CONNEAUT, OHIO HISTORY & GENEALOGY

History of
Ashtabula Co., Ohio

SOURCE: History of Ashtabula County, Ohio
Large, Moina W.  Topeka :: Historical Pub. Co.,, 1924, 1132 pgs.

NOTE:  Other Biographies will have a note stating their sources.

ALSO NOTE:  I will transcribe biographies upon request.  Please state the County and State in the Subject line of the email. ~ SW

BIOGRAPHIES

A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

* HAEFNER, C. A., Dr.
* HAGUE, J. F.
* HALE, John P.
* HALEY, E. W.
* HALL, E. B.
* HALL, George
* HALL, Sereno E.
* HALL, W. J.
* HALLEEN, Charles A.
* HAMILTON, George W.
* HAMILTON, James
* HANLON, William E.
* HANNAH, G. L.
* HARDY, John C.
* HARLEY, G. R.
* HARMON, Austin A.
* HARMON, Reuben
* HARPER, Fred W.
* HARRIS, Samuel T.
* HASKELL, John Winship
* HAWKINS, C. E.
* HAWKINS, Hiram P.
* HAWES, Clyde L.
* HAY, Alexander
* HAYES, M.
* HAYWARD, Danville W.
* HEADLEY, George W.
* HEAGERTY, T. E., Capt.		 * HEASMAN, Fred H.
* HEATH, A. J.
* HELANDER, Erik E.
* HELBERG, Jacob
* HENRY, George
* HERREN, Henry
* HEWITT, George C.
* HICKS, Clarence B.
* HIESTON, E. A.
* HILL, J. B.
* HILLS, Edgar L.
* HILLYER, Arthur V.
* HOLDEN, Frances E.
* HOLKKO, John
* HORTON Fred L.
* HORTON, W. P.
* HOSKINS, A. O.
* HOUSE, Emory C.
* HOWARD, Chauncey E.
* HOWARD, William H.
* HOWES, Walter W.
* HUHTA, Simon
* HUKARI, Charles
* HUMPHREY, R. C.
* HUNTER, Thomas W.
* HURST, J. L., Dr.
* HUCHINSN, William R.
* HYDE, Perry G.

REUBEN HARMON, who lies on the North Ridge Road at North Kingsville, ahs been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Ashtabula county for many years.  He was born on a farm at North Kingsville, Oct. 4, 1858, and is the son of Hollis K. and Zeviah M. (Ransom) Harmon.
     Hollis K. Harmon was a leading pioneer of Ashtabula County.  He was born at North Kingsville, Apr. 12, 1830 and died Dec. 29, 1899.  Mr. Harmon owned 110 acres of land and engaged in farming during his entire life.  His wife, who was born in Maine, Oct. 1,  1828, came to this county with her parents when she was three years of age, is deceased.  Mr. and Mrs. Harmon, who were Married at Kingsville, in November, 1854, were the parents of the following children:  Reuben, the subject of this sketch; Arthur C., lives on the home place, married Edith Potter, of Ashtabula, and they have one son, Glenn and Hattie M., married William H. Weaver, lives at Monroe, Ohio, and they had five children, Bertha, deceased, was the wife of Garfield Bisbee, Fred, Mabel, wife of Charles Kidder, Alice, deceased, married Eugene Kidder, and Walter.
     Reuben Harmon has always lived in Kingsville.  He was among the most extensive stockmen of the county and owned 375 acres of land.  Mr. Harmon is now living on his farm of 19 acres, which is located on North Ridge road, four and one-half acres are planted in fruit, and Mr. Harmon's  residence, which was built in 1914, is among the fine homes of Ashtabula County.
     In 1880 Mr. Harmon was married the first time to Miss Charlotte Hammond, who died Sept. 12, 1889, leaving three children as follows:  Catlin S., born in 1885, lives with his father, married Miss Hazel Dean, of Monroe, Ohio; Ethel, married Harvey Walker, lives in Cleveland; and Charlotte, married F. J. Nearpass, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.  In 1892, Mr. Harmon was married to Miss Harriet M. Stanton, of Sheffield, Ohio, and to this union three children were born, as follows:  John Hollis, lives in Seattle, Wash., married Ruth Dickinson, of Ashtabula; Edwin L., a student in the Medical School of Western Reserve University, Cleveland; and Ruth, who died at the age of eight years.  Mrs. Harmon died Oct. 15, 1922, and is buried at North Kingsville.  John Hollis Harmon is a veteran of the World War.
     Mr. Harmon is an independent voter.  He is a reliable citizen, and was able to build up a successful farming business by hsi integrity and progressive methods.
(See Note 2 below for Source)

