Biography S-Z

9:1 JACOB H. SILVERTHORN

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND - ORTH.

Vol. 3, Pg. 93 (entire)

There is perhaps no resident of Cleveland more capable of speaking with authority concerning many of the events and conditions of the city of Cleveland than Jacob Henry Silverthorn, who in the evening of life, surrounded by the comforts of what he has accomplished, is now living retired, making his home at the Hollenden Hotel. He knew Cleveland when it was scarcely more than a village, its business district bordering the river, while its commercial and industrial enterprises were of primitive character.

Mr. Silverthorn was born in Ohio on the 17th day of November, 1827, a son of William Silverthorn, who was one of the earliest residents of this city. The father died during the boyhood of his son Jacob, after devoting his life to agricultural interests, with which he was connected until his demise about 1840. In early manhood he had wedded Miss Polly House, also a native of Ohio. They lived in this section of the state throughout their entire lives, although they were representatives of old Pennsylvania families of German descent.

Jacob H. Silverthorn acquired his education in the early schools, the first "temple of learning" in which he pursued his studies being a little log building such as was common in primitive times. He left school and home when ten years of age and went to Sandusky, Ohio, with the family of W.H. Mills and when a youth of fifteen made his way to Ashtabula, Ohio, where he learned the trade of building fanning mills. He remained at that place for three years and then removed to Willoughby, Ohio, where he was employed for a year by a man with whom he had previously learned his trade. He then began business in the same line on his own account, devoting two years to that undertaking.

It was during his residence in Willoughby that Mr. Silverthorn was united in marriage to Miss Jeanette Jackson, a native of Rutland, Vermont, from which place her family had come to Ohio. In 1853 Mr. Silverthorn removed with his family to Rocky River and during the greater part of his life since that time has been identified with hotel interests. At that place he purchased the old hotel property and conducted a popular hostelry for fourteen years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and purchased a farm, on which he spent about six months, after which he came to Cleveland and bought the property where Adelbert College now stands. He became owner of nineteen acres and conducted a road house for about four years, having the most extensive patronage in the city. From that point he went to Coit-on-the-Lake, where he remained for two years in the hotel business, and in the meantime he became interested with Drake & Company, wholesale dealers in teas, coffees and spices. He was associated with that enterprise for three years, after which he returned to Rocky River and again purchased the hotel property in 1884. For seventeen years he continued there in the hotel business, after which he retired from active life. He was the first man able to command a dollar per meal in the county. Among his patrons were General Sheridan, General Hayes and other distinguished guests, and his was one of the most popular hostelries of the state.

In all the years of an active business career Mr. Silverthorn was an interested witness of the growth, progress and development of the city and county. In 1828 he saw the first locomotive ever in Ohio, at which time General Harrison was on the train as a member of a delegation to Fort Meigs. Cleveland at the time Mr. Silverthorn first became acquainted with the city contained no jail, having merely a cage in which to incarcerate the culprits who broke the law. It was at that period of the city's existence that all of its business was conducted along the river, while its residence district covered but a small area. As the years have passed he has contemplated with interest the marvelous growth and development of the city along industrial and commercial lines, felling just pride in what Cleveland has accomplished, giving her rank with the ten largest cities of the Union.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Silverthorn were born two children: William Henry, now president of the Railroad Steel Spring Company and of the Car Lighting & Heating Company, his home being in New York City; and Mrs. H.B. Brooks, a resident of Birmingham, Alabama., Eighteen years ago Mr. Silverthorn was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife and the later years of his life have been spent at the Hollenden Hotel, where he is now comfortably located.

His business life brought him into close contact with many prominent men with whom he had personal acquaintance, knowing them not as they appeared in history but as they were in every day life, so that his reminiscences are delightfully entertaining. A republican in politics, he has supported the candidates of that party since its formation and has cast his vote for men of his personal acquaintance, thus assisting them to the highest offices of the land. He has now reached the venerable age of eighty-two years but in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. He stands as a splendid example of the hotel proprietor of an earlier generation, who played a most important part in the history of the state before modern invention made travel a matter of but a few hours from Cleveland to the eastern coast. His years rest lightly upon him and he is yet deeply interested in all that pertains to Cleveland, its growth and its upbuilding while throughout the city he is honored as one of Ohio's worthy pioneers.

9:2 SMITH, WILLIAM B.

MRS. TOWNSEND'S SCRAP BOOK (Page 11)

A side wheel steamer brought William B. Smith and his wife, who was Mary Congar, and his wife's father, to East Rockport about 1840. They came from the small town of Linden in the Wyoming Valley, about 30 miles from Buffalo, New York. With them on shipboard, they brought their cattle and household goods. They were of far back Yankee descent. They bought 50 acres running from Detroit Street to the lake where the present allotment of Cove Avenue is now located. They took up their home in an ancient log cabin which had been boarded over on the outside and which stood 100 feet from what is now the center of Cove Avenue. Four children were born there to the family, Plynie, Mattie, Howard, and Abbie. Plynie early moved to Pennsylvania and served in the Civil War; Mattie married George G. Mulhearn and has always lived and still resides in Cuyahoga County; Howard has lived in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for many years. Abbie married Harry Lockwood. Mr. and Mrs. Mulhearn recently celebrated their golden wedding, and on that day Mrs. Mulhearn took a ride in an air plane.

Mr. Smith sold the eastern half of his estate to Ira Canfield for $80.00 an acre in the late 60's inclusive of Lake and Detroit Street front, (there was no Lake or Cove Avenue then). For consideration, he took stock in coal, from which he realized only losses. Mr. Canfield soon sold to Captain Scott, who united with Mr. Smith to put through Cove Avenue. The first lots sold for more money than they were worth for years after. The street was put through ahead of the market and went to seed and bramble thickets for many years. Captain Scott commanded a lake boat which capsized in Lake Huron and all on board, including the Captain and his entire family, were lost.

In order to properly educate his family, Mr. Smith moved into Cleveland. He took young William Saxton into partnership and furnishing the money established an undertaking business on 25th Street near Franklin. When the old Smith cabin was torn down, counterfeit silver dollars were found in the walls, and it was said that the place had at one time been used as a public house.

About the time of the building of the Rocky River Railroad, Mr. Smith sold half of his farm, retaining the western half, which included the natural harbor known in later years as Shady Cove. In the early days it was known as Taylor's Cove and was the only place between the Cuyahoga and Rocky River where a small craft could put in. Both points have been mostly washed away by the waves and there is no beach there today.

Mrs. Mulhearn recalls the music of Gardner Oaks, who used to play duets with her older brother, who played a flute.

George Mulhearn was the first conductor of the Rocky River Railway. Mr. Mulhearn recalled the early finances of the venture. The six miles of road and equipment consisting of three twelve ton locomotives and a dozen passenger coaches with seats along the sides, cost $160,000.00, of which the late William Barrett took $80,000.00 in bonds. The rest was raised by the sale of stock. The chief promoters were Elias Sims, D.P. Rhodes, and Ezra Nicholson. The road carried great crowds of picnickers to Rocky River in the summer. It never made money for the stockholders, making money in the summer and losing in the winter. After one year service as conductor, Mr. Mulhearn was made superintendent, which place he held until the road was sold to the Nickle Plate Railroad. The round house and machine shop stood just east of what is now Nicholson Avenue. Wonderful picnic grounds were maintained at the present Clifton Park, the woods extending almost to Detroit Street. Decency and propriety were maintained, and when the old Cliff House, a battened wooden structure, was erected at the end of the line, facing what is now Riverside Avenue and about half way from Detroit Street to the Nickle Plate Railroad, the promoters tried to develop a family amusement resort. It was no go though, for "booze" spoiled the beauty of nature - and Rocky River became, and was for many years one of the toughest places in Ohio. The miniature railway could not carry the crowds on Sundays and holidays and it was no uncommon sight to see a dozen or so wrecked buggies on Detroit Street, the reminders of drunken drivers, runaways and collisions. Livery stables did a big business in disposing of the cases of drunkenness and disorder that kept the local "Bull pen" full, and earned many an honest dollar. The fares on the Rocky River Road were on the zone system, from 5 cents to Detroit Street crossing, where the Nickle Plate crosses now, to 20 cent fare was commuted to 12 1/2 cents. Berry pickers who came out in great numbers in the summer, paid a uniform 5 cent rate. The road was very accommodating, and would change a schedule for four children who wished to attend dancing school "in town." The line was single track with several switches where trains could pass, such as those at Hird and Nicholson and Summit. One time there was an engineer who had failing eyesight. He killed several cows without realizing how serious his condition was. When he knocked "silly" Henry Lower's blooded bull, and the owner explained to the stockholders how valuable the animal was, the engineer resigned. Mr. Lower was a stockholder and it was understood that he received satisfactory compensation. The city end of the Railway ran down the center of what is now Bridge Avenue west side of 58th Street. A part of the structure is a tenement on Ellen Street.

Mr. Mulhearn later became and was for years superintendent of the "Little Consolidated" street Railway of Cleveland and was elected Sheriff of Cuyahoga County. Mrs. A. Ward Fenton of New York City is a daughter. She has 2 children.

9:3 DR. HENRY LEECH SOOK

E.G. LINDSTROM'S UNPUBLISHED MATERIAL

Next door west of the "Lakewood" Theater on Detroit Avenue, set way back from the street may be seen the quiet brick residence occupied for many years by Dr. Henry Leech Sook.

In turning back the pages of history we find that about 1797 a little family consisting of father and mother and two little boys were sailing across the Atlantic for America, consuming over eleven weeks on the trip from Germany. During the long and tiresome voyager, both the father and mother died, and were cast overboard, leaving the boys, Henry M. and his younger brother Peter Zook. It becomes the duty of the Captain to provide homes for waifs left on their hands, consequently Henry was bound to a saddler, (a Catholic man and wife, no family) and the woman Henry always spoke of in the highest terms of praise. They lived in Baltimore Maryland. After arriving at his maturity (21 years) Henry started out to find his brother Peter who had been bound to a man from Pennsylvania who was in Baltimore with a drove of cattle.

Peter and his descendants spell their name as it was originally, Zook, but the lady who raised Henry could not write "Z" to suit her and finally made it "S" and Henry out of his great and unqualified respect for the woman, adopted the "S".

Henry M. Sook was born 1788 or 9 and on October 18, 1814, married Lettitia McFee, born October 1786, daughter of Henry McFee and Jane Manson, who was married January 15, 1779. Henry M. Sook died November 25, 1877, and his wife Lettitia on June 24, 1874. Their children were Nancy, Lettitia, Lavinia Jane, John Thompson, Rachael, Henry Leech (born January 10, 1823 on Liberty Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Baptized by Rev. John Taylor, February 16, 1823), James Bolivar, and Joseph Quincy.

It is interesting to note that the two oldest children, Nancy and Lettitia were baptized November 16, 1818 by the Rev. David Powell of Ohio State, who was one of the first ministers of the New Church in this country. The local society is at the corner of Detroit and Andrews Avenues. So many of the Wagar's belong to it that some have dubbed it the Wagar Church. Among others was Miss Effie Serena Wagar, late of Detroit and Warren Road.

The connecting link, however, is that on November 3, 1842, Henry Leech Sook married Mary Baldwin Powell, born November 20, 1821, twelfth child of this Rev. David Powell. He was always exceedingly devoted to her and to her memory. Their children were Oliver Prescott, Mary Powell, and Henry Sylvanus. When the youngest was but a lad of five years his mother was killed by being kicked in the neck by the family horse that she was trying to catch in the yard at Steubenville, Ohio. Henry L. Sook then married his wife's sister Elizabeth Lockwood Powell who proved to be a good mother to his children until she died September 12, 1864. Meanwhile he was one of the early students of Hahnemann and became a practicing Homeopathic Physician before there was a college established. Later when the Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital College opened, he attended and secured his diploma. In those early days of frugality he acquired enough knowledge of glass working to make some of his own medicine vials.

His son, Oliver, married Lois Abbott and became a prosperous Homeopathic Physician in Newark, Ohio. His son Henry married Ella Smith and went to the far west, even looking for gold in Alaska.

It was not long however, until Dr. Henry L. Sook married for the third time, a Miss Sarah Wheeler, whereupon jealousies developed and she drove Mary Powell out of the house with a butcher knife. She found refuge across the street in the home of her friend Mary Arnold; this was in Newark, Ohio.

In that day and age there were but few women who had the courage to enter the field of medicine. This did not prevent Mary P. Sook from packing up and coming to Cleveland to attend the College where her father had gone and from which she graduated in 1880 together with William H. Thompson, a fellow student from Canada, whom she married that year. Their only surviving child is Charles Henry Thompson, who with his wife Ethel Burnap Prentiss, of Massachusetts and their three happy children, Elizabeth Lockwood, Ruth Whitney, and Kingsley Prentiss are now living in East Cleveland, Ohio.

