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NELLIS
FAMILY HISTORY 1708 to 1896.
Also Short Sketches of the
Klock, Warner, Hall, Fassett,
and Gray Families.
CLEVELAND, OHIO, October 15th, 1896.
P R E F A C E ,
-o-o-
Being asked recently if any of the Nellis family
were in the War of the Revolution, I could not answer the
question, neither coulc I tell the name of my great-grand
father. This set me to thinking that it was tile some rec
ord was made whereby future generations might know something
of the lives of their forebears.
Not making any pretention to literary merit, I
trust that all defects as to style may be overlooked. The
facts and dates, however, as herein set forth, can be relied
upon. I wish to £ive credit to D. C. Nellis, of Topeka,
Kansas, for most of the information relative to Christian,
William and Johannes Nellis, and their early settlement with
the Palatines on the Mohawk; also to George H. Fassett, of
Ashtabula, Ohio, for many of the records of the J. I. D. Nel
lis and Klock families.
Cleveland, 0., Oct. 15, 1896. A. tf. Nellis.
• > ' • ' . : •
f « : :-••*.
r, • -*'•'/ '~fity'-r':''lSvKt*i^Jt?i££SS*x'-..
" • - fr • r ??:• i t .;- v". .7^sS^rt- - •
v j ' i 5 • " •- ."•'>-'y!.v.'••->••-• ->•'.' '<*
s • y-i j l i
ptpt*.
J O H N D. NELLIS.
I?"-' *•"'» ' i •.*'-< iT^.'^jfr .,] r- . • -• - . "> -' - TJ ' 1-i , • . ;•_• - . • • . / . - - - , . - • • ; - . . • / '
J . I. D. NELLIS.
REUBIN N E L L I S .
A L F R E D WARNER N E L L I S . RALPH H. NELL IS .
;j=r^n
I N D E X T O
N E L L I S F A M I L Y .
- o - o -
A u n t s of A. IV., H. G. and. J . R. N . , .
C h e s t n u t Grove Cemetery Lot
C O U G I D S of A. tf., H. C. and J. P.. N.,
For^l-'cers of Nellis Family,
Alfred V7 Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
N e 11 i r.
N e 11 i s
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Me 11.1 &
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
o
59
7
3
69
Albert E. , . 130
Barnhart, » 130
Catharine P.iohcond, 135
Celeste, . . 154
C h r i s t i a n , 17
C y r u s , 128
David 1 s t , 18
D a v i d 2nd, 127
DeVTitt C , - 155
E l i z a b e t h K l o c k , 149
E l i z a b e t h h 'oo t , 133
F l o r a , 101
G e o r g e , son of Dav id , . . . . • • 128
G e o r g e , . . . .
G r a d e , . . . .
H e n r y ,
Homer- C , . . . .
Johannes, . . . .
John D., . . . .
John I. D., . . .
John G., . . . .
John P.. , . . . .
-Klock Patent, . .
Libbie Gray, . .
Mary Louise Hall,
15
143
111
19
109
19
27
35
121
125
16
110
79
(over)
INDEX, Continued.
Nellis, Mary Fassett, , . . . .
Nellis, Louisa Fish,
Nellis, Mary Anderson, ,
Nellis, Mary Fr.oom,
Neflis, Nancy V/a-rner, . . .
Nellis, Peter, •
Nellis, Ralph H.,
Nellis, Reuben, . . , .
Nell 1s, Sally .A. Earner
Nellis, William, li
Palatine Stone Church, .
The Palatines, . . .
Stone Arabia Church,
Uncles of A. 'Ar. , H. G. and J. 3. N.,
13S
143
128
142
130
146
95
43
63
19
18
9
15
5,
-o-o-o-o-
I N D E X
Jkeok , KLOCK, WARNER, HALL, FASSETT AND GRAY FAMILIES.
-o-o-
A x t e 11, E T e 11 a e V' a r n e r, t # __ 171
A x t e 11, I ir. r i , t ni
A x t e l l , Laura, p # ^75
Ax tell, Mary Hyles, 171
By Ins, Axtell I., # # 271
Hyles, Earn a A. , § g # , # t _ # j_73_
Eyles, Florence!,., < t t _ t ^ ( ^ 7 ^
Fyles, Julius, \1\
Chamberlain, Eli, 160
Chamberlain, Cemantha, 161
Fassett, Arthur, 223
Fassett, Adele, 223
Fassett, Eerthle E., 215
Fassett, Clara, 215
Fassett, Clara, . 223
Fassett, Cornelia A., 220
Fassett, Far], 215
Fassett, Elizabeth Grahar., 218
Fassett, Emma Jane Johnson, 215
Fassett, Flora Hodge, 223
Fassett, Frank, • . • • • • • • • 215
Fassett, Frederick, 215
Fassett, George, 139
Fassett, George, Jr., 139
Far-sett, Grace, 215
Fassett, HerriettE., 139
Fassett, Harriett I.!., 2 1 5
F a s s e t t , Harry J., 2 1 5
Fassett, Hat tie- Haskell, 139
Fassett, Henry, Sr., 2A1 138
{over)
INDEX, Continued
Fassett
Fassett
Fassett
Fasse tt
Fassett
Fassett
Fassett
Fasse 11
Fasse tt
Fas sett
Fassett
Fassett
? a s s e 11
F a s s e t t
F a s s e t t
F a s s e t t
F a s s e t t
F a s s e t t
Fasse11
Fassett
Fassett
Henry, Jr., .
Henry, 3r. ,
Ida, . . .
James A. , . .
John, . . . .
John Glen,
John Smith, .
Luoinda Dart,
Mary N.,
Mary Nellis,
Marietta Hall,
Montague, . .
133
177
^dT*7*? T « © V V V
Neal P., . . .
Raphael, . . .
Samuel, . . . .
Samuel Montague,
Samuel M., . .
Silas S., . . .
Violet, . . . .
William, . . .
139
215
139
215
138
139
218
214
139
217
219
323
139
139
223
139
211
220
213
223
216
Gray, Alice Murray,
Gray, H. C , . . . .
Gray, Kate Nellis, .
Gray, Libbie Nellirr,
Gray, Wm. C., . . .
107
223
227
223
223
223
Hall, Edward,
Hall, Frederick L , , . . . .
Hall, George,
Hall, George, son ofLeander,
. . 176
. . 173
177 199
. . 175
• — 1 B
INDEX, C o n t i n u e d .
H a r r i e t t M a r s h a l l , .
J e r u s h a ,
Jo serin Dean,
J o s e p h L . ,
J u l i a R o g e r s , . . .
L e a n d e r , S r . , . . .
L e a n d e r , J r . , . . .
Lucy, . .
Lyman,
M a r i e t t a F a s s e t t ,
Mary L o u i s e - N e l l i s ,
M a r i e t t a P a l m e r , . .
WE. Cone ,
Hutchinson, Charles, . . .
Hutchinson, Elizabeth Moot,
Ha
Ha
11,
11,
fi all,
Ha
Ha
Ha
Ha
Ha
Ha
Ha
Ha
Ha
Ha
11,
11,
11.
11,
11,
11,
11,
11,
11,
11,
177
.67
187
175
173
175
175
176
176
176
177
219
179
183
175
134
134
Klock, Elizabeth Nellis, ' 149
Klock, George,
Klock, George £. ,
Klock, Henry, •
Klock, Jacob, "Colonel"
152
149
150
149
151
Marshall, Hattie, . . . .
Marshall, Henry T., . . .
Marshall, Louise, . . . .
Moot, Malancthon, . . . .
Moot, Hell- Rasback, . . .
Moot, Daniel, Sr. , . . v. .
Moot, Daniel, Jr. , . . . •
Moot, Elizabeth Hutchinson,
Moot, Theodore,
Palmer, Marietta Hall,
Palmer, M. R., Dr.,
187
187
187
134
135
133
134
134
135
183
183
Rasback, Maud, . . •
Rasback, Bell Moot, . . . .
Rasback, Clarence, . . . .
Richmond, Georgia- Maynard,
Richmond, Mary- Stroup, . .
Richmond, Parley, . . . .
INDEX, Continued.
W a r m y t/uryi'1% Earner, Alfred, Sr,
'Tamer
Warner
Warner
Warner
Earner
Warner
Warner
Earner
Earner
Earner
Warner
Warner
Warner
Warner
Warner
Warner
Warner
Warner
Warner
I 1
Alfred, . J r . ,
A r t h u r ,
C a s s i u s ,
E l b r i d g e , 0 . , 140
S l i . j ah ,
Smeline Axtell,
Eugene, .
Georgie, . .
Isadore,
Jerusha,
Josephine,
Lucy Ann Cunningham,
Nathan, Sr.,
Nathan, Jr.,
Oliver, " . . . . .
Otis,
Randolph,
S a l l y Almira N e l l i s ,
S tephen , C ,
Worfolk , C a r l , .
Worfolk , Sdirard,
Worfolk, Het t i e F a s s e t t ,
Worfolk, More l l ,
lUtK.yyi£y Sc<.ya.K ( S a i f j / o * * K )
-o-o-o-o-
135
135
135
136
135
136
1 Sff-A
162
162
141
140
169
160
171
141 •
170
140
160
14 2
168
15 9-/^
165
161
131
170
61
169
218
218
213
2 IS
I N D E X T O
I L L D S T R A T I O N S
Axtell, Erceline, Mrs.,
Davt, Clara, Miss, . .
Far. sett, Henry, . . .
Farsett, Lu c i nda, Mrs.,
Fassett, S i 1 ». n , . . .
G r a v , H . 0 . ,
Hall, George, . . . .
Hall, George, . . . .
Hall, G o o r g e, . . . .
Hall, George, . . . .
Hall, Marietta Fassett.
Marshall, Hattie*Hall,
Marshal], Hattie Hall,
Marshall, H. I,, . . .
Residence . . . . 193
• • • . '. . . . . 77
Residence . . . . 104
. . . . . . . . 77 193
Residence 77 104 192
• 225
1 94 Cottage . ,
Monument . . . .
Residence . . 103
N P 3 ] i r
Nellis,
No!lis
%'eJ ? * s
V "i 1 '• **
:.>3.ifF,
N 9 1 1 1 F.
N a l i i s
N 9 1 1 i s
"V P 1 1 - <!
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
Nellis
' • • ' • ' ' ;
C e l e s t e ,
311 facet h Klock, . .
Residence . . . .
Family Tree . . .
Family Monument .
- j n
195
20 3
210
203
197
185
191 Residence . . .
Design for Window 189
66
73
73
157
154
148
107
1
50
99
114
106
il7
25
33
123
119
(over)
• t
^
INDEX OF ILLUSTRATIONS, C o n t i n u e d . .
- o -
Nellis, Mary Louise Hall, 67 179
Nellis, Ralph H., ; . 94.
Nellis, Ralph i Flora, 31
Nellis, Reuben, 41
Nellis, Reuben, Residence 49
Nellis, Sally Aimira Warner, . 61
Palmer, Marietta Hall, 182
Palatine Stone Church, 23
"Warner, Alfred, 153
Warner, Sally Cook, 156
-0-0-0-0
NELLIS FAMILY TREE, I708TO|896.
Summary of t h e F o r e b e a r s of
FalDh B a l l N e l l i s and F l o r a N e l l i s .
- o - o -
Christian Nellis
David Nellis,
John D. Nellis,
B o r n No E e c o r d , D i e d a b o u t 1 7 8 0
B o r n D e c . 2 5 . 1 7 2 9 D i e d D e c . 2 9 , 1 8 1 8
B e r n D e c . 1 0 , 1 7 5 5 D i e d M a r . 1 , 1 8 4 9
j o h n I . D . N e l l i s B o r n F e b . 2 4 , 1 7 8 3 D i e d D e c . 3 , 1 8 4 9
5 R e u b e n N e l l i s , B o r n M a r . 5 0 , 1 8 0 8 D i e d J u n . ? . 4 , 1 8 5 6
6 A l f r e d W. N e l l i s B o r n N o v . 2 . 1 8 4 1
7 R a l p h H a l l N e l l i s B o r n J u n e 3 , 1 8 7 5
7 F l o r a N e l l i s , B o r n J u l . 2 3 , 1 8 7 8
F o r e b e a r s C f
John Gray N e l l i s and G r a d e N e l l i s .
1 C h r i s t i a n N e l l i s
? D a v i d N e l l i s ,
3 J o h n D . N e l l i s ,
- o - o -
E o r n No R e c o r d D i e d a b o u t 1 7 8 0
B o r n D e c . 2 5 , 1 7 2 9 D i e d D e c . 2 9 , 1 8 1 8
B o r n D e c . 1 0 , 1 7 5 5 D i e d M e n . 1 , 1 8 4 9
4 J o h n I . D * N e l l i s B e r n F e b . 2 4 , 1 7 8 3 D i e d D e c . 3 , 1 8 4 9
5 R e u b e n N e l l i s , B o r n M e n . 3 0 , 1 8 0 3 D i e d J u n . 2 4 , 1 8 5 6
6 H o m e r C . N e l l i s B o r n A u g . 1 7 , 1 8 4 4
7 G r a d e N e l l i s B o r n J u l . 6 , 1 8 7 3 D i e d D e c . 3 0 , 1 8 7 8
7 Job n Gray Nellis Born Sep. 15, 1885 V» e <*- l ? £ ^ ' Z * ' ''***
- c - o - c - o -
U n c l e s a n d A u n t s ,
o f
H i s , B. Hellas and -J. F. Nellis
-c- c-
Axtell, Exeline, April
Axtell, I :. r i ,
Fassett, Mary, Feb.
Fassett, Henry, Sept.
Moot, Elizabeth, Sept.
•(cot, Daniel, March
Nellis, David, May
Nellis, C a r o l i n e , Oct.
Nellis, Sliza,
Nellis, Barn hart, Aug.
Nellis, C l a r i s s a , Aug.
Nellis, John, March
Nellis, Susan, May
Nellis, Peter, S e p t .
Nellis, George, Jan.
Nellis, Louise, July
Richmond, C a t h a r i n e , Oct.
Richmond, Parley, Nov.
TIarner, Stephen, Aug.
Warner, Lucy Ann, Oct.
Warner, Nancy, Feb.
Warner, I l b r i d g e , Dec.
Warner, M r s . S h e a r s ,
Warner, M r s . S h e v e r e l l ,
o r n
13.
1 5
14
26
26
5
22
14
18
21
2
2 9
2 4
1 0
1
9
6
1
26
15
182 7
1822
1817
1812
1804
1806
1809
1810
1817
1 820
18 2 4
182 8
182 6
1840
1817
1814
1816
1820
181 5
1311
Jan.
Jan.
Died
8, 1888
S. 18 5 9
M a r c h 31 , 18 9 0
Aug. 3, 1891
Oct. 6, 1872
M c h . 2 0 t 1848
June 13, 1873
M e n , 21, 1877
Mcb. 25. 1877
7, June
Sect
182 8
4. 1826
Feb. 24, 1655
Aug. 14, 1863
July 25, 1890
Jan. 16, 1892
Mar. 13, 1865
Mar. 11, 1884
A . W . N E L L I S , H
A x t e l l ,
A x t e l l ,
A x t e l l ,
A x t e l l ,
A x t e l l ,
F a s s e t t
F a s s e t t
F a s s e t t
F a s s e t t
M c c t , D
M o o t , M
Vc o t, Li
M o o t , T
M o o t , . B
N e l l i s ,
N e l l i s ,
N e l l i s ,
N e l l i s ,
N e l l i s ,
N e l l i s ,
N e l l i s ,
N e l l i s ,
?. i c h m c n
R i c r si o n
Warner-
W a r n e r
W a r n e r
W a r n e r
W a r n e r
W a r n e r
W a r n e r
W a r n e r
W a r n e r
W a r n e r
M a r y , M r s . Ju
N e y W . ,
R a l p h I .,
EI a a,
L a u r a A . ,
, G e o r g e ,
, S a m u e l ,
, J o h n ,
, H e n r y ,
a n i e 1 E . ,
. N.,
b b i e N . M r s . C
h e • o d o r e,
ell M . , M r s . S
J o s e p h D.,
D a v i d N.,
S a r a h F . ,
M a r y C . , M r s ,
George; L . ,
C y r u s J . ,
A l b e r t E.,
M a r y M . , Vrs .
d , M a r y , M r s . C
d, G e o r g i a , Mr
C a s s i u s ,
E u g e n e ,
J o s e p h i n e , M r s
A r t h u r ,
I s a d o r a ,
. M a j o r i e , M r s .
C h i c ,
1 8 7 0
N . Y
G e o r g i a , 1 s t ,
R a n d o l p h 1 s t ,
G e o r g i a 2 , M r s . C . W i l l a r d ,
R a n d o l p h 2 n d ,
C O D S I N S OF
C N E L L I S AND J . E . N E L L I S .
l i u s B y l e s , T i t u s v i l l e , F a . ,
D i e d O c t . 2 5 , 1 3 7 1
D i e d J a n . 2 7 . 1 8 6 2
Di ed J a n . 1 6 , 1 8 6 2
P a i n e s v i l l e , O h i o ,
A s h t a b u l a , O h i o ,
A s h t a b u l a .
D i e d
A s h t a b u l a , O h i o ,
O n e i d a , N . Y
C l o c k v i l l e ,
. H u t c h i n s o n S y r a c u s e , N . Y . .
C l o c k v i l l e , R . Y . ,
. R a s b a c k , G a n a s t o t a , N . Y . ,
D i e d A p r . 1 4 , 1 8 5 3
D i e d M a r . 1 4 , 1 8 5 4
D i e d J u l y 1 8 , 1 8 3 6
H . A n d e r s o n E l m o r e , O h i o ,
El m e r e , O h i o ,
E l m o r e , O h i o ,
D i e d A u g . 5 0 , 1 8 9 6
A. E . P r o o m C h i c a g o , 1 1 1 . ,
. H . S t r o u p L i t t l e F a l l s , N . Y . ,
s . A . M a y n a r d D t i c a , N . Y • ,
D i e d A u g . 1 4 , 1 8 4 4
D n i c n v i l l e , O h i o ,
. W . C l e v e l a n d D i e d F e b . 2 6 , 1 8 7 0
U n i o n v i l l e , O h i o ,
D i e d J a n . 2 1 , 1 8 6 2
R c a t , G e n e v a , O h i o ,
D i e d J a n . 2 5 , 1 8 4 9
D i e d J a n . 1 1 , 1 8 4 9
D i e d F e b . 1 6 , 1 8 7 7 C o l u m b u s , O h i o .
A F A M I L Y B I S T 0 R Y
THE? PALATINATE.
The German P a l a t i n a t e i s s i t u a t e d i n S o u t h
W e s t e r n G e r m a n y , w i t h t h e R h i n e f o r i t s e a s t e r n b o u n
d a r y and A l a s o e and L o r r a i n e e m b r a c i n g i t on t h e w e s t
and s o u t h . I t s p r i n c i p a l t o w n s a r e S p e y e r , Z w e i -
b r u c k e n and L a n d a u . The War of t h e " S p a n i s h S u c c e s
s i o n " a i d e d by t h e T r i p l e A l l i a n c e " of E n g l a n d , H o l
l a n d and Germany a g a i n s t F r a n c e i n 1 7 0 2 , o c c a s i o n e d
t h e i n v a s i o n cf G e r a a n y by F r e n c h t r o o p s t h r o u g h t h e
P a l a t i n a t e t c t h e R h i n e b e y o n d .
The v i c t o r i e s of O u d e n a r d e , B a m i l l i e s and
B l e n h e i m d r c v e t h e F r e n c h f rom t h e D a n u b e a c r o s s t h e
R h i n e , t h r o u g h t h e P a l a t i n a t e i n t o A l a s c e and L o r -
• r a i n e . But t h e o f t e n t r a m p i n g of s o l d i e r f e e t , b o t h
F r e n c h and t h e c o n - h i r e d a l l i e s , b e c a m e v e r y w e a r i s o m e
t o t h e P a l a t i n e s , wbc c o n c l u d e d t h a t t h e i r l o c a t i o n
g a v e them a l t o g e t h e r t o o much p r o m i n e n c e on t h e c h e c k - ]
e r b o a r d of E u r o p e a n r o y a l t y , f o r w h i l e t h o s e who w e r e
" d r e s s e d in p u r p l e end f i n e l i n e n " m i g h t be e n j o y i n g
t h e g a m e , t h e s e w e r e h a v i n g t h e l i f e b l o o d t r a m p l e d
o u t .
10
THE: P A L A T I N E S .
Not s e e i n g any i m m e d i a t e , o r e v e n r e m o t e ,
p r o s u e c t of b e i n g r i d of t h e i r b u r d e n c a u s e d by w a r ,
a l a r g e number of t h e P a l a t i n e s i n 1 7 0 9 , who w e r e
s t a u n c h L u t h e r a n s , t h r o u g h t h e i r p a s t o r , J o s h u a K o c h -
e r t h a l , cf Z w e i b r u c k e n , p e t i t i o n e d O u e e n A n n i e , of
E n g l a n d , t h r o u g h t h e B r i t i s h B o a r d of T r a d e , t o a s
s i s t them in t h e i r t r o u b l e s and t o p r o v i d e f o r t h e i r
t r a n s p o r t a t i o n t o A m e r i c a . T h e y p r a y e d h e r R o y a l
H i g h n e s s t o be l o c a t e d i n t h e p r o v i n c e c f New Y o r k .