JOHN WINSHIP HASKELL, deceased. K I —One of the representative men and pioneers to whom Ashtabula owes much of her growth and present development, is the late John W. Haskell, the subject of this memoir. He was a descendant of old Puritan stock, and was born in Tunbridge, Vermont, August 16, 1810, being the son of Aretas Haskell and Betsey Moody. Upon the death of his wife Betsey, the father married Annie Folsom, who was of that family from whom Mrs. Frances Folsom Cleveland descended. The elder Haskell (Aretas) was born in Vermont, in 1783, of Welsh ancestry. He spent his entire life in that State, dying in 1858, at the age of seventy-five years. John Winship was reared at home, securing his education at the common schools. His youth was spent in various kinds of work until he arrived at the age of twenty-four years. At this period, 1834, he started out in life for himself, seeking the West as the most advantageous country in which to better his condition. He first located at Conneaut, where for a time he was engaged in school teaching and in peddling goods, in the northern part of the State. Later on he settled at South Ridge, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits for several years. In 1846 he removed to Conneautville, Pennsylvania, where he continued his mercantile business and also engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber. He and his partner, Edwin R. Williams, erected the first steam sawmill in that section of the country, the same being located at Steamburgh, Crawford county, Pennsylvania. The enterprise created quite a sensation and people came from Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and many other points to see it. It was predicted by the people in that vicinity that this mill would cut up all the timber in that part of the country in a few years. It is worthy of note that this mill is still in operation, and that there yet appears to be plenty of timber for it to work upon. This mill marked the introduction of steam power for running mills in this section of the country.
     In 1857, Mr. Haskell again moved to Ohio, settling this time in Ashtabula, where he followed the same business, making lumbering and the shipping trade on the lakes special features, together with railroad building. The advantages of lake transportation were the principal cause of his removal. He, with his partners, Oran Baldwin and Edwin R. Williams, under the firm name of O. Baldwin & Co., secured the contract for the construction of the Ashtabula & New Lisbon Railroad from Ashtabula harbor, on lake Erie, to the Ohio river. The work on the road was suspended on account of hard times brought about by short crops. The firm took mortgages on the road bed and other property, which subsequently they disposed of. The road was finally completed and is now known as the Pittsburg, Youngstown & Ashtabula Railroad.
     In 1836 Mr. Haskell was united in marriage, at South Ridge, to Mary Ann, daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Wright) Williams, a native of Ashtabula county, Ohio.   Four children were born to them: David Williams Marshall Harrison, William Cassius and Ida, now Mrs. Frank Sherman. They also adopted Fannie Harriet as their daughter.
     Mr. Haskell departed this life at Ashtabula, Ohio, November 12, 1885, having lived to the same age as did his father.
     Mr. Haskell was originally a Free Soiler, but upon the formation of the Republican party he became an advocate of its principles, never, however, seeking public office. Dur­ing his earlier years he was a member of the Baptist Church, but later on in life he joined the Presbyterian Church, of which he was for many years an Elder.
     Mr. Haskell was eminently a self-made man, the architect of his own fortune. By his energy, perseverance and good financial judgment, by his strict integrity and honor­able business methods, he accumulated a for­tune and established an enviable reputation. He was a man of noble character, public, spirited, liberal and charitable, giving generously to the poor and to the church. To his family he was much devoted, looking carefully after their wants, and making the domestic hearth his place of rest. He died as he had lived, a Christian, holding the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.
     David Williams Haskell, the oldest son of John Winship Haskell, was born at South Ridge, Ashtabula county, Ohio, April 14, 1838. He was educated at the common schools, and in 1857 accompanied his father to Ashtabula, which has since been his home. For a time he was associated with his father in business, but subsequently started in busi­ness for himself, conducting a dry goods store for about ten years in a very successful manner. He is now conducting a lumber business and has also extensive interests in real estate, operating chiefly in his own realty.
     Mr. Haskell was married at Ashtabula, December 24, 1861, to Harriet E., the accom­plished daughter of Honorable Henry Fassett, whose portrait and biography will be found in another part of this volume. This estimable lady met an untimely death, departing this life in October, 1862, to the great sorrow of her devoted and loving husband and her numerous friends. She was a woman of fine culture and rare musical talent, of a sweet, winning disposition, and much beloved by her many admirers.
     June 12, 1867, Mr. Haskell was married the second time, to Julia Ann, the amiable and talented daughter of Joseph D. and Lucinda C. (Hall) Hulbert, whose portraits and biographies appear in this work. This union has been blessed with eight children: Harriet Fassett, born May 16, 1868; Mary Lucinda, born August 22, 1870; Josephine Dewey, born April 10, 1872 ; Phyana Hulbert, born April 29,1874; Julia Dewey, born January 2, 1876; Alma Chadwick, born November 16, 1878; Andrew Stone, born September 4, 1880; and Ethel Williams, born .November 22, 1882,—all living bat Josephine, who died October 10, 1872, and Julia, who died April 28, 1881.
     Mr. and Mrs. Haskell are members of the Congregational Church, the former holding the positions of Trustee and Treasurer. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and has taken the Royal Arch degree.
     Mr. Haskell is a gentleman of good presence, genial, social disposition and win­ning manners. He is liberal in his views, progressive and interested in the develop­ment of his native county; he is a worthy representative of his noble father and is held in high esteem by the community in which he was born and reared, and by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
(For Source, see Note 1 below)

