Robinson, N. A. Egbert, Augustus Rincar,* W. W. Wells, M. B. Dawson, J. W. Derthwick,* J. M. Egbert,* V. A. Taylor,* and Johnson MeFarland.*

In 1856 the church employed its first pastor (the ministers until that period having been evangelists), the Rey. J. O. Beardsley, who afterwards became a foreign missionary. His successors in the pastoral office have been J. H. Jones, James H. Woods, A. B. Green, R. Moffit, W. L. Anderson, W. J. Sharp, 8. W. Brown, L. Cooley, and E. D. Barclay the present pastor. ;

The meeting-house was erected in 1838. It has since been much enlarged and improved, being at present a very handsome edifice the value of which is estimated at six thousand dollars. The present trustees are Alonzo Drake, V. A. Taylor, Johnson McFarland, John Way, Milo Hathaway, . R. Hamlin and S. J. Clark; E. A. Ennis is clerk of the board.

Many years ago Dr. J. P. Robinson was the superintendent of a flourishing Sunday-school, which has been continued with unabated interest until the present time. It has one hundred and twenty-five members, R. J. Hathaway being the superintendent.

For nearly twenty years the board of managers of the Ohio Missionary Society were located at Bedford; Dr. J. P. Robinson being the chairman, and James Egbert, the treasurer. In later years the mectings have been held at Cleveland.

The First Baptist Church In Bedford

This religious body was organized November 18, 1834, with the following members: Stephen Rusco, William Wing, Salome Rusco, Phebe Hotehkiss, Isabella Thomas, Silvan P. Lockwood, Ambrose K. Lockwood, Fanny Willis, Mary Robinson, Marinda Holcomb, Clarissa Dunham, Hannah Wing, Lucretia Hammond and John Hammond, by the Rev. S. R, Willard, who also became the first pastor. Stephen Rusco was elected the first clerk, and Silvan P. Lock- wood and John Hammond, the first deacons. In September, 1835, the church became connected with the Portage Association, sending as delegates the pastor, Rev. Mr. Willard, Deacon Hammond and Stephen Rusco.

In 1836 John Hammond resigned his deaconship, and John Brainard was chosen in his place. The latter resigned in 1843, and George Morse, John Hammond and Newman Robinson were elected. Augustus Pease also served in this capacity. The present deacons are Newman Robinson and Daniel Cook.

The second pastor of the church was the Rey. E. Hi. Holley, who assumed that relation in February, 1842. The succeeding pastors, with the year in which each began his service, have been as follows: 1844, Rev. W. Levisse; 1846, Rev. W. G. Johnson; 1850, Rev. Mr. Simonds; 1851, A. Freeman; 1855, Rev. Alonzo Wadhams; 1857, Rev. E. A. Turner; 1859, Rev. Mr. Page; 1860, Rev. Mr. Heath; 1861, Rev. J. L. Phillips; 1864, Rev. Mr. Haven; 1866, Rev. J. B. Iutton; 1867, Rey. G. W. Scott; 1869, Rev. F. Tolhurst; 1875, Rev. Mr. Stephenson; 1876, Rey. 8. Early, who yet continues as a supply, and is also superintendent of a Sunday school which has two hundred members. The church reports ninety-five members. i

In 1839 the present church edifice was erected, and on the 19th of February, 1840, it was consecrated by the Rey. Levi Tucker. It has since been repaired, and is still a comfortable place of worship. The present trustees are Geo. Cowan, Newman Robinson and Frederick ILarter.

Tie Bedford Methodist Episcopal Church

About 1833 a class of Methodists was formed at Bedford, having among its members N. C. Haines, his wife, Rachel, and daughter, Polly; Benjamin Fitch and wife, Daniel Benedict and wife, and others who had formerly belonged to the Reformed Methodists. Revs. N. C. Iaines and - - Baldwin, acting in the eapacity of local preachers, were the first ministers of the class, which did not inerease very rapidly in membership. After ministers were sent here by the conference, the services were held in the Willis mecting house, which afterwards became the property of the Methodists, and was moved by them to its present location. In a remodeled cendition it forms a pleasant place of worship, valued at $2,500. The present trustees are 8. M. Hammond, Edward Corkill, A. M. Whitaker, G. C. Tinker, J. W. Hickman and W. 'T. Wheelock.

The church has at present about one hundred members, and the following stewards: G. C. Tinker, J. R. Tudor, W. W. Corkill and A. J. Loockwood. 'The pastor since September, 1878, has been the Rev. A. T. Copeland. Among other Methodist clergy here were the Revs. Alfred Bronson, 8. Warrallo, Ira

The Bedford Presbyterian Church

The house of worship of this body was erected in 1861, by a congregation which had been formed previous to that date by the Revs. F. I. Brown and John Andrews, of the Wooster presbytery. There were sixteen members, and Milton A. Purdy and B. J. Wheelock were the first ruling elders. Before the meeting house was built, Rev. William Campbell became the first pastor, the services being held in Hutchinson hall and other places. He served the church in connection with that of Northfield, and the subsequent pastors were also in the employ of both churches. These were the Rev. William B. Marsh and the Rey. William Hamilton, D.D. After the latter confined his labors solely to the Northfield church, many of the members in the southern part of the township withdrew from the Bedford church and conuected themselves with the former body. Others removed, and the church was left so weak that for the past six years the meeting house has been unoccupicd.