Oueen A n n i e , n e e d i n g t h e s e r v i c e of f a i t h
f u l o n e s t o p r o v i d e m a t e r i a l s f o r t h e b u i l d i n g cf h e r
n a v a l v e s s e l s , c o n c l u d e d i t w o u l d b e a g o o d p l a n t o
g r a n t t h e i r r e q u e s t and l o c a t e t h e m i n t h e p r o v i n c e
of New York en t h e Mohawk R i v e r and S c h o h a r i e G r e e k ,
w h e r e p l e n t y cf p i n e t r e e s w o u l d f u r n i s h w o r k f o r
them i n mak ing p i t c h and t a r , a s w e l l a s p r e p a r i n g
t i m b e r s f o r t h e s h i p s t h a t w e r e t o b e b u i l t . The P a l
a t i n e s w e r e a s s u r e d of p r o p e r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n and s a f e
l o c a t i o n in t h e p o r t i o n of t h e p r o v i n c e d e s i g n a t e d .
Queen A n n i e c o m m i s s i o n e d C o l . R o b e r t H u n t e r a s G o v e r
no r of New Ycrk end i n s t r u c t e d him t o p r o v i d e f c r t h e
P a l a t i n e s a c c o r d i n g t o t h e p r e m i s e s m a d e t h e m .
i J
THEY EMIGRATE.
O n d e r G o v e r n o r H u n t e r ' s s u p e r v i s i o n , t e n
s h i p s w e r e l o a d e d w i t h 3 , 0 0 0 P a l a t i n e s a t L e i t h f r o m
w h i c h p o r t t h e y s e t s a i l e a r l y i n t h e y e a r 1 7 1 0 , a n d
• seven cf t h e s e a r r i v e d s a f e l y in New Y o r k B a y , a t t h e
i s l a n d now known a s G o v e r n o r ' s I s l a n d , on J u n e 1 5 t h
of s ame y e a r . Many cf t h e P a l a t i n e s d i e d d u r i n g
t h e i r r o u g h p a s s a g e . The n u m b e r cf t h o s e b u r i e d a t
s ea was 4 7 0 .
NELLIS BROTHERS.
Among t h e P a l a t i n e s t h e n l a n d e d i n New Y o r k
w e r e t h r e e b r o t h e r s , W i l l i a m , C h r i s t i a n a n d J o h a n n e s
N e l l i s , a l l m e m b e r s c f t h e L u t h e r a n C h u r c h ; w h o , b e
i n g t h e f i r s t of t h e name t o l a n d i n A m e r i c a , d e s e r v e
t c b e f o l l o w e d i n t h e i r w a n d e r i n g s u n t i l h a p p i l y s e t
t l e d .
T
1 2
THEY LOCATE-.
Governor H u n t e r , i n s t e a d of i m m e d i a t e l y l o - |
e a t i n g t h e P a l a t i n e s on t h e Mohawk and S c h o h a r i e R i v
e r s , a c c o r d i n g to t h e c o n t r a c t made w i t h them, p u r
c h a s e d 5 ,000 a c r e s of wood land from R o b e r t L i v i n g s t o n
on t h e Hudson River w i t h i n t h e p r e s e n t l i m i t s of C o l
umbia and D u t c h e s s C o u n t i e s , The p r i c e p a i d was £400
New York c u r r e n c y , e q u a l t o $ 1 , 0 0 0 . D. S . money. On
t h e s e l a n d s he t e m p o r a r i l y l o c a t e d t h e s e p e o p l e and
c o n t r a c t e d wi th L i v i n g s t o n , in t h e name of t h e Oueen,
t o f u r n i s h food, c l o t h i n g and o t h e r n e c e s s i t i e s , t o
t h e new comers w h i l e t h e y l a b o r e d f o r t h e E n g l i s h
Oueen. But L i v i n g s t o n , l i k e c o n t r a c t o r s t h e wor ld
ove r u s u a l l y do , " l o o k e d c o t " more c l o s e l y f o r " K o . l "
than f o r t h e w e l f a r e or c o m f o r t of t h e P a l a t i n e s , who
c o n s e q u e n t l y f a r ed b u t s l i n l y . A p a r t were l o c a t e d
on t h e e a s t s i d e of t h e Hudson a t a p l a c e t h e n c a l l e d
E a s t Gamp, and a n o t h e r p a r t on t h e w e s t s i d e of t h e
r i v e r , which p l a c e was t h e n , and e v e r s i n c e , c a l l e d
West Camp.
I d
DISCONTENTED.
A f t e r e n d u r i n g t h e i r h a r d s h i p s f o r a l i t t l e
•none t h a n o n e y e a r , o u r G e r m a n s c o n c l u d e d t h e y w o u l d
| l o o k o u t f o r t h e m s e l v e s , a s t h e y w e r e e i t h e r w h o l l y
n e g l e c t e d o r e l s e o p p r e s s e d , by t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
cf t h e E n g l i s h g o v e r n m e n t . A l a r g e n u m b e r of t h e m ,
i n c l u d i n g t h e N e l l i s b r o t h e r s , s t a r t e d o u t l a t e i n t h a|
s u .i: ;r, e r cf 1 7 1 2 and h e w e d a r e a d t h r o u g h t h e f o r e s t s
o v e r t h e O a t s f c i l l M o u n t a i n s t o t h e S c h o h a r i e R i v e r .
They had no h o r s e s o r o t h e r a n i m a l s t o a s
s i s t t hem in t h e i r . j o u r n e y . E a c h man w a s . l o a d e d w i t h
w h a t e v e r i m p l e m e n t s of t o i l o r h o u s e k e e p i n g t h e y w e r e
f o r t u n a t e e n o u g h t o p o s s e s s . E v e r y m a n ' s f r a u w a s
s i m i l a r l y l o a d e d . On r e a c h i n g t h e t o p of a b e a u t i f u l
m o u n t a i n en t h e i r . j o u r n e y , t h e y s t o p p e d t o l o o k and
en . joy t h e p r o s p e c t up and down t h e m i g h t y H u d s o n R i v
e r . The m o u n t a i n a n d p r o s p e c t w e r e s o p l e a s i n g t o
them t h a t t h e y c a l l e d i t H e l l e b e r g , o r t h e S h i n i n g
M o u n t a i n , a name w h i c h h a s s i n c e b e e n c o r r u p t e d t o
" H e l d e r b u r g " .
14
A
SCHOHARIE SETTLEMENT.
These P a l a t i n e s r e a c h e d t h e S c h o h a r i e ' R i v e r
l a t e in t he autumn, and, of c o u r s e , a t c n c e commenced
t o b u i l d t h e m s e l v e s l o g h o u s e s f o r h o m e s . T h e i r p r i n
c i p a l and a l m o s t on ly means of s u b s i s t e n c e was t h e
b o u n t i f u l supp ly of game w i t h s u c h n u t s a s t h e y were
a b l e t o f i n d . One man was f o r t u n a t e enough t o be a b l e
t o p u r c h a s e a peck of whea t a t S c h e n e c t a d y , which he
c a r r i e d on h i s back f o r t y m i l e s t o S c h o h a r i e t h e f a l l
of b i s a r r i v a l , and w i th t h e h e l p cf o t h e r s he hoed
i t in t h e g round be tween t h e s t u m p s cf t r e e s they had
r e c e n t l y c u t down. They had no p l o w s and t h i s was
t h e i r only means of c u l t i v a t i o n . In t h e s p r i n g t h e
p l a n t s came up f i n e l y b u t so f a r a p a r t t h e y were a b l e
t o hoe them l i k e I n d i a n c o r n , w h i c h c a u s e d them t o
grow a l l t h e more r a n k . At h a r v e s t t i m e e v e r y ea r was
g a t h e r e d and from one peck of s e e d was p r o c u r e d e igh ty
p e c k s of g r a i n , enough t o s u p p l y a good many of t h e
p e o p l e with seed t h e f o l l o w i n g y e a r .
15
S E T T L E R S T R O U B L E D .
A f t e r a few y e a r s at S c h o h a r i e S e t t l e m e n t ,
the P a l a t i n e s found new d i f f i c u l t i e s in the fact t h a t
they c c u l d o b t a i n t i t l e tc b u t very l i t t l e of the lend
they had s e t t l e d u p o n . M a n y cf them a g a i n took up
the l i r e cf m a r c h and .ioutnied s o u t h w a r d i n t o the Prov
ince cf P e n n s y l v a n i a . A m o n g them was J o h a n n e s N e l l i s ,
from w h o m s p r u n g t h e N e l l i s e s now found in W e s t e r n
P e n n s y l v a n i a . T h i s b r a n c h of the N e l l i s f a m i l y is
net t r e a t e d cf f u r t h e r in t h i s r e c o r d .
P A L A T I N E .
C h r i s t i a n and W i l l i a m N e l l i s , w i t h o t h e r s ,
left the S c h o h a r i e S e t t l e m e n t in 1 7 2 0 and p u s h e d on up
the V c h a w k R i v e r u n t i l they r e a c h e d the s i t e of t h e
p r e s e n t P a l a t i n e C h u r c h in M o n t g o m e r y C o u n t y , N e w Y o r k ,
w h e r e they l o c a t e d end b u i l t t h e m s e l v e s h o m e s a g a i n .
C H R I S T I A N N E L L I S .
C h r i s t i a n N e l l i s and 2 6 o t h e r P a l a t i n e s , on
the 19th day of O c t o b e r , 1.723, p r o c u r e d a p a t e n t for
1 2 , 0 0 0 a c r e s cf land l y i n g m o s t l y in the p r e s e n t t o w n
ship of P a l a t i n e and k n o w n as t h e " S t o n e A r a b i a P a t
ent"
16
NELLIS AND KLOCK PATENT.
W i l l i a m N e l l i s and G e o r g e R l o c k , a n o t h e r of
t h e P a l a t i n e s , l a t e r p r o c u r e d a p a t e n t f o r a s m a l l e r
t r a c t of l a n d l y i n g i n t h e v i c i n i t y of t h e p r e s e n t v i l i I
l a g e of S t . J o h n s v i l l e , and t h e h a m l e t cf P a l a t i n e !
C h u r c h . T h i s t r a c t w a s t h e n known a s t h e N e l l i s and i i
K l o c k P a t e n t . W i l l i a m N e l l i s ' s w i f e w a s a s i s t e r of
G e o r g e K l o c k , and t h e y w e r e t h e p a r e n t s of f i v e s o n s ,
whose names w e r e ' A n d r e w , L u d w i g ( L o u i s ) , H e n r y , J o
h a n n e s ( J o h n ) and W i l l i a m , J r .
W i l l i a m N e l l i s s c e n t h i s l i f e c l e a r i n g a
farm in h i s c h c s e n l o c a l i t y , and m a k i n g i t y i e l d a l i v
i n g f o r h i m s e l f and f a m i l y . Bow he p r o s p e r e d , when h e
d i e d , o r h i s a g e a t d e a t h i s now u n k n o w n . He was o n e of
t h e p r i n c i p a l o n e s i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e b u i l d i n g of t h e
f i r s t L u t h e r a n C h u r c h a t S t o n e A r a b i a i n 1 7 4 4 , on t h e
s i t e of t h e p r e s e n t c hu ro h - ed i f i c e .
STONE ARABIA CHURCH.
In 1 7 2 9 t h e P a l a t i n e s , who s e t t l e d S t o n e A r
a b i a , p e r f e c t e d a r r a n g e m e n t s f o r t h e b u i l d i n g of a
c h u r c h a t t h a t p l a c e . P a r t of t hem w e r e L u t h e r a n s and
- p a r t C a l v i n i s t s . T h e y u n i t e d i n t h e b u i l d i n g cf a l o g
j c h u r c h and o c c u p i e d i t a l t e r n a t e l y u n t i l 1 7 4 4 . C h r i s t
i a n and W i l l i a m N e l l i s and 10 o t h e r s r e p r e s e n t e d t h e
( L u t h e r a n s in t h i s t r a n s a c t i o n .
17
C H R I S T I A N N E L L I S .
C h r i s t i a n N e l l i s , the f a t h e r of D a v i d N e l l i s ,
was cue cf the t h r e e o r i g i n a l N e l l i s b r o t h e r s t h a t
came over w i t h the P a l a t i n e s in 1 7 1 0 . Be w a s b o r n on
the R i v e r R h i n e in G e r m a n y . T h e d a t e of his b i r t h is
not k n o w n . As d e s c r i b e d in p r e v i o u s c h a p t e r , he f o l
lowed the f o r t u n e s cf the P a l a t i n e s u n t i l t h e i r s e t
tlement at S c h o h a r i e , and l a t e r in 1 7 2 0 , a d v a n c i n g up
the M o h a w k to t h e p r e s e n t t o w n s h i p of P a l a t i n e . H e r e
he with o t h e r s p r o c u r e d a p a t e n t for a l a r g e t r a c t of
land on w h i c h he s e t t l e d as d e s c r i b e d on p a g e 1 5 . T h e
records shew t h a t C h r i s t i a n N e l l i s had se v e n s o n s ,
David, C h r i s t i a n , J r . , R o b e r t , Adam, G e o r g e , H e n r y
and T h e o b c l d . C h r i s t i a n N e l l i s took an a c t i v e part
during the war of the R e v o l u t i o n . He w a s o n e of the
P a l a t i n e C o m m i t t e e of S a f e t y end a M i n u t e W an in C o l
onel K l o c k ' s r e g i m e n t . T h i s f a m i l y w a s one of the
w e a l t h i e s t and b e s t f a m i l i e s in the P a l a t i n e D i s t r i c t
After the war C h r i s t i a n N e l l i s w e n t to T i m m e r m a n ' s
Vill w h e r e his h o r s e s took f r i g h t , ran away and be was
k i l l e d . Ee l e f t a good m e m o r y , b u t , l i k e all good men
of that d a y , be w a s v e r y s e c t a r i a n , b e i n g a L u t h e r a n ,
and it is said that bis s o n s Henry and G e o r g e a c k n o w
ledged t h e i r f a i t h in that c r e e d to p o s s e s s l a n d s ,
which t h e i r f a t h e r w o u l d not g i v e them as d i s c i p l e s of!
Calvin. (See Pronteersien of New Y o r k ) . Christian
Nellis with h i s t w o s o n s , H e n r y and D a v i d , h e l p e d to
build the P a l a t i n e S t o n e C h u r c h .
• * -
18
fr D A V I D N E L L I S .
David N e l l i s , son of C h r i s t i a n N e l l i s and
father of John D. N e l l i s , g r a n d f a t h e r of J. I. D. N e l
lis great g r a n d f a t h e r cf R e u b i n N e l l i s , and g r e a t ,
great g r a n d f a t h e r of A. W. N e l l i s , H. C. N e l l i s and
John R. N e l l i s , was born D e c e m b e r 2 5 t h , 1 7 2 9 , a n d d i e d
at the age of 89 y e a r s and 4 d a y s . He w a s a W e a v e r and
a Farmer; he had one son, Jo h n D. N e l l i s , and t h r e e or
four d a u g h t e r s . He was s m a l l of s t a t u e , and w o r e s h o r t
bree-c-h-es and knee b u c k l e s as was the c u s t o m of the t i m e
He helped to build the o r i g i n a l P a l a t i n e
Stone C h u r c h , which is yet s t a n d i n g a b o u t o n e m i l e
west of P a l a t i n e , and near S t . J o h n s v i l l e , New Y o r k .
It is the oldest P r o t e s t a n t C h u r c h in A m e r i c a , w e s t
of a l i n e drawn t h r o u g h A l b a n y and W a s h i n g t o n . A r e c
ord of the time giving the n a m e s and s u m s paid by
each, is as follow s ; to w i t ; -
paid Peter Waggoner,
Andrew Reber,
William Nellis, Jr.,
Andrew Nellis,
Johannes Nellis,
Johannes Hess,
Henry Nellis,
Christian Nellis,
David Nellis,
£100 .
100 .
60 .
60.
60 .
60 .
60 .
60.
60 .
And W i l l i a m N e l l i s , t h e f a t h e r of W i l l i a m ,
J r . , Andrew, J o h a n n e s and Henry N e l l i s , p a i d f o r t h e
making of t h e s p i r e , e t c . , t o t.he s t e e p l e of t h e
c h u r c h , and Hend r i c k W. N e l l i s g a v e t h e p l o t of g r o u n d
en which i t was b u i l t . The W i l l i a m and C h r i s t i a n N e l
l i s t h a t h e l p e d b u i l d t h i s c h u r c h , w e r e t h e two b r o t h
e r s t h a t came o v e r w i t h t h e P a l a t i n e s in 17 10. T h e y
were a l o n g l i v e d r a c e in t h o s e d a y s . The o l d S t o n e
Church in P a l a t i n e was no t d e s t r o y e d by J o h n s o n ' s army
d u r i n g t h e r a i d O c t o b e r 1 9 t h , 1 7 8 0 , when few b u i l d i n g s
escaped b u r n i n g . About 1889 a v i s i t o r from C a n a d a
n are ' ] N e l l i s came t o v i s i t r e l a t i v e s of t h a t n a m e n e a r
S t . - J o h n s v i l l e . From him i t was l e a r n e d t h a t G e n e r a l
Johnson p r o m i s e d a p a r t y by t h e name of Henry N e l l i s
b e f o r e he l e f t Canada t h a t he would n o t b u r n t h e S t o n e
Church a t P a l a t i n e . I t a p p e a r s t h a t t h i s C a n a d a N e l
l i s had h e l p e d b u i l d t h e c h u r c h and used h i s i n f l u e n c e
t c have i t s p a r e d . T h i s Henry N e l l i s moved t o C a n a d a
in 1778 and h i s d e s c e n d a n t s a r e t h e C a n a d i a n N e l l i s we
now h e a r of . The P a l a t i n e C h u r c h was r e m o d e l e d i n 1 8 3 0
and i s y e t s t a n d i n g . . The i n s c r i p t i o n o v e r t h e d o o r of
the c h u r c h r e a d s as f o l l o w s ; v i z :
" B u i l t in t h e y e a r of C h r i s t 1 7 7 0 , The 1 8 t h A u g u s t " .
2 Q
The i n t e r i o r of t h i s c h u r c h h a v i n g been r e
mode led , i t s g a l l e r y r e m o v e d , i t s f r o n t d o o r c l o s e d
and two d o o r s opened a t t h e e a s t e r l y e n d , J u n e 1 3 t h ,
1 8 8 8 , i t was r e d e d i c a t e d .
On T h u r s d a y , A u g u s t 1 8 t h , 1 8 7 0 , t h e c e n t e n
a r y a n n i v e r s a r y of i t s d e d i c a t i o n , a c e l e b r a t i o n t o o k
p l a c e t o commemorate i t s one h u n d r e t h b i r t h d a y . T h e r e
ffere f u l l y 5 ,000 p e o p l e p r e s e n t and a d d r e s s e s were
made by Rev. G. A. S m i t h , Hon. H o r a t o S e y m o u r , and
o t h e r s . A p a r t of Mr. S n i t h ' s r e m a r k s w e r e h i s t o r i c
a l and e x c e e d i n g l y i n t e r e s t i n g . A f t e r s p e a k i n g of
t h e coming h i t h e r of t h e a n c e s t r y of i t s e a r l y German
W o r s h i p e r s , of a h u n d r e d y e a r s a g o , he o b s e r v e d :
"Some cf you remember t h e o ld s t e e p l e , t a l l , g r a c e f u l ,
and wel l p r o p o r t i o n e d ; a s an o b j e c t of b e a u t y i t « a s
f a r in advance of t h e one t h a t h a s s u c c e e d e d i t . The
w e a t h e r cock t h a t was p e r c h e d on t h e v e r y p i n n a c l e ,
a lways b r e a s t e d t h e s t o r m , and l o o k e d b r a v e l y in t h e
f a c e of every w i n d " , "You r e m e m b e r t h e p u l p i t as i t
was modeled 100 y e a r s a g o , and w h e r e i t s t o o d b e f o r e
t h e e n t r a n c e d o o r , and t h e o ld q u e e r pews w i t h t h e i r
lyigh, s t r a i g h t b a c k s , t h a t made s l e e p i n g i n c h u r c h
v e r y i n c o n v e n i e n t . The p u l p i t , you r e m e m b e r , was
shaped l i k e a g o b l e t , s t em and a l l , and i t had a sound
ing board o v e r h e a d w h i c h was i n t e n d e d t o a r r e s t t h e
p r e a c h e r ' s w o r d s , and f l i n g them b a c k upon t h e e a r s
cf t h e w o r s h i p e r s . The p u l p i t was s l a t e c o l o r e d and
the pews were a d r e s s cf S p a n i s h b r o w n . T h a t w a s t h e
p r e v a i l i n g t a s t e 100 y e a r s a g o , f o r t h e d w e l l i n g s had
the same t i n t s , S p a n i s h brown o u t s i d e and s l a t e c o l o r
w i t h i n . Some cf ycu r e m e m b e r t h e t r i a n g l e t h a t hung
in t h e eld s t e e p l e , b u t t h a t now h a s b e e n r e p l a c e d by
5 sweet toned b e l l . The p u l p i t h a s g i v e n p l a c e t o one
cf : c t e meder r c o n s t r u c t i o n " . N e a r t h e c l o s e cf h i s
a d d r e s s , he s a i d " I f t h e number i n t h e c h u r c h s h o u l d
i n c r e a s e so as t c r e q u i r e a l a r g e r e d i f i c e , he w o u l d
he w i l l i n g t o s e e t h e c h u r c h d e s t r o y e d and a new one
b u i l t . "
Upon t h e t heme of d e s t r u c t i o n . Gov. S e y m o u r
spoke as f o l l o w s : " I f t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s c f t h i s commu
n i t y eve r demand a l a r g e r p l a c e cf w o r s h i p , b u i l d a -
new and upon seme o t h e r s p c t . Fo r t h e s a k e of y o u r
f a t h e r s , whose m e m o r i e s and d e e d s we c h e r i s h ; f o r t h e
seke cf y o u r s e l v e s and p o s t e r i t y , I beg of you n o t t o
t e a r down t h e o ld l a n d m a r k . L e t i t s t a n d as a m e n u -
r e n t t c t h e l o v e of Gcd and t h e r e l i g i o u s l i b e r t y cf
22
j i t s b u i l d e r s " . S i x c h e e r s w e r e p r o p o s e d and h e a r t i
l y g i v e n a t t h e c l o s e cf b i s a d d r e s s . ( S e e F r c n t e e r s -
r e n of New Y o r k , by J , R . S i n i i n s , V o l . I , p a g e 2 8 1 ) .