ALEXANDER HAY, the popular landlord of the Nickel Plate Eating House, Conneaut, Ohio, is a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, born in 1846. I His parents were Alexander and Mary I. Hay, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania. The senior Mr. Hay was a man of excellent business qualifications, all his active life being spent as proprietor of a hotel at Coshocton. He died in 1846. His wife survived him until August, 1892, when she passed away at the age of seventy-four years. She was one of the pioneers of Coshocton county, having gone there with her parents when she was a little girl. From her girlhood she was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and her whole life was characterized by the sweetest of Christian graces. She had thirteen children, the subject of our sketch being one of the six who are still living.
     When the Civil war broke out Mr. Hay was only in his teens, and, young as he was, he enlisted, in August, 1861, in Company E, Fifteenth United States regulars. After the I battle of Shiloh, in which he participated, lie was detailed in recruiting service, and was at Newport, Kentucky, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Newport, Rhode Island. From Newport he went South, reaching Lookout Mountain two days after the battle; thence to Mobile, and from there to Selma, Alabama. He was discharged at Selma in 1867, after a service of five years and four months. He served as drummer four years. He stood the service well, and has never made any application for a pension.
     The war over, Mr. Hay turned his attention to work at his trade, that of machinist, and for eleven years worked for the Pan Handle Railroad Company at Dennison, Ohio. He learned this trade after the war. In 1878 he went from Dennison to Coshocton, where he worked at his trade until 1887. Since that year he has been a resident of Conneaut. After being in the employ of the Nickel Plate as machinist here one year he turned his attention to the hotel business, having been proprietor of the Nickel Plate Hotel ever since.
     Mr. Hay was married February 8, 1872, to Miss Lucy F. Furgeson, daughter of Edwin Furgeson, of Uhrichsville, Ohio. She is a lady of many estimable qualities and is a member of the Congregational Church. They have three children, all in school: Eddie, Mary E. and Frank F.
     Mr. Hay is an ardent Republican, and is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank, the G. A. R, A. O. U. W. and Home Circle.
     Of Mrs. Hay's father we record that he was born in Culpeper, Virginia, and was for many years engaged in work at his trade, that of tailor, at Cadiz and Uhrichsville. He served all through the Mexican war, participating in its leading battles, and in the Civil
war was a lieutenant in the Second Ohio Battery, serving three years. He died at the home of his only child, Mrs. Hay, his wife having passed away two years before at Uhrichsville. Mr. Furgeson was a stauch Republican and a prominent Mason, having taken the Knights Templar degree.
(For Source, see Note 1 below)

C. E. HAWKINS, a well known jeweler and watchmaker of Ashtabula County, who lives at Kingsville, is a native of Ohio.  He was born at Kelloggsville, Oct. 15, 1867, and is a son of C. S. and Laura (Colburn) Hawkins.
     C. S. Hawkins was a native of Kingsville, born in 1847.  His parents came to this county from Connecticut in the early days.  C. S. Hawkins was a cooper by trade and for many years owned a general merchandise store at Kelloggsville.  He served during the Civil War and died in 1920.  His wife lives at Kingsville and is 78 years of age.  Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins had four children as follows:  May, married W. E. Peck, and they have two children, Roland and Marion; C. E., the subject of this sketch; and Leva R. born in 1871, married M. Griggs, and they have two children, Homer and Howard.
     C. E. Hawkins received his education in the public schools of Kelloggsville, where he spent his boyhood.  He learned his trade as a watchmaker at LaPorte, Inc., and engaged in the jewelry business in 1883 at Kingsville.
     In 1911 Mr. Hawkins was married to Miss Calista R. Richmond, of Kingsville, and the daughter of G. D. and Florence Richmond.  Mr. Richmond was a prominent business man of Kingsville for many years and died in 1920.  His wife lives at Jamestown, N. Y.  To Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins has been born one child, Laura Florence, born in 1920.
     Mr. Hawkins is a Republican and served as township clerk for 16 years..
(See Note 2 below for Source)