Other religious socicties have had a brief existence at Bedford village and in the western part of the township, where a meeting house was erected on Dunham street, but all have now become extinct.

Bedford Lodge No. 375, F. And A. M.

This lodge received a dispensation October 17, 1866, and a year Jater was duly chartered with the following members: J. B. Hains, ©. N. Hamlin, R. C. Smith, A. A. Benedict, W. H. Sawyer, Levi Case, Enoch Allen, A. J. Wells, J. J. Brittan S. 8. Peck, L. C: Hains, Samuel Patrick, E. Cowles and H. UH. Palmer. 'The officers were J. B. Hains, W. M.; L. C. Hains, J. W.; 8. 8S. Peck, secretary; B. F. Lillie, treasurer; E. J. Parke, J. D.; M. I'. Canfield, 8. D., and F. Mighton, tyler. The lodge has had one hundred and eleven members, and at present reports fifty-five. In 1874 the upper story of the town hall was fitted up for lodge purposes, at a cost of $1,500. The size of the main hall is thirty by thirty-six feet; the size of that and the banquet hall is thirty-six by seventy feet. The present officers are 8. 8. Peck, W. M.; S. H. Gleeson, 8. W.; William Golling, J. W.; E. H. Hammond, secretary; C. B. Marble, treasurer; " J. C. Nelson, S. D.; William Klaner, J. D., and H. Conant, tyler.

Hon. THEODORE Brecx is a descendant of the old Puritan families of New England, and boasts ancestors who were prominently identified with the early history of the State of Massachusetts. His father, John Breck, was a native of Northampton, Mass., and was, in company with his brothers, engaged at Boston in the importation of iron. He served in the army during the war of 1812, and was commander of the forces stationed at Fort Independence, Boston harbor. He was one of the original purchasers of the Western Reserve lands from the State of Connecticut, and upon its division among the different proprietors was allotted parts of townships in the various counties. In the town named after him in Cuyahoga County he originaily held the title-deeds for one-half of its territory. He died in 1827. Theodore Breck's mother, Clarissa (who died in 1831), was the daughter of Rev. Thomas Allen, the first settled minister of Pittsfield, Mass.; a man of strong and deep religious principles and very patriotic during the Revolutionary war. When Gen. Burgoyne was marching to invade Vermont, Mr. Allen heard of the approach of the British during the Sabbath service, and thereupon leaving his pulpit he hastily formed a company of Minute-Men, and hastened to the support of the Americans. His son, William R. Allen, was president of Bowdoin and Dartmouth Colleges in the early part of the present century. Rev. Thomas Allen's wife, Elizabeth, was a daughter of Rev. Jonathan Lee, the first settled pastor at Salisbury, Mass. His wife, Elizabeth, was the child of Rey. Joseph Metcalf, who was united in 1707 to Alice, daughter of Rev. William Adams. The latter married, in 1680, Alice, daughter of Maj. William Bradford, who was the son of Governor William and Alice (Southworth) Bradford. This shows that Theodore Breck is a lineal descendant of one of Massachusetts' early colonial governors. John and Clarissa (Allen)

He was born at Northampton, Mass., Nov. 30, 1808. Receiving an academical course of study, he spent his youth at educational institutions in Hadley and Amherst, Mass. After the death of his father, in company with his two surviving brothers, Edward and John, he moved West to look after the large landed interest left by their parent. He located at Brecksville in 1830, and became engaged in agricultural pursuits and in the mercantile trade, and later on became a notary public. His brothers finally settled in Brecksville, the elder engaging in the practice of medicine, the younger in farming.

Mr. Breck was formerly a member of the old Whig party, but joined the Republican party upon its organization, and has since been an active and prominent worker in its ranks. He has been called to serve as county commissioner, 1843. to 1846; was appointed to fill the vacancy in the same board in 1875; was a member of the State Legislature of 1846-48 ; member of the Senate of 1860-61, and represented his constituents in the 63d General Assembly of 1876-77. In all of his political positions he has given universal satisfaction and gained the respect of the people at large irrespective of party. Mr. Breck is a man ot medium height, and though over seventy years of age enjoys the best of health. Although never married, he is rightly called the father of the town of his adoption. His hand has always been ready to help, and his purse to alleviate, the wants of the destitute orphan or the desolate widow, and though he has no posterity to transmit his name to future generations, it will remain green and live in the memory of the people of this county for many years to come. By his many acts of benevolence and kindness he has erected a monument that will long endure.