This P a l a t i n e C h u r c h , a s t h e r e c o r d s h o w s ,
?*as b u i l t a lmos t e n t i r e l y by C h r i s t i a n and W i l l i a m
N e l l i s and t h e i r s o n s .
- o - o - c - c -
JOHN D. NELLIS. F R O M A P J U H T I H O .
M » o t IH 1835.
BORN 1755. D IED 1849 .
•*>
= r
JOHN D. NELLIS .
J o h n D. N e l l i s , f a t h e r of J , I . D. N e l l i s ,
g r a n d f a t h e r of P e u b i n N e l l i s , and g r e a t - g r a n d f a t h e r
cf A. W. N e l l i s , E. C. N e l l i s and J o h n P . N e l l i s , w a s
b o r n D e c e m b e r 1 0 t h , 17 5 5 . J o h n D. N e l l i s m a r r i e d a
Widow K e l l e r , w h o s e h u s b a n d was k i l l e d in t h e R e v o l u
t i c n a r y War . Her m a i d e n name was G a r l c c k . S h e b a d
twc - sons by h e r f i r s t h u s b a n d , Mr. K e l l e r , and o n e
d e u £ h t e r who d i e d in i n f a n c y . The o l d e s t son w a s
J a c o b K e l l e r , who m a r r i e d and had a' l a r g e f a m i l y . T h e
law in t h e s e d a y s g a v e a l l t h e p r o p e r t y t c t h e o l d
e s t s e n , s c J a c c b i n h e r i t e d a l l t h e p r o p e r t y of h i s
f a t h e r . H e n r y K e l l e r , t h e y o u n g e r s o n , was g i v e n
a fa rm by b i s s t e p - f a t h e r , J o h n D. N e l l i s . J o h n D.
N e l l i s end M r s . Mary K e l l e r had s i x c h i l d r e n , v i ?,.
C a r r i e d . D i e d .
J o h n I . D . K e l l l B ,
B o r n 1 7 8 3 . F e b . 2 4 , E l i z a b e t h K l o c k .
D a v i d N e l l i s .
E o r n 1 7 8 5 . J u l y 3 ,
N a n c y N e l l i s ,
B o r n 1 7 8 7 . F e b . 1 1 , D a n i e l F e r g u s o n ,
B a r n h a r t N e l l i s ,
B o r n 1 7 9 0 . F e b . 1 , C a t h a r i n e K e l l e r , A u g . 1 0 , 1 8 4 7
M a r i a N e l l i s ,
B o r n 1 7 9 2 . J u n e 1 4 , J o s e p h B r u c e .
D a v i d N e l l i s ,
B o r n 1 7 9 ? ) . V. a r c h ' 4 ,
D e c . 5 , 1 8 4 9
Y o u n g
No R e c o r d .
No R e c o r d .
I n i n f a n c y .
J o h n D. N e l l i s had b r o w n h a i r , w a s g o o d
s i z e , w e l l p r o p o r t i o n e d , f i n e l o o k i n g n a n , w i t h
r o u n d f a c e and f i n e f e a t u r e s .
J o h n D. N e l l i s was a " M i n u t e **i a n " d u r i n g
t h e R e v o l u t i o n a r y ! f a r , f a r m i n g h i s l a n d w h e n n o t
i n s e r v i c e . He b e l o n g e d t o t h e P a l a t i n e R e g i m e n t
c o m m a n d e d by C o l o n e l K l o c k . The "New Y o r k S t a t e
A r c h i v e s " , The P e v c l u t i c n , V o l . I , P a g e 4 5 5 , g i v e s
t h e names cf 51 N e l l i s s o l d i e r s t h a t s e r v e d d u r i n g
t h e y e a r s 1 7 7 3 t o 1 7 3 5 . A u g u s t 5 t h , 1 7 7 7 h i s r e g i
m e n t was in t h e b a t t l e cf O r i s k s n y . C h r i s t i a n and
P h i l i p N e l l i s , h i s c o u s i n s , w e r e i n t h e s a m e b a t t l e .
P h i l i p N e l l i s was wounded in t h e s h o u l d e r , i t made
h i m a c r i p p l e f o r l i f e . In t h i s b a t t l e G e n e r a l H e r
k i m e r was m o r t a l l y w o u n d e d and many of h i s o f f i c e r s
a n d b r a v e P a l a t i n e s w e r e k i l l e d . As an i n s t a n c e
o f t h e f a t a l i t y t o many cf t h e P a l a t i n e s i n t h i s b a t
t i e m i g h t be m e n t i o n e d t h e f a c t , t h a t s e v e n by t h e
n a m e of S n e l l w e r e k i l l e d ; n i n e of t h i s n a m e p a r c i p -
i t a t e d in t h e f i g h t , two o n l y l i v e d t o r e t u r n t o
P a l a t i n e . The mos t of t h e f i g h t i n g w a s a g a i n s t t h e
I n d i a n s who would w a t c h t i l l some s o l d i e r s h o t , and
t h e n t h e I n d i a n would r u n UD and s h o o t h i m . G e n e r a l
H e r k i i i e r , when he d i s c o v e r e d how t h e I n d i a n s w e r e
d o i n g , o r d e r e d two f e l l o w s b e h i n d e a c h t r e e , a n d
t h i s s o o n made t hem s t o p t h i s g a m e .
The n a m e s cf John D. N e l l i s , P h i l i p N e l
l i s a n d C h r i s t i a n N e l l i s , a r e i n s c r i b e d on t h e O r
i s \ a n y M o n u m e n t , w h i c h h a s b e e n e r e c t e d t o c o m m e m
o r a t e t h e b a t t l e .
T h i s R e g i m e n t of C o l o n e l K l o c k , t o w h i c h
J o h n D . N e l l i s b e l o n g e d , w a s in a c t i v e s e r v i c e f rom
F e b . 1 8 t h t o Aug . 1 8 t h , 1 7 7 9 , and from M a r c h 1 0 t h
t o S e p t e m b e r 1 s t , 1 7 8 0 . They w e r e a l s o M i n u t e tfen
and c a l l e d i n t o s e r v i c e on d i f f e r e n t a l a r m s t o o p
p o s e t h e common enemy b e t w e e n O c t o b e r 1 7 8 0 and May
1 7 8 5 . ( P a g e 5 4 2 , A n n a l s of t h e R e v o l u t i o n ) . T h i s
R e g i m e n t was w i t h G a t e s Army a t t h e B a t t l e c f S a r
a t o g a , b u t had b e e n d e t a c h e d and w e r e 20 m i l e s a -
way w h e n t h e b a t t l e c o m m e n c e d . T h e y h u r r i e d f o r w a r d
b u t t h e b a t t l e was o v e r b e f o r e t h e y c o u l d r e a c h t h e
g r o u n d .
I w i l l s t a t e h e r e , t h a t W i l l i a m N e l l i s ,
who w a s o n e of t h e o r i g i n a l N e l l i s e s t h a t c a m e o v e r
w i t h t h e P a l a t i n e s ( S e e p a g e n ) was o n e of 4 0 P a l
a t i n e s t h a t v o l u n t e e r e d in 1 7 1 1 f o r an e x p e d i t i o n
f
3 0
a g a i n s t C a n a d a , w h i c h a t t h a t t i m e b e l o n g e d t o t h e
F r e n c h . T h i s s t a t e m e n t t a k e n f r o m D o c u m e n t a r y H i s
t o r y of New Y c r k , V o l . I l l , p a g e 5 7 1 . A l l of t h i s
g o e s t o show t h a t t h e N e l l i s f a m i l y w e r e n o t l a c k
i n g in c o u r a g e or p a t r i o t i s m . T h e r e c o r d s o n l y show
one i n d i v i d u a l , H e n r y N e l l i s , who s y m p a t h i s e d w i t h
t h e T o r i e s . ( S e e c a g e i 9 ) . T h i s H e n r y N e l l i s w e n t t o
C a n a d a d u r i n g t h e War c f t h e R e v o l u t i o n . He was
i n s t r u m e n t a l i n s a v i n g t h e P a l a t i n e S t o n e C h u r c h a t
t h e t i m e of t h e r a i d of t h e B r i t i s h a n d I n d i a n s u n
d e r J o h n s o n and J o e B r a n d t t h r o u g h t h e M o h a w k , O c t .
1 9 t h , 1 7 8 0 . Henry N e l l i s had r e q u e s t e d t h a t t h e y
s p a r e t h e c h u r c h a s he h e l p e d b u i l d i t , a n d h i s
b o u s e and t h e c h u r c h w e r e t h e o n l y b u i l d i n g s l e f t
s t a n d i n g , e x c e p t t h e " F o r t N e l l i s " , t o w h i c h t h e
p e o p l e f l e d on t h e a p p r o a c h cf t h e I n d i a n s . F o r t
N e l l i s s t o o d a m i l e w e s t cf P a l a t i n e C h u r c h t o w a r d
S t . J c h n s v i l l e . ( S e e P r o n t e e r s c i e n o f New Y o r k , V o l .
I I , p a g e 4 5 1 ) A f t e r 1 7 8 0 t h e P a l a t i n e s e t t l e m e n t
was n o t a g a i n t r o u b l e d by i n v a s i o n and J o h n D. N e l
l i s m a r r i e d , a s b e f o r e s t a t e d . He i n h e r i t e d m o s t
of h i s f a t h e r ' s p r o p e r t y b e i n g t h e o n l y s o n . A b o u t
t h e y e a r 1810 he r e m o v e d t o G l o c k v i l l e , N . Y . , and
became e n g a g e d in f a r m i n g and m i l l i n g on a s m a l l
s c a l e , w h i c h m i l l s w e r e l a t e r e n l a r g e d and owned
by h i s s o n , J . I . D . N e l l i s . W i l l i a m F a s s e t t of
A s h t a b u l a , O h i o , new 81 y e a r s o l d , r e l a t e s t h a t b e
r e m e m b e r s J o h n D , N e l l i s , who a b o u t t h e y e a r 1 3 4 5 ,
was on a v i s i t t c A s h t a b u l a , t c s e e h i s s o n J . I . D .
and g r a n d - c h i l d r e n , wbc a t t h a t t i m e w e r e m o s t l y
l i v i n g t h e r e . F a s s e t t s t a t e s t h a t o n e e v e n i n g , h e -
w5th s e v e r a l ' o t h e r s , was a t t h e home of J . I . D . and
t h a t be ( F a s s e t t ) bad a f i d d l e on w h i c h h e w a s p l a y
i n g , t h a t J o h n D. N e l l i s , t h e n a b o u t 90 y e a r s o l d ,
g o t up and t r i e d t c d a n c e , and t h a t t h e s i g h t of h i s
f a t h e r a t t h a t a g e t r y i n g t c be a b e y a g a i n , a f f e c
t e d J . I . D. s o t h a t he c r i e d .
J o h n D. N e l l i s d i e d March 1 4 t h , 1 8 4 8 .
a£ed 94 y e a r s .
- o - o - o - o -
tc
H v?f.5.''""--'^;'~^.'-^'.
J . I. D. NELLIS.
JOHN I. D. NEL L I S .
John I. D. Nellis, father of Peubin Nellis
and grandfather cf A. W. Nellis, B. C. Nellis and J.
F. Nellis, was born Feb. 24, 178 5. Fe married Eliz
abeth Klcck July 14th, 1805, and had eleven children
v i
Born.
avid Kellis, 18 0 6 Yay
euben Nellis, 1803 Uc h
a r r. hart Nellis, 1810 Aug
lizabeth Nellis 1812 Sep
ancy Nellis, 1815 Feb
atharine Nellis 1817 Oct
S
chn S e11i s,
ary N'ellis,
usan Nellis,
eorge Nellis,
eter Nellis,
18 2 0 Mc h
1822 Feb
18 2 4 1' a y
18 2 6 Jan
5
30
14
26
22
1
21
13
2
24
18 2 8 S e p t.2 9
Died.
1872 Oct. 6,
18 56 June 24,
1877 M e n . 21,
1890 Mcb . .3 1,
1865 V. ch. 13,
1365 Aug. 14,
13 28 June 7,
1859 Jan. 5,
1 826 Sept .24 ,
1855 F e b . 24.
The c h i l d r e n w e r e a l l b o r n e t C l o c k v i l l e ,
wh ich i s twc m i l e s s o u t h cf t h e p r e s e n t t o w n of C a n -
a s t o t ? on t h e l i n e of t h e New York C e n t r a l R a i l r o a d .
John I . D. N e l l i s , b e i n g t h e o l d e s t s o n , i n h e r i t e d
s c s t of. h i s f a t h e r ' s p r o p e r t y , b u t b e f o r e t h e d e a t h
of h i s f a t h e r , b e c a m e o w n e r of t h e fa rm and m i l l s
b e f o r e s o c k e n o f . J . I . D. N e l l i s n r c s n e r e d and b e -
3 b
c a m e q u i t e w e a l t h y f o r t h o s e t i m e s . He had a G r i s t
M i l l , Saw M i l l , P l a s t e r M i l l and C a r d i n g M i l l . A-
b o u t 1 8 4 0 he s o l d o u t h i s p r o p e r t y in C l o c k v i l l e and
r e m o v e d w i t h h i s f a m i l y , w h i c h w e r e n o t t h e n m a r r i e d ,
o r d e a d , t o A s h t a b u l a , O h i o . D a v i d , t h e o l d e s t s o n ,
h a d m a r r i e d and s e t t l e d i n H a r b o r C r e e k , P e n n s y l v a
n i a ; R e u b e n , t h e s e c o n d s o n , c a m e t o Ohio in 185 9 ,
a n d i t was t h r o u g h h i s i n f l u e n c e p r i n c i p a l l y t h a t
J . 1 . 0 . was i n d u c e d t o move and s e t t l e a t A s h t a b u
l a .
E l i z a b e t h had m a r r i e d D a n i e l Moot in 1 5 5 1 .
C a t h a r i n e u m a r r i e d P a r l y R i c h m o n d " 1 8 5 8 .
J o h n d i e d a t a g e c f 5 y e a r s i n 1 3 2 8 .
S u s a n d i e d a t a g e of 2 y e a r s i n 1 3 2 5 .
T h i s l e f t B a r n h a r t , N a n c y , Mary, G e o r g e ,
and P e t e r , who came w i t h J . I . D. t c A s h t a b u l a . A
f u r t h e r h i s t o r y of a l l t h e c h i l d r e n cf J . I . D . N e l
l i s w i l l be g i v e n on s u c c e e d i n g p a g e s . J . I . D . N e l
l i s a t t h i s t i m e was a b o u t 5 7 y e s r s o l d . H a v i n g a
c o m p e t e n c y he d i d n o t e n g a g e i n a n y a c t i v e b u s i n e s s
b u t b e c a m e n o t e d t h r o u g h o u t a l l t h a t s e c t i o n a s a
s p e c u l a t o r and money l e n d e r . Among o t h e r t r a n s a o -
ticns h e went to Maumee County and ourchased a large
tract cf land at $2.50 cer acre. This land is near
the present town of Elmore, Ohio, it in time became
very v a l u a b l e . It was divided U D between the sens
cut David Nellis moved on tc the land end finally
became c c s s e s s c r of the greater cart. Some cf the
c h i l d r e n cf David Nellis are new occupying nart cf
this land.
Another cf bis enterprises was the pur
chase of the "Steam Host C l e v e l a n d " . This boat was
c n e of the first steam beats that ever ran en the
l a k e . It m a d e regular trios between Buffalo and
C l e v e l a n d , stooping at Erie, C o n n e a u t , Ashtabula,
and P a i n e s v i l l e . Centaln Shepherd, of Ashtabula,
was captain and had a small interest in the b o a t .
Reuben Nellis was clerk, Gecrge Nellis acted as
steward and Peter Nellis as engineer, so it came
very near being a Nellis family boat. This was be
fore the days of railroads about 185 0, and was at
the time c o n s i d e r e d a greet a c h i e v e m e n t . People
cam e in from a long distance on the days the boat
was ex Dec ted and locked at it with more wonder than
they would on a flying machine at the present day.
"T
3 8
J . I . D . N e l l i s was v i e w e d w i t h g r e a t awe and p o i n t e d
o u t as " T h a t i s t h e man t h a t owns t h e S t e a m B o a t " .
The w r i t e r ( A . T.. N e l l i s ) r e m e m b e r s when
h e was 11 y e a r s o l d , of t a k i n g a t r i e w i t h h i s f a t h
e r and m o t h e r from A s h t a b u l a t o C l e v e l a n d and b a c k
e n t h i s b o a t . The b o a t was r u n a t a gc c d c v c f i t •
f o r a number of y e a r s and t h e n s o l d t o C a p t a i n ' / a r c
o f D e t r o i t who r a n i t on h i s l i n e t i l l t h e demand
c a m e f o r l a r g e r b o a t s , when he had i t c h a n g e d o v e r
i n t o a s a i l i n g v e s s e l .
J . I . D. N e l l i s was o n e of t h e o r i g i n a l
a b o l i t i o n i s t s and was a s s o c i a t e d w i t h J o s h u a R . G i d -
d i n g s , B. F . Wade, and o t h e r s , i n p r o m o t i n g t h e
c a u s e cf f r e e d or. . I t was known t h a t Mr . N e l l i s had a
b i d i n g p l a c e w h e r e he s e c r e t e : t h e f u g i t i v e s l a v e s
t i l l s u c h t i m e a s t h e y c c u l d be f o r w a r d e d w i t h s a f e
t y on t h e i r .v a y t c C a n a d a . The s l a v e o w n e r s c f
K e n t u c k y f i n a l l y g o t an o r d e r - f rom Z cu r t , and had s
n u m b e r cf A s h t a b u l a C o u n t y c i t i z e n s a r r e s t e d by a
O n i t e d S t a t e s mar sh a l l f c r v i o l a t i n g t h e F u g i t i v e
S l a v e Law. Mr. N e l l i s , D r . H e n r y H a r r i s , J a m e s
H a l l w e r e some cf t h o s e a r r e s t e d . T h e y a l l g a v e
b a i l and t h e n f o u g h t t h e c a s e in t h e c o u r t s , t i l l
t fc • S o u t h e r n e r s g e t tired of it and d r o p p e d t h e s u i t
•sines ?. C h a s e v o l u n t e e r e d h i s s e r v i c e s to d e f e n d
::£se c s r t i e s in c a s e they n e e d e d h i m , but be w a s
r: i c a l l e d o n .
S u c h in b r i e f are a f e w cf t h e f a c t s in
r i - ?. :• d to t h e l i f e and d o i n g s of G r a n d f a t h e r N e l l i s .
t c sn be r e a d i l y seen from the f o r e g o i n g t h a t he
••; i : • :•: i d s a w a k e , good b u s i n e s s m a n , and t h a t h i s
r e c c t a t i c n as b e i n g s m a r t and r e l i a b l e w a s w e l l
f : r r '-. :> . He w a s a b o u t 5 f e e t , ? i n c h e s t a l l , and
weighed a b o u t 1 5 0 , a s t r a i g h t , w e l l f o r m e d m a n . Be
: i ed at A s h t a b u l a , D e c e m b e r 5, 1 8 4 9 , a g e d 6 6 y e a r s .
G r a n d m o t h e r E l i z a b e t h K l o c k ' N e l l i s d i e d
: 6: t e:. c i i 2 8th, 1875. (See page 149 )
4 1
REUBIN NELLIS. COPY FROM A DAGUERREOTYPE TAKEN IN 1853.
z± o
REUBEN NELLIS
S e c o n d Son c f J . I . D. N e l l i s .
- o - o -
Name. Born M a r r i e d .
Reuben N e l l i s 1 8 0 3 M c h . 5 0 ; 1 8 4 0 J a n . 1 .
Died 1 8 5 6 J u n e 2 4 .
S a l l y A l m i r a N e l l i s , 181.5 May 5 : 1 8 4 0 J a n . 1 . tfCul — I f 0 3 Ro**-. /1 r :
C h i l d r e n .
A l f r e d ".'/arner N e l l i s 1 8 4 1 N o v . 2 ; 1 3 6 7 N o v . 1 5 . <PJ*U*6 — j j o l %eS% f :
Hosa r Cook N e l l i s 1 3 4 ^ A u g . 1 7 ; 1 3 6 6 N o v . 7 .
John Reuben N e l l i s 1 8 4 7 S e p . 1 . 5 ; 1 8 7 0 S e n . 1 4 .
D ied 1 8 7 1 N o v . 1 1 .