ERIK E. HELANDER is a veteran of the World War and an enterprising and well known druggist of Ashtabula.  He was born in that city, May 5, 1893, and is the son of `Oscar M. and Ellida Helander.
     Oscar M. Helander was a native of Finland, born in 1862.  In 1890 he came to this country and located at Ashtabula Harbor, where he was employed on the docks.  He later sent for his wife in Finland.  Mr. Helander was killed in an accident while at work in 1907.  His wife lives with her son, Erik E., the subject of this sketch.  Mr. and Mrs. HElander had six children, four of whom died in infancy.  The remaining two are John N., married Justine Tanttari, lives at Conneaut; and Erik E., our subject.
     Erik E. Helander attended the public schools of Ashtabula Harbor and was graduated from Ohio University in 1915.  In 1920 he purchased the drug business of C. F. Schaffner at the Harbor, and since that time had been in partnership with Tom Knox.  In May, 1923, they opened their second place of business at 41 Lake Street, and they now own and operate two stores in Ashtabula.
     During the World War, Mr. Helander volunteered for service and was sent to Stamford, Conn., where he remained seven months, in the Chemical Warfare Service.  He was discharged in Jan. 1919, and immediately returned to Ashtabula.
     Mr. Helander is a Republican, a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church of Ashtabula Harbor, and belongs to the Masonic lodge.  He is a capable young business man, whose success in life is practically assured.
(See Note 2 below for Source)

GEORGE HENRY, a prominent and well-known engineer on the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, Conneaut, Ohio, was born in the city of New York, May 19, 1855, son of Peter and Agnes (Crozier) Henry.
     Peter Henry was born in Roxburyshire, Scotland, September 12,1826, and December 28, 1850, married Agnes Crozier, of the parish of Sprouston, Scotland, the date of her birth being March 16, 1828. March 3,1851, they sailed from Glasgow; were shipwrecked in the English Channel, and after some delay, but without any serious loss, the voyage was continued, and April 16, 1851, they landed at New York city, their destination. Mr. Henry had learned the trade of stone-cutter in the old country, and after his arrival in New York continued work at that trade. He bought a farm in Erie county, New York, and, while he worked at his trade, superintended its cultivation. The mother and a sister still reside on the old home place in Erie county. Mr. Henry served as Assessor for twelve successive years, and was also for some time Supervisor of his county. He was perhaps as well known as any man in that part of the State. He was one of the finest mathematicians in western New York. His educational advantages were poor, but he was one of the most indefatigable students. He was well read in general literature, was a fine reasoner and an impressive conversationalist. He died of cancer of the stomach, October 18, 1890. Both he and his wife were reared in the Presbyterian Church. Following are the names of their nine children: James, who married Miss Harriet E. Holt, died March 24, 1885, aged thirty-two years; George; William, who died at the age of six years; Frank, who died at the age of five; Agnes, wife of Levi McCullor, resides at Evans, Erie county, New York; John, a resident of Angola, Erie county, New York, married Nellie Clark; Susan, wife of F. L. Culbertson, Conneaut, Ohio, has one child, Mildred; Isabel, wife of J. J. Brown, lives at West Spring Creek, Pennsylvania; and Maggie, who resides with her mother.
George Henry received his education in the Angola Academy, of which institution he is a graduate. He worked on the farm and also learned the trade of stone-cutter. On account of ill health he quit work at his trade, and in 1878 secured a position on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad as fireman, continuing as such four years.
He began work on the Nickel Plate June 15, 1882, and has been on that road ever since, serving as engineer. He has never been in a wreck of any kind, but has made some very narrow escapes.
     He was married January 1, 1878, to Miss Ada Elsie Parker, daughter of John K. and Mary (Smith) Parker, of Evans, Erie county, New York, of which State she is a native. Her father, born March 19, 1824, is still living. Her mother is deceased. The seven children composing the Parker family are as follows: Anson S., Brant, Erie county, New York; Elizabeth, wife of George Fuller, Collinwood, Ohio; John H., Grand Rapids, Michigan; Charlotte Jane, wife of A. S. Farrand, Cleveland; Samuel A., North Collins, New York; Sarah Ann, wife of E. S. Webster, Brant, Erie county, New York; and Mrs. Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Henry have had two children, Mary Agnes and Lulu Belle. The latter died in infancy.
     Mr. Henry is a full-fledged Mason, being a member of the blue lodge, chapter, council and Cache Commandery, all of Conneaut. He is also a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, in which he is First Engineer; and of the Protected Home Circle. In politics he is an ardent Republican.
(For Source, see Note 1 Below)