Dr. Henry L. Sook had one of the first "magic lanterns" and as they were such a novelty he had no trouble getting an enthusiastic crowd to witness a "picture show" What would he say if he could see the mammoth "picture show" that has grown up next door to his Lakewood home, where he died November 29, 1892.

Henry L. Sook and Sarah Wheeler had twins, Sallie and Lettitia, and Josephine. The twins married Mr. Musrush and Mr. Kennedy, prominent in school circles in Lakewood and Josephine married the son of Ezra Nicholson, old settler of Lakewood and inventor of the famous Nicholson Ship Log.

9:4 CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS SOUTHERN

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY VOL. XXI

Published by the American Historical Society, Inc. 1925

He was far ahead of his time in his method of thinking. He gave freely of his time and money in fighting for his conception of right. His enterprises in this direction were always self-financed. He was prominent in the real estate development of Lakewood.

He was born in East Rockport, February 7, 1840. He died in Lakewood at his residence, at the corner of West Clifton and Detroit, where he had lived many years on November 7, 1907. He was a son of William and Anna (Pixley) Southern who cam to Ohio from Ithaca, N.Y. with their three small children and settled on a small farm in East Rockport. William Southern was a gardener. He died at his residence on Detroit Avenue in 1867 at the age of 69. His widow died at the same residence in 1879, also age 69. They were the parents of 9 children: (1) Mrs. Julia Ann Bowers - deceased (2) Lemuel- deceased )3) William Jr. - deceased (4) Mrs. Mary Randassen - Deceased (5) Joseph - deceased (6) Christopher C. (7) Mrs. Emily Ingram (8) Julius - deceased. The only survivor of this family (1925) is Emily, widow of John Ingram of Lakewood. The three eldest children were born in New York state. The others in Rockport where the family was among the early settlers.

The boyhood and youth of Christopher C. were spent on his father's farm in Rockport where he received his early education at the little district school. Later he went to Oberlin College. As a young man he was a gardener and sold his produce in Cleveland. For a time he and a Mr. Marshall conducted a store on Prospect Street in Cleveland under the name Marshall & Southern. For several years he engaged in fruit growing, using 16 acres of land that was residential property. Several years before his death he began to allot his property. His first allotment was Wagar Avenue. He built most of the houses and caused most of the improvements to be made (including paving, lights, sewerage, water, etc.) West Clifton and Kennilworth were also laid out and for the most part built by him. Many improvements were secured through his efforts, although he had much opposition from his less progressive neighbors. He served 4 years as a member of Lakewood Council. He was an early and ardent advocate of temperance and made a successful fight against the saloon. He financed this fight himself.

He married Fannie C. West in December 1882. She also was of a pioneer family as West Park was named for her father. She was the daughter of John M. West, Jr. and Fannie O'Brian West.

9:5 HAROLD L. SOUTHERN

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY VOL. XXI

Published by the American Historical Society, Inc. 1925

Son of Christopher C. and Fannie West Southern married Harriett Van Ness of Buffalo, N.Y. and in 1925 resided in Florida. They have one son - Otis Crosier Southern.

9:6 SOUTHERN FAMILY

MRS. TOWNSEND'S SCRAP BOOK (Page 4)

The facts of this family were secured from the only survivor of the family. William Southern, born in Washington, D.C. in 1796, and his wife, who was Anna Pixley, of New York state, came with their three children, Julia, William and Lemuel M. from Ithaca, N.Y. to the wilderness of Rockport just before the fourth child Mary (Mrs. John Randerson later) was born in 1834. They settled down on acreage where the Lucier Theatre is located today, and the aged frame building in which the couple raised their nine children stands to his day a little back from the line of Detroit Street next to this theatre. Of the nine children the only survivor is Mrs. John Ingram. She was Emily Southern, and lives on Grace Avenue. She was married when she was 17 years old. Mr. Edward L. Southern, who married a sister of Mr. Wilbur Bailey, the wall paper manufacturer, lives at 1496 Grace Avenue. He is in the wholesale lumber business. Of the sons of William Southern, first were William Southern second, whose home was on Riverside Drive. He was a veteran of the Civil War, where he was severely wounded. Lemuel who passed away two years ago, was one of the best known real estate operators in Cleveland. Joseph, had a large retail milk business, Christopher C., married Miss Fannie West, the daughter of the West Park land magnate, and she survives him. He was throughout his life a man of untiring energy, and unquestioned integrity. He was first a farmer, then an investor in southern mines and a real estate developer. He put through and improved the street which he named Wagar and every investor there made money out of his investment. He served on the council of Lakewood Village when there was no salary connected with it, just as conscientiously as though he were paid for it. When a new cable had to be installed for the footbridge across Rocky River to the new disposal plant, he called his committee to see whether a common or galvanized wire should be used. The latter cost $4.50 more, which showed how careful he was of the taxpayer’s money. A son and the widow survive. Julius Southern, father of Mr. E.L. Southern, and Mrs. Ruby Southern Rawson followed in the footsteps of his father as a farmer, mostly in fruits, and was later successful grocer. For many years his home was at the corner of Winchester and Detroit, where the store now stands with the fine home adjoining. The earliest recollection Mrs. Ingram has is of the one story frame school house which stood near what is now Granger Street. The class of about 20, were taught by a handsome young woman, Miss Anna Wagar, daughter of the pioneer Mars Wagar first. She recalls how her father was the best "Cradler" anywhere about. A "cradle" is a scythe with a frame attachment to catch the straw and lay it in windrows and is back breaking work. Julius, when a boy used to work for Dwelle Wagar for a shilling a day to help the family along. Mr. E.L. Southern often heard his father tell how he had to keep up with the men to get that much.

Mrs. Ingram remembers that Z. Beck was the first keeper of the toll gate on Detroit Avenue and he was followed by Ed. Rahill, who had charge for many years. Mr. Parkins had charge during its migratory existence, (it had to keep a mile from the city limits). It was then moved to its last place opposite the old Tegardine place, Detroit and Warren. It is now a private dwelling corner of Cook and the Nickle Plate Railroad, done over to meet modern needs. The earliest establishment of business recalled by Mrs. Ingram is that of Horace Dean, at what is now Belle and Detroit, where all kinds of merchandise "wet, dry" and "hard" were sold. Long after, followed by Henry Howe and then Seth Zottman. She remembers how she rebelled as a little girl when she was sent to Deans on an errant, a mile and a half of lonesome walk. There were two daughters of pioneer William Southern, Julia the oldest of nine children, married Henry Bower; Susan the youngest, married Peter Clampett. One Saturday night about 15 years ago, when Julius Southern was keeping his grocery store, an evil looking villain entered the store just as he was about to close at 11 o'clock. With an oath, he pointed a revolver at Mr. Southern and said "Your money or your life" "I had $150.00 in the till, and I thought, why should I give up the money I had worked so hard for to that loafer?" I began to beat the man, who hesitated a moment, then turned and ran while I beat him all the way to the door. I was not frightened at first, I was astonished and indignant. I was nervous after I had locked the door and sat down to think." One of the local rough characters said, "Say, Jules had the nerve, that bum could have broken him in two." Jules, as his friends called him, was always kicking about the "new fangled cereal packages, "Isn't oat meal just as good out of a barrel and its cheaper." He ground coffee for his customers with a big hand mill.

9:7 SPALDING, CAPT. JOHN

MRS. TOWNSEND'S SCRAP BOOK (Page 11)

There were two families in the old East Rockport days which were the centers for all young people-where they had their matchless good times, parties and lawn fetes, the Elliotts and the Spaldings. The Spaldings prided themselves on the fact that they spelled their name without the usual "U". Their farm is now the Alameda Allotment, and the old residence, rebuilt still stands on the east side of Alameda, near Detroit, and the great boulder that used to lay near Detroit St. is not far away.

Capt. John Spalding ran away from his home in England to go to sea when he was 11 years old, he was a very handsome man and of a powerful athletic build. Early in his life he drifted to the Great Lakes, and married the daughter of Judge Ashman, whose wife was the daughter of a Chippewa Indian. By this wife he had two children, Ella who married Arthur Winchester, and has lived many years at Bohannun, West Virginia, and Charles who married a sister of Arthur Winchester. Some time after his first wife's death, Capt. Spalding married Axy Newcombe by whom he had four children; Ida, John, Julia and Minnie. The second Mrs. Spalding was a relative of Mrs. Ezra Nicholson. Ida Spalding was, without question, one of the most beautiful and talented of the pioneer daughters. Her manners were perfect and she wrote real poetry. Early in her married life she died before she could accomplish those things for which nature seemed to design her. Julia was also beautiful in a vital way, and she married a wealthy man and lives in Escanaba, Michigan. John Spalding, second, is a doctor living somewhere in the northwest. Mrs. Minnie Beach is the youngest daughter. She lives in Michigan. For many years after leaving East Rockport, Capt. Spalding was in charge of the canal locks at the Soo, and he was known to all of the old time captains. The memory of the steamer Lac La Belle of which Capt. Spalding was in command when she was wrecked in a collision on the lakes with loss of life still lingers. No one was found who could tell the story in full.

He bought in East Rockport in early 60's and was away from home on the steamers of which he was captain much of the time. His wife was a charming woman, much beloved for her charming hospitality. One of her relatives was childless, and one night her husband brought a two year old child home which he had found asleep on the docks of which he had charge. He proposed to send the child to an orphanage, but his wife became so attached to the child she would not let the little girl go. The child had apparently been left on the dock by passengers on a steamer that had sailed that night, and though every effort was made to find her parents, nothing was ever learned of her identity. She grew up to be a handsome woman, and her every feature showed that she did not come from plebeian stock. When her benefactress died, she left all her property to the adopted child, thus enabling her husband to start in business for himself. Dr. John Spalding was a close friend of the late Edward Canfield, and of James T. Newman, second, - all three were great hunters as small boys. Edward and John went out rabbit hunting one winter day, and Edward's gun was discharged while climbing over a rail fence, and the full contents were imbedded in John's back, not an inch from his spine. A weak charge of powder alone, spared John's life. The shot was picked out of his back for weeks after and finally he recovered. The scar left was as big as a half dollar.

9:8 JOSEPH H. SPEDDY

(From the Suburban News, Nov. 13, 1931)

E.G. Lindstrom's Unpublished Material

Joseph H. Speddy, chief of the Lakewood Fire Department for almost two decades, died last Friday evening after a lingering illness of several months.

Chief Speddy, known and loved by hundreds of Lakewood people, had been in ill health since the first of august and early last month had undergone an operation at the Cleveland Clinic. He was recently removed to Lakewood Hospital and at that time became aware that he could not live, so himself made arrangements for his affairs.

Chief Speddy entered the Lakewood Department on August 12, 1912, and has been at his post ever since, through many changes in administrations and officials in the city government.

He had a fire-fighting tradition behind him, for his father and for 25 years had been second assistant chief of the Cleveland Fire Department.

When he came to Lakewood, the fire force consisted of six men and one pumper housed in a barn behind the city hall. When he died, the department had 67 men, four engine companies, and tow hook and ladder trucks housed in three fire houses.

One present member of the force, Fireman W. J. Curry, survives the chief as a member of the original group.

Before going to the Lakewood department, Chief Speddy had been president and general manager of the Lake Transportation Company and head of the fire department of the Standard Oil Company, plant No. 1 on Broadway Avenue.

Chief Speddy stressed in his department the idea of fire prevention and each year conducted an active campaign to educate the citizenry to the idea of a fire-safe city. He had literature distributed, spoke before the school children, and assisted the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce in entering Lakewood in fire prevention contests.

It was such a contest that Lakewood last year was awarded first prize among all cities in the country for its fire prevention work. Lakewood's fire loss for 1930 was only 55 cents per capita.

Chief Speddy was credited with many improvements in fire apparatus that are incorporated in present day equipment. He was always active in obtaining large displays of equipment for the meetings of the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association, of which he was president in 1925. He was also prominent in the International Fire Chiefs Association of which he was Ohio State president in 1921.

"Lakewood has lost one of its ablest and most valued public figures," Mayor Edward A. Wiegand said when informed of the chief's death.

"Chief Speddy was recognized throughout the country as an authority on fire control and fire prevention", said Chief James E. Granger of the Cleveland Fire Department. "I was associated with him for 30 years and he was always very well liked, and recognized as very capable and efficient and as a proponent of high standards of efficiency."

Chief Speddy is survived by his wife, Mrs. Jocelyn Opal Speddy; a brother, John W. Speddy of Cleveland Heights, and four sisters, Miss Grace G. Speddy, Mrs. Marie L. Slatmyer, Miss Eleanor B. Speddy and Miss Katherine M. Speddy. He was active in fraternal affairs as a member of the Elks and Masons. He was also a trustee of the Lakewood Presbyterian Church, where the funeral services were held Monday at 2:30.

9:9 SPENCER, JOHN P.