( S e e f u t u r e p a g e s f o r l i f e of A . W . , H . C , £ J . R . N e l l i s
Our f a t h e r , R e u b e n N e l l i s , was b o r n a t
: i o c k v i l l e , N. Y . , ' / a r c h 5 0 t h , 1 8 0 3 . German w a s
t h e l a n g u a g e u s e d u n t i l h e l e f t home , and a s s c h o o l
i n g a t t h a t t i m e was n o t c o n s i d e r e d n e c e s s a r y , he
»as k e o t a t w o r k on h i s f a t h e r ' s f a r m , o r a t t e n d i n g
one of h i s v a r i o u s m i l l s , t i l l he b e c a m e of a g e ;
t h e n he h i r e d c u t t o h i s f a t h e r f o r t w o o r t h r e e
y e a r s and s a v e d up b i s w a g e s u n t i l he had e n o u g h t o
44
buy himself a horse and wagon, which he fitted up to
carry the old fashioned wooden clocks. He secured
a stock of clocks and started out with them. At
that time clocks were a great rarety and he had no
trouble to find customers that wanted them, the
principal trouble was to find customers that could
raise the money to buy one, as clocks brought from
twenty five to fifty dollars each, and money was
scarce. This was before the day of railroads, and
the clocks had to be transported from Connecticut
by teais,
Business prospered with him, however, and
by hard work and good management he gradually ac
cumulated more capital, and extended his base of
operations westward. He would have the clocks deliv
ered to some central point and from there he would
take and dispose of them. In this way be worked
through Western New York, a part of Canada, and as
far west in Ohio as Ashtabula. <7bile in Canada
be visited and made his headquarters with the de
scendants of the Henry Nellis that moved there from
Palatine in 1731. While in Canada he also became
acouainted with the Fassett family, whom he later
3 t-»
on i n d u c e d t o move t o A s h t a b u l a , and one member of
which f a m i l y (Henry F a s s e t t ) m a r r i e d a s i s t e r (Mary
" e l l i s ) a s d e s c r i b e d on p a g e . A l s o one member
of t h e F a s s e t t f a L i 1 y ( M a r i e t t a F a s s e t t ) m a r r i e d
George B e l l , and t h e y a r e t h e p a r e n t s of 55 a ry L o u i s e
H a l l - N e l l i s . Thus i t t r a n s p i r e d t h a t f a t h e r ' s t r i p
t o Canada in 1354 , f u r n i s h e d me w i t h t h e d e a r e s t of
h e 1 p i a t es in 13 6 7 . D u r i n g t h e w i n t e r of 1855 and
13 5c , f a t h e r a t t e n d e d a s e l e c t s c h o o l k e p t by Kr,
J ? z e s B a k e r , a t L e n o x , • -' a d i s o n C o . , N , Y . He c o n
s i d e r e d t h e s c h o o l h i s v a c a t i o n from h a r d work of
t r a v e l i n g . .4 warn f r i e n d s h i p s p r a n g up b e t w e e n Mr.
F'sker and h i n 6 f 1 f, and f o r many y e a r s t h e y v i s i t e d
each o t h e r and k e p t UP a c o r r e s p o n d e n c e . F a t h e r
embraced every o p p o r t u n i t y t o e d u c a t e h i m s e l f and
scon was a b l e t o h o l d h i s own on any g r o u n d . Con
s t a n t t r a v e l fo r 3 y e a r s end c o n t a c t w i t h many d i f
f e r e n t c l a s s e s cf p e o p l e , would t e n d t o s h a r p e n a
n a n ' s w i t s , and t h e f a c t t h a t a l l t h i s t i m e he s u c
ceeded and made money wou ld show t h a t he m u s t have
had. h i s w i t s abou t h i m . B e s i d e s G e r m a n , be l e a r n e d
du r ing h i s t r a v e l s , t o s p e a k E n g l i s h and F r e n c h .
French was used in C a n a d a t o a l a r g e e x t e n t , and
4 6
JU™ II
when he w o r k e d i n t o ? ( e s t e r n Ne;r Y o r k and O h i o , E n s - '• i
1 i s b w a s u s e d . i • i
As s h o w i n g f a t h e r ' s a b i l i t y a s a c o m p o s i - ! i
tion writer and the tendency of his thought, at the j i i
close of this article will be inserted a composition! i
which he wrote and read before V r. Baker's school
Oez. 1355. The original manuscript is still ore-
served. During two or three of the last years he
was in the clock business, he fitted out teams and
hired men to travel and sell for him. Bis brother
Barnhart Nellis, worked for him and C 3 3 e through to
Ashtabula in his employ. Up to this time father
had been traveling, and being now 51 years of age,
and having acquired ouite a good start, he evident
ly thought it time to settle down and have a home
of his own. This idea soon became a fixed fact.
During som.e of his trios to Unionville, Lake County,
Ohio, he met our mother (Sally Almira Warner) and
scon decided that the world contained no other girl
f or h im .
Business must have been good up that way
for be managed to be at the Earner home quite often.
It was not long before there was a mutual attach-
zk (
l e n t fo rned and t h e y w e r e engaged t o be m a r r i e d .
See "Vfarnern f a m i l y , p a g e / ^ . 5 " In A p r i l 1 8 5 8 , f a t h e r
purchased of Amasa C a s t l e , a farm s i t u a t e d a b o u t
1 mi le e a s t of A s h t a b u l a on t h e s o u t h r i d g e r o a d .
There was a l og house b u t t h i s was t o r n down and a
c r i c k house b u i l t . I t was n o t v e r y l a r g e but a good
c o m f o r t a b l e house , and i t i s s t a n d i n g today as b u i l t
in 183? . J anua ry 1 s t , 1 8 4 0 , f a t h e r and m o t h e r w e r e
marr ied a t D n i o n v i l l e , and f o r a w e d d i n g t r i p t h e y
drove to t h e i r new h o u s e , which was a l l f u r n i s h e d
ready to commerce h o u s e - k e e p i n g . F a t h e r worked t h i s
farn for s i x y e a r s , b u t beca i - e d i s c o u r a g e d w i t h i t ,
as t he A s h t a b u l a R i v e r which r a n t h r o u g h i t had a
h a b i t of o v e r f l o w i n g i t s banks t j t and c a r r y i n g o f f
fence and d e s t r o y i n g c r o p s , so he s o l d t h e farm t o
a Mr. Landon, and i t y e t r e m a i n s in t h e p o s s e s s i o n
of the Landon f a m i l y , a g r a n d s o n of t h e o r i g i n a l
p u r c h a s e r s now o c c u p y i n g i t .
F a t h e r t h e n moved t o U n i o n v i l l e w h e r e he
ren ted a farm which he worked f o r two y e a r s . The
fo l l owing summer he a c c e p t e d a p o s i t i o n as C l e r k on
the S t eam-boa t C l e v e l a n d , w h i c h b e l o n g e d to h i s f a t h
er , as r e c o r d e d in a p r e v i o u s c h a p t e r . A f t e r s a i l -
48
ing o n e season and f i n d i n g it i m p o s s i b l e to o v e r
c o m e a t e n d e n c y to s e a - s i c k n e s s , he d e c i d e d to a b a n
don a l i f e on the r o l l i n g d e e p .
J. I. D. N e l l i s d i e d ' D e C . 3rd, 1 8 4 8 , and
by his will a p p o i n t e d father e x e c u t o r of his estate,
which a m o u n t e d to about Fifty T h o u s a n d D o l l a r s .
F a t h e r q u a l i f i e d as e x e c u t o r and s e t t l e d the estate
in a very short time, to the s a t i s f a c t i o n of a l l .
A b o u t this t i m e he was in a c t i v e s p e c u l a t i o n in real
e s t a t e . He b o u g h t and sold s e v e r a l f a r m s , and
b o u g h t p a r c e l s of land which he a l l o t t e d to good ad
v a n t a g e . In l o o k i n g over his c a p e r s , I found f i f
teen d i f f e r e n t d e e d s of real e s t a t e , m a d e to b i i, be
t w e e n the d a t e s of 1 8 4 8 and 185 3. F a t h e r always
took an i n t e r e s t in m i l i t a r y m a t t e r s . He studied
m i l i t a r y t a c t i c s and was p r o m o t e d from a p r i v a t e
till be b e c a m e c o l o n e l cf a r e g i m e n t of m i l i t i a .
This was about the tir.e of the M e x i c a n iVar. The M i l
itary spirit ran high; there w e r e f r e q u e n t m e e t i n g s
for d r i l l p r a c t i c e and C o l o n e l N e l l i s on his milk
w h i t e h o r s e was a f a m i l i a r f i g u r e . He would have
v o l u n t e e r e d and g o n e to the w a r , w e r e it not for the
e n t r e a t i e s of m o t h e r . Again in 1 3 4 9 , at the time
49
* o / r / f , . 4 C 4 * / 7 / J > y T f e u l e * / V e / / / s y* / f j f ^ x ^ ' ^ / A C A / 0 7
o r . i / t l^r 7\e-ui>*.n A / e J J / s /'/r / S ^ f
* » J f - r r c f r c i S i * . A?A' f n * ' „ / a (If,\
^=^A
5 0
TF
L o i a7-t d Mc7i7< ?»» A. >i t fVe/ f / j - n x 7 n / J v
C A c s i ^ n i (Zfcvc Cc7 : ide . r y s i s A l e m ? , fa CA/,
51
of the gold e x c i t e m e n t in C a l i f o r n i a , he desired to
c o t h e r e with a n u m b e r t h a t went from that s e c t i o n
l\3t 33S prevailed on not to g o . His love for w i f e
and c h i l d r e n was p a r a m o u n t .
In D e c e m b e r 1 8 4 8 , he purchased from t h e
C r a n e e s t a t e , f i v e a c r e s of land situated on the
c o r n e r of Lake and P r o s p e c t S t s . , Ashtabula, O h i o .
Fcr this land he paid $ 5 0 0 . 0 0 , and at once moved
his family to a h o u s e on the o p p o s i t e corner and
commenced the e r e c t i o n of a fine residence on h i s
n e;: o u r c n a s e .
Father worked very hard, this winter, d r a w
ing stone and t i m b e r , and we think laid, the f o u n d a
tion for the lung t r o u b l e which l a t e r caused his
d e a t h . This house at the t i m e , 1 8 4 S , was c o n s i d e r e d
the finest d w e l l i n g in A s h t a b u l a . It was o c c u p i e d
by our family until 1 8 6 6 , when the place was sold
tc Labin S h e r m a n for 1 1 0 , 0 0 0 . ¥ i r. Sherman, soon
after removed the old h o u s e a short distance n o r t h
of its f o r m e r s i t e , and e r e c t e d a new and more m o d
ern style of h o u s e , w h i c h he s t i l l o c c u p i e s . The
fruit and shade t r e e s on and about the place w e r e
all set out b y f a t h e r , and c a m e into bearing b e f o r e
52
JU=
the place was sold. There were seven different
kinds of fine cherries, eight varieties of apples,
besides most all kinds of small fruits. One year
after the completion of his house, father was in
duced by Peverend Pomeroy to undertake the sale of
the Howe Sev/ing Machine Patent in the State cf Illi
nois. This was the first sewing machine invent
ed, and father knew from his experience a s a sales
man that the right could easily be disposed of. He
started by boat for Chicago. It was in the fall
and he had a very rough passage. He was most con
stantly sea-sick, and during one of his severe retch
ings, he felt something break in bis lungs, and he
immediately raised clear blood to the amount of near
ly a pint. He returned home as soon as possible
and did everything in his power to recover his health
He went to New York City to consult a Dr. Fitch,who
at that time was professing to cure lung trouble by
inhalation of vapor produced by steeping his medi
cine. On this trip he was accompanied by Henry
Fassett, of Ashtabula, who relates that, it b e i n 2 wi
winter, for better protection, father wore an over
coat made from a buffalo robe, and that the hackmen
5 3
and. o t h e r s in New York w e r e a f r a i d of h i m , t h i n k i n g
he was a bad man from t h e W e s t , T h e f i r s t s u m m e r
f i t e r h i s a t t a c k , he w e n t t o M a r q u e t t e , L a k e S u p -
- r - i o r f c r h i s h e a l t h , a s i t w a s r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e
? i r e a i r and b a l s a m f i r of t h a t s e c t i o n w o u l d b e
b e n e f i c i a l . 0 n t h i s t r i p he t o o k a l o n g h i s b r o t h
er. G e o r g e N e l l i s . The s e c o n d w i n t e r , h e t o o k a l l
r. 1 s f a n l l y and vrent t o S t . J o b n s v i l l e , N. Y. so as t o
•• - •; < g s t e a d i e r c l i m a t e t h a n t h a t c f t h e l a k e s h o r e .
11 v;\t> a t * t b i s t i m e t h a t t h e w r i t e r f i r s t saw t h e
ciK\ r a l a t i n e C h u r c h , b.u i 1 1 by t h e N e l l i s f a m i l y i n
i 7 ? ? , a s d e s c r i b e d on 'pa g e IB. T h e s e c o n d s u m m e r ,
b e , u i t h m o t h e r , d r o v e a l a r g e f i r e h o r s e and c o v
e red c a r r i a g e f r cm A s h t a b u l a t c M a d i s o r , W i s c o n s i n ,
: r. 5 b a c k. They w e r e g o n e t h r e e as c n t b s a n d m e. t w i t h
.j. i F. i a a v e n t u r e s , as a t t h a t t i J. e s o m e of t h e c o u n
t r y t r g v e r s k 5 was c o s- p a r s t i v e 1 y n e v? . '" e c h i l d r e n
•:-:re l e f t ir. t h e c a r e o f D n c l e D a v i d N e l l i s , who
t h e n l i v e d in p a r t of t h e h o u s e of G r a n d m o t h e r N e l -
- i s . As D n c l e and Aunt w e r e away a t E l m o r e m o s t of
tfle t i m e , ;re d i d n e t g e t much c a r e t o s p e a k o f .
T h a t w i n t e r f a t h e r s p e n t a t h o m e . T h e r e
i S n c 3 o u b t b u t wha t h i s s t r o n g w i l l a n d c o n s t a n t
5 4
f i g h t f o r l i f e p r o l o n g e d b i s d a y s . Too much o a r -
n o t be s a i d in p r a i s e of t h e p a t i e n o " , c •: n s t a n t c a r p
and l o v i n g k i n d n e s s of m o t h e r , e x h i b i t e d t h r o u g h a l l
t h e s e t h r e e y e a r s of f a t h e r ' s s i c k n e s s . For months
a t a t i m e he ;? a s c o n f i n e d to h i s t ed and a l m o s t
h e l p l e s s and s h e , from c h o i c e , was h i s c o n s t a n t
c u r s e , e n d u r i n g i t a l l , and c a r i n g f c r him t i l l t h e
e n d .
F a t h e r had no bad h a b i t s cf any k i n d . He
n e v e r s w o r e , o r d r a n k i n t o x i c a t i n g l i q u o r s , nor
used, t o b a c c o i n any f o r m . He pa id h i s d e b t s , was
n e v e r a r r e s t e d or s u e d in h i s l i f e . He was an a c
t i v e member of t h e P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h .
F a t h e r d i e d p e a c e f u l l y June 2 4 t h , 1 3 5 6 ,
s u r r o u n d e d by h i s f a m i l y and f r i e n d s .
He was b u r i e d on t h e f a m i l y l o t in C h e s t
n u t G r o v e C e m e t e r y .
- o - c - o
C o m p o s i t i o n
w r i t t e n by Feu ben N e l l i s , w h i l e a t t e n d i n g
the S c h o o l cf J a m e s B a k e r
- d u r i n g the w i n t e r of 1 3 5 6 -
The C h a ru s and A d v a n t a g e s of W i n t e r .
55
There i s no s e a s o n t h a t h a s n o t some
s h a r e s cecul ic t t to i t s e l f . 'tie a d m i r e t h e summer
r. cut r? on a c c o u n t cf t h e i r balmy b r e e z e s , t h e i r dec
o r a t i n g t h e h i l l s and v a H i e s w i t h v e r d u r e , and
t h e i r c a u s i n g t h e s w e e t s c e n t e d and f r a g r a n t b i o s -
sees to u n f o l d t h e i r b e a u t i e s and p e r f u m e t h e a i r
s i t e e t h e r , and c a l l from t h e i r r e t r e a t t h e f e a t h e r
ed s o n g s t e r ? t h a t w a r b l e such e n c h a n t i n g m e l o d y , a n d
often as t h e l o v e r of s o l i t u d e r e t i r e s t o h i s e v e n
ing or morning d e v o t i o n s in t h e g r o v e , he s t a n d s
s p e l l bound and c h a r m e d and e n r a p t u r e d , w h i l e t h e
weed l a n d s a r e made v o c a l w i t h t h e i r n o t e s - but a l l
the o b j e c t s would c e a s e t o c h a r ri w e r e we to have no
v a r i e t y . How l i t t l e a t t e n t i o n we pay in autumn t o
the f o l i a g e , w i t h which our f o r e s t s a r e c l o t h e d ,
t
56
and which we but a few months previous gazed upon
with much admiration. Our constitutions, our very
natures require it. Then winter is certainly nec-
cesssry to our enjoying the other seasons with a
proper zest. But, winter is not destitute of
charms, and however some may view it, it fulfills
in every respect the design of the great Framer of
the Universe. And in behalf cf those who through
ignorance or prejudice, are apt to complain or find
fault %i%h this season, I am going to describe some
of those pleasures which it furnishes for our sen
ses and for our hearts. Notwithstanding all na
ture is clothed in a hoary garment, it cheers the
eye of the beholder, E-ven a single flake of snow
considered, with attention, affords wonders, how
regular is the symetry of its shaoe, and how infin
ite the numbers that fall from the air! See the
forests and groves bend under the white curtains
which cover them as with a veil to bide their want
of leaves or to screen them from the rage of the
northern temoests. Can the heart remain unmoved
amid a scenery like this, which is by the Creator
designed to charm and nlease the eye? He that
57
l u r m u r s a g a i n s t P r o v i d e n c e on a c c o u n t of t h e w i n t e r
i s r e a l l y t o be p i t i e d , and I f e a r s u c h w i l l n o t
f i n d c h a r m s i n s p r i n g b u t w i l l b e a s i n s e n s i b l e a s
a t t h i s s e a s o n . H o w e v e r d e s o l a t e a l l n a t u r e may
a p p e a r in t h e e y e s of s o m e , s h e i s n e v e r t h e l e s s a
m a s t e r p i e c e of D i v i n e w o r k m a n s h i p , and i t i s o u r
b l i n d n e s s a l o n e wh i c fa h i d e s h e r b e a u t i e s . T h e r e
e r e some r a y s of b e a u t y and w i s d o m s h i n i n g i n e v e r y
p e r t . We a r e n e t a p t t o f o l l o w n a t u r e i n a l l h e r
p a r t s , b u t we o n l y a d r r i r e and a r e a t t e n t i v e t o s u c h
t h i n g s as s t r i k e t h e s e n s e s m o s t f o r c i b l y and f l a t
t e r our p a s s i o n s m o s t . In t h i s r e s o e c t n a n y r e s e m b l e
t h e b r u t e s , t h a t s e e t h e s u n , m o o n , s t a r s and a l l
t h e c e l e s t i a l b o d i e s p e r f o r m i n g t h e i r o f f i c e s ; t h e y
s e e t h e v e g e t a t i o n s p r i n g i n g f r o m t h e e a r t h , t h e
r e i n and snow d e s c e n d i n g , b u t t h e y do n o t l o o k away
vr i t b g r e a t f u l h e a r t s t o Him who i s t h e b e s t o v e r of
a l l t h e s e , b l e s s i n g s . Our s o u l s w o u l d be f i l l e d w i t h
g r a t i t u d e and w a r m t h t o w a r d t h e c r e a t o r w e r e we
r i g h t l y and a t t e n t i v e l y t o c o n s i d e r t h e w o r k s of
Sod in - t h i s s e a s o n of t h e y e a r . T h e n t h e a i r m i g h t
be in c o m m o t i o n , t h e h e a v e n s b e c o m e t e m p e s t u o u s and
a l l n a t u r e s t r i p p e d and d i s p o i l e d of h e r s w e e t n e s s
58
but. our souls might taste true pleasure in consider
ing the wisdom and goodness of the author. Such
meditations will soften our passions and elevate
our souls above the spheres of little minds, and at
all tines and in all seasons, the heart will be
grateful, contented and haooy.
Reuben Nellis.
Lenox, 0ec. 23th, 1356.
5 9
CHESTNUT GPOVE CEMETERY LOT.
-o-o-
Tbe lot in Chestnut Grove Cemetery, -where father was
bur ied , is one selected by himself, and on which he placed a
small comment. On the death of J. I . D. Ne l l i s , father sold
the south west corner of the* lo t , for the bur ia l place of his
f a t h e r and mother, and on which they were buried. On this
corner of the lot , Peter Nell is was also buried. At time of
the death of Earnhart Nellis and his wife, Henry Fassett, as
executor of the es ta te , bought the pr ivi lege of burying them
on the northwest corner of the l o t . As compensation for the
r i g h t of burial, Mr. Fassett joined vsith Mrs. S. A- Nellis and
A. :'.'. i 's i l is , in the erection of a nev; monument, on v;nicn was
inscribed the names of a l l tncse then in te r red on tns lo t .
Tnere are no r ights or owner-shin for further burials
on t h i s lot by any nne, except those held by Mrs. S. A* Nellis
and A. n. Nellis.
-o - o - o - o-
61,
• ' I " ^ - • • . - ' - • . 1 . » : v - - " ' . i ' ' . - " ' : ; ' % • ' • • ' ' , ; ' • • ' • • - . i f .
SALLEV A£.MfRA WARNER-NELUS.
0 0 R M O T H E R .
S a l l y A l m i r a ' E a r n e r - N e l l i s
-o-c-
63
Our mother, Sally Almira Earner, oldest
5 c u p. n t e r of Nathan Warner, Jr., was born at d n i o n -
0 ay 5 r d 1315. er father at that time v i l l e , , .
l i v e 5 . in s l o g h o u s e and m o t h e r was y e a r s o l d b e -
f o r e " t b e f r a m e h o u s e was b u i l t . T h e r e w e r e no c a r
r i a g e s in U n i o n v i l l e in t h o s e d a y s and s h e a t t e n d e d
h o d an •i « rt urc n an her calling on h c r s e-back.