E. A. HIESTON is a World War veteran and a well known and substantial citizen of Lenox Township.  He was born in VanWert, Ohio, Aug. 17, 1888, and is a son of William E. and Rachel (Bell) Hieston.
     William E. Hieston and his wife, who are residents of Van Wert, are the parents of the following children:  E. A., the subject of this sketch; Albert L.; Ida, married Orley Paliney, lives at Hillsdale, Mich.; Ada, married William Keist lives at Scott, Ohio; and May, married Harry 'V. Hunter, lives at Jackson, Mich.
     E. A. Hieston received his education in the schools of VanWert and came to Ashtabula County in 1914.  He conducts a metal shop at Ray's Corners, in Lenox Township, and is a roofing contractor.  He also does other repair work and is widely known throughout the community.  During the World War Mr. Hieston enlisted and was stationed at Camp Taylor and later at Camp Knox.
     On Dec. 16, 1921, Mr. Hieston was united in marriage with Miss Arminta Hayford, a native of Lenox Township, born May 20, 1902, and a daughter of C. R. and Sarah (Wallace) Hayford, early settlers of Ashtabula County.  Mrs. Hieston has a sister, Ethel, who married Carl Mead, and resides at Cherry Valley, Ohio.
     Mr. Hieston is a Republican, a member of the Baptist Church, and belongs to the Independent Order or Odd Fellows and the Red Man.

EDGAR L, HILLS.—Ohio is peculiarly fortunate in her public officers, who are universally men of worth and ability. Conspicuous among these is the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch.
     Edgar L. Hills, the efficient and popular Recorder of Ashtabula county, worthy citizen and successful business man, was born in Albion, Erie county, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1852, and is a son of Humphrey A. Hills, a widely known and highly respected resident of that State. Humphrey Hills was born in Goshen, Connecticut, August 10, 1811, and was married at Cranesville, Pennsylvania, September 11. 1834, to Antha, daughter of Georde and Eunice (Green) Reed, by whom he had nine children: Charles W., Marcus A., Alice P., Henry H., Mary A., W. Scott, Lucy E., Humphrey A. and Edgar L. Of these all are living except Alice. His second marriage occurred at Albion, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1853, when he wedded  Louise Adelia, daughter of Hiram and Susan (Powers) Williams, by whom he had four children: Willis P., James L., Victor F. and Jessie May. Four of the sons responded to their country's call and took arms in the great civil conflict. The four were Charles, Marcus, Henry and Scott. Charles was Captain of the Seventh Iowa Infantry, and afterward in command of Company B, One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Infantry; Marcus was First Lieutenant of the Third Iowa Infantry; Henry served in the First Colorado Regiment; Scott served in the Navy, on the United States man-of-war  "New Ironsides."   In early years Mr. Hills secured various official preferments in Erie county, Pennsylvania, having served as Constable, Justice of the Peace, School Director, and in 1847 County Commissioner. In 1850 he was Surveyor in charge of the work of establishing the county line between Erie and Crawford counties. Later on he was the incumbent as United States Marshal for his district, and in 1852 and 1853 was a member of the House of Representatives in the State Legislature. He died March 14,1887, at Springfield, Pennsylvania.
     Edgar L. Hills, concerning whose life this sketch has mainly to do, was reared in his native county, receiving a common-school education. He then took a position in a dry goods establishment at Springfield, Pennsylvania, and after a time took a course in the Spencerian Business College at Cleveland, Ohio. Upon the completion of his studies in this institution he entered a dry-goods establishment at Cleveland, as salesman, retaining the position for about three years. He then returned to the Keystone State, where he clerked for four years longer. He was then married, and shortly afterward removed to Conneaut, Ohio, where he entered the mercantile Held upon his own responsibility, continuing in business until his election, in 1886, to his present office as Recorder of Ashtabula county. In December, 1886, lie removed to Jefferson, the county seat, where he has since resided. He has twice been elected as his own successor,— at the expiration of his term, in 1889, and again in 1892, his election for the third term being the first instance of the kind in many years, and serving to show the high regard in which he is held, both as an officer and a man.
     Mr. Hills was united in marriage June 28, 1877, to Miss S. Louise Doty, an estimable lady of Springfield, Pennsylvania, who was born in Eagleville, Ashtabula county, Ohio, June 28, 1855, and they have two daughters, Maude L., who was born at Conneaut, Ohio, February 19, 1879, and Margaret, who was born at Jefferson, Ohio, December 24,1887.
     Politically, Mr. Hills sympathizes with the Republican party, and socially, is a member of Columbian Lodge, No. 491, Knights of Pythias, at Jefferson, and the Royal Arcanum, at Conneaut, while, as a citizen and business man, he enjoys preeminence in his community.
(For Source, see Note 1 below)