HISTORY OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY - C. JOHNSON - 1879 Facing pg. 504

Jonathan Spencer, the father of our subject, was born at East Greenwich, R.T., December 6, 1887. He married Miss Mollie Jones, a native of the same town, who was born November 27, 1781. In 1803 he emigrated to Brookfield, Madison County, New York, where he purchased a farm. He was a tanner and currier by trade, and in later years a shoemaker. He resided in that state until 1834, when he came to Olmsted Falls, Cuyahoga County, where he died February 7, 1837. His wife's death occurred February 10, 1835.

John P. Spencer was the second son and child of a family of eight children of this worthy couple. He was born at Brookfield, Madison County, New York, May 24, 1805. His education was limited to what could be procured at the district school. In early life he assisted his father. At the age of twenty-one he left home and was employed on the farm for four seasons, in the winter teaching school. In 1830 he left Brookfield and came to Ohio to seek his fortune. He selected one hundred and twenty-five acres of fertile land (which was at that time an unbroken forest) in the southwestern part of Rockport, with the intention of making it his home. On the 13th of March, 1832, he married Miss Electa M., daughter of Junia and Hannah (Ingraham) Beach. To this worthy woman should be attributed an equal share of the success which has attended them. They now have the means to obtain the comforts and enjoyments that a life of industry and prudent forethought will secure. Their home is known for its hospitality, and the unfortunate are never turned away unaided.

Mr. Spencer added to his landed possessions, so that at one time he owned two hundred and twenty-five acres, but he has made such liberal distributions of property to his children, that he has now remaining only his original homestead.

Mrs. Spencer was born in Norfolk, Litchfield county, Connecticut, May 21, 1811. They have six children, all of whom are living: Henry B., born June 24, 1833; is unmarried, and lives with his father. Mary R. Born March 25, 1835; was married November 27, 1853, to James A. Potter. Hannah L., born January 17, 1837; was married February 2, 1860, to Francis W. Mastick. Amos B., born on January 21, 1839; was married March 21, 1861, to Miss Nellie Mastick. John W., born June 30, 1841. During the war of the Rebellion he served as a volunteer for three and a half years in the 15th Ohio Battery. He was married December 24, 1866 to Miss Deborah Goldwood. Frank J., born September 16, 1849; was married November 25, 1872, to Miss Lou Palmer.

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer are now nearing their fifty years of married life. Their children are living on farms, all within a mile of them. Their grandchildren are growing up around them, and their declining years are made happy and pleasant by the satisfaction of knowing that their posterity are worthy citizens of the town of their birth.

Upon arriving at the age required in his native state to perform military duty, Mr. Spencer was elected to fill an office in the company to which he belonged, and afterwards received a commission as ensign from Martin VanBuren, then Governor of New York, which he held until he removed to Ohio. Politically, Mr. Spencer originally belonged to the Democratic party, but upon the breaking out of the war he became a Republican. Though never seeking the emoluments of office, yet he has, in years past, filled positions of trust in the township with honor and integrity, and is frequently consulted by his neighbors and friends, by whom his advice is thought worthy of respect and consideration.

9:10 MRS. EMILY STAFFORD

Source Unknown

Funeral services for Mrs. Emily Stafford, one of the earliest native born residents of the Western Reserve, were held Tuesday afternoon at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Minnie M. Hutchins, 14776 Athens avenue, with Rev. W.W.T. Duncan, pastor of Lakewood M.E. Church, officiating, assisted by Rev. E.E. Wilson. Burial was in Alger Cemetery.

Mrs. Stafford, who was 96 years of age, married Orrin Stafford in 1854 and moved to Centerville, Ia., where her husband enlisted in the Union Army at the outbreak of the Civil War. After the close of the war, they returned to Rocky River, where they started a general store opposite the present site of Hotel Westlake.

Besides Mrs. Hutchins, she is survived by two sons, Schuyler Stafford of San Antonio, Texas, and Herscher Stafford of Cleveland.

9:11 BELLE R. TEGARDINE

Source: Letter - no date

Mrs. Monell:

My sister has written to me to send you a short history of the Tegardine and Wagar families. They will necessarily be short as I am in Port Washington without any dates to refer to. I do not know that the D.A.R. can be interested in the Tegardine family, as they were not concerned in the Revolutionary War. However -

My father, Jacob E. Tegardine was born in Wisbeach, England in 1842. He came to America at the age of 3 years with his father and mother, Mark and Jane Tegardine. The family came directly to East Rockport, (now Lakewood) where my father lived till he passed on in 1923.

After coming to Rockport 7 children were born to my grandparents. They were Sarah, Lydia, Henry, Mark, Mary, James (who died in infancy) and another James. My father was the first man to enlist from Rockport during the Civil War in the year of 1861. When he enlisted in the 23rd O.V.I. he campaigned under Rosencrains and was severely wounded in the battle of Winchester, was invalided, returned to old regiment after convalescing and served till the end of the war when he received an honorable discharge.

His brother Henry enlisted in Battery A, 21st O.V.A. I have no accounts of his military history. Father was married to my mother, Mary K. Wagar in 1866. He held various public offices in Lakewood. Was Trustee for several years and Mayor, I believe, in 1900. I'm not sure of date.

The other brothers and sisters went to Chicago in 1870, where they bought homes and settled. A more comprehensive history of my father's life will be found in the "History of Lakewood" a book compiled by G. Lindstrom, and which may be found in the Lakewood Public Library. The Wagar history may be found in the same book - but I would wish to add that my grandfather, Albert Wagar was an ardent Horticulturalist and brought many new species of fruits and vegetables into Rockport. He carried some of his produce to Chicago (at that time mostly swamps) in a sail boat which he sailed himself with one helper.

He was a philanthropist and public benefactor and was much interested in the educational progress in his town. He donated to Rockport the property on Warren Rd. where the Board of Education building now stands. He also gave the church the land on which the Church of the Redeemer stands.

I am sorry I can give you so little but I have had so little time given me to prepare and as I say, I have no dates at hand.

In regard to the Wagar history I refer you to the book mentioned and to Mrs. Lura Wagar Ashley, cor. Detroit & Northland Ave. Indeed the Wagar history must already be in the D.A.R. annals as several of the family are enrolled there. My sister gave me so little information as to what was wanted that I am at sea about the matter but hope I have been able to give you some help.

Sincerely,

BELLE R. TEGARDINE

9:12 TEGARDINE, JACOB

MRS. TOWNSEND'S SCRAP BOOK (Page 13)

Jacob Tegardine was the son of Mark Tegardine and Jane Hale Tegardine. He was born in Cambridgeshire, England, and came here with his family in 1843, when he was a year old. He served 4 years in McKinley's 23rd Ohio and was wounded at the battle of Winchester. After his return from the war, he held several political offices, as constable, road supervisor, member of the board of education, postmaster, member of the council, and Mayor. He was then an aged man, young in action, walking like a young man and carrying his sex feet upright. He never boasted of his service in the war, though a bullet in the groin nearly ended his life. He had a fine soldierly bearing, and was careful of his personal appearances. He always drove fine horses, and admitted that they cost him much of the money he made. The Tegardines came to America on a sailing vessel "The Nicholas Biddle" and it took seven weeks to make the voyage. At that time there were three children, Jacob being the youngest, and the new home was on Detroit Street near 65th street. His surviving brothers and sister, live in Michigan. Near their first home in East Rockport, a house on Warren Road where the grade school now stands was the home of Co. Standard, who was the chief promoter of the plank road. This was started in 1850, according to Mr. Tegardine's recollection-started out Detroit Street hill near 25th street ran seven miles to Rocky River and extended west of there for five miles. There was a toll fate at 65th street, where the small coin collected for the use of the highway. Another fare collected for the Rocky River toll bridge, and another for the line west of the river. The plank road west of the river was abandoned after a few years. Orvis W. Hotchkiss ran a sawmill at the point where Belle Avenue is now located, and sawed out the great oak trees from the near by forests for the two inch planks which made the roadway, which was on the south side of the thoroughfare - just wide enough for one team, the rest of the road was turnpiked. Just enough earth was placed upon the planks to keep them down, and every few feet the road was drained off laterally to carry the water in to parallel ditches.

Hotchkiss also ran a tannery for a time, and the saw mill was finally turned into a cider mill. At the time the plank road was built, it was practically a solid wood of big timber north of the present Nickle Plate railway. As a boy, Jacob Tegardine used to trot after Tom Jenks the famed hunter, and a rather wild young fellow of the time. Once when he was with him in the deep woods south of Madison, an awe inspiring noise was hard to the southward. Tom told Jake that it was the Devil, and it nearly frightened the boy to death. It was in reality the whistle of the first engine to pass over the Big Four tracks, the first railway to enter Cleveland. Young Tegardine prospered, for years he held the teaming contract for one of the foundries on the Flats (Cleveland). He married Mary Wagar, daughter of Albert Wagar of the pioneer family, and built the residence which was some years later used as Lakewood City Hall, the city purchasing it from him. The fundamental improvements secured for Lakewood when Mr. Tegardine was a member of the council included the inception of the sewer system, putting in lake water from Cleveland, artificial gas, the elimination of the plank road making the pavement of Detroit road possible. During the Blaine campaign, Rockport sent a troupe of 125 horses, and Capt. Tegardine, who was a fine horseman, was in command. Prof. Henry Elliott paid for the equipment which consisted of a white oilcloth, tin helmet with swinging oil-fed torch on top and a white plume. The rendezvous was at Howe's, now Belle Avenue and when the clan gathered to parade for the delight of their fellow citizens, it was spoiled by "Niggar Henry" with a wild savage yell, he spurred his sorrel gelding, owned by Co. Barrett, and off the entire detachment dashed down Detroit Street - yelling like wild men - and they were not gathered in order until after the city limits were passed.

9:13 THORNE FAMILY

JENNIE THORNE BURKET

George Thorne was born in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, England, in 1838. He came to what is now Lakewood in 1860. It took the sail-boat on which he embarked, six weeks to cross the Atlantic. He worked for a time for William Maile, one of the old residents.

In 1862, he enlisted in Co. G, 103rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he served his adopted country for three years. Soon after the close of the war, at Archer Webb's home (corner Webb Road and Detroit Avenue) he met Mary Ann Saunderson, whom he shortly married. She had just come over from England with her parents (Mr. and Mrs. John Saunderson) and others of the family. A sister, Elizabeth, later married Joseph Swingler, and they lived on Warren Road for many years. Their daughter, Fanny, now Mrs. F.E. Stevens, wife of Judge Frank E. Stevens, resides at 17200 Clifton Boulevard.

To George and Mary Thorne were born six children -- Susie, Rose, Elizabeth, George H., Rutherford, and Jennie, all of whom are deceased, except George and Jennie, who own homes on Wagar Avenue.

In 1878, Archer Webb, who owned a large tract of land, extending from Detroit Avenue to the Lake, engaged George Thorne, Sr., to work his place on shares. The family resided on Webb Road for 12 years, until the decease of the father in 1890.

9:14 HENRY BURTON TOWNSEND

October 20, 1933

Henry Burton Townsend, 53, died Sunday in the old homestead that had been built by his grandfather, Henry Beech, pioneer citizen of Lakewood, at 12110 Detroit avenue.

For many years he was in the coal business, and during the war was a federal coal administrator. Later he was in the automobile and real estate business. The deceased is survived by his wife; one son, William Beech Townsend; his mother, Mrs. Emma Townsend; and one sister, Mrs. Edith Knobloch.

Funeral services were held at the home Tuesday afternoon.

9:15 TYLER

Source: Clayton W. Tyler

The name is from the Anglo-Saxon word Tigle, a corruption of Latin, Legula, which comes from the verb, Legere (to cover). Hence the Tiler, one who bakes clay into tiles.

The first English record of the name is Geoffreyle Tulese, County of Hants, England, 1273. Is also known as Tiler, Tailer, Tailor, .Taylor

THE IMMIGRANT: JOB TYLER (1) born, Shropshire, England, 1619 and was first listed as one of the

inhabitants of the town of Nieu Port, Rhode Island, on the 20th of the third month

of the year 1638, having immigrated to his country on the ship "Globe" from London

in August, 1635, at sixteen years of age. Moved to Andover, March, 1640 and resided

there until 1665, moved to Roxbury, thence to Mendon, 1669, returned to Roxbury,

1681. Roxbury is now know as Boxbury. Supposed to have moved from Nieu Port to

Mount Wallaston, Mass. His will was probated in 1770.

Wife, Mary, about same age.

References: J.C. Hotten list of persons from G.B. "Colonial Record of Rhode Island", first volume.

Holmes "Directory of Ancestral Heads of New England Families",

page, CCXIV.

Pope, page 467.

CHILDREN: Moses, born 1641 or 1642; Mary, born 1641; Hopestill, born 1645 or 1646; John, born

1650, died 1652; John, born April 16th, 1653, Samuel, born 1655.