Indians "ere quite numerous and often a source of
Tu c r anxiety as they would loiter about, beg and
steel if n o t i i n i worse. Bears were also plentiful
«r 5 mother relates tb'a I "Once on a time when she
;•?ss going through the wcods to visit a "Sugar Gamp"
;*, cer a her brothers ivere making maple sugar, she sud
denly found herself close to a bear,which was drink-
in? sac from a "Slab trough". Which was the most
frightened, I have never been able to find out. At
any rate they both escaped. 'tfhen about 80 years old,
i o t fc e r was considered quite a "belle". She ;?as goo d
size, good looking and fond of good clothes, and not
afraid to wear them. A good old Methodist minister
felt called en e t one time to state in his sermon,
t h at he re ? r t; d t here were two members of his congre
gation that were setting a bad example by their gay
attire.. Be had reference to c o t h e r and a Miss
" ixe r, who had ocie cut with new bonnets and long
«reen veils. I think if that minister were living
today and should attend some Faster service, he
would think the example had spread. This style,
64
ho w ever, appeared to suit our father for within a
yea^ from first a c q u a i n t a n c e , Sally Almira ?fartier
and Reuben Nellis were married 9t 3nionville, Janu
ary 1st, 184 0. (See life of Reuben* Nellis page 43
t o 58. )
Mother was named as executrix in father's
will. She managed the estate so that it increased
in value. She reared her three sens fror the ages
of 9, 13 and 15 until they became cf z ^ e , so that
they always loved, honored and obeyed her. She was
often asked bov she managed to keep such good control
over her b e y s . I think the secret was in her al
ways evident anxiety for their c c af o r t and welfare.
After the sale cf the residence on Prospect Street,
Ashtabula, 0., mother moved to Painesville, Ohio,
where she purchased a olace on Erie Street, near
her sister, 'Mrs. Smeline Axtell. Here she lived
till when she took rooms at the Stockwell House,
where she remained till 1379,
H. C. M el 1 i s, who was in the First National
Bank of Painesville during this time, removing to
Piqua, 0., in 187S, mother one year later also moved
to Piqua, and is new living with Brother noser.
Mother is now 35 years old and in full pos
session of all her faculties; has never had a fit of
sickness with exception of a fall some three years
since, which c o n f i n e d her tc her bed about two
m o n t h s .
At this writing she is with us in Cleveland
on a v i s i t .
-o- o - o -
6 6
.- - , t . X"**-.-;V-;.. •C-;-'4,,:*h
ALFRED WARNER NELL IS .
J -
~'w'y:
67
"i'.-.T-'.'i '.^•i-i-^.'-v^
MARY LOUISE H A L L - N E L L I S .
6 9
ALFPFD W. N E L L I S .
- o o -
A l f r e W. N e l l i s , t h e c o m p l i e r of t h e s e
s k e t c h e s , i s t h e o l d e s t s o n of R e u b e n N e l l i s and
S a l l y A l m i r a ft a r n e r - N e l 1 i s . I was b o r n N o v e m b e r
2 n d , 1 3 4 1 , on a . farm o n e m i l e e a s t c f A s h t a b u l a , 0 , .
At b i r t h my w e i g h t was 5 1 / 2 p c u n d s , and i t i s
s t a t e d t h a t f o r s e v e r a l m o n t h s , t h e o n l y way I
c o u l d b e h a n d l e d w i t h s a f e t y was on a p i l l o w . At
t h r e e y e a r s o l d , I h a v e my f i r s t r e m e m b r a n c e of
a n y e v e n t , and t h a t was b e i n g r u n away w i t h by a
s c a n of h o r s e s w h i c h f a t h e r bad l e f t f o r a momen t
u n h i t c h e d . A £ u i n a hen f l e w on t h e f e n c e i n
f r o n t of t h e h o r s e s , and g a v e o n e of i t s p e c u l i a r
squav.-ks and o f f t h e h o r s e s w e n t . T h e y r a n a b o u t
a m i l e when t h e y w e r e s t o p p e d by D e a c o n M c D o n a l d .
T h e r e was a h i g h d a s h b o a r d t o t h e w a g c n , and I
s t o o d up t c t h a t and c a l l e d " H o , Ho" f o r a l l I was
w o r t h . The D e a c o n h e a r d me and j u m p e d o v e r a f e n c e ,
s e i z e d . a r a i l , e n d a t g r e a t r i s k t c h i m s e l f m a n a g e d
t o s t c o t h e t e e m . I t was v e r y muddy a n d I was p l a s
t e r e d o v e r w i t h m u d , I c a n r e m e m b e r I was t a k e n
7 0
i n t o a l og house and had t o w a i t t i l l some w a t e r
c o u l d hea t in an i r o n k e t t l e o v e r an coen f i r e , b e
f o r e they cou ld wash me o f f enough t o t a k e home.
J? b e n I was a b o u t 7 y e a r s o l d , f a t h e r moved
t o Q n i o n v i l l e , O h i o , a n d my n e x t e x p e r i e n c e was t r y
i n g to l e a r n t o chew t o b a c c o . F a t h e r ' s h i r e d man
used the weed, I b o r r o w e d a chew from him, one t r i a l
was enough f o r me. I h a v e n e v e r s i n c e used t o b a c
c o in any form. My n e x t r e m e m b r a n c e i s cf a t r i p
on t h e S t e e s Boat C l e v e l a n d from A s h t a b u l a t c C l e v e
l a n d and r e t u r n , a s d e s c r i b e d on p a g e 38. A l t h o u g h
q u i t e s e a s i c k on t h i s t r i p , i t d i d n o t b r e a k uc my
d e s i r e t c t r a v e l , a s some s u b s e q u e n t e v e n t s w i l l
show.
F a t h e r moved b a c k t o A s h t a b u l a when I was
t e n yea rs o ld , and I c a n r emember many i n c i d e n t s
c o n n e c t e d wi th t h e b u i l d i n g of t h e h o u s e , c o r n e r cf
P r o s p e c t and Lake S t r e e t s . One i n p a r t i c u l a r was
t h e f i n d i n g - by t h e mason t h a t l a i d t h e f o u n d s t i c n -
cf a f i n e f l i n t a r row h e a d , w h i c h he g a v e t o me.
Th i s arrow head was t h e s t a r t i n g p o i n t of my c o l l e c
t i o n of m i n e r a l s , s h e l l s , e t c . , w h i c h a t t h e p r e s
en t t ime amount t o o v e r 500 v a r i e t i e s .
i 1
At 12 y e a r s old I w a s l e f t o n e s u m m e r in
care of U n c l e David N e l l i s , w h i l e f a t h e r and m o t h e r
tcok a c a r r i a g e trip to W i s c o n s i n . It w a s d u r i n g
this s u m m e r that I f o u n d cut hew b a r d it w a s tc make
m o n e y , in seme e s s e s . I u s e d to get up at t h r e e
> ~ l o c k and walk t h r e e or- f o u r m i l e s and p i c k b l a c k
b e r r i e s and sell then: at t h r e e c e n t s p e r q u a r t . I
also pared apples at f i v e c e n t s p e r b u s h e l . I h a v e
m a d e some money e a s i e r s i n c e t h e n , b u t n o t h i n g that
I ever took z c r e p r i d e in. A n o t h e r w e l l r e m e m b e r e d
and i n t e r e s t i n g ev e r r o c c u rr ed a b o u t t h i s t i m e . My
b r o t h e r s , Homer and J o h n , and m y s e l f , had our d a g u r -
r e c t y p e taken by U n c l e G e o r g e N e l l i s . A c o p y of
this c l o t u r e can be f o u n d en n e x t p a g e . A p p e a r a n c e s
seem to i n d i c a t e that s o m e cf u s ' C o n s i d e r e d , it a
s e r i o u s m a t t e r . F a t h e r died w h e n I w a s 15 y e a r s o l d ,
and f r o u- that time on I took hold and did my b e s t
to k e e p things in o r d e r , l o c k a f t e r the twc f a r m s ,
and the seven acres cf land on t h e h o m e p l a c e . For
a b o u t ten years t h e s e t h r e e p l a c e s k e p t m e b u s y . In
time I con s i d ere C . my s el f q u i t e an e x p e r t in farm met-1
t e r s . In those d a y s c r o p s s e e m e d to y i e l d b e t t e r
than et p r e s e n t . Cne p e c k of p o t a t o e s to the h i l l ,
72
t w o good crops of c l o v e r , cut from the same field
e a c h s e a s o n , was no u n c o m m o n y i e l d . C o r n , w h e a t ,
o a t s , sorgum, broom c o r n , with p o t a t o e s and other
v e g e t a b l e s , were all raised at v a r i o u s times to
g o o d a d v a n t a g e . In t r i m m i n g and t r a n s p l a n t i n g trees
and s h r u b s , I b e c a m e e x p e r t . At one time over 150
y o u n g h e m l o c k s were g a t h e r e d from the w e e d s and
p l a n t e d as a h e d g e , of the w h o l e n u m b e r only three
d i e d . \ ty motto was t h a t " A n y t h i n g w o r t h doing at
a l l , w a s worth d o i n g w e l l . "
Being k e p t so busy my s c h o o l d a y s were
v e r y i r r e g u l a r , -it o f t e n being the c a s e that only
t w c or three m o n t h s a t t e n d a n c e was m a d e during any
o n e year; h o w e v e r , by the time I was 21 years old,
I had passed t h r o u g h all the d i f f e r e n t g r a d e s and
g r a d u a t e d at the A s h t a b u l a High S c h o o l . During the
w i n t e r of 1 8 6 5 , E d g a r B a l l , Fred F a s s e t t , W i l l i a m
H a s k e l l and m y s e l f , a t t e n d e d 1-astnan's C o m m e r c i a l .
S c h o o l at P o c h e s t e r , S. Y. We all had a p l e a s a n t
and p r o f i t a b l e t i m e . In the spring b e f o r e r e t u r n
ing h o m e , I v i s i t e d at C l c c k v i l l e , L i t t l e Falls and
S t . J c h n s v i l l e , w h e r e f a t h e r had taken me once b e
f o r e , as stated on p a g e 53.
73
NELLIS BROTHERS.
ALFRED, 12 • JOHN, 8 - HOMER. 8 YEARS OF AGE.
COPY FROM A DAGUERREOTYPE TAKEN BY UNCLE GEORGE NELLIS IN 1863.
75
It must not be understood that during my
early years there was no time for recreation. Skat
ing on the Fiver to the Lake, sliding down Harmon
Bill, trapping the nocturnal rabbitt, and sleigh
riding, all received proper attention in the winter.
In the summer there were hunting and fishing par
ties, picnics, best rides, church sociables, at all
of which I seemed to be in good demand.
In those days gaite was quite plentiful,
end to preserve some cf the fine specimens that
fell into my hands, I learned the taxidermist's
art. My cclletion soon numbered over 100 varie
ties cf birds and animals. They filled two cases
which were made fcr the purpose. Soon after a new
end larger case was built and the specimens were
transferred tc same. Not having room for some of
the larger birds, they were disposed of, the re
mainder having kept in good condition to this date,
which is new over 50 y e a r s .
I cast my first vote for Abraham Lincoln,
and have always voted the Pepublican ticket. During
the »lar cf the Pebellion, I joined the militia -and
soon bee ane Core oral. The Ashtabula Company, with
76
o t h e r s , went i n t o camp h e r e a t C l e v e l a n d , on a va
c a n t l o t on t h e w e s t s i d e of ffillson Avenue , where
Kennard S t r e e t now r u n s . At t h e t i m e Ki r by S m i t h ' s
army came up t h r o u g h Ken tucky and t h r e a t e n e d C i n c i n
n a t i . V o l u n t e e r s were c e l l e d f c r by G o v e r n o r Tod
t o go down t h e r e and d e f e n d t h e c i t y . I was t h e
f i r s t one t o v o l u n t e e r from A s h t a b u l a C o u n t y . tf e
soon r a i s e d a company cf a b o u t 50 and , a f t e r be ing
r i g g e d ou t w i t h o ld f a s h i o n e d m u s k e t s , s h o t - g u n s ,
c o t t o n k n a p - s a c k s and t i n c u p s , we s e t f o r t h . As
good l u c k would have i t , cu r Company was p l a c e d on
a s t e a m b o a t t o p a t r o l t h e r i v e r ; t h u s , we w e r e ab l e
t o k e e p d r y , had enough t c e a t , such as i t w a s , and
as nc r e b e l s shewed up , we had on t h e w h o l e c u i t e an
easy t i m e of i t . In a b o u t two w e e k s , t h e d a n g e r
h a v i n g p a s s e d , we were s e n t home. Th.cse v o l u n t e e r s
were c a l l e d " S q u i r r e l H u n t e r s " . G o v e r n o r Tod, whe
was t h e n g o v e r n o r of O h i o , s e n t t h e v o l u n t e e r s a
c e r t i f i c a t e s a y i n g t h a t " C i n c i n n a t i was a en a need by
t h e e n e m i e s of our U n i o n ; D a v i d T o d , S e v e r e r cf Ohio,
• c a l l e d en t h e " M i n u t e Men" of t h e S t a t e and t h e
" S q u i r r e l H u n t e r s " came by t h e t h o u s a n d s t o t h e
r e s c u e . You, A l f r e d » . N e l l i s , were one of t h e e
77
o .? T f t is T n c C tt >\ d C l a r a / 'n s s c t t
M r s A W A'c / I i s
M r s A W N e J ' i s M r s J / / a s T a s s e / t A \ , s s Cartielffar 't
L__ LL-
78
X . w ^ e . / V ^ . c e o f / I W / V e / J * '
Yt & w to o k /-n o A/or i f . t / o » i f ' a s s c t f f t > 11
A W Af <£//;*
79
and t h i s i s your h o n o r a b l e d*i so b a r g e , S e p t e m b e r
1862. David Tod. G o v e r n o r ' .
In 1865 m o t h e r , as e x e c u t r i x , s o l d t h e
bcie p lace c o r n e r P r o s p e c t and L a k e S t r e e t , t o
Lab in Sherman, E s q . She r e s e r v e d t h e h o u s e j u s t
v;est with a b o u t one a c r e of l a n d . T h i s h o u s e had
been b u i l t by f a t h e r s h o r t l y b e f o r e h i s d e a t h f o r
r en t ing p u r p o s e s . I t was b u i l t t o accommoda te two
far. i l i e s , bu t we r e m o d e l e d same and o c c u p i e d i t u n
t i l my removal t o C l e v . e l a n d in 1 8 6 8 . Mother r e -
rained here u n t i l a b o u t 1 8 7 0 , when s h e s o l d t h e
d a c e tc John C o l l i n s , whose widow s t i l l o c c u p i e s i t .
In 1865, I went i n t o t h e p a i n e s v i l l e N a t i o n a l Bank
ss r. zc*~ k e e n e r - I was t h e r e o n l y a s h o r t t i m e when
I was c a l l e d home t o c o n s u m m a t e t h e s a l e t o Mr.
Shernsn, and h e l p m o t h e r move and r e m o d e l h e r new
bene. After t h i s was c o m p l e t e d , I engaged t o H. H.
Hall, as c l e r k in h i s g r o c e r y and s h o e s t o r e , and
regained wi th him t i l l my r e m o v a l t o C l e v e l a n d in
18c e.
. About 1865 I f i r s t b e c a m e a c q u a i n t e d w i t h
••'sry Louise H a l l , and from t h e f i r s t m e e t i n g t h e r e
seemed tc he a m u t u a l d e s i r e t o s e e each o t h e r as
8 0
o f t e n a s p o s s i b l e . In l e s s t h a n a y e a r we became
e n g a g e d , w i t h an a g r e e m e n t on my p a r t t o w a i t a-
w h i l e t i l l L o u i s e became a " l i t t l e o l d e r " .
In 1 8 6 6 , G e o r g e H a l l moved w i t h h i s fam
i l y t o C l e v e l a n d , O h i o , and t h e n " t r u e l o v e " had
a ha rd t i m e of i t t i l l November 1 5 t h , 1857 we were
m a r r i e d a t C l e v e l a n d , O h i o , by Rev. Dr. floolcott.
T h i s s t e p I h a v e n e v e r in my l i f e r e g r e t t e d and have
r e a s o n t o b e l i e v e t h a t L o u i s e i s e q u a l l y w e l l con
t e n t e d . Fo r our- w e d d i n g t r i p , we went t o R u t l a n d ,
V t . w h e r e we v i s i t e d S i l a s Chapman and w i f e , and
d a u g h t e r , D o r c a s Chapman . M r .s , Chapman was an
a u n t o f . M r s , H a l l . 'He a l s o v i s i t e d my u n c l e , Dan
i e l Moot and f a m i l y , a t G l o o k v i l l e , N. Y.
On o u r r e t u r n we l i v e d at A s h t a b u l a t i l l
A p r i l 1 8 6 9 , when we came to C l e v e l a n d t o l i v e wi th
G e o r g e H a l l , and h a v e r e m a i n e d w i t h him ever s i n c e .
For t h e f i r s t two y e a r s we l i v e d in t h e Bond Block
on F u c l i d A v e n u e , t h e n e x t y e a r in George if. Howe's
h o u s e on E r i e S t r e e t , t h e n f o r a yea r in t h e second
b o u s e e a s t of S t . P a u l ' s Church on E u c l i d Avenue,
t e e n we moved i n t o tfr. P a l l ' s new house j u s t c o z -
e l e t e d , a t 364 E u c l i d , where we have r e s i d e d for
81
RALPH NELLIS. FLORA N E L L I S .
TAKEN IN 1889.
.8 3
t he l e s t 21 y e a r s . He re Ralph H a l l N e l l i s was b o r n
June 3 rd , 1875, and t h r e e y e a r s l a t e r , J u l y 2 5 r d ,
137 3, F l o r a N e l l i s was b o r n , b o t h good , s t r o n g ,
h e a l t h y , e i g h t p o u n d e r s a t b i r t h .
In A p r i l 186 9, I went i n t o J r . H a l l ' s P i
ano S t o r e , 66 P u b l i c S q u a r e , as c o l l e c t o r and a s
s i s t a n t b o o k - k e e p e r , and a b o u t 18 75 , Mr. H a l l , h a v
ing given up a c t i v e managemen t , I had g e n e r a l s u p e r
v i s i o n of t h e b u s i n e s s . Soon a f t e r I f i r s t e n t e r e d
t he s t o r e , Mr. H a l l had as s a l e s m e n , b e s i d e s h i m s e l f ,
X. J . Wilson , J . F. I sham, B. P . H a r t , A. H. S l a c k ,
I . D. C c l v i n , and a l s o bad l o c a l a g e n t s a t T o l e d o ,
P i t t s b u r g h , Sandusky , Norwa lk , A s h t a b u l a , P a i n e s
v i l l e , Hudson and v a r i o u s o t h e r p l a c e s . He e m p l o y e d
two t u n e r s , E c t s f o r d and, R h o d e s , John Brun ton as
p o l i s h e r and t h r e e men as p o r t e r s and d r i v e r s . He
was a g r e a t a d v e r t i s e r , h a v i n g a r e g u l a r s i x i n c h
s p a c e in a l l t h e C l e v e l a n d p a p e r s cf t h a t d a y . As
I was depended on to s e e t h a t a l l a t t ended , t o b u s i
n e s s and d id t h e i r d u t y , as w e l l s s t o s e t t l e w i t h
agen t s , - keep b o o k s , and a t t e n d t b e cash d r a w e r , i t
k e p t me busy f o r many y e a r s . Of t h e above , W i l s o n ,
S l a c k and C o l v i n a r e d e a d . The r e s t a r e s c a t t e r e d .
= P =
8 4
I am t h e o n l y one r e m a i n i n g of t h e o r i g i n a l f o r c e .
Vr . H a l l , h a v i n g d i s c o n t i n u e d a d v e r t i s i n g and g r a d
u a l l y c u r t a i l e d t h e b u s i n e s s , t h e p r e s e n t h e l p c o n
s i s t s of ft. P . F r a n c i s and m y s e l f as s a l e s m e n and
c o l l e c t o r s , IV. M, C o r n e r , C a s h i e r and C a r e of M o r t
g a g e s , y r . ' G i l l , T u n e r , and A. J . J o h n s o n , G e n e r a l
U t i l i t y man.
For a r e c o r d , and t o show t h a t n o t a l l of
my l i f e has been g i v e n t o work w i t h o u t some r e c r e a
t i o n ( w h i c h i s v e r y e s s e n t i a l t o good work) I w i l l
h e r e g i v e a c o n d e n s e d a c c o u n t of some of t h e t r i p s
t a k e n and p l a c e s v i s i t e d a t v a r i o u s t i m e s .
1 s t . A s h t a b u l a t o S t . J o h n s v i l l e , N. Y , , L i t t i e
F a l l s , e t c . , t h e w i n t e r f a t h e r went e a s t f c r h i s
h e a l t h .
2 n d . A s h t a b u l a t o R o c h e s t e r , N. Y , , L i t t l e
F a l l s and S t . J c h n s v i l l e , t h e w i n t e r I a t t e n d e d
E a s t m a n ' s C o m m e r c i a l S c h o o l .
5 r d . Took a s a i l i n g v e s s e l a t F r i e , F a . , com
manded by C a p t a i n C h a r l e s P r a t t , and went t o C h i
c a g o a n d ' b a c k t o S t . M a r y ' s , C a n a d a , from t h e r e t o
N i a g a r a F a l l s and home. T h i s was in t h e y e a r 1 3 6 0 .