ARTHUR V. HILLYER, manager and director of the North Eastern Finance Company, is a leading and influential citizen of Ashtabula and Ashtabula County.  He was born at Eaton, Wis., Sept. 9, 1869, and is the son of Riley and Angle C. (Case) Hillyer.
     Riley Hillyer was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, June 9, 1845.  He came to Ashtabula in 1870 and was a prominent citizen of his time.  Mr. Hillyer served with the Trumbull Guards during the Civil War.  He died Feb. 3, 1909.  His wife, Angle C. Case, was born in Mecca, in Ashtabula County, June 7, 1847, the daughter of Asa and Nancy (Smith) Case.  The latter born in Connecticut, Dec. 16, 1821, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Smith, of old New England stock.  At the age of 11 years, Nancy (Smith) Case went to New York with her parents and located at Genoa, three years later removing to Ohio.  On April 8, 1846, she was married to Asa L. Case, and to this union three children were born, as follows:  Angle C., the mother of the subject of this sketch; Myrtie E., died in 1882; and Edith, died Dec. 28, 1907.
     To Riley and Angle C. (Case) Hillyer two children were born:  Arthur V., the subject of this sketch; and Mabel C., born Jan. 12, 1885, unmarried and she is supervisor of drawing at Salem High School, Salem, Mass.  Mrs. Hillyer lives in Salem, Mass.
     Arthur V. Hillyer was educated in the public schools of Ashtabula and began life as a clerk in a local store.  He later entered the employ of the New York Central Railroad and was an engineer with that road for 22 years.  After being injured in an accident on March 23, 1907, Mr. Hillyer resigned his position with the railroad and became clerk to the county commissioner, which office he held for six years.  He was elected county treasurer of Ashtabula County in 1914 and was in office four years.  In 1919 Mr. Hilyer helped organize the North Eastern Finance Company, of which he is manager and director.  The business is located on Spring Street and is among the dependable financial institutions of the county.
     Mr. Hillyer was married to Miss Charlotte E. Bacchus, a native of New York.  To this union four children have been born, as follows:  Gertrude, born Oct. 12, 1890, married on Sept. 14, 1914, to Carl Crozier; William R., born July 4, 1893, married on March 10, 1916, to Mildred Fortune; Lowes, born May 21, 1901, married on June 22, 1921, to James Peck; and Feedus, born June 10, 1903, lives at home.
     Mr. Hillyer and his family hold membership in the Prospect Street Presbyterian Church and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.  Mr. Hillyer and his family are substantial citizens of their community and have many friends and acquaintances.
(See Note 2 below for Source)

MISS FRANCES E. HOLDEN is a member of one of the prominent pioneer families of Ashtabula County.  She was born at North Kingsville, July 12, 1862, and is the daughter of Ira and Sarah J. (Phelps) Holden.
     Ira Holden was a native of North Kingsville and a leading citizen of that section during his life.  He was a building contractor and died in July, 1913.  Mr. Holden was a well known musician and was a member of the choir of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ashtabula, where his father had served as choir leader.  In 1861 Mr. Holden was married to Sara J. Phelps, also a native of North Kingsville, born April 30, 1839.  She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis B. Phelps.  Her father was the son of D. C. Phelps who settled at North Kingsville in 1811.  After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Holden lived on the old Phelps farm where they spent the remainder of their lives.  Mrs. Holden died in May, 1922, and is buried in East Lake Cemetery.  To Mr. and Mrs. Holden one child was born, Frances E., the subject of this sketch.
     Miss Frances E. Holden has spent her entire life at the ancestral home.  After attending the schools there she spent her entire life at the ancestral home.  After attending the schools there she was graduated with her mother in the Chatauqua Reading Course in 1889, and afterward graduated in physical culture and graduated at the Scorer School of Elocution and Oratory in Cleveland and was a student of music.
     Miss Holden is a member of the Presbyterian Church of North Kingsville and has served as Sunday School superintendent for a number of years.  She has always taken an active interest in club work and both she and her mother were members of the Orion Chapter No. 12, Order of Eastern Star, Kingsville.  Miss Holden is esteemed throughout the community as a woman of high ideals.
(See Note 2 below for Source)