The following record appears 1638, Roger Williams transferred certain lands to his associates as home lots of six acre tracts of land in the plantation of Providence to fifty four people, among other people, one lot was given to widow Tiler, subsequently, to wit: 27th day of the 5th month, 1640, an agreement was entered into between the parties relating to a form of government and a protection of mutual interests, which agreement was signed by Joan Tyler (undoubtedly same party). QUERY: What relation, if any to Job Tyler?

* * * * * * * * * * * *

DEACON JOHN TYLER: (2) son of Job (1), born Andover, Mass., April 16, 1653, baptized in Roxbury,

Mass., June 4, 1665, in John Eliot's church, died May 4, 1742 in Mendon,

Mass. Buried there, memorial slab still standing; Married Hanna Parker, 1682,

second wife, Mary; became freeman April 18, 1691; elected selectman 1702,

also 1709.

CHILDREN: John born 1684; Nathan born February 17, 1687; Robert born 1689; Beethis born 1692;

Mary born 1694; David born 1696; Joseph born 1701; Mercy born 1704.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

CAPTAIN NATHAN TYLER: (3) son of John (2) born Andover, Mass. Feb. 17, 1687, died December 28,

1782; helped to found the town of Upton, Mass. Was ensign in the Crown

Pointe Expedition, though at an advanced age. Took quite a prominent part

in the affairs of his town.

CHILDREN: Elijah, born 1716; Deborah born 1719; Abrigail born 1722; Comfort, born 1724; Mary

born 1727; Nathan born October 31, 1729; John born 1731.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

COL. NATHAN TYLER: (4) son of Nathan (3) born Mendon, Mass. October 31, 1729, died Uxbridge,

Mass., February 25, 1784. In 1756 he was a Lieutenant stationed at Fort]

William Henry, also in the expedition of Crown Pointe same years; 1758-59 was

captain of company and became Lieutenant Colonel of the Third Worchester

Regiment June 12, 1776; became Colonel in the same regiment 1779. Was engaged

principally in Rhode Island and was an attorney at law.

CHILDREN: Nathan born 1758; Mary born 1761; Royal S. Born June 11, 1763; Martha born 1766; Abrigail born 1768 - died 1772; Elizabeth born 1775; Benjamin born 1778.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

REV. ROYAL S.: (5) son of Nathan (4) born Mendon, Mass. June 11, 1763, died Salem Conn. April 10,

1826; graduate of Dartmouth 1788; studied theology with Rev. Nathan Clements D.D.

Franklin Mass. Ordained in Andover, July 4, 1792. In his extreme youth served in

his father's regiment, served in years 1776-80-82. Married Lydia Watson, who died

in Ohio City 1834, age, 64 years. Was a member of the Connecticut Land Company.

Purchased from Ephraim Root by deed dated October 12, 1796 his interest in

Sections 18 and 23 and 13 in Royalton Township. Interest $1200. Purchased

interest of Joshua Leonard by deed dated July 5, 1797, in land located in

Royalton ,Township Cuyahoga County, Ohio, consideration $680.00. Deeded to

Connecticut Land Company along with other shareholders, his interest in land

1807. He sold part of his interest in 1799. This was necessary to clear title.

After drawing of lots it was determined that Royal S. Tyler and Jabes Adams were

the joint owners of and tenants in common in 1829 1/2 acres of land. According to

the decree of the court of Common Pleas, record 4, page 405, November 1820, it

was determined that Jabes Adams should receive 671 acres. 122 rods of land and

the balance of land to Royal S. Tyler, same being described as follows: the

northerly half of sections 18 and 23 and the northerly three-quarters of Section

13, according to map. Royal S. was the largest land owner in Royalton Township at

this time, owning three of the four corners of Royalton Center, northeast,

northwest and southwest corners, Jabes Adames receiving the southeast corner.

CHILDREN: Samuel born 1794, died Florence, Alabama, 1822, graduated from University 1820,

taught in the Academy at Florence; Royal Wells, born 1796, (father of Washington S.

Tyler, of Cleveland); George Washington, born 1798; Abigail Watson, born 1801,

married Alfred Riggs of the City of New York; Nathan born 1803, died Meadville,

Pennsylvania, left one son, Eliphalet, who later moved to Indiana; Benjamin S. Tyler,

born 1807, died September 3rd, 1881; Lydia born 1807? died 1825, in Connecticut;

Gideon Wells, born 1810, lived in Medina, moved to Oberlin - daughter Mary, married

Rev. Russell Hall of Oberlin, had son Arthur Hall, graduate of Yale University.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

DR. BENJAMIN S. TYLER (physician) (6) son of Royal (5) born Andover, 1807, died September 3,

1881, first marriage took place in Connecticut, second marriage was to Sarah Ammidon,

March 17, 1833, Cumberland, third marriage to Helen Mars Young, born in Canada, 1833,

died December 7, 1897. Dr. Tyler moved to Royalton in 1827, where the children of his

third marriage were born. Ran a store in Royalton Center for a short time, with his brother, Royal Wells Tyler. Moved to Brighton in 1868 and to Brooklyn, now a part of

the City of Cleveland in 1869. Lived at the Corner of Archwood and Laverne Streets

(West 33rd) where he died. Was a member of the board of trustees of Royalton Township

for a number of years. Buried in Riverside Cemetery.

CHILDREN BY FIRST MARRIAGE: Mary, died young; Benjamin died in Cleveland April 2, 1892, 52 years

of age, lived most of the time in the west, buried in Riverside Cemetery.

CHILDREN BY THIRD MARRIAGE: Royal O., born 1849; Clayton L. Taylor, born March, 1854, died

January 26, 1901, 46 years and 10 months; Helen Mars Tyler, married William Mallo;

Willis Tyler, died September 25, 1871, married May bush, died, no issue, at the age

of 22 years 3 months; Abbie, died February 3, 1879, age of 21 years 8 months.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

CLAYTON L. TYLER (7) son of Benjamin S. (6) born March 1854, Royalton, Ohio, moved to Brooklyn, now a part of the City of Cleveland in 1881, married Ella M. Poe. Was mayor of Lakewood, 1892-1898. Died January 26, 1901, buried in Riverside Cemetery.

CHILDREN: Clayton W. Tyler, born May 4, 1883, Estelle C. Tyler, born October 15, 1885; Mollie

Mars Tyler, born October 4, 1888, married Harry A. Barr; Esther Tyler, born 1893,

died about 18 months of age, infant.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

HELEN MARS TYLER MALLO (7) daughter of Benjamin S. Tyler (6) born January 25, 1861, died August

10, 1900, married William R. Mallo, born March 25, 1859, died November 1, 1894. buried

in Riverside Cemetery.

CHILDREN: Lulu H. Van Dame (8), Sarasota, Florida; W. Tyler Mallo (8), Olive L. Burr (8).

* * * * * * * * * * * *

ROYAL ORCELIOUS TYLER (7) son of Benjamin S. (6) born Royalton, Ohio 1849, died Curtice, Ohio,

R.F.D., January 1st, 1929, buried Clay Cemetery, near Genoa, Ohio. U.S. Army private,

Troop B United States Calvary, married Abbey Lewis, 1879, Martin, Ohio. Remarried his

former wife, Abbey Tyler at Toledo, Ohio, 1898.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

AMBROSE ROYAL TYLER (8) son of Royal Orcelious Tyler (7), born Newton, Kansas, January 16th,

1885, died September 7th, 1929, Storrie California. Married Vivien Ludwig at Tonapah

Nevada, November 16th, 1918.

CHILDREN: Gay born November 9, 1919 at Grafton, California (9); Fay, born November 9, 1919 at

Grafton, California (9); Rilla born June 19, 1924, at Sacramento, California (9).

* * * * * * * * * * * *

CLAYTON W. TYLER (8) son of Clayton L. Tyler (7), born May 4th, 1883, graduated Lakewood High

School, 1903, Western Reserve Law School in 1906, married Alice A. Drope, Hamilton

Ontario on February 12th 1913, elected to council, City of Lakewood, Ohio, 1907,

again in 1909. Elected Vice Mayor, City of Lakewood, Ohio, 1911, elected Mayor, City

of Lakewood, Ohio, 1913, reelected, 1915, practicing attorney, City of Cleveland.

LULU H. VAN DAME (8) daughter of Helen Mars Tyler Mallo (7), married William H. Van Dame,

Cleveland, Ohio, lived in Chicago, Illinois, moved to Sarasota, Florida.

CHILDREN: Helen Van Dame (9); Harriet Van Dame, married Winslow Watrous, Milwaukee, Wisconsin;

William Van Dame, Jr., deceased.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

W. TYLER MALLO (8) son of Helen Mars Tyler (7) married Edna Popp, February 5th, 1913, no issue.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

OLIVE L. BURR (8) daughter of Helen Mars Tyler Mallo (7) married Richard M. Burr,

Cincinnati, Ohio.

CHILDREN: Helen Johnston (9), married W. Roland Johnston, Jr., Cleveland, Ohio, Nell Burr (9),

married Bruce Zimmerman, Cincinnati, Ohio.

9:16 VICKERY, JESSE

CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER - May 15, 1940 Pg. 20

Jesse Vickery, 80, senior partner in the law firm of Vickery, Duffey and Vickery and a member of the Ohio bar for nearly 56 years, died yesterday in his home at 1264 Arlington Road, Lakewood.

On June 3, 1934, when he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his admission to the bar, Mr. Vickery said: "I won't ever retire. I'm going to die in the harness or work until ill health forces me to quit."

So it was. The veteran attorney tried a case in court three weeks ago a few days before he was forced to his bed by a heart ailment which took his life yesterday afternoon.

Mr. Vickery had lived here since 1921, when he formed a partnership with his son Merritt A., who was graduated from Harvard Law School the year before.

The son is now a Lakewood councilman and was a candidate from the Democratic nomination for common pleas judge in yesterday's primary election.

Born on a farm near Clyde, Ohio, Mr. Vickery attended public school there and once shared a class room bench with United States Senator George W. Norris of Nebraska. He studied at Western Reserve College when it was at Hudson, Ohio, and was graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1884.

He returned to Bellevue, Ohio, and began law practice with his brother, the late Appellate Judge Willis Vickery. He remained in Bellevue until he came here in 1921.

Mr. Vickery was a member of the City Club and of the Cleveland and Ohio State Bar Associations.

In addition to his son, he is survived by his wife, Bettie, and a daughter, Christine.

9:17 WAGAR, ISRAEL D.

HISTORY OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY - C. Johnson - 1879 Pg. 509

Mars Wagar was a son of Peter and Lucy Wagar, and was born in Saratoga County, New York on the 23rd day of September, 1791. He was well educated, having studied at the academies at Lansingburg and Troy, New York, being not only proficient in Mathematics, but also well versed in several languages. In 1813 he removed to Phelps, Ontario county, New York, where he was married on the 31st of December, 1816 to Keturah, daughter of Adam and Anna Miller, a native of New Jersey, born July 13, 1794. Two years after his marriage he emigrated west and finally settled in Rockport in November, 1820, where he became one of the most enterprising settlers. He was not an aspirant for political honors, but was a staunch Whig in the political contests of those days. He was a leader in the Swedenborgian church, and was much esteemed as a man and a Christian. He left a widow who still survives, being now in her eighty-fifth year, and a family of six children.

Israel D. Wagar, the second child and son, had then just attained his majority, having been born in Avon, then called Troy, Lorain county, on the 21st at February, 1820. His early life was passed like that of most of the sons of pioneer families, in assisting to clear off the heavy timbered land, and converting it into a productive farm. Being prevented by reason of his father's limited means, from receiving a classical education, he obtained such as could be procured at the district schools, together with a short academic course, the whole supplemented by very thorough self-culture. On arriving at the age of manhood he traveled in the West and South teaching school and familiarizing himself with the manners and customs of the people of those sections. Returning after a time to his home in Rockport, he turned his attention to farming and fruit growing, which, in connection with his own industry, perseverance, foresight and economy, aided in all respects by his most estimable wife, he has accumulated wealth sufficient for all his wants, and now enjoys in comfort the fruits of his labors.

In 1876 his love of travel and desire for information again took him from his home, this time to Great Britain and the continent of Europe. He remained abroad several months, not traveling merely as a sight-seer, but filling his mind by close observation with useful knowledge of those countries and their inhabitants.

On the 1st day of January, 1843, Mr. Wagar was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Michael and Isabella Pile, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, September 7, 1822. They have had eight children, whose birthdates and names are as follows:

Laura M., born October 12, 1843, now the wife of Dr. C.D. Ashley, of Meadville, Pennsylvania;

Adah I., born March 14, 1846, now the wife of M.G. Browne, a lumber dealer in Cleveland;

John M. born August 1, 1848, at present engaged in trade in Texas;

Jessie A., born January 31, 1851, now the wife of George E. Loveland, paymaster of the Cleveland and Pittsburgh railroad;

George E., born April 26, 1853;

Alta E., born September 3, 1855;

Caroline D., born May 9, 1858;

Charles Willard, born October 27, 1860. The last four names are still living at home.