4 t h . In 1 8 5 1 , E d g a r H a l l , cf A s h t a b u l a , and
85
s y s e l f f t o o k a s a i l v e $ s e l a t C l e v e l a n d f o r M a r
co e 11 e, M i c h , , w h e r e we s t a i d a b o u t o n e m o n t h , v i s
i t i n g t h e i r o n Ei ines> h u n t i n g , f i s h i n g f e t c . B ig
storm on t h e way b a c k . The C a p t a i n c a l l e d on u s t o
he lp t a k e i n s a i l . H a l l s a i d t h e b o a t d i d n o t b e
long t o h i m , and i t c o u l d s i n k i f i t w a n t e d t o , b e
r. a s no t 5 c i n g c u t t o g e t w e t . T h i s w a s j u s t b e f o r e
t h e war and t h e g o l d w h i c h I t o o k w i t h me f o r e x
p e n s e s and d i d n o t u s e , was k e p t t i l l t h e p r e m i u m
en same m o r e t h a n c o v e r e d t h e e x p e n s e c f t h e t r i p .
51 h . C i n c i n n a t i end do wn t h e r i v e r , d u r i n g t h e
war, " S q u i r r e l H u n t e r s " , a s h e r e t o f o r e s t a t e d .
6 t h , I n 1 8 6 5 w e n t t c M o n r o e C i t y , M c . , and v i s
i t e d A l f r e d iV a r n e r , F s c . , i l ly M o t h e r ' s D n c l e ) a f t e r
y;hco I was n a m e d . V r . W a r n e r was a s l a v e o w n e r b u t
s Union man d u r i n g t h e w a r . He had many n a r r o w e s
c a p e s . H i s s o n , A l f r e d W a r n e r , J r . , now r e s i d e s on
the home f a r m ( 6 4 0 a c r e s ) . He h a s v i s i t e d h e r e s e v
e r a l t i m e s r e c e n t l y .
7 t h . Our w e d d i n g t r i p t o R u t l a n d , V t . , e t c . , a s
b e f o r e d e s c r i b e e .
8 t h . In 1 8 6 8 I w e n t w i t h b r o t h e r Homer C . N e l
l i s t o L a w r e n c e , K a n s a s on a p r o s p e c t i n g t o u r . " IV e
86
w e n t v i a . C i n c i n n a t i and St. L o u i s , w h e r e we took a
r i v e r steam b o a t for K a n s a s C i t y . The river was
lo w , the b o a t was slow and, after s t a n d i n g it t h r e e
d a y s , we took the c a r s , went to Kansas C i t y , L a w
r e n c e and b a c k to Kansas City on our way h o m e , where
we saw our boat just a r r i v e d .
9 t h . In 1 3 7 2 M r s . N e l l i s and myself to New York-
C i t y , G r e e n o o r t , L. I., S a r a t o g a , etc,
1 0 t h . M r s . N e l l i s and m y s e l f to New Y o r k , B o s t o n ,
R u t l a n d , V t . , S a r a t o g a , c a l l i n g at C a n a s t o t a , N. Y.
1 1 t h . M r s . N e l l i s and m y s e l f . New York and Green
p o r t , L. I., in 1 8 7 4 . In 1875 I went to New York and
S a r a t o g a w i t h M r . Hall .
1 2 t h . In 1 8 7 6 , I went to the C e n t e n n i a l at P h i l
a d e l p h i a , m a d e my first v i s i t . t o Asbury Park, N. J.,
then to New Y o r k and h o m e . M r s . Nellis did not ac
c o m p a n y me on this trip.
1 5 t h . In 1 8 7 7 , M r s . N e l l i s and m y s e l f , with my
m o t h e r , v i s i t e d New Y o r k , N e w p o r t and B o s t o n , c a l l
ing at C l c c k v i l l e , N. Y.
1 4 t h . In the spring of 1 8 7 8 , we went to New Or
l e a n s , L a . , and to Bay St. L o u i s on the Gulf w h e r e
we s t a i d s e v e r a l w e e k s , then to M o b i l e and M o n t g c m -
87
4 -
e r y , s t o p p i n g a b o u t one week a t each p l a c e . Ra lph
went wi th us on t h i s t r i p .
1 5 t h . In t h e sumrer of 1 8 7 9 , w i t h B. C. N e l l i s ,
and w i f e , we went t o New York , New L o n d o n , C o n n . ,
G r e e n o c r t , L. I . , and Asbury P a r k , N. J . Ralph and
F l o r a were l e f t in c a r e of a n u r s e a t P a i n e s v i l l e .
l o t h . In t h e s p r i n g cf 1 8 8 0 , I w e n t s o u t h w i t h
V.T. B a l l , v i s i t e d J a c k s o n v i l l e , W i n t e r P a r k , e t c . ,
and on my r e t u r n s t e p p i n g a t S a v a n n a h , C h a r l e s t o n
and W a s h i n g t o n .
1 7 t h . We went t c C h i c a g o i n t h e s p r i n g of 18SI
I and r e t u r n e d by t h e way cf F i q u a , O h i o .
1 8 t h . In t h e summer of 1 8 8 2 , I w e n t a l o n e t o
\ C l a y t o n , N. Y. and down t h e S t . L a w r e n c e t o M o n t r e a l
and from t h e r e t o P o r t l a n d , Me. , t h e n down t h e c o a s t
, t o Old Orchard Beach and B o s t o n , t h e n c e t c New York
, v i e . F a l l R i v e r and t h e Sound S t e a m e r , and home v i a .
.'; e v; York C e n t r a l , s t o o p i n g a t C a n a s t c t a , • N . Y.
1 8 t h . In 1885 we went t o P h i l a d e l p h i a , t h e n t o
Asbury P a r k , N. J . , and frow t h e r e t o New York C i t y ,
S a r a t o g a , Lake G e o r g e , e t c ,
2 o t h . In s p r i n g of 18 5 4 , 1 wen t a s f a r s o u t h a s
A t l a n t a , Ga . , w i t h Mr. H a l l , who was a t t h a t t i m e
C5 3
s i c k and f e a r f u l t o s t a r t a l o n e . Mr. Hal l c o n t i n u H ;
on s o u t h and I r e t u r n e d home.
8 1 s t . . In t h e summer of 1884, we went v i a . 5 tea"
b o a t t o Maohinao I s l a n d , S t . M a r y ' s , e t c . , Balcn
and F l o r a a c c o m p a n i e d us on t h i s t r i p . .
2 2 n d . In J u n e 1 8 8 6 , M r s . N e l l i s , F lo ra and my
s e l f , went t o W a s h i n g t o n , D. C. , t h e n c e down the
sound by b o a t t o Old P o i n t Comfor t , then by r a i l to
P h i l a d e l p h i a , New York and home.
2 5 r d . In Augus t 1 8 8 6 , we a l l went by coat to
M a c h i n a c I s l a n d , P e t o s k e y , e t c . Gone about one
month .
2 4 t h . In 1 8 8 7 , we a g a i n a l l went t o Machinac
and P e t o s k e y by b o a t and r e t u r n e d home by r a i l , v i a ,
F i q u a , O h i o ,
2 5 t h . In t h e s p r i n g of 1888, I accompanied Mr.
H a l l t o W i n t e r P a r k , Rock Ledge, and o t h e r p o i n t s
in F l o r i d a - Gone s i x w e e k s .
2 6 t h . In t h e f a l l of 1 8 8 8 , Mrs. N e l l i s and myself
wen t t o t h e C i n c i n n a t i E x p o s i t i o n , and r e t u r n e d v ia
P i q u a . L a t e r in t h e f a l l we went to New York C i t y ,
e t c .
27th. In 1389 went to Piqua, Ohio, in the
s p r i n g . Went t o L a k e w o o d , N. Y. w i t h t h e f a m i l y
in summer and in t h e f a l l , ¥ r s . N e l l i s and m y s e l f
went t c New York C i t y and r e t u r n e d v i a . P i t t s b u r g h
end P i c u a .
2 8 t h . In 1 8 9 0 , we w e n t t o P i q u a i n t h e s p r i n g ;
went to L a k e s i d e , O h i o , in J u l y f o r a week; i n t h e
f a l l we went t o New York C i t y and N i a g a r a F a l l s .
2 9 t h . In t h e s p r i n g of 1 8 9 1 , I a c c o m p a n i e d Mr.
r a i l s o u t h , v i a . N a s h v i l l e , M o n t g o m e r y , and T h o m a s -
v i l l e , t o J a c k s o n v i l l e , F ' l a . , H e r e Mr. H a l l was
t ake down w i t h La G r i p p e and f o r n e a r l y two m o n t h s
?; a s u n a b l e t c r e t u r n . He was v e r y s i c k and a s I
:;as a l o n e w i t h b i n and t o o k m o s t of t h e c a r e of
rim, I had a n y t h i n g b u t a p l e a s a n t t r i p .
5 0 t h . In summer of 1 8 8 1 , we wen t t o P i q u e and
1 o lede and l a t e r t o P h i l a d e l p h i a , A t l a n t i c C i t y and
New York G i t y ,
5 1 s t , D u r i n g 189 2 , we w e n t t o P o r t Huron f o r a
•••cck, and in t h e f a l l t c New York C i t y . F l o r a w i t h
- s s t P o r t i u r o n .
? 2 D 3 , In 189 5, sr e v i s i t e d a t P i q u a in s p r i n g .
v ' r . Hal l and F l o r a e l o r g . The l a s t of J u n e and
f i r s t cf J u l y we w e r e a t t h e W o r l d ' s F a i r e t C h i c a g c
bu
and r e t u r n e d v i a . P i q u a and T o l e d o . In t h e f a l l we
went t o New York C i t y . . T h i s summer we a l l s p e n t
one month a t Lakewood, N. Y . , o c c u p y i n g Mr. H a l l ' s
c o t t a g e and t a k i n g our m e a l s a t t h e S t e r l i n g w o r t h .
5 3 . In 1 8 9 4 , v i s i t e d P i q u a o n c e i n t h e s p r i n g .
Al l went t o Lakewood, N. Y. and s t a i d two m o n t h s in
c o t t a g e , b o a r d i n g a t t h e S t e r l i n g w o r t h .
5 4 t h . In 1 8 9 5 , a l l went t o Lakewood and o c c u p i e d
Mr. H a l l ' s c o t t a g e two m o n t h s . Whi l e f a m i l y w e r e
t h e r e , I t o o k a t r i p t o S a r i n a c L a k e , in t h e A d r i o n -
d a o k s , w h e r e I met H. C. N e l l i s and f a m i l y . From
t h e r e I went t o P l a t t s b u r g h and down t o S a r a t o g a and
r e t u r n e d to Lakewood .
5 51 n . In J u n e 1 8 9 6 , w i t h Mr. H a l l , we w e n t t o
W a s h i n g t o n , D. C . , t h e n c e t o New York C i t y , c a l l i n g
a t Lakewood , N. Y. on our r e t u r n . In J u l y , F l o r a
and m y s e l f v i s i t e d P i q u a and T o l e d o , r e t u r n i n g v i a .
b o a t t o P u t - i n - E a y and heme. In S e p t e m b e r , V r s .
N e l l i s , F l o r a , Mr. B a l l and m y s e l f , wen t t o L a k e -
wood f o r a week, t h e n c e t o New York C i t y f o r t e n
d a y s , r e t u r n i n g by same r o u t e .
91
For t h e b e n e f i t of my c h i l d r e n , and any
e t h e r s who may in t h e f u t u r e s c a n t h e s e p a g e s , I
w i l l g ive a few of t h e r u l e s and a c t i o n s , w h i c h I
h a v e e n d e a v o r e d t o l i v e up t o , and w h i c h c e r t a i n l y
w i l l be a b e n e f i t t o any one t o f o l l o w : r
"Keep the Ten Sommar. dments.
Do unto others as yots would have, them do
unto you,
•Touch not, taste not, handle not, i n t o x i
cating drinks.
Kever use tobacco in any form.
Never fool in business n a t t e r s .
Ask thy purse what thon shouldst s p e n d .
Always use your own brains, rather than
those of others.
He that saves when be is young, may spend
when he is old.
Ee that does not rise early, never does a
good days work.
Don't horror trouble, you will have enough
of your own.
Don't worry about what you cannot help;
don't worry about what you can h e l p .
92
Be sure you are right, then go ahead.
Good security saves sleepless nights.
Better be contented with smaller profits
than to run risk of loss for sake of
larger gain.*
To my c h i l d r e n , R a l p h and F l o r a , I have en
d e a v o r e d t o s e t a good e x a m p l e ; h a v e given, them
such r e c r e a t i o n , e d u c a t i o n , and a d v i c e as I t h i n k
was f o r t h e i r b e s t i n t e r e s t , and so f a r I am happy-
t o s t a t e t h a t I know of n o t h i n g t o r e g r e t , and t r u s t
t h a t in t h e f u t u r e , as in t h e p a s t , t h e y may do
n o t h i n g of wh ich t o be a s h a m e d .
- c - c - o - o -
sf*a*c%^ *****
9 4
95
_J
R A L P H HALL N E L L I S .
R a l o h Hall N e l l i s , o n l y son of A. W, N e l -
•; lis and Mary L c u i s e N e l l i s , w a s b o r n at 8 64 Euclid
A v e n u e , C l e v e l a n d , O h i o , J u n e 5, 1-8 7 5 .
W e i g h t at b i r t h , 9 l b s ; at 6 m o n t h s old
21 l b s . He cculd w a l k a l o n e at 11 m o n t h s old. Has
a l w a y s been self r e l i a n t , s e l d o m c a l l i n g on any one
for a s s i s t a n c e w h e r e it will b e p o s s i b l e for him to
a c c o m p l i s h the task h i m s e l f .
At two y e a r s old he w a s t a k e n to S a r a t o g a ,
N e w p o r t and New Y o r k C i t y . D u r i n g the w h o l e trip
he n e v e r c r i e d or m a d e any t r o u b l e , every one r e
m a r k e d en his b e i n g a good t r a v e l e r and seeming to
u n d e r s t a n d and e n j o y the t r i p . In the spring cf
187 6 w h e n not yet t h r e e y e a r s old* he was taken to
New O r l e a n s , L a . , s e m e -incidents cf which trip he
r e m e m b e r s . In 1 8 8 1 , he w e n t t c New York and Asbury
P a r k , S. J. At f i v e y e a r s old he c o u l d read end do
s o m e easy s u m s in f i g u r e s . He c o m m e n c e d attending
H i s s F r e e m a n ' s p r i v a t e s c h o o l at 6 y e a r s old; grad
uated at C e n t r a l High S c h o o l in 1 8 9 5 , took one term
at S c e n c e r i a r B u s i n e s s C o l l e g e in 1 8 9 4 . In 1886
96
be t o o k twc t e r m s of m u s i c l e s s e n s on t h e p i a n o ,
and i n t h a t t i m e he l e a r n e d t o p l a y and r e a d m u
s i c ; c a n p l a y a g u i t a r a n d h a s b e c o m e q u i t e a ^ood
s i n g e r , w i t h o u t any i n s t r u c t i o n s , w h a t e v e r .
In 1 3 8 5 , h e w e n t t o S t . I g n a n c e , M a c k i
nac I s l a n d , and F e t c s k e y , M i c h ; a g a i n i n 1 8 8 6 he
made t h e s a n e t r i p . He a t t e n d e d t h e S e c o n d P r e s
b y t e r i a n Sunday S c h o o l f o r s e v e r a l y e a r s , a n d i n
1 8 8 8 he became a. member of t h e c h u r c h , and h a s t a k e n
an a c t i v e p a r t in S u n d a y S c h o o l and C h u r c h w o r k e v e r
s i n c e . On t h e i n v i t a t i o n ' o f R e v . D r . P o m e r c y , R a l p h
w e n t w i t h t h e D o c t o r and b i s f a m i l y i n 1 8 9 1 t o V'us-
k c k a L a k e , C a n a d a , f o r t h e s u m m e r . R e v . P o m e r c y
owned an i s l a n d in t h i s l a k e , and f e a r f u l t h a t R a l p h
m i g h t g e t d r o w n e d , b e was t o l d t h a t he m u s t l e a r n t o
swim b e f o r e he c o u l d g o . He w e n t t o t h e Y. M. G. A.
b a t h i n g p o o l and t h e s e c o n d d a y c o u l d d i v e i n and
swim as w e l l as m o s t any o n e . R a l p h j o i n e d t h e Y.
M. C. A s s o c i a t i o n and s o o n b e c a m e a l e a d e r i n a t h
l e t i c s p o r t s . He a t o n e t i m e had o v e r f i f t y y o u n g
men u n d e r h i s i n s t r u c t i o n . W h i l e a t t e n d i n g H i g h
S c h o o l , h e , one f a l l , p l a y e d on t h e f o o t b a l l t e a m ,
and t h a t s e a s o n t h e H i g h S c h o o l t e a m won e v e r y
9 7
m a t c h game t h e y p l a y e d . I n 1 8 9 5 , be a t t e n d e d t h e
C h i c a g o E x p o s i t i o n . He h a s p a s s e d s e v e r a l summers
i n L a k e w o o d , N, Y. He i s a l w a y s in good d e m a n d ,
f o r h i s a b i l i t y , s t r e n g t h and a g i l i t y a s a d a n c e r .
He w e n t i n t o t h e Wade P a r k Bank i n J a n u
a r y , 189 6, t o l e a r n t h e b a n k i n g b u s i n e s s , and i s now
e m p l o y e d t h e r e a s b o o k - k e e p e r .
h a l p h h a s no bad h a b i t s . He u s e s no p r o
f a n e l a n g u a g e . He k e e p s t h e S a b b a t b . He d o e s n o t
d r i n k , s m o k e o r c h e w . - I f f o r t h e b a l a n c e of h i s
l i f e , he c a n shew a s c l e a r a r e c o r d i t w i l l be much
h o n o r t o h i m s e l f and n l e a s u r e t o h i s f r i e n d s .
_ n — r. - r. -
88
r * \
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'"• -••'- V ' . ' - I : . - . ' : - . . . " • ; ; " * : : • • ; W " i " i r ^ " > * > ; -
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FLORA NELLIS.
FLORA M. N E L L I S .
- o - o-
103
Flora May N e l l i s , only d a u g h t e r of A. W.
N e l l i s end Mary L o u i s e Hall N e l l i s , w a s born at 854
Euclid A v e n u e , C l e v e l a n d , O h i o , July 2 5 , 1 8 7 8 .
Her weight at b i r t h , 8 1/2 l b s . at six
m e n t i s old, weight 20 l b s ; cculd walk a l o n e at 11
m o n t h s o l d . Is now five f e e t , 3 inches h i g h , w e i g h t
116 p o u n d s . , has light h a i r , blue e y e s , good form
and f e a t u r e s . At four y e a r s old she could read and
s p e l l . A t t e n d e d the public school d u r i n g the years
1 8 8 9 and 1 8 9 0 . C o m m e n c e d a c o u r s e at Miss M i t t l e -
b e r g e r ' s p r i v a t e school for g i r l s in 1 8 9 1 , and has
not c o m p l e t e d c o u r s e as y e t . She has m a d e a number
cf t r i e s tc v a r i o u s p o i n t s , g o i n g up the l a k e s to
P e t o s k e y in 1885, tc W a s h i n g t o n and Old Poi n t Com
f o r t , V s . , in spring of 1 8 8 6 , and to S t . I g n a n c e
and M a c h i n a c Island in s u m m e r of 1 8 8 5 . In 1 8 9 2 she
w e n t tc New York City and again to New York in 1 8 9 5 .
W e n t to C h i c age I x p o s i t i o n in 1 8 9 3 . Has scent sev
eral s u m m e r s at L a k e w o o d , N. Y. F l o r a is a good
d a n c e r , e n t e r t a i n i n g end self p o s s e s s e d . She is
m u c h s o u g h t after, and n e v e r , in any c o m p a n y , has
to olsy the part of "Wall F l o w e r " . She is a good
c e r r e s o end ent, w r i t i n g many, and long l e t t e r s to
her f r i e n d s . She is kind and o b e d i e n t to her par
e n t s , and very t h o u g h t f u l of the w i s h e s and rights
cf e t h e r s .
Flcra has been a c o n s t a n t a t t e n d a n t cf
the Second P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h Sunday School since
or D .
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--_ 11
106
L07
|£^%&Vriv«''<H - -/;'-'.-'' ' -v"*
LIBBIE GRAY-NELLIS.
HOMER COOK NELLIS.
109
Homer Cook Nellis, second son of Reuben
Nellis, was born August 17, 1844, on a farm one
mile east of Ashtabula, Ohio. The name "Cook "was
given him in honor of his mother's grandfather, S-
lisha Cook. Homer attended the public schools at
Ashtabula,,and graduated at 16. He then took a
course in the Cleveland Commercial College, boarding
on perry St. with Mrs. Fames, who was a cousin of
his mother's. At that tim e (1830) Perry St. seer, ed
to be almost out of the city. He became a good pen-
z ? n and acquire! a thorough knowledge of book-keen
ing, which acquisition he was soon able to put in
to practical use.