W. P. HORTON, an aged and highly respected citizen of Conneaut, Ohio, is a dealer in groceries, provisions, furnishing goods, notions, etc., corner of State street and Bartlett avenue.
     W. P. Horton was born in Alexander, Genesee county, New York, October 15, 1814, son of Solomon and Philena (Peters) Horton, the father a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and the mother of Vermont. His parents were married in Vermont and their oldest son was born in that state. In 1813 they moved to the Holland Purchase, and in the woods of Genesee county, by dint of hard work and good management, the father developed a nice farm. In 1831 he moved to Alden, Erie county, New York, where he improved another farm. The same year he settled in Alden he and his wife and four of their children united with the Free­will Baptist Church. His wife died at the age of fifty-five years, five months and five days. She was a most devout, earnest Chris­tian woman, whom to know was to love. Her great concern in life was to see all her chil­dren converted and have a working place in the church. This precious boon was granted her, she being permitted to live until they were all zealous Christian workers. After the death of his first wife Mr. Solomon Hor-ton married a widow who had grown children living in Wisconsiu. They moved to that State, and there he died at the age of about seventy-seven years. For many years he was a Deacon in the church. His nine children were as follows: Rev. H. W., who was a minister in the Baptist Church for over forty years, and who was, like his father, a great Abolitionist, passed to his reward some years ao-o; William P., whose name heads this article; Sallie, who married a Mr. Dow, died in Illinois; Cynthia, who is married and liv­ing in Lansing, Michigan; Orsemus, who has been a Deacon in the Baptist Church at Grand Rapids, Michigan, for more than forty years; Orville, a farmer of Union, Pennsyl­vania; Amanda, wife of Josiah Kilburn, died near Grand Rapids, Michigan; Almira, widow of Dr. Ingals, resides in Illinois; and Alonzo, a resident of Michigan. In this large family all reached mature years, and the oldest was over sixty before there was a death in the family.
W. P. Horton was reared on his father's farm and assisted in developing it. He also cleared a farm of his own, and after his mar­riage settled thereon. He was married in Darien, Genesee county, New York, October 2, 1836, to Dennis Almira Carter, who was born in New York, August 21, 1810, daugh­ter of Seth and Almira Carter. Her parents were born and married in Connecticut, and were pioneers of the Holland purchase. Of the Carter family we make record as follows: Mrs. Horton was the fourth born in a family of two sons and four daughters. Two of the latter, Mary Ann and Caroline, are married and living in Kentucky, and the youugest daughter, also married, has her home some place in the west. Samuel lives in the north­ern part of Michigan. William died at Union, Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1890. The father's death occurred in 1851, at the home of Mr. Horton, in Conneaut, Mrs. Carter hav­ing passed away some years before in Erie county, Pennsylvania; both are buried in the East Conneaut Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Horton had three children, Caroline S., Miles L. and Burrel W., only one of whom, Miles L., is living. Caroline S. became the wife of B. F. Thompson, by whom she had two children, Lida and Alice. Her death occurred December 1, 1881. Mr. Thompson is a farmer and resides in East Conneaut. Mr. Horton's first wife died April 6, 1859. December 31, 1859, he married a widow, Mrs. Mary C. (Knox) Folsom. Mr. Folsom, her deceased husband, had two children by a former marriage, one of whom is the wife of Miles L. Horton, above referred to. Of Mrs. Mary C. Horton's family be it recorded that her parents, Hugh and Martha Knox, had eight children, viz.: Anna, wife of Pyatt Williamson, is deceased, as also is her hus­band; John, who married Catherine Bow, died February 18, 1861, at the age of fifty-five years; James, who died April 24, 1842, at the age of thirty-three years; William, who died June 8,1873, aged sixty-one years; Mary C, born October 10, 1815; Thomas S., residing near Warren, Ohio; Jane G. Scott, also living near Warren, Ohio; and Robert, who died March 14, 1842, aged twenty-two years: Mary C. Horton died May 30, 1893, leaving the subject of our notice a widower again in his old age.
Mr. W. P. Horton removed from New York to Union county, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1843, and there developed another farm, on which he remained until he came to East Conneaut, May 5, 1855. About this time he began selling medicines, traveling in the interest of Dr. John S. Carter, of Erie, mak­ing his home in East Conneaut, his son hav­ing charge of the farm. Following his experience on the road, he was sick seven years, with white swelling, and not able to get out or in. He is still afflicted, although he is able to get around, chiefly, however, in his chair. In December, 1883, Mr. Horton moved to West Conneaut and opened a store at his present location, where be has con­tinued to do a successful business.
Mr. Horton, at the age of eleven years, was baptized, and, with his father and mother, united with the first Free-will Baptist Church ever organized on the Holland Purchase, so called, the church being located at Bethany, New York.
For over sixty-seven years Mr. Horton has bean a member of the Free-will Baptist Church, and for more than thirty years of that time has acted as chorister in the church. He also served as Church Trustee. Mrs. Hor­ton is a Methodist. Mr. Horton and his son, Miles L., both affiliate with the Republican party.
(For Source, see Note 1 below)