Born and brought up in the Whig party, Mr. Wagar voted and acted with them until 1856, when he joined the Democrats, and has since cooperated with them, filling numerous town offices, including that of justice of the peace.

Mr. Wagar is a type of the American farmer, conservative in his ideas and opinions, a close observer of human nature, possessing shrewdness, good judgment and business tact, by means of which he has placed himself and family beyond the reach of want. At the same time he is fully recognized in the community where he lives as an excellent parent, neighbor and citizen. His religious faith, like that of all the rest of the Wagar family, is Swedenborgian, but is broad, liberal and comprehensive.

9:18 WAGAR FAMILY

HISTORY OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY - C. Johnson - 1879 Pg. 509

The early Wagars play a prominent part in the early history of the township and village. Detroit Avenue had been chopped through, and made fairly passable when the Wagars came into the country. But they were established on the old homesite when Warren Road was opened in 1824.

In 1818, however, an enterprising scion of the family, named Mars Wagar, heard of the possibilities of the Western Reserve and came to Ohio to make his fortune. He was accompanied by his wife, Keturah (Miller) Wagar, and a son, Adam Wagar, born in New York. The family settled at Avon where Israel Dwella Wagar was born, but moved to Lakewood--then known as East Rockport--in 1821.

Mars Wagar was the first pioneer to join the elder Nicholson in what is now Lakewood. He purchases the farm to the west and built his first home on the site of the present Wagar home, corner of Detroit and Warren Road. Later Mr. Wagar built a stone house on the same home site, and still later the family built the present frame structure that still stands as a mute testimony to its enterprise and thrift.

9:19 WAGAR FAMILY (Mrs. Caroline Day Wagar Messick)

LAKEWOOD COURIER - April 6, 1933 Pg. 1

Funeral services for Mrs. Caroline Day Wagar Messick, 75, were held Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at the Messick home, 16303 Detroit Avenue. The Rev. Albert Diephuis of the Church of the Redeemer officiated.

Mrs. Messick, who was a member of one of Lakewood's oldest families died Sunday morning after a long illness in the home in which she was born and married.

She was the granddaughter of Mars Wagar, who settled in the Western Reserve in 1818. She was the daughter of Israel and Elizabeth Wagar, who settled in Lakewood in 1858. In 1881 she married the late Dr. De Forrest Baker, and in 1912, as the widow of Dr. Baker, she married Woodson B. Messick of Goshen, Indiana.

Mrs. Messick is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Carlton Ashley, Mrs. Myron Browne and Mrs. Alfred Goodell. A daughter by her first marriage, Mrs. Hazel Baker and four grandchildren also survive her.

9:20 EFFIE SERENA WAGAR

SOURCE UNKNOWN

Lakewood has lost one of its earlier settlers in the sudden death of Miss Effie Serena Wagar, prominent club woman who passed away Tuesday, April 13, at 6 P.M. in Grace Hospital after a few days illness.

Miss Wagar who was fifty years of age was the daughter of the late Francis Harvey and Serena Tucker Wagar.

She was treasurer of the Western Reserve Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for eighteen years, regent of the Commodore Perry Chapter of the N.S.U.S. Daughters of the War of 1812 for two years and on the executive board of the Consumers League for fourteen years.

She was also a member of the Women's City Club, the Daughters of the American Colonists, Mid-Day Club, and National Society of Daughters of Founders and Patriots.

The funeral services will be held at her home, 14719 Detroit Avenue, corner of Warren Road, Friday afternoon, April 16, at 2 o'clock, Rev. Clarence Lathbury, pastor of the Church of the Holy City (Swedenborgian officiating) Burial will take place in the family plot in Lakeview cemetery. The pallbearers will be Mars E. Wagar, Forrest R. Wagar, Arthur W. Barber, Mars F. Wagar, Harvey L. Wagar and Gershom Barber.

Two brothers, Mars E. Wagar of Cleveland and Forrest R. Wagar of Madison Avenue, and one sister Mrs. Arther W. Barber of Warren Road, survive her besides five nieces, Mrs. Loyal G. Tillotson, Miss Bernice Barber, Miss Alice Wagar, Mrs. Grover C. Hosford and Miss Charlotte Wagar, four nephews Mars Francis Wagar, Harvey Lee Wagar, Arthur Welesley, Wagar Barber and Gershom Barber, two grand nieces, Betty Wagar and Leona Serena Hosford and one grand nephew, Loyal Barber Tillotson.

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9:21 DESCENDANT OF WAGARS DIES, 93

CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER 2/7/40

Mrs. Adah I. Browne, 93, a member of an old and prominent Lakewood family and widow of two Civil War veterans, died Tuesday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Grace B. Broomell, in Boulder, Col., according to word received here yesterday.

Mrs. Browne was born March 14, 1846, in East Rockport, now Lakewood, the daughter of Israel D. Wagar. His father, Mars Wagar, came to East Rockport in 1820.

Her first husband was Capt. Edwin McGathy, a native Cleveland, who died two years after the end of the Civil War. She was married in 1872 to First Lieut. Myron G. Browne, who later became a Swedenborgian minister. He died in 1903.

Until a few years ago Mrs. Browne lived in the old Wagar homestead, a large brown stone residence at 16303 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood. The house has since been razed.

Mrs. Browne left Lakewood to live with her son, Capt. Edwin S. of Colorado Springs with whom she resided until recently. Besides her son and daughter she leaves a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Goodell of Lakewood, now the last of a family of five daughters. Another sister, Mrs. Laura Ashley, 95, died last summer.

9:22 WARREN FAMILY

MRS. TOWNSEND'S SCRAP BOOK (Page 9)

Warren Road ran originally from Detroit Street to Lorain Ave. The bend to the eastward is a half mile south of Madison Avenue and was the old Indian trail. Part of this was bought from the F.H. Wagar estate. A quarter of a mile west of the beginning of this old trail was an old Indian pathway, where Mars Avenue is now located, and this formerly corresponded with the western part of the Hogs Back Road leading across Rocky River, where the old bridge furnished to crossing in the pioneer days, to Elyria. This old (Warren Road) Indian trail, adopted by the white man with all its twists and turns, was named after one of the oldest of the big pioneer land owners, Isaac Warren, who settled on land bought from the Connecticut Land Company in 1822. They came overland from New Bedford, Connecticut. Mrs. Warren was Amelia Bronsen before her marriage, and had a great local reputation as an expert spinner of wool and weaver of homespun, which was the only cloth obtainable in those days. It was in fact "all wool and a yard wide". Mrs. Warren was born in Connecticut in 1799. Isaac Warren was a descendant of Dr. Joseph Warren of Boston who was killed in the Revolutionary War at the battle of Bunker Hill. Isaac Warren was a prominent citizen of the pioneer days and one of the biggest land owners, having several hundred acres. Mrs. Phelps is his only descendant living in Lakewood now. She lives on Clifton Boulevard with her daughter. Her son is married.

There were seven children born to the Warren Family; Sabra and Rebecca, daughters; John, Lucius, Abraham, Isaac and Sherman, sons. Lucius, Abraham and Isaac moved to Iowa and became large property owners. Sherman Warren settled in Missouri. Sabra married, Silas Gleason, son of pioneer Jeremiah Gleason, and Rebecca became the wife of John Johnson.

The only daughter of Rebecca, who for many years was regarded as mentally unbalanced due to a siege of scarlet fever, fell heir to all the Warren acreage. She was finally judged sane and left her estate to the Warren family, after giving a large slice to a German housekeeper who had cared for her in her last days.

9:23 DAN WEBB

E.G. LINDSTROM'S UNPUBLISHED MATERIAL

Uncle Dan Webb began his sixtieth summer as a resident of Lakewood, Monday.

He's 82 years old and has been a resident of Lakewood longer than any other person with one exception.

Uncle Dan lives at 2187 Warren Road. He's in good health, and expects to spend many more summers in Lakewood.

"The untainted air of Lakewood makes a man live longer," said Uncle Dan.

"Keep away from the smoke--factory smoke as well as the smoke from tobacco. Smoke of any kind slows a fellow up when he is trying to get around to do useful work, but quickens his pace toward the grave yard," he said.

Uncle Dan has lived on Warren Road all these years he has been in Lakewood, in the present Webb homestead or within a stone's throw of it.

"Used to take a long while to make the trip to Central Market in Cleveland," he said. "I had a stall in the market house for 25 years. And every day I made the trip behind a horse. The roads were poor.

"There was a plank road on Detroit Avenue and toll gates. Many nights I didn't get home till 10 o'clock.

"They make it quicker in the autos these days, but I don't care much for autos. When I want to go short distances, I walk. Walking is good for a man. Folds would live longer if they didn't jump into an auto every time they want to go a block or two."

When he first came to Lakewood he bought 10 acres of land along Warren Road for $1,100. Ten years later he bought 15 acres on what is not Mars Avenue, south of Madison Avenue, for $200 an acre. Later he bought other tracts of real estate. His activities in buying land were quite profitable because of the rapid growth of the city.

When he came here there were about 60 houses.

"I never thought that Lakewood would be the great city that it is," said Uncle Dan, as he looked up and down the long avenues lined with beautiful residences and other buildings.

There was only one schoolhouse in the city in those days. "And it was big enough to accommodate all the children," he said. "They had big families then, too. It required more than a three-room flat and a garage for a family. Folks did their own cooking and washing."

Uncle Dan is the only charter member of the Lakewood M.E. Church now living. For years he was active in church work and still is greatly interested in religious affairs.

When he came to Lakewood from London, England, where he was born, it required 16 days to make the trip across the Atlantic.

Uncle Dan still takes great interest in civic affairs. Lakewood hopes that he may enjoy many more years in the city. Such folk as Uncle Dan Webb have made Lakewood a popular place for people who want real homes and good neighbors.

9:24 WEBB FAMILY

MRS. TOWNSEND'S SCRAP BOOK (Page 4)

If there is one citizen in Lakewood who deserves the appellation of a "pillar of the church" it is Mr. Daniel Webb. Mrs. Hutchins, mother of Mr. Charles Hutchins of Warren Road, was the mother of the splendid M.E. Church at the corner of Detroit and Summit. Mr. Webb at her request, was the first subscriber. He gave $500.00, and his brother John Webb and Mr. Hutchins gave like amounts. Another brother, Mr. Archer Webb, father of the well known real estate dealer, Mr. J.W. S. Webb, gave $1,000.00. This was in 1876, right in the midst of the panic, which wore away very slowly. It took him 12 years to pay up the whole $500.00. The lot at the corner of Summit Avenue was bought for $1,200 and a small wooden edifice was built , and later, Webb negotiated for and bought from Edward Rahill, long time toll gate keeper, two lots in the rear for $3,000. Most of the backers of this church in East Rockport, had been converted to Methodism at a revival in the civic center at Berea, then a place of much more importance than East Rockport. Mr. Webb was the first promoter of that section south of Madison, on either side of Warren Road, from which he sold homes from the 45 acres which he at one time owned in that neighborhood. The sharp curve made by the curving Indian trail of Warren Road, was where he settled in the summer of 1865, when he bought 10 acres of land, but three names removed from the Connecticut Land Company's deed. Two of the previous grantors, had the same Christian name as himself, Daniel. The immediate grantor was Adam Wagar, Mr. Webb paid $100 an acre for the land in the boom time at the close of the civil war. By hard work and careful saving, he finally acquired 45 acres. There were three brothers who originally came to East Rockport from Hitchins, England at intervals of 6 years in the following order; Archer, John and Daniel. Archer first settled in Geauga County, then in Avon and finally purchased 45 acres from two grantors at what is now known as Webb Road. He had a son and daughter, Mr. J.W.S. Webb and Mrs. Taft, who passed away some time ago. Mrs. Frank Andrews, whose husband was of the well known Andrews family, was Daniel Webb's only child. She lives with her children on Andmar Avenue. It was interesting to hear Mr. Daniel Webb tell of his journey across the ocean on the ancient craft S.S. Glasgow, which reached New York City in June, just 2 months after Lincoln was assassinated. The streets were crowded with many Confederate prisoners who were being sent back to their homes. Mrs. Joseph Swingler, who lived on Clifton Boulevard, came on the shop at the same time. Aside from the small wood of big trees just back of the present home and the heavy woodlands on Adam Wagars 208 acres just west, the land was all cleared off as at present. At one time Mr. Wagar had as many as 20 southern negroes cutting wood on the present Madison Avenue, west of Warren Road. They lived in temporary shacks. At times the cord wood was poled high at Hilliard where Madison crosses it, on each side of the road, and far down Warren Road to where the school now stands. The fires then were made with big logs for the fireplaces and heavy wood knots for the drum stove. One time Mr. Scoville was driving his great oxen, "gee hawing" with perfect unconcern through Superior Street, when a party of English tourists stopped him and took his picture to send back to England. The Scoville house still stands on Warren Road. His descendants, all women, are in Lakewood today. It was Mr. Scoville and his team of oxen which had the contract. These woods extended from Highland Avenue west along Madison a mile and south to the New York Central tracks, a great place for squirrels and coons 45 years ago. The National Carbon occupies a part of that ancient forest site which dated back to the time of Indians. It is interesting to note the intermarriages among the pioneers. Mr. Webb's first wife was Hattie Maile, sister of William R. Maile. Some years after she died, he married the widow of Marshall French, whose husband died about the same time as the first Mrs. Webb. Mrs. Webb's son, Marshall French, the second, has been for many years a member of the United States coast survey.