In 18 51, at the age of 17, he accepted a
position as clerk and book-keeper in the Bank of
Geauga, at Painesville, 0. He was soon promoted to
position of Teller and e few years later was elec
ted Cashier, the bank in the meantime having been
reorganized, as the First National Bank of Paines
ville, Ohio. He. retained his position as Cashier
until 1B78 when he resigned and. removed to Piqua,
L10
Ohio. During all these years that he remained in
the bank, he retained the respect and confidence
of the Directors and Patrons of the bank. During
the War of the Rebellion, he obtained consent of
the Directors of the Bank to en list in Company uB"
of 171 Regiment Ohio National Guards. This Regi^
lent was mustered into the rJ. S. Army. They i;ere
sent into Kentucky at the time of Morgan's Raid.In
the battle of Cynthiana, many of this Regiment were
killed and taken ori soners. After Morgan was cap
tured, the Company "F", to which H. G. Nellis, be
longed, was detailed to guard prisoners, at John
son's Island. As it was in the winter and the bar
racks ;T e r e ooorly built, it was anything but a j f f a i l^* /<fo / £L J i o n ^ r v ^ WO* 4/rtu.CZctt/Z /V Cf7^CCt. o j fit.?/LCV }??*>U&
v/ara j o b , . A f t e r h i s d i s c h a r g e , h e r e t u r n e d t o h i s A
position in the bank. During his residence in
Painesville, he built five fine residences. The
first one built was on the east side of the river,
on a tract of about fifteen acres of land, which
he and John P. Nellis purchased, and on whi c b tbe y•
built in Co 13 on. This house took fire In the
night f r 0 3 some unknown cause. The family was a-
wakened by the barking of a large Newfoundland dog.
in
The f a m i l y b a r e l y bad time to e s c a p e b e f o r e the
h o u s e was e n v e l o p e d in f l a m e s . The loss was heavy
as t h e r e w a s only a partial i n s u r a n c e c a r r i e d . He
then built a b r i c k house on Erie S t r e e t , which he
o c c u p i e d s e v e r a l y e a r s . Being q u i t e a t r a d e r and
s p e c u l a t o r , he w a s always ready to a c c o m m o d a t e any
one that w a n t e d a p l a c e that he had fixed up, p r o
vided they w a n t e d it enough more than he did to
cay the p r i c e a s k e d . The last h o u s e built in
P a i n e s v i l l e was on the c o r n e r of M e n t o r Avenue
and Wood S t r e e t . It was a fine r e s i d e n c e , and is
today one of the most d e s i r a b l e r e s i d e n c e s in P a i n e s
v i l l e . On his removal tc Piqua t h i s p l a c e was sold
to W. F. S m i t h , who still o c c u p i e s s a m e . Nov. 7th,
1 8 5 5 , H. C . N e l l i s married L i b b i e 6. G r a y , a d a u g h
ter of B. C . G r a y , of P a i n e s v i l l e . Mr. Gray ^ i s s at
that t i m e p r o p r i e t o r end. editor of the P a i n e s v i l l e
t e l e g r a p h and in c o n n e c t i o n rith this he had a b o o k
s t o r e ' w a s also for a time editor of the Cleveland
Leader.
"The c h i l d r e n of E. C. N e l l i s and Libbie
Grey N e l l i s , are G r a c e Gray N e l l i s , born July 5th
-r
112
1 8 7 3 , in P a i n e s v i l l e , O h i o . G r a c e d i e d D e c . 3 0 t b ,
1 8 7 8 , and was buried in the P a i n e s v i l l e Cemet ry.
J o h n Gray Nellis was born S e p t . 1 5 t h , 1 8 8 3 , in
P i q u a , O h i o .
After his r e s i g n a t i o n as C a s h i e r of -bank
in 1 3 7 8 , H. C. Nellis r e m o v e d to P i q u a , 0., w h e r e
he p u r c h a s e d an interest and b e c a m e a p a r t n e r of
F. Gray C o . , in the P i c u a W o o l e n M i l l s . This b u s i
n e s s was soon enlarged and a s t o c k c o m p a n y formed
u n d e r the name of The F. Gray C o . , of w h i c h pe was
one of the i n c o r p o r a t o r s and was e l e c t e d 7 ice P r e s
i d e n t , which office he held f o r s e v e r a l y e a r s . This
C o m o a n y m a n u f a c t u r e f e l t s , which are used by F a o e r
V. I l l s ; also horse b l a n k e t s and a f i n e q u a l i t y of
w o o l e n bed blankets for h o u s e u s e . In 1 8 9 1 , The
F. Gray Comoany p u r c h a s e d and c o n s o l i d a t e d with the
A k r o n Felt Company and the Acme W o o l e n Felt C o m o a n y
of Albany, N. Y., and at this t i m e they have one of
the best equipped m i l l s in the c o u n t r y . They em
ploy on an average of about 175 h a n d s . F. Gray
is P r e s i d e n t , W . C . G r a y , T r e a s . , H. C. N e l l i s ,
Sec'y of the Company and t h e t h r e e h a v e full m a n a g e
ment of its a f f a i r s .
L 1 4
: &i£
GRACIE NELLIS.
115
H. C. N e l l i s ?;as one of t h e . f o u n d e r s and
a d i r e c t o r c f t h e P i q u a H a n d l e Mfg. Co . He i n
d u c e d t h e H o s i e r y Co . to r emove from C a n a s t c t a . N .
Y. t o P i q u a , and was one of t h e i n c o r p o r a t o r s of
w h a t i s now c a l l e d The P i q u a H o s i e r y Co. He was
o n e of t h e o r i g i n a l i n c o r p o r a t o r s and a d i r e c t o r
i n The 3 r d B u i l d i n g and Loan A s s o c i a t i o n of P i q u a .
He i s V i c e p r e s i d e n t of t h e P i q u a M i l l i n g C o m p a n y .
He i s a b r o t h e r - i n - l a w of W. C. G r a y , w i t h whom
h e p u r c h a s e d s e v e r a l t r a c t s of l a n d and a l l o t t e d
s a m e and w h i c h i s c a l l e d t h e N e l l i s and G r a y a d d i
t i o n t o t h e C i t y of P i q u a . On t h i s l a n d t h e y
b u i l t 56 h o u s e s , w h i c h p l a c e s h a v e m o s t l y b e e n d i s
p o s e d o f . E. 0 . N e l l i s was e l e c t e d P r e s i d e n t of
t h e f i r s t F o a r d of T r a d e e v e r o r g a n i z e d i n P i q u a ,
and he y e t r e t a i n s t h a t o f f i c e . He h a s b e e n i n
s t r u m e n t a l i n i n d u c i n g s e v e r a l l a r g e m a n u f a c t u r i n g
e s t a b l i s h m e n t s t o l o c a t e a t P i q u a , and i s a l w a y s
i n t e r e s t e d i n a l l p u b l i c e n t e r p r i s e s . He h a s a l
w a y s b e e n v e r y f o n d of c u t d o o r s p o r t s and u s u a l l y
t a k e s h i s r e c r e a t i o n s in t h e m o u n t a i n s o r on t h e
s e a s h o r e . Wi th rod or gun he i s an e x p e r t .
The p r e s e n t r e s i d e n c e of H. C. N e l l i s
L16
i s on t h e c o r n e r cf Ash and C a l d w e l l 3 1 s , , P i q u a ,
O h i o . T h i s p l a c e was p u r c h a s e d by him i n 1 3 3 0 . I t
i s a l a r g e f i n e b r i c k h o u s e , w i t h h i g n c e i l i n g s and
b u i l t on a l i b e r a l p l a n . S e v e r a l a l t e r a t i o n s h a v e
b e e n made on t h e i n t e r i o r and i t now h a s a f i n e s t a i r
way , a o a r l o r 20 X 35 and a d i n i n g r o c ; ; 20 X 5 5 ,
a number of f i n e p a i n t i n g s a d o r n s i t s w a l l s . I t h a s
n a t u r a l g a s , e l e c t r i c l i g h t s , e t c . , and i s an up t o
d a t e b o u s e in a l l m o d e r n i m p r o v e m e n t s . H. 0 . N e l
l i s became a member and a c t i v e s u p p o r t e r of t h e
E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h s o o n a f t e r h e was m a r r i e d . He h a s
h e l d v a r i o u s o f f i c e s in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e C h u r c h
w o r k . He has b e e n V e s t r y m a n s i n c e 1 3 7 5 . The p r e s
e n t f a m i l y of H. C. N e l l i s c o n s i s t s ' of him s e l f , h i s
w i f e , L i b b i e S• N e l l i s , h i s s o n , J o h n G r a y N e l l i s ,
and our In o t h e r , S a l l y A l m i r a N e l l i s , who h a s made
i t h e r home w i t h Homer s i n c e 1 8 9 0 .
Homer i s 5 f e e t , 9 1 / 2 i n c h e s h i g h .
He h a s d a r k h a i r and d a r k b l u e e y e s .
- c - c - o -
117
'C i*^" -•' ••* "V
RESIDENCE OF H. C N E L L I S , PIQUA, OHIO.
119
JOHN GRAY NELLIS.
JOHN GRAY NELLIS.
L2j
John Gray Nellis, son of H. 0. Nellis, was
born at Fiona, Ohio, Sept. 13th, 1883, At 10 years
of age, he attended a private school for one year.
He then commenced attendance at public school and
is now i n t h e g r a win a r department, and stands at the
head of his classes. Is quick to learn and always
anxious to learn the bottom facts. He is quite a
good musician, can draw and paint some. He has a
printing oress ard has edited and printed a small
paper called the "Young American" He takes kodack
views, develops and prints same. He is a good bi
cycle and horse back rider. He has a pony of his
own, which be rides and drives at pleasure. He
has a fine cabinet containing relics, curios, and
about 100 varieties of bird eggs.
He has been on several trips to New York
City. Has spent two summers in the Adriondecks, and
cue winter at Ashville, North Carolina. He went to .
the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893. He is now 13
years old, 5 feet, 1 inch high, has dark hair and
eyes. -o-o-
L23
125
J O H N FFDEFN H 6 L L T S .
John R e u b e n N e l l i s , third son of R e u b e n
N e l l i s , was born at U n i o n v i l l e , Ohio, S e p t e m p e r 1 5 ,
1 8 4 7 . He was a l w a y s a very h e a l t h y , r o b u s t c h i l d ,
and b e c a m e a l a r g e s i z e , good l o o k i n g E a r . H e w a s
only n i n e y e a r s old when f a t h e r d i e d , b u t u n d e r m o t h
er's c a r e he grew U P to m a n h c o d , w i t h o u t a s i n g l e
bad h a b i t , and never- caused any of us any e x t r a w o r
ry or a n x i e t y . Ee had a kind d i s p o s i t i o n and m a d e
f r i e n d s with all who knew h i m . He attended the p u b
lic s c h o o l at A s h t a b u l a till 1 9 years of age and t h e n
w e n t to O b e r l i n C o l l e g e one y e a r . When be w a s 21
y e a r s old, he went into the P a i n e s v i l l e N a t i o n a l
B a n k , as b o o k - k e e p e r , his b r o t h e r , H. C. N e l l i s , b e
ing at that time t e l l e r of seme b a n k . John R. N e l
l i s r e m a i n e d in t h i s bank a b o u t two y e a r s . Ee b o a r d
ed w i t h his b r o t h e r end t o g e t h e r they b u i l t a f i n e
r e s i d e n c e on 8 a c r e s of land which they p u r c h a s e d on
t h e east s i d e of t h e r i v e r . T h i s . b o u s e w a s b u r n e d
d o w n , for an a c c o u n t of w h i c h see z a ^ e 110.
S e p t e m b e r 1 1 , 1 8 7 0 .i0hn married K a t e Gray,?, s i s
ter cf his b r o t h e r ' s w i f e and d a u g h t e r cf H . C . G r a y ,
of P a i n e s v i l l e . In 1 8 6 9 , John accepted a p o s i t i o n as
t e l l e r in S. P r a t t ' s B a n k , at C h a g r i n F a l l s , O h i o .
H e r e he r e m a i n e d t i l l S e p t e m b e r 1 8 7 1 w h e n he w e n t
w i t h M r . W E . Dpham on a p r o s p e c t i n g tour to Fort
S c o t t , K a n s a s . They w e n t out with the e x p e c t a t i o n of
s t a r t i n g a c a t t l e r a n c h . This was just a f t e r the
g r e a t C h i c a g o fire and John stooped ever one day to
view the r u i n s . T h e r e be took a severe cold w h i c h
by the time he r e a c h e d Fort S c o t t d e v e l o p e d i n t o
d i p t h e r i a . Not h a v i n g p r o p e r care and we t h i n k from
an o v e r d o s e of m o r p h i n e a d m i n i s t e r e d by his n u r s e ,
L 2 6
John d i e d November 1 1 t h , 1 8 7 1 . He w a s i n t e r r e d a t
P a i n e s v i l l e , O h i o . He l e f t no c h i l d r e n .
H i s widow m a r r i e d W. C . G r a y , of P i q u a , O h i o ,
She d i e d J a n u a r y 1 1 1 b , I B f o .
7f/ft)'£'«y WA*t***C - ^ ^ <f»^~± Sf/?/**•**.£*_ e ^ ^ A ' s - a p * ^ ^ c ^ ^ / j r ^
- o - o - c -
127
UNCLE DAVID NELLIS .
- o - o -
D a v i d N e l l i s , o l d e s t s o n of J . I . D. N e l
l i s , was b o r n ' /ay 5 t h , 1 8 0 6 . He m a r r i e d C a r o l i n e
S t e a d m a n f o r h i s f i r s t w i f e , S e p t . 22nd , 1 8 3 0 . She
d i e d March 2 0 t h , 1 8 4 8 , and he m a r r i e d a widow, M r s .
F l i 7 3 O o l p h , J u l y 2cr-d , 1 3 5 0 . M r s . Do lph N e l l i s
d i e d J u n e 1 5 t h , 1 8 7 5 . l e a v i n g no c h i l d r e n by David
N e l l i s . The c h i l d r e n of D a v i d N e l l i s and C a r o l i n e
S t e e d m a r , w e r e
N A MF 3 M a r r i e d D i e d
D A V I D N E L L I S ,
b c r n 1 8 0 6 M a y 5 , ' S e p . 2 2 , 1 8 3 0 , O c t . 6 , 1 8 7 2
C A R O L I N E S T E A D M A B ,
b o r n 1 8 0 9 O c t . 2 2 , S e p . 2 2 , 1 8 3 0 M c h . 2 0 , 1 6 4 8
0 H I L D F F K .
born Joseph David Nellis 18 3 2 Mch.30, Died 1833 Apr.14,
J © h n David Nellis 1834 Mch. 8, Died 1834 Mch.2 4
Sarah Elizabeth Nellis 1B55 " 30, Died 1836 Jul.18
Mary Caroline Nellis 1837 Sep.25,Married 1874 Jun.23
George Lafayette Nellis 1840, Mch.l, Never Married.
Gyrus Thomas Nellis, 1846, May 15, About 1875.
128
J o s e p h , J o h n and Sarah all died in in
f a n c y . !4ary married Henry A n d e r s o n J u n e 2 3 r d , 1 3 7 4 ,
and has o n e son, born 5£ay 1 0 t b , 1 8 7 5 , 'named G e o . H.
A n d e r s o n .
C y r u s married a Miss I n g r a h a m about 1 8 7 5 ,
and they had three c h i l d r e n , one of which died in
i n f a n c y . One child, Dow, was b o r n M a r c h 2 0 t h , 1 3 7 8 ,
B e d e *as born S e p t . loth, 1 8 8 1 .
«rs. G y r u s N e l l i s died s e v e r a l y e a r s s i n c e .
Gyrus Nellis was always a p e c u l i a r a c t i n g
boy, and be has been a s o u r c e of a n x i e t y to his
f r i e n d s . He has never s h o w n any d i s p o s i t i o n to i n
jure any one, but it has been found n e c e s s a r y at
v a r i o u s times to send him to the C l e v e l a n d and T o l e -
do A s y l u m s . ^ G e o r g e N e l l i s was a very smart s c h o l a r
when y o u n g and was t a k i n g a c o u r s e of study at O b e r -
lin C o l l e g e , but his mind g a v e way and he too was
sent to the C l e v e l a n d Asylum for a short t i m e . He
had to * i v e up school and has n e v e r g o n e into any
a c t i v e b u s i n e s s , but has worked some land l e f t him
by his f a t h e r . G e o r g e n e v e r m a r r i e d . It is s u p
posed that the t r o u b l e with the boys was i n h e r i t e d
I2y
from their mother, Caroline Steadman.
Uncle David Nellis lived at Harbor Creek,
?a. till about 1853, when he moved his family to
Ashtabula, where they remained for two or three
years. He then moved to Elmore, Ohio, and set
tled on the tract of land bis father had purchased
s o z . e t i m e previous. David by inheritance and pur
chase acquired the greater part of this tract of
lend. At the time of bis death the land was worth
about $50.00 an acre, and at the present time about
$ 1 0 0 , per acre.
David died October 6th, 1872.
- o - c - o -
fy^A^ ^ 4 ^ * f U ^ Pfjtj&z^, t t fosux^^ s£y / yt>f*&
130
U N C L E E A R N H A R T N E L L I S .
- o - o -
Barnhart N e l l i s , 3rd son of J.
Nam e .
Barnhart Nellis,
Born 1 8 1 0 Aug. 1 4 ,
Clarissa F. Ea s t m a n ,
Born 1817 Aug. 1 3 .
M a r r i e d .
I. D. N e l l i s
D i e d .
1840 -.lay 19. 1377 Men. 21
18*0 May 15, 1377 Men. 25
Children.
Albert Eastman Nellis,
Born 1342 May 2, Date not Known. 1 5 9 6 A u g . 3 0 .
A l b e r t E a s t m a n N e l l i s m a r r i e d S a r a h Roof
a b o u t t h e y e a r 1 8 5 5 . No c h i l d r e n .
A l b e r t d i e d a t . S a n d u s k y , O h i o , Aug . 3 0 t h ,
1 3 9 5 , and was b u r i e d a t F r a n k l i n , O h i o , h i s d e a t h
o c c u r r i n g s i n c e t h i s s k e t c h was f i r s t w r i t t e n .
B a r n h a r t N e l l i s was f o r many y e a r s a f a m
i l i a r f i g u r e i n A s h t a b u l a . He c a m e t o A s h t a b u l a
a b o u t 1 8 3 7 , and i n 1 3 4 0 he m a r r i e d M i s s E a s t m a n of
K i n g s v i l l e who a t t h a t t i m e w a s c o n s i d e r e d o n e of
IcJJ
- f
the handsomest girls in the County. Barnhart never
engaged in any active b u s i n e s s , but farmed in a
small way and speculated some in real estate. After
the death of his father in 1849, he moved into part
of the old homestead and remained there till his
death. He always had great faith in the Lake Shore
Railroad and subscribed stock to help build the road.
He would borrow money to buy stock, and, as the rail
road often gave the stock holders an extra dividend,
and an increase of stock be would double his money.
n"e kept at this, till, with the money he inherited
"from his father and mother, he was worth some Sixty
Thousand Dollars, which amount he gave to Oberlin
College a short time before his death, on condition
that the College should pay him, his wife, and bis
sen, a certain stipend each year during their lives.
As Uncle and Aunt died soon after, it left the C o l
lege with only the son to pay. A. E. Nellis, not
being satisfied with this arrangement, commenced
suit against the College. The matter was settled
by the College paying him a lump sum of Twelve.
Thousand Dollars. This amount A. F. Nellis lost
132
in the course of two or three years. It is gener
ally conceded that it would have been much better
for A. E. Nellis had he accepted the provision his
father made for his. Barnhart Nellis was a member
of, and helped build the Congregational Church at
Ashtabula. His death, as well as that of his wife,
was from oneumcnie contracted while attending the
funeral of her sister. Uncle and Aunt died within
four days of each other, and x e r e buried in the
same grave, on the family lot in Chestnut Grove
Cemetery ,
-o-o-o-
133
AONT ELIZABETH NELLIS- MOOT,
-o-o-
Elizabeth Nellis,oldest daughter of J. I.
D. well is, was born at Clockville, N. Y. Sept. 25,
1812. She married Daniel Bloom Moot, January 18th,
1851". Mr. Moot was a farmer. He owned a fine farm
about cue mile west of Clockville, where he lived,
raised his family, and died August "3rd. 1391.
He was an honest, upright, hard working
~ a n, and accumulated quite property. He was lib
eral with his children, giving the sons each a farm
and the daughters money and stock to an equal a-
mount. This division was made many years previous
to his death, and at a time when it would do the
r. est good, along as the childen. got married and
wanted a home of their own. Aunt "Eliza" was a
kind motherly woman, liked by every one. Her great
est ambition was the coefort and welfare of her
husband and children. Sbe was a member of the Pres
byter! an Church.
She died March 31st, 1890, aged 7 S .
164
T h e children of D 3 n i e Bloom Moot, and
Elizabeth N e 11i s-M c c t, are
Daniel 31 o 0 a M o o t , J r., born Mo v. 15, 18 3 3
M a 1 a n c t h o o NT e 1 1 i s M o o t , born M a r , 23, 1333
Lib b i e Nancy iioo t, born S a c . 6, 18 3 9
The o d o r e Garner M o o t , born July 10, 184 2
Bell Mary Moot, born D e c . 10, 1849
-0-
D a n i e l Bloom Moo t , J r . , m a r r i e d J e n n e t t •
A m s t e a d , O c t . 1 3 t h , 185 8 . T h e y f o r s e v e r a l y e a r s
l i v e d on a fa rm a d j o i n i n g h i s f a t h e r ' s . They moved
from t h e r e t o O n e i d a , Sf. Y. , No c h i l d r e n .
- o -
M a l a n c t h o n N e l l i s Moot m a r r i e d N e l l i e
H i l l , S e n t . 3 5 , 1 3 5 0 . N e l l i e w a s b o r n November
2 1 s t , 1 3 4 3 . They h a v e o n e d a u g h t e r , M i l d r e d Moot ,
b o r n J u n e 2 4 t h , 1 8 5 5 . M a 1 a n c t r. o n i s a p r o s p e r o u s
f a r m e r . He h a s a f i r e f a r n ; and f a r m h o u s e , c o m m a n d
i n g an e x t e n s i v e v i e w . T r e y t r a v e l c o n s i d e r a b l e , fb
v i s i t i n g N e w To r k and t h e / / e s t . }?J^ /A V C / A * * - - # ' W h i a j M
L i b b i e N a n c y M e e t m a r r i e d C h a r l e s S p e n c e r
H u t c h i n s o n , S e n t . 4 1 n, 1 3 5 5 . Mr. H u t c h i n s o n was A
13 u>
f o r a n u m b e r of y e a r s i n t h e d r y -goods b u s i n e s s a t
C a n a s t c t a , N. Y. Be t h e n w e n t t o S y r a c u s e and a c t
ed a s G e n e r a l A g e n t f o r t h e D a v i s S e w i n g M a c h i n e .