A. O. HOSKINS, dealer in general merchandise at Conneaut, was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in May, 1850. His parents, W. L. and N. A. (Trimmer) Hoskins, were natives of Vermont and New York respectively. W. L. Hoskins was a tanner by trade and carried on the tanning business at Pierpont for many years. He came to this county with his parents at an early day when the place where Conneaut now stands was covered with dense forest. He held township offices from the time he was a voter until he died. He was Town Clerk for perhaps more than twenty years, and for a number of years was Postmaster, his wife taking the office at the time of his death and serving the rest of the term. In church work he was also prominent, being a member of the Baptist Church and an officer in the same for many years. Politically, he was a Republican.  To know him was to respect and esteem him. Indeed, few men in the county had more friends than he, and his untimely death in 1872, at the age of forty-nine years, was a shock and a bereavement to all. He was found dead in one of the vats in his tannery. The cause and particulars of his death were never known. He had been complaining of dizziness during the morning and it is supposed he in some way lost his balance or tripped. His widow, born January 29, 1829, is still living, well preserved in body and mind. She, too, has been a mem­ber of the Baptist Church for many years. This worthy couple had a family of six children, A. O. being the oldest. Frank L., a merchant of Edinborough, Pennsylvania, married Miss Louise Thompson, of that city. Marion Adel, wife of A. S. Venen, and a resident of Oregon, has five children; Linn died at the age of live years; R. T., a partner in the store of A. O. Hoskins & Co., married Lizzie Griffin and has one child, Benjamin Harrison; Nina J., the youngest, has been an efficient clerk in the store for some time.
     A. O. Hoskins has been in the mercantile business for a number of years. At the age of fifteen he went behind the counter as clerk for T. S. Winship, of Pierpont, and remained in his service for five years. Then he clerked for S. J. Smith, of Conneaut, five years, at the end of which time he became a partner in the business, under the firm name of Smith & Hoskins, at Pierpont. Two years later Mr. Smith sold out to Mr. Hoskins, who continued the business under his own name seven years. Then, .disposing of the store at Pierpont, he established himself in business at Conneaut under the firm name of A. O. Hoskins & Co., Mr. Smith representing the silent interest for one year. Then Mr. Hoskins bought out Mr. Smith's interest and took in his (Hoskins) brother as partner. The firm carry a full stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, crockery, etc., and are doing a successful business. Mr. Hoskins has served as Councilman of the city two terms.
     He was married May 31, 1872, to Miss Emma Bartlett, daughter of N. W. Bartlett. She died in July, 1885, at the age of thirty-one years, leaving an only child, Lois Pearl. Mrs. Hoskins was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Hoskins affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Republican.
(For Source, see Note 1 below)

NOTES:

Note 1:  
Source 1 - Biographical History of Northeastern, Ohio Embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake.
Containing Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States with a Biography of each, together with Portraits and Biographies of Joshua R. Giddings, Benjamin F. Wade and a large number of Early Settlers and Representative Families of today.
Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company - 1893.
Note 2:
Source 2 - History of Ashtabula County, Ohio by Mrs. Moina W. Large - 1924
NOTE:  There will be an asterisk (*) next to the biographies that have a portrait.

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