His work takes him all over the world. Mrs. Webb (the 2nd) was a Sanderson of Old American stock. After his first wife's death, Mr. Webb devoted most of his time to his land interests, previous to that he had a meat market in the old market house on Sheriff Street. He served three years on the Lakewood Council, at a time when there was no salary and the meetings were held in Tegardine's barn. Another fine old citizen who served as the late W. D. Pudney, attorney for the L.S. & M.S.R.R. The initial sewer and disposal plants were the big problems then.

9:25 WEBB FAMILY

MRS. TOWNSEND'S SCRAP BOOK (Page 4)

If there is one citizen in Lakewood who deserved the appellation of a "pillar of the church" it is Mr. Daniel Webb. Mrs. Hutchins, mother of Mr. Charles Hutchins of Warren Road, was the mother of the splendid M.E. Church at the corner of Detroit and Summit. Mr. Webb at her request, was the first subscriber. He gave $500.00, and his brother John Webb and Mr. Hutchins gave like amounts. Another brother, Mr. Archer Webb, father of the well known real estate dealer, Mr. J.W.S. Webb, gave $1,000.00. This was in 1876, right in the midst of the panic, which wore away very slowly. It took him 12 years to pay up the whole $500.00. The lot at the corner of Summit Avenue was bought for $1,200 and a small wooden edifice was built, and later, Webb negotiated for and bought from Edward Rahill, long time toll gate keeper, two lots in the rear for $3,000. Most of the backers of this church in East Rockport, had been converted to Methodism at a revival in the civic center at Berea, then a place of much more importance than East Rockport. Mr. Webb was the first promoter of that section south of Madison, on either side of Warren Road, from which he sold homes from the 45 acres which he at one time owned in that neighborhood. The sharp curve made by the curving Indian trail of Warren Road, was where he settled in the summer of 1865, when he bought 10 acres of land, but three names removed from the Connecticut Land Company's deed. Two of the previous grantors, had the same Christian name as himself, Daniel. The immediate grantor was Adam Wagar. Mr. Webb paid $100 an acre for the land in the boom time at the close of the civil war. By hard work and careful saving, he finally acquired 45 acres. There were three brothers who originally came to East Rockport from Hitchins, England at intervals of 6 years in the following order; Archer, John and Daniel. Archer first settled in Geauga County, then in Avon and finally purchased 45 acres from two grantors at what is now known as Webb Road. He had a son and daughter, Mr. J.W. S. Webb and Mrs. Taft, who passed away some time ago. Mrs. Frank Andrews, whose husband was of the well known Andres family, was Daniel Webb’s only child. She lives with her children on Andmar Avenue.

9:26 WEBB FAMILY

Notes given by Mr. & Mrs. William John Webb - 2116 Warren Road

Part of the Bible records taken.

My father was born in Whitney near Oxford, England in 1827, June 16. My mother Mary Daniell, was born in North Leight, May 7, 1826. They were married May 24, 1850, came to America in 1856 to Kalamazoo, Mich. They lived there three years. My oldest sister was born there, Aug. 27, 1856 (Jane Ruth). They lived on Coe Ridge near the Barton Road about a year, then moved to Avon on the William Hurst farm on the north ridge. I was born July 10, 1860, Ester Ann. My two younger sisters were born in the same brick house which is still standing/ Elizabeth Mary, born Nov. 10, 1861; Rose Lucy born April 20, 1864.

In April 1865 we moved to North Dover on the north ridge near Corner of Bradley Road on the Josiah Hurst Farm. From there in 1874 we moved onto Lake Road a mile west of Rocky River on the Governor Wood farm of 360 acres. The first year we drove back to Dover Center every Sunday to attend Congregational Church of which my parents were members, also my older sister joined the winter before we moved to the lake shore. While we lived in Avon, we attended a little old Congregational church which stood on the hill opposite the brick house known as the Pickering home, about 1/2 mile east of the Avon Center road, north ridge. At that time, there was no church between Dover Center and West 117th except the Swedenborgian Church on Detroit Street corner of Andrews.

In the year 1865 (when we moved to Dover) a small company of English people on and around Detroit Street, East Rockport, heard of a camp meeting being held in Berea and decided to go to it. Mrs. Archer Webb being an English woman as most of the rest were, said it was a sad condition for the neighborhood to be in as they were all used to going to church in England. These people became converted at Berea and decided they would have a preacher come to preach to them. They got permission to hold their meetings in an old Baptist Church that stood at the east end of Hilliard Road on Warren Road where the Barber home now stands. The preacher came at first from Berea on horse back. Reverend Crooks baptised the first converts that wished to be baptised in Rocky River down near the flats where the filtering plant now stands. This was a United Brethren preacher. There were others of different creeds, came to preach as they could get them. We have the names of some of them. Rev. Parkins, Finch, Jewet and Mower. The two last named were Methodists. This company of Christians organized a Sunday school the first year, and Miss Carrie Phelps was the first superintendent, and one of the first members of the Methodist organization, but left town to go and teach in a mission school in the south before the first church was built. Then Mr. Christopher Southern Sr. was superintendent of the Sunday School but did not belong to the Methodist church. The Methodist preachers came from the city of Cleveland. The story is told that one of the first preachers was a very good preacher, had a lot of fire, pep, and earnestness in his preaching, but would not stop to speak to any one after the service closed if he could help it. If any one succeeded in telling him it was a good sermon, he would answer "Yes, the Devil told me so." and go on out.

After a time, Mr. Frank Wagar whose farm the Baptist church stood one, was part owner of the building, got the rest of the owners or trustees to sell out their interest in the church for a dollar each, then he sold it to Mr. Martinett who kept a wine garden on Madison Avenue a little east of Warren Road. He moved the old church across the lots to the back end of his property and set in on the edge of a ravine and made a wine cellar of it. This company of Christians had been organized in to a Methodist about that time, and Rev. Robert McKasky was sent out Sunday afternoons from the Taylor Street church (now called People's Church). They held their meetings in the west school house on Detroit Street corner of West Clifton Boulevard. Then the school board said a school house could not be used for religious purposes, and they met in homes. In the spring of 1876, Mrs. Stephen Hutchins had been thinking, and came to the conclusion that they must have a place of meeting of their own. They had both bought small fruit farms on Warren Road, but had not got it all paid for.

Mrs. Hutchins said, "I think I can get Stephen to borrow five hundred dollars from Archer Webb to help get a church if you can get Dan to do as much."

Mrs. Hattie Webb said, "I think Dan will if we can get his brother John to do the same." So they hitched the pony and wagon and drove down to John Webb's on Detroit Street and told his wife Sophia about it.

She said, "I think I can get John to do that," so they all went along Detroit Street to the home of Arch Webb, another brother, and they told his wife about it.

She said, I am sure Archer will lend you the money and give a thousand himself", and he did,

It was Mrs. Archer Webb, (Rhoda) that thought they ought to do something for the salvation of souls in the first place. I understand it was from her talk that the little company of people went to Berea to the camp meeting. They had been a care free, pleasure loving people before that, but they were thoroughly converted, and did not think anything but religious meetings should be held in the church, some of them were so conservative. The young people wanted social life, concerts, suppers, festivals, etc., and the older ones needed money to pay their debts. The first social event was held before the church was finished inside, so they had booths where they liked, and had a strawberry festival and sold ice cream and flowers and some fancy work. After the building was completed, in the fall after the dedication, an oyster supper was held and in order not to use the auditorium, they had to cook the supper in the gallery over the vestibule, a space about 30 feet long, after taking the stairway off, and then (10) feet wide. A two-burner gasoline stove with short legs, standing on empty boxes, a wash boiler (perhaps dish pan and pail - am not sure) comprised the kitchen utensils. Oysters were cooked in the wash boiler and some one lent a kettle for the coffee. The kitchen was at the far end. Boards were laid along each side of the gallery for a table, board benches to sit on back to back with a narrow alley between for the waiters. Everything else was lent from the homes - tablecloths, dishes, etc. January 5th 1927.

On January 1 Daniel Webb died at 2:30 A.M. He was the last of the charter members of the Lakewood (the East Rockport) Methodist Church. William John Webb now being the oldest member, he joined in full membership the day the first building was dedicated. The following winter there were revival meetings held. Quite a number were converted and joined the church. Among them were Joseph Swingler and his wife who was Elizabeth Sanderson and her sister Annis. Also Esther, Herbert Sanderson, Charles Hutchins and his brother George, Minnie Stafford (now Hutchins) Esher and Elizabeth Townsend, Mary Prutton, Mr. and Mrs. Jake Burkamer, Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, Mr. and Mrs. James Beam, Mr. and Mrs. James Parsons, James Gray who came to make fun, but was later converted. At once he started to study for the ministry and several others joined about that time. Charter members were:

Mr. and Mrs. Archer Webb

Mr. and Mrs. John Webb, Sr.

Mr. and Mrs. John Webb, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Webb

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Hutchins

Mr. and Mrs. James Primett

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lee

Mr. and Mrs. Tegardine, father of Mr. Jake Tegardine

Mr. and Mrs. George Thorne, Sr.

Mr. and Mrs. James Newberry

There were Mr. and Mrs. Jewel Southern, Mr. and Mrs. Bowers, Mr. Clampet, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Clampet, Jr., and Mrs. Castle. When the first mortgage was canceled, Mr. Archer Webb said he would pay twice as much as the rest of the official board did, so they signed a contract to pay it off in a certain length of time. The following members signed it - John Webb - Daniel Webb - W.J. Webb - Charles Greening - Charles Thompson - Steven Hutchins and they paid $25.00 each with the $50.00 from Archer Webb.

John Webb (William's father) came from Bedfordshire, England in 1859. On July 4, 1859, he married Sophia Rainbow. They were married at Arlsey, Bedfordshire, England.

William John Webb (Warren Rd.) married Esther Ann Townsend at Rockport, Ohio on Jan. 11, 1888. His sister Ellen Webb married Frederick Greening in Cleveland Oct. 30, 1888.

John Webb (William's father) was born in Hartfordshire, England March 14, 1834. His wife Sophia Rainbow was born in Bedfordshire, England Feb. 7, 1841

Children of John and Sophia Rainbow Webb::

1. William John Webb - born in East Rockport, Cuyahoga County Dec. 19, 1862 (recently died)

2. Ellen Webb - born Dec. 1, 1865 - East Rockport

3. Frank Webb - West Rockport

4. Walter Charles Webb - born Oct. 17, 1872 - East Rockport

There are more Bible records to get

At one time Mrs. William J. Webb lived on the Gov. Wood farm. This was just west of the present Wagar Road and began where the tower now stands at the intersection of Lake Rd. and Avalon.

Mr. Webb remembered that when the circus used to pass through Rockport, they had to send the elephants on foot and they always had trouble making them go through the water at Rocky River. John Hall's woods extended from Madison to Detroit. Madison Ave. was trail then. He recalls the ruts left from the old state coach road to Elyria.

There was a low place between Winton and Lauderdale which became a regular pond during the spring freshets. At one time he saw a very large crane there. There was a lane from John Hall's place which went south, then to the Hogsback hill.

The farm where he was born was at the corner of Detroit and Orchard Grove. He recalls that you got on the "Dummy" at Rocky River and paid 50 cents to ride to Waverly Ave. McGuire’s saloon was the stopping place. From there you took a horse car to the Square. This cost 8 cents. This car went down Detroit hill and over a bridge across the river. Three horses drew it up South Water St. hill to Superior. There was a turn-stile behind Cliff House (at north) on which the "Dummy" turned. The Cliff House was just north of Sloan. It had several beautiful fountains on the south side. There was a bar on the first floor and many guest chambers at the west end. The dining room was on the second floor. There was a very fine dance hall and a few guest chambers on the third floor. This hall was an unusually beautiful one. There was a verandah all around the Cliff House. The same people owned it who owned the "Dummy". Joe Murch owned it next and called it "Murch House." He was a Canadian. He had a wagon with his name lettered on it and a mirror on the sides. He used this to bring his supplies from the city to the hotel.

At this time there were just two stores - Joe Howe's at Bell and A.S. Stafford's at Rocky River. (Mrs. Hutchins who lived on Warren Road was a daughter of Mr. Stafford.) In the winter time many balls and suppers were held at the Cliff House. In those days the drivers of carriages were called hostlers. Joe Murch fixed the place into a very fine one. Mr. Webb thinks he was the one who placed the fountains there. After Joe Murch; the Cliff House was managed by William Hall and a Mr. Van Tassell. It finally burned down.

Many picnics used to be held at Rocky River. The Grant House stood at Belle. The Melrose House on the north side of Detroit just east of Cohassett Place. The house at the point of Hilliard and Madison is the Adam Wagar place.

Ribers or Reibers had a road house on the north side of Detroit between Park Row and Kenilworth. There were several road houses on the point below Clifton Park; all very bad, often called Sodom and Gomorrah. One of these; The Knowles House; run by John Knowles; was a very bad gambling house. Fred Raff had another. Half Way House was between Cliff House and the point. Mr. Webb once saw a man killed from a blow on the head with a whiskey bottle. In West Cleveland there was a road house at the corner of Berea Road and Detroit called the Brooklyn House.

There were no police in those days in East Rockport. People would start for Rocky River for an outing, stop at all the road houses enroute and become very intoxicated. In time it became so bad that George Mulhern asked all the farmers along the route to give $5.00 each to build a jail to imprison the drunks. This jail was built right beside the Cliff House. It was made of wood and had three cells. The first drunk arrested and put in jail for all night, kicked all the partitions down. Mr. Webb was about 20 at this time.

There were three engines on the Dummy line named "Mark Hanna", D.P. Rhodes"""", and "Elias Simms".

Toll - if one lived west of Rocky River and wished to go to Cleveland with a two horse team and wagon, it cost 20 cents to get across the Rocky River bridge and 20 cents on the plank road. The toll gates were 1st at 65th, then Highland, then Warren Road. There was a toll gate a the Rocky River bridge. There was no toll gate on the Hogsback Road.

Mr. Webb once worked out his poll tax by working on Hogsback hill.

9:27 WELFARE, MAURICE

HARRY S. WELFARE

Mr. Welfare was born in London, England, September 20th, 1845. He attended regular schools in London and then spent four years in Germany and France in higher education. He was in Paris during the Siege of Paris by Germany.

He came to America in 1871 as manager of the English Actor, Richard Mansfield. He became manager of the Old Cleveland Opera House, serving in the capacity for nearly 15 years, until it burned down in 1891. After that time he became interested in newspaper work, being connected with the Plain Dealer and later starting the Lakewood Courier, which he edited until his death.

He married Mattie T. Smith, September 21st, 1881. Two children were born; Harry G. Welfare and Alice (Mrs. J.R. Cotabish). Mrs. Maurice Welfare is still living. There are five grand children; Alice Martha Cotabish, Harry Nelson Cotabish, John Robert Cotabish, Richard George Welfare and Gretchen Sue Welfare, the two latter being twins.

The Welfare's moved to Lakewood in September, 1896. Their home, 1368 Lakeland Avenue, is still occupied by Harry G. Welfare and family.

Mr. Welfare became interested in Lakewood school affairs soon after moving to Lakewood. He was elected to the school board on which he served for four or five years becoming president of the board in 1898.

Mr. Welfare died after a short sickness of acute pneumonia, October 3rd, 1915, at the age of 69 years, 10 months.

9:28 JOHN M. WEST

SOURCE: Encyclopedia of American Biography Vol. XXI

Published by the American Historical Society, Inc. 1925

John M. West was educated to be a physician. He received a degree of Doctor of Medicine in Dublin, Ireland. He expected to practice medicine when he came to America, but his health failed and bought a stock farm so that he could enjoy the outdoor life. He had three sons: (1) George H. who returned to Dublin, Ireland (2) John M.J. (3) William C.

John M. West's farm of 600 acres adjoined the Leonard Case farm on Lorain Avenue, then known as Rockport and later changed to West Park. He built a beautiful residence there, reserving 25 acres for his front lawn where he built an artificial lake which with its boars, was one of the show-places of the neighborhood. Both he and his wife died on this estate, leaving seven children.

death Mrs. C.C. Southern (sold?) her residence for St. Peter's Church and lived in the Southern Terrace on West Clifton Blvd. which was one of the buildings the Southern-West families erected. There were 2 natural gas wells and an excellent well of water on the old residence.

9:29 WINCHESTER, PHILANDER

MRS. TOWNSEND'S SCRAP BOOK (Page 11-12)

Winchester Avenue was named after this Winchester family. Father, mother and nine children, half of whom were born in East Rockport, were known locally for their good looks. More than one of their descendants was endowed with genuine art or literature, or both, yet not one reached success in those lines as was predicted. Their ancestors were clergymen, professors, college presidents and men of affairs. Nature seemed to demand a let down in the generation Both father and mother inherited the ancestor's ability to succeed.

Philander Winchester, who ran away with Eliza Gilman Calkins, daughter of a Lakewood pioneer, was the original Winchester of this county. He settled in Lakewood in 1848. The old homestead which stood at the southeast corner of what is now Spring Garden, was torn down a couple of years ago. His father was Rev. Jonathan Winchester, who was granted a license to preach and a charter from the Connecticut Land Company to build churches in the Western Reserve in the year 1797. Mr. Philip Winchester, the only one of the children now residing in Ohio lives at 1789 East 101st Street and has this license carefully preserved. He was the youngest of the nine children and is an official of the Standard Oil Company.

Starting with the romance of a runaway marriage, Philander Winchester's life was filled with drama which did not include results obtained by worship of the dollar. In 1840, he managed the Painesville Telegraph, at the time when it was expected that this town would be greater than Cleveland, as the two then were running neck and neck in population. Later, with L.L. Rice, Winchester, as business manager, piloted the Cleveland paper which was succeeded by the Cleveland Leader.

That was in the days of "The Underground Railway" and the high points of drama were reached. Here was something to do, a chance to risk life and freedom for an ideal with no possibility of personal acquisition or gain - so he became a rabid abolitionist. Famous were his exploits in aiding the escape of the four Clarks-Lewis, and Walter, the most famous.

Lewis was the original of George Harris in Uncle Tom's Cabin. The Clarks were the children of a wealthy planter by a beautiful quadroon slave girl. They were of lighter complexion than Mr. Winchester, and no one would have known from their personal appearance that they had negro blood in their veins.

The father treated his own sons as slaves and even put them up on the block for sale to go to the dreaded plantations in the south. Their beautiful sister had been put up for sale. Mr. Philip Winchester tells of the thrilling events of his father as a "Conductor" for the underground Railway as he heard the story from his mother, and of the many black boys hidden from time to time in the Winchester cellar. Many a time going down into the dark cellar, members of the family had stumbled upon trembling slaves hidden there during the day waiting to be transported to the next station during the night. On the day in question, report came to the home that Walter Clark had been captured by "two slavers" who were transporting him back over a certain route in a carriage drawn by two horses. Philip Winchester’s father laid his plans and disposed his forces to waylay the southerners at a steep narrow strip of road tip the hack over the hill, and release the prisoner. It was known that Clark was seated between his captors, tied to them with a strong rope. Mr. Winchester was to slop on behind and cut the ropes. In his excitement, he cut too deep and laid open the prisoners back with his knife. My father said "it was wonderful that Clark never winced as the blood flowed and gave the men no sign." He carried the scar to his dying day. The next thing that happened was the overturning of the coach in the dark, unhitching of the team, and the release of Clark, who ran to a nearby carriage and was driven away by Mr. Winchester. The slave catchers disentangled the horses and pursued the runaways on horseback. As a hill hid the buggy from view, Mr. Winchester changed coat and hat with his companion and as the pursers came into view, leaped from the buggy and made up the hill into a thick copse, while Clark drove hurriedly on. Mr. Winchester kept the southerners in pursuit for hours, while Clark was being hurried to Canada, via Detroit, to safety. He finally allowed himself to be caught in the darkness and, not being recognized by the southerners, was put in the lock up at Painesville. In the morning when he was brought into court, the Judge said, "Why there must be some mistake; this is Mr. Philander Winchester and he was a schoolmate of mine." He was released, much to the discomfiture of the southerners and delight of the citizens.

Mr. Winchester pursued his ideals regardless of personal cost. He made a mark with his work for the cause of abolition no money could buy. His handsome daughters all married wealthy men. His youngest son married a fair daughter of the south and a daughter married the grandson of a Chippewa chief.

9:30 WINCHESTER, PHILANDER

HISTORY OF CUYAHOGA AND COUNTY AND CLEVELAND

W.R. COATES -- Volume I, Pg. 184

Philander Winchester, who staged a runaway marriage with Eliza Gillman Calkins, daughter of a Lakewood pioneer, was the original Winchester of this county. He settled in Lakewood in 1848.

The old homestead that stood at the southeast corner of what was later Spring Garden Avenue was torn down a couple of years ago. His father, Rev. Jonathan Winchester, was granted a license to preach and a charter from the Connecticut Land Company to build churches in the Western Reserve in 1797. Mr. Philip Winchester, the only one now living in Ohio of the seven surviving children, living at 1798 East 101st Street has the license carefully preserved. Mr. Winchester is an official of the Standard Oil Company. He is the youngest of nine children.

Philander Winchester started his youth with the romance of a runaway marriage and his life was filled with drama, which did not include the results obtained by the worship of the dollar. In 1840 he managed the Painesville Telegraph at a time when that town was expected to be greater than Cleveland. The two towns were running 'neck and neck' in population. Later with L.L. Rice, he as business manager, piloted the paper, which was succeeded by the Cleveland Leader.

But it was in the days of the 'underground railway' that the high points in the drama was reached. Famous were his exploits in aiding the escape of the four Clarks, Lewis and Walter the most famous. Lewis was the original of George Harris of Harriet Beecher Stowe's immortal "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Philip Winchester tells of the thrilling evens connected with the work of his father as a leading 'conductor' on the 'underground railway', as he heard the story from his mother, of the many black boys from time to time hidden in the cellar of the Winchester home; how many a time going down into the dark cellar members of the family had stumbled upon trembling slaves hidden there during the day to be transported to the next station in the night time.

9:31 WOOD, CHARLES LUTHER

HISTORY OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY AND CLEVELAND

W.R. COATES -- Volume II, Pg. 231-232

Charles Luther Wood, physician and surgeon and a well-known citizen of Lakewood, was born in East Smithfield, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, on the 1st of July, 1871, and is the son of Charles T. and Ellen D. (Dewey) Wood. The father was also a native of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, and the mother, of Greene County, near Binghampton, New York; both parents are now deceased. They were prosperous and successful farmers, and during their whole lives were regarded as reputable citizens and reliable neighbors. It has been disclosed by investigators that this branch of the Wood family now traces its lineage back to William Wood, who came over from England to the colonies in the year 1560 and settled in Massachusetts, and there married and reared a family. Since then, according to the information gleaned, the descendants of this ancestor have increased until they now number about 10,000. As a whole they have followed the occupation of farming, but many in the last century have followed every other pursuit until now the family as a whole forms a complete unit of our civilization, extending to every profession and industry in the country.

***

Dr. Charles L. Wood was reared in East Smithfield, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, and was largely educated n the public schools of East Smithfield. Not having settled what his future occupation should be but knowing how important a good education is in this world, he entered Hiram College, Portage County, Ohio, and began the study of a full course, but left that institution in his sophomore year in order to take up the study of medicine. He had decided on a professional career, and had chosen medicine and surgery to that of any other of the modern sciences or arts. He promptly entered the medical department of Ohio Wesleyan University, took the full course required, and was duly graduated with much credit in the class of 1898, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He is now a member of the Alumni of the Western Reserve University, that institution having absorbed the medical department of Wesleyan College.

In 1898 the Doctor began practice in Cleveland, but in 1900 removed his offices to Lakewood where he had continued in successful practice up to the present time. He began with a small office at 14708 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, but as he prospered in practice and expanded in requirements, he built on the above lot his present residence, where he now conducts his practice, with comfortable and commodious offices.

He is a member of the staff of the Lakewood Hospital, of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, of Lakewood Lodge No. 601, Free and Accepted Masons, of Holy Grail Commandery no. 70, Knights Templar, Valley of Cleveland, Lake Erie Consistory, (thirty-second degree), and was a member of the original board of directors when the Lakewood Masonic was erected, and served also as treasurer of the board. He is also a member of the Lakewood Country Club and of the Lakewood Presbyterian Church. Doctor Wood chose for his wife, Miss Flora L. Baum, who is a native of Cleveland and is the daughter of O.S. Baum.

9:32 JUDGE REUBEN WOOD

CLEVELAND AND ENVIRONS - AVERY

Vol. 1, Pg. 118 (4 lines only).

In 1818, came to Cleveland from Vermont a lawyer, Reuben Wood. He soon acquired an extensive legal practice, became a member of the state senate, chief-justice of the supreme court, and in 1849 and 1850 was elected governor of Ohio; he died at Rockport in Cuyahoga County in 1864.

9:33 WOOD, REUBEN

HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF OHIO (HENRY HOWE)

Vol. 1. Pg. 511, Col 1, Pgh. 2, to Pgh.4, Col 2

Reuben Wood, Governor of Ohio from 1851 to 1853, was born at Royalton, Vermont, in 1792, and died in 1864 at this farm in Rockport. When the war of 1812 broke out he was temporarily living with an uncle in Canada, where he was studying the classics and reading law. He was subjected to military service against his own country. To this he would not submit, and, though placed under guard, succeeded at the hazard of his life in effecting an escape in a small boar across the entire width of Lake Ontario to Sackett's Harbor. He then worked on the home farm to aid his widowed mother and studied law. In 1818 he emigrated to Cleveland and engaged in the practice of his profession. He was three times elected to the State Senate; in 1830 was elected President-Judge of the Third Judicial District; in 1833 became Judge of the Supreme Court by the unanimous vote of the Legislature; in 1841 he was reelected by the same vote, and for three years was the Chief-Justice. He was elected Governor by the Democratic party in 1850 by a majority of 26,000. He resigned to accept the position of consul at Valparaiso, Chile, and later became minister.

The climate proved too delicious; it seldom or never rained, little else than a continuous calm and sunshine, while humanity there in its stagnation of indolence and ignorance offered nothing to interest him. In his quick disgust he was stricken with nostalgia as bad as any of our poor soldier boys in the war time, resigned, and came home that he might once again be a sharer in the activities of a wonderfully progressive intellectual people, and again enjoy the sight of a wild, howling storm on Lake Erie. Thus is was that he, whom in the political parlance of the day was called all through Ohio from his great height and residence "tall chief of the Cuyahogas," returned home to pass the remainder of his days on his noble farm, Evergreen Place," on the margin of the beautiful lake he loved so well.

Harvey Rice, from whose articles in the "Magazine of Western History" we take some of the facts in this personal sketch and in the two next to follow, writes of him: "Governor Wood was one of natures nobleman, large-hearted and generous to a fault. Nature gave him a slim tall figure over six feet in height and replete with brains and mother wit.

He was quick in his perceptions, an excellent classical scholar, a man of the people and honored by the people. He possessed tact and shrewdness; his statesmanship exhibited to a high degree wisdom and forecast, while on the bench his decision showed a profound knowledge of law, and crowned his life-work as one of the ablest jurists of the State."

And Judge Thurman, on "Lawyers' Day" Ohio Centennial, Columbus, Wednesday, September 19, 1888, after speaking of the greatness of Thomas Ewing, thus expressed himself of Governor Wood: "And that unsurpassed nisi prius Judge Reuben Wood, who never left a jury when he charged it, but who was clear-headed and brainy, and always to the point."

9:34 REUBEN WOOD

HISTORY OF OHIO - RYAN Pg. 146

Reuben Wood was born in Rutland county, Vermont, in 1792. Her served in the war of 1812-15 as captain of Vermont volunteers. He later studied law, came to Cleveland, Ohio and began practice there about 1820. From 1825 to 1828 he was a member of the Ohio Senate. In 1830 the Legislature elected him president judge of the Third Common Pleas Circuit; and on February 17, 1833, the same body made him a Supreme Court Judge; to which office he was reelected in 1839, and served until 1846. In October, 1850, he was elected Governor of Ohio. The second Constitution terminating his term before its two hears had passed, he was again elected in October, 1851, and was the first Governor under that Constitution. The Democratic national convention sitting at Baltimore in 1852 discussed the nomination of Governor Wood for the Presidency, but selected Franklin Pierce. If Reuben Wood had been President 1853-54, his sound sense would have prevented the silly and disastrous repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and perhaps have thereby saved our country from the Civil War of 1861-65. In 1853 Judge Wood resigned the governorship and accepted a consulship at Valparaiso, Chile, where the climate favored his restoration to health. In 1855 he resigned, returned to Ohio, retired from public life, and on October 2, 1864, died at Rockport, Cuyahoga county. His judicial opinions are in volumes six to fifteen - included - Ohio Reports.

9:35 REUBEN WOOD

MAGAZINE OF WESTERN

Vol. II P. 202 00 2 to Pg. 203 ppl

apparently taken from Howe

Of the later times, or second series of eminent jurists, Reuben Wood was prominent. He was born in 1792, at Middleton, Vermont. He received an elementary education at home. His father died when he was quite young, and left him to the care of his mother. When he reached fifteen years of age he felt a strong desire to obtain a classical education, and went to reside with an uncle, and while there studied the classics with a Catholic priest, and at the same time read law with Honorable Barnabas Bidwell. When war was declared in 1812, an attempt was made by the Canadian authorities to subject young Wood to military service against his own country. To this he would not submit, and, though placed under guard, succeeded, at the hazard of his life, in effecting an escape in a small boat across lake Ontario, and in landing at Sackett's Harbor, within the borders of the state of New York, in safety. He then engaged in farm work for the summer at the old homestead, with a desire to aid, so far as he could, his widowed mother in supporting herself and the younger children left to her care. In the fall he was received into the office of an eminent lawyer at Middleton, where he completed his legal studies. He married, and in 1818 emigrated to Ohio and settled at Cleveland, where he engaged in the practice of law with encouraging success. In 1825 he was elected a member of the state senate, and reelected in 1827 and in 1829 to the same position. In 1830 he was elected president-judge of the third judicial circuit, and 1833 was elected a judge of the supreme court by unanimous vote of the general assembly. In 1841 he was reelected to the supreme bench by a like vote. For the last years while on the bench he was the chief justice of the state. In 1850 he was elected governor of the state by a majority of eleven thousand. In 1851 he was reelected governor under the new constitution by a majority of twenty-six thousand. In the political field he was known as the "Cuyahoga Chief." In 1852 Marietta college conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. In 1853 he resigned the office of governor and accepted from the general government the appointment of counsul to Valpariso, South America, and for some time during his residence in that country discharged the duties, not only of counsul, but of minister to Chile, to fill a vacancy in the ministership, and was recognized as such minister by both governments. In 1854 he resigned his consulship, returned home and devoted himself mainly to the cultivation and improvement of his beautiful farm in Rockport, known as "Evergreen Place." He died October 1, 1864.

Governor Wood was one of nature's noblemen, large-hearted and generous to a fault. Nature gave him a slim, tall figure, over six feet in height, and a head replete with brains and mother wit. He was quick in his perceptions, and could seldom, if ever, be entrapped or duped. He was an excellent classical scholar, and could read Latin and Greek with about as much ease as English. He was a man of the people and honored by the people. As a lawyer he was not only prominent but famous for his tact and shrewdness in defending criminals. In statesmanship he exhibited an unusual degree of wisdom and forecast. On the bench he manifested a profound legal knowledge that commanded public confidence and secured the universal respect of the bar, and especially of its younger members, to whom he would listen with deep interest when they were conducting a cause before him, and whenever he saw they felt embarrassed would aid them by timely suggestions. This encouraging condescension on his part was highly appreciated. His decisions while on the bench display a profound knowledge of law, and crown his life-work as one of the ablest jurists of the state.

9:36 WOODBURY FAMILY

MRS. TOWNSEND'S SCRAP BOOK (Page 5)

Of New England descent born near the New Hampshire line of Massachusetts was Manley Hall Woodbury, who bought acreage in East Rockport 65 years ago, in 1855. He was one year old when his parents moved to Ashtabula, from which place he later came to Cleveland. The late Judge H.B. Woodbury, who was in his day regarded as the leading citizen of Jefferson, was a cousin. Judge Woodbury was famed for his decisions which were never reversed by the higher courts. The first property bought by the Woodburys in Cuyahoga County was the corner of Franklin Circle, afterward owned by James Rhodes, the novelist, and opposite the present Franklin Circle Disciple Church. Mr. Woodbury sold this for $175.00 and moved to East Rockport. He bought his farm from his wife's father, Samuel Smith, through whose arm now runs spring Garden and Rockaway Avenues. Mrs. Woodbury was Miss Louisa Smith. Mr. Woodbury was a skilled carpenter and joiner, for a time worked for the ship yard of Cleveland doing fine inside work. He was the first to take up gardening and berry raising in East Rockport. Previous to the time of his pioneer efforts, the farmers had stuck to the old way of raising wheat, corn, potatoes, pork, milk and such staples. Mr. Woodbury started the raising of green stuffs for Cleveland. He put the first ground under glass, and raised the first strawberries ever cultivated hereabouts. While old settlers laughed, he like other Yankees, showed the way to better things. He sold his products at fancy prices in the millionaire homes on Euclid Avenue. His daughter Mrs. William Crawley, of 1540 Spring Garden, recalls how her father used to receive as high as $1.00 a quart for his strawberries, which were in those days called "Agricultural berries", to distinguish them from the wild berries. Of the children of Manley Hall Woodbury, Samuel Smith Woodbury lives in Buffalo N.Y., Miss Effie Woodbury resides in the old homestead on Detroit opposite Webb Road and Mrs. William Crawley, who was Carrie Woodbury, resides on Spring Garden.

Mrs. Crawley has been married twice, her first husband was Lee Wagar, who was for a number of years President of the Rocky River Council. They were both leaders in the Christian Church.

9:37 WORTHEN FAMILY

MRS. TOWNSEND'S SCRAP BOOK (Page 5)

Mr. Clark Worthen lived on his estate on the west adjoining the Elks club, on the north side of Detroit Street for 56 years. He would have made a fine Uncle Sam, except that instead of the rather stern face of Uncle Sam, he had a merry glint in his eye. No one could spin a yarn better than he. He came from stock which had stuck rather closely to the soil from the of Indian fighting ancestors of New England to the time of his great grandfather Major "Jake" Worthen of Vermont, who was a soldier under Washington in the Revolution. His grandfather, David Worthen, served the big field gun at the battle of Lake Champlain and his father, Palmer Worthen, settled in East Rockport in 1842, when Clark was a small toddler. Their first home was on the site of the present Rocky River street car barns. Mr. Worthen's mother was a Hall, (Not the local Hall family), also with a long American ancestry. Upon his mothers death, his father returned to Madrid, St. Lawrence County, New York, from which place he had migrated to Ohio. He shortly settled again permanently in Lakewood. A family genealogist, lawyer Worthen of New York, has found that the first Worthen has been a widower for many years and has lived with his daughter Mrs. Holse (Hulse), his only other child lives next door, Mrs. William Johnson. The late Mrs. Worthen was a charming woman. Her maiden name was a Mary Van Haun, her fathers side coming from noble blood from across the ocean. Her first ancestor in this country came as an enemy and remained as a friend, settling in Boston, Massachusetts. He was Lieutenant Van Haun, a Hessian hired by King George to subdue the Americans. Mr. Worthen said that the English officers told these hired soldiers that the Americans were wild men and would skin them alive if they caught them - that their only safety was to fight to the death. They believed this until one day the Americans released some of the Hessian prisoners, who told them that the story was not true. Lieutenant Van Haun was guarding the bridge at White Plains. He told his men what he had learned, commanded them to stack their arms, and then addressing them said that they could do as they pleased, but that he was through fighting against good Americans to help put money in Hesse's rulers' pockets, and that he was going over to the other side. His men followed him. Mr. Worthen recalled the time when the plank road toll was at what is now 65th Street. The first keeper, McDonough, retired and bought a 175 acre farm - then followed Z. Peck, then Ed Rahill, third in order. The toll gate moved three times, 65th to West 100th Street, then to West 117th - West 117th to Warren Road. The Charge at the gate was 10 cents for a single team and 15 cents for a double team. Even after Mr. Parkins took charge, while the traffic seemed less, he took in more than $50 a day. The street railway finally bought the franchise 20 years ago. Once the East Rockport people did succeed in getting representation in the election at Rockport town Hall on Lorain Street, near Berea Road, Mr. Worthen said. The south side had been getting all the officers and most of the money for schools, although the north side had by far the greatest taxes. This time they forced the election of Mr. Pease from across Rocky River. East Rockport went over in force, among them Mr. Worthen, Dr. Kirtland, Charles Pease, Benjamin Coutant and Thomas Hird. So much rage developed at these elections that at one time several of the prominent East Rockport citizens went to the polls armed with revolvers. Mr. Worthen held the position of street commissioner for many years. In times past each male 21 years of age had to pay a poll tax in money or work it out on the dirt roads. The working out of a poll tax was considered by common consent to be rather a social than an industrial function, and many a tale was told under the shade of the trees. Mr. Worthen sold part of his farm from the Nickle Plate Railroad to Clifton Boulevard, but still owns a large frontage on Detroit Street, where the fine homestead stands. He has retired from his work as a teaming contractor.