S i n c P 1 8 9 1 , he h a s b e e n a g e n t f o r a N e ?; York I n v e s t
m e n t C c s p a n y . T h e y a r e a m o d e l c o u p l e . I t w i l l do
C/?4.x/£S Pyidy/c/k you good to know them. They had one child ''Freddy"
wni z / aicD in infancy. f h ey are members of the /\
Presbyterian Church.
Theodore Garner Moot married Emma Bull,
September 6th, 1 8 7 1 . No children. They have a
f a n of several hundred acres, fine buildings, raise
grain and stock, ana have a large creamery. Theo
dore says he owns all the land but, what joins his.
- o -
Eell Mary Moot married Clarence Rasback,
Sect. 13th, 1871. They have one daughter, Maud
Rasback, born March 3rd, 1 8 7 5 . They are all mem
bers of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Rasback is
Cashier of Canastcta National Bank.
- o -
13 t>
CATHARINE NELLIS- RICHMOND,
-o-o-
Aunt Catharine Nellis, third daughter of
J. I. ) . Nellis, was born Oct. 1st, 1 3 1 7 .
She married Parley Richmond, May 30, 1838.
She died at Little Falls. N. Y., Aug. 14th, 1853.
Farley Richmond was born Nov. 9th, 1314.
He died July 25th, 1890.
Their children were
Mary Richmond, born Nov
Georgia Richmond born Nov
-o -
14th, 1846.
4th, 1852.
Mary Richmond married Charles H. Strcuo,
May 20th, 15 53. Their children are
Irving Stroup, born May 2nd, 1854, mar
ried Mary E. Stephenson, April 24th, 1 8 8 9 .
William H. S t r o u p , born March 24 tb, 1555,
married Maggie Curtin Aug. 4th, 18 84. All reside
at Little Falls, N. Y.
Georgia Richmond carried Adiscn Maynard
June 5th, 1372, They have one d a u g h t e r , Lillian
Maynard, born Feb. 10th, 137 5. Mr. Maynard is
l u /
an E n g i n e e r and r e s i d e s a t U t i c a , N. Y.
- o -
P a r l e y R i c h m o n d was e n g a g e d i n F a o e r M i l l
and C o a l B u s i n e s s . Be was a v e r y g e n i a l m a n , and
l i k e d by e v e r y o n e .
Aun t C a t h a r i n e was of a l i v e l y d i s p o s i t i o n ,
t a l l , l i g h t h a i r and b l u e e y e s . I o n l y r e m e m b e r o f
s e e i n g h e r o n c e .
- o -
L38
AUNT MARY NELLIS- FASSETT.
-o- o-
Mary Nellis, fourth daughter of J. I. D.
Nellis.
Name. M A R R I E D . D I E D .
MARY NELLIS,
Born 1822 Feb. 15, 1342 Mar. 23rd. 1859 Jan. 5.
HENRY FASSETT,
Born 1317 Sep. 14, 1842 Mar. 23rd. ^4u , J / * s fZ^^ f** / ?
CHILDREN.
HARRIET ELIZABETH FASSETT,
Born 184 3 Mar. 2 6, 1861 Dec. 2 3rd. 135.2 Sept. 8.
GEORGE HENRY FASSETT.
Born 1345 June 23, 1872 Mar. 3th. IV^Z • ' J u K i l / - f t y j
JOHN NELLIS FASSETT,
Born 1347 Tcv. 28, 1870.
SAMUEL V. . FASSETT,
Born 18 5 0 Jun. 17,
HS 3R Y FASSETT, Jr.,
Born 1355 Sep, 20, 1875 March
-0 -
138
Harriet E- Fassett married David Haskell
in 1851, and died in 1862, leaving no children.
-o-
George H. Fassett married Lillie M. Perry,
March 5th, 187 2, and has four children, Perry N..
born Feb. 27th. 1873, Ida born Oct. loth, 1874, died
, Harriet E., born June SO, 1879;
George H. born Nov. 7th, 1881. Oteo H PcLss<fffX 'ct.' ,£'C T/yyit Z J ~ 'V99. Hz c£yo/i/t£a( d e a . t t * /
hea-r j 1 / fe l t 4 f t ~ ° ~
Henry Fassett, Jr., married Rose E. Phillips
, and has 3 children, viz: John Glen,
born Jan. 1st, 1376, Mary N. born Dec. 21st, 1881,
Neal P., born Jan. 14th. 1890.
Samuel M. Fassett never married. John N.
Fassett died in 1370. For an account of the life
of Henry Fassett, husband of # a r y Nellis, see page
217.
-G-
r-
A U N T N A N C Y N E L L I S - 7 / A R N E R
_ i"» _ i ^ _ .
Nancy N e l l i s , s e c o n d d a u g h t e r of J . I . D.
N e l l i s , was b o r n F e b . 2 2 n d , 1 3 1 5 , m a r r i e d E l b r i d g e
0 . . ' l a m e r , J a n . 5 1 b , 1 3 4 2 , d i e d a t U n i o n v i l l e , 0 . ,
March 1 3 t h , 1 3 5 5 .
E l b r i d g e 0 . W a r n e r d i e d a t U n i o n v i l l e , 0 . ,
March 1 1 t h , 1 8 5 4 . E. 0 . W a r n e r was a b r o t h e r o f
o u r m o t h e r ( S a l l y A. W a r n e r ) . He v;as a f a r m e r a n d
s t o c k r a i s e r . S e e " n a r n e r F a m i l y " p a g e
The c h i l d r e n of B• 0 . V/a rner and Nancy
N e l l i s - E a r n e r , w e r e
O a s s i u s E l b r i d g e V . ' a r n e r , b o r n A u g . 1 4 , 1 8 4 4
D i e d J a n . 2 7 , 1 8 5 2
E u g e n e N e l l i s W a r n e r , b o r n J a n . 1 0 , 1 8 4 7
J o s e p h i n e E a r n e r , b o r n A u g . 7 , 1 8 4 9
D i e d F e b . 2 6 , 1 8 7 0 .
A r t h u r E l b r i d g e 7T a r n e r , b o r n D e c . 2 2 , 1 8 5 1
I s a d o r a E a r n e r b o r n J a n . 2 , 1 8 5 5
D i e d J a n . 2 1 , 1 8 5 2 .
- 0 -
E u g e n e N. W a r n e r m a r r i e d K a t e A. H u t c h i n s
l l
A p r i l 1 7 t h , 1 8 7 3 , and t h e y h a v e s e v e n c h i l d r e n , v i z :
D o r r E u g e n e W a r n e r b o r n D e c . 6 , 1 8 7 3
O t t o N e l l i s . I a r n e r , b o r n D e c , 2 1 , 1 8 7 4
J o s e p h i n e C l a r a W a r n e r h o r n S & v , 2 6, I S ? 7
G e o r g e E l b r i d g e W a r n e r b o r n J u n e 2 1 , 1 8 8 0
N e t t i e N a n c y W a r n e r , b o r n A u g . 2 6 , 1 8 8 1
M a r y F n e l i n e W a r n e r , b o r n N o v . 1 6 , 1 8 8 4
E l b r i d g e S t e p h e n E a r n e r b o r n F e b . 1 6 , 1 8 9 6 Q?ffo frsffi'5 U/OAs^uAs^siM^aC hfA* J A * * * ^ ofhoMStyjjyfyu*/-£-&/fva-
- o - o -
Cousins Eugene Nellis Warner and Arthur h.
W ar n er are double cousins of A . W. Nellis and H. C .
Nell i s , their father and our mother being brother
and sister, and their mother and our father being
brother and sister.
Eugene N. Warner has a fine far? about one
mile east cf Unionville, Ohio, and is an extensive
fruit and grape grower. He evidently does net in
tend tc have the Warner family run out if he can
help it. Long may 1-e w a i v e !
- o -
A r t h u r E. W a r n e r m a r r i e d Mary R o s t e t t e r ,
A p r i l 1 6 t h , 1 8 3 5 . They h a v e one c h i l d , I s e d o r e
N e l l i s W a r n e r , b o r n J u l y 4 t h , 1 3 3 9 . A r t h u r E . i s
i * -
a l s o a f a r m e r and l i v e s i n U n i o n v i l l e .
- o -
J o s e p h i n e W a r n e r m a r r i e d W i l b u r C l e v e l a n d .
Nov . 1 3 t h , 1 3 5 3 . They had o n e c h i l d , A l f r e d C l e v e
l a n d , bofan F e b . 2 2 , 1 8 7 0 . J o s e p h i n e d i e d F e b . 2 6 ,
1 3 7 0 . The s o n , A l f r e d , i s now ?, :ith h i s f a t h e r i n
S t . P a u l , M i n n e s o t a .
C a s s i u s and I s a d o r a W a r n e r , a s t h e r e c o r d
s h o w s , d i e d y o u n g .
- o -
Every one speaks of Aunt Nancy Warner as
being a very handsome g i r l . She certainly was, as
I remember her, a lovely woman.
- o -
Elbridge 0. Warner for his second wife mar
r i e i a widow, Mrs. M i n e i? v a Shears, and she lived
but a short time. He again married Mrs. Marion
B. 3 never ill, and by the last wife had one d a u g h
ter, M a r g e a Olive Warner, born Sept. 25, 1875. This
daughter married B. 0. Rote, of Geneva, Ohio, Dec.
7, 1892, and is now living in Geneva. Ohio.
"Time makes Many Changes".
end of the world was near at hand, and could quote
scripture by the hour to prove it. He now writes
me that he belongs to the "Church of God".
October 15th, 135 8, be married Louise Jane
Fish, of D ay tcn, Ohio. They lived at Ashtabula
for about one year, and then moved to Dayton where
he went into a Woolen mill with Mr. Fish, his father-
in-law. Frcm there he moved to Chicago, Oct. 18th,
1 8 7 2 , and opened a Photograph Room near Jackson
Park. He remained there till Aug. 1st, 1880, when
he left bis wife end daughter and secured a divorce
Oct. 16th, 1850. The cause of separation has never
been explained tc me. George traveled from place
tc place for a number of years, and for the last
ten years he has been living at 5troudsberg, Pa.
- o - o - o -
Li*
Gecrge Nellis made it his home with his
mother, at Ashtabula. He was for several years
engaged 'with his brother, Peter Nellis, in taking
d a. g u r r e c t y o e s . T h e y had. a large w agon fitted u p,
and in this they went from town to town and staid
as long in each place a s b u s i n e s s ;••; c a 1 d ;y a r r a n t.
This was along at the tiie cf the first discovery
of the art of taking p i c t u r e s by photography, and
it reouired a 1 o n £ sitting to get a good negative.
The picture of Reuben Nellis on page 4 1 , and the
one of Alfred, Homer and John Nellis, en page 73,
are copies f r o m d a g u r r e o t y p e s taken by George N e l
lis about 185 3.
Uncle Gecrge was a great bible student and
became imbued with the d o c t r i n e of the Second Adv en-
tists. He bought a p r i n t i n g press and printed
tracts, urging every one to prepare for the last day.
Good advice at any rate, be was doing no damage to
any one. One day, w h i l e be was hard at work witb
bis press, a slight shock of earthquake happened
along, he ran and told his mother that the last day-
had co^e. We all c o n s i d e r e d it a pretty good joke
on him. He, however, held to his belief that the
ir
L i
UNCLE GEORGE NELLIS .
- o - o -
e o r g e N e l l i s , f i f t h s e n of J . I . D. N e l l i s J
N A M S 3 C R K M A R R I E D .
1 8 5 9 O c t o b e r 1 6 ,
1 8 5 9 O c t o b e r 1 6 ,
GEORGE. N E L L I S , 1 8 2 6 J u n e 2 4 ,
L C LI 1 £ l J A K E P I S H , 1 8 4 0 J u l y 1 0 ,
C H I L D R E N .
:.' A ft Y >: I N .v I ; . N E L L I S , 1 S 6 1 M a r . 2 5 ,
- o -
Mary Minnie Nellis married Dr. Albert E.
F" r o 0 a , May 24th, 188-3, Dr. F r o o a was horn Nov.
30thl 1361, in Belvdus, 111. He graduated from
the Chicago Medical College. (Regular)
They have five children:-
Albert Nellis Proosi
Marguerite Louise Frooa,
Helen Genevieve Froon,
Mary Katharine F r c o ai,
Edgar Albright F r c o a,
Born 1884, Apr. 16,
Born 1885, Nov, 22,
Born 1888, May 7,
Born 1889, Nov. 22,
Born 1892, July 6.
All living August 15th, 1896.
- I --0-
L46
UNCLE PETER NELLIS.
Peter Nellis, the sixth and youngest son
of J. I. D. Nellis, was born at Clockville, N. Y.
September 29th, 1328.
He came to Ohio with bis father in 1840.
He was a fine locking young man, tall and well propor
tioned, with a large head and pleasant features. He
acted as Engineer on the Steam Boat Cleveland for
several seasons. He traveled about the country with
his brother George, taking dagurrotyces, as describ
ed in the life of Gecrge Nellis. In the winter of
185 4, be was sent by his father to Elmore, Ohio, to
help his brother Day id on the farm. There he from
hard work and exposer contracted a cold, which de
veloped into consumption. He died at Ashtabula,
Feb. 24th, 185 5. He was buried on the family lot
in Chestnut Grove Cemetary.
Peter Nellis was the only one of the Nellis
family, living to maturity, that never married.
-o-o
L48
ELIZEBETH KLOCK - NELLIS.
uy
ELIZABETH K L O C K - N E L L I S ,
The Klock F a m i l y ,
- o - o -
The family name of our grandmother (Mrs-
J. i. D. N e l l i s ) was K l o c k .
Klock is a German n a m e and very uncommon.
The Klocks at the p r e s e n t time are mostly found
through the State of New Y o r k .
The first of the f a m i l y , as far back as
our record g e e s , is Henry K l o c k , who came over with
the P a l a t i n e s in 1 7 1 0 , and s e t t l e d on the Mohawk
near P a l a t i n e , on a farm w h i c h is still in p o s s e s s
ion of d e s c e n d a n t s of his f a m i l y . He was born on
the Fiver Rhine in G e r m a n y . He had six s o n s ,
G e o r g e , John, J a c o b , Adam, C o n r a d and Joseph.
The i n f o r m a t i o n in regard to Henry Klock
was written by his g r a n d - s o n , G e c r g e G. Klock and
copied for my g r a n d m o t h e r a b o u t 185 2. Henry Klock
died ir 1 7 6 0 .
G e o r g e Klock, son of Henry Klock, was born
in the County of F u l t o n , New Y o r k State, on the
L O U
= r ^ = r - = - l
t r a c t of l a n d t h e n in p o s s e s s i o n of h i s f a t h e r . The
d a t e of h i s b i r t h i s n o t now known . A * h i s f a t h e r ' s
d e a t h he came i n t o p o s s e s s i o n of t h e home f a r m , and
a l a r g e amount of p r o p e r t y . He p u r c h a s e d l a n d s
of t h e C a n a . i o h a r a I n d i a n s t o t h e amoun t of t h o u s
ands of a c r e s . In 1 7 7 3 , he owned l a n d whose b o u n
d a r y was 11 m i l e s on one s i d e by 14 1/2 on t h e o t h
e r , e m b r a c i n g t h e t h e n e n t i r e t o w n s h i p of Openbeim
and S p h r a t a and t h e s o u t h e r n p a r t of t h e t o w n s h i p
of S t r a t f o r d . G e o r g e Klock d-ied i n 1 7 8 0 .
He had s e v e n s o n s , of whom George G . K l o c k
bo rn Nov. 1 2 t h , 1 7 4 2 , was t h e o l d e s t , - and, accord -*
i n g t o t h e c u s t o m cf t h e t i m e s , G e o r g e 6. i n h e r i t
ed most of t h e p r o p e r t y . G e o r g e G. Klock was a
m e r c h a n t and l a r g e f a r m e r . He s h i p p e d s e v e r a l
b o a t l o a d s of G i n - s i n g t o C h i n a . I n t r a v e l i n g from
h i s farm t o New York he had t o d i s g u i s e h i m s e l f t o
e s c a p e r o b b e r s who w e r e w a t c h i n g f o r him, as i t was
known he c a r r i e d a l a r g e a m o u n t of money . D u r i n g
t h e War of t h e R e v o l u t i o n , t h i s G e o r g e G. Klock was
a Minu te Man, and s e r v e d in t h e C o l . J a c o b Klock
r e g i m e n t , a l o n g w i t h John 0 . N e l l i s , C h r i s t i a n and
P h i l i p N e l l i s , a s d e s c r i b e d on p a g e 29.,
153
C o l o n e l Jacob K l o c k was a brother of G e o ,
G. Klock.
New York A r c h i v e s , Annals of the R e v o l u
tion, V o l . I, p a g e 4 0 8 , g i v e s the names of 20 Klock
s o l d i e r s that served in the R e v o l u t i o n . G e o r g e G.
Klock died July 26th, 1 8 3 4 . This G e o r g e G. Klock
was the f a t h e r of E l i z a b e t h Klock, who married my
g r a n d f a t h e r , J. I. D, N e l l i s . Her m o t h e r ' s name
was C a t h a r i n e B e l l i n g e r , b o r n in July 1 7 48, and A*** Ay ffftc /c: ^ ^ syctf A
died July 26th. 1 8 2 7 .
E l i z a b e t h Klock w as the t h i r t e e n t h of a
family of s i x t e e n c h i l d r e n . Her sisters were Peggy,
S o p h i a , C a t y , H a n n a h , Caty 2nd, Polly, Caty 3rd,
and Eva. Her b r o t h e r s w e r e Joseph, Jacob, G e o r g e ,
J o h n , Henry, D a v i d and P e t e r . Her parents lived
t o g e t h e r in a m a r r i e d state 80 y e a r s , and, in 1865,
the r e w e r e ten of her b r o t h e r s and sisters l i v i n g .
T h e i r g r a n d c h i l d r e n numbered a t t h a t t i w e a b o u t
8 0 , and gr e e t g r a n d c h i l d r e n 8 1 .
15 2
GRANDMOTHER ELIZABETH KLOCK-NELLIS
-,7as born September 23rd, 1786, and was married to
grandfather Nellis July 141 h, 1805. I remember her
as a small size, rather bent over, pleasant faced
eld lady. She was always glad to see us boys, and
kept a stock of nuts, pies, etc., on hand to treat
us with. She was very fond of raising chickens and
doves, and could hardly be induced to stay away from
home over night, for fear her pets might not be ta-
ken care of.
Her children all loved her, and visited
her as often as possible.- There were no quarrels
in the family. Grandmother lived to be 89 years
old. She died Sent. 2 8th, 1375. I went down from
Cleveland to attend hep-funeral. She was a member
of the Dutch Reformed Church.
Summary of Grandmother's ancestors:
Henry Klock came over with the Palatines in 1709.
George Klock, date cf birth not now known; died in
1730.
George G.Klock,born Nov. 12,1742; died July 26, 1834
Elizabeth Klock " Sep. 23,1785; died Sep. 23, 1875
-o-o-
Lo-i
..;.'.-."iJ. IT?
. -.: f s * £ r : •>*£&'$
• - ^ > W i
DE WITT C. NELLIS. TOPtKA , KANSAS.
• ESCENOEO FROM PALATINES OF MOHAWK VALLEY.
IN FOLLOWING LINE:
WILLIAM NELLIS, BORN 1688.
ANDREW NELLIS, BORN 1713.
PHILLIP NELLIS, BORN 1748.
PETER P. NELLIS. BORN 1783.
JAMES NELLIS, BORN 1816
OE WITT C. NELLIS. BORN 1849
D e l t l T T C L I K T O H B B L C i I S .
15c
D e W i t t C l i n t o n N e l l i s , is the son of J a m e s
N e l l i s , who was the son of Peter P. N e l l i s , who w a s
the son of P h i l i p N e l l i s , who was the son of A n d r e w
N e l l i s , who was the son of W i l l i a m N e l l i s , one of
the o r i g i n a l P a l a t i n e s , as d e s c r i b e d in p r e v i o u s p a
g e s .
D e W i t t C. N e l l i s now r e s i d e s in T o p e k a ,
K a n s a s , and is e m p l o y e d on the " K a n s a s F a r m e r " . He
has three c h i l d r e n , v i z : L u t h e r , A n n i e and C e l e s t e .
The d a u g h t e r C e l e s t e was b o r n in Hays C i t y , F e b . 7,
1 3 7 7 , and at an early age d e v e l o p e d a tast.e for m u s
i c . She is now an expert p i a n i s t , and a t e a c h e r in
('/ m. H. S h e r w o o d ' s C o n s e r v a t o r y of Music at C h i c a g o .
I met /iss N e l l i s in C l e v e l a n d in July 1 8 9 5 . M i s s
N e l l i s had a b o o k with her, written by her f a t h e r ,
.the title of w h i c h is u N el 1 i s-Mc Af ee Family A l b u m " .
From this book, k i n d l y loaned me for the p u r p o s e ,
many of the facts w e r e o b t a i n e d in regard to t h e Pal
a t i n e s , and the t h r e e o r i g i n a l Nellis B r o t h e r s ,
C h r i s t i a n , tfilliam and J o h a n n e s .
The p i c t u r e s of h i m s e l f and M i s s C e l e s t e
w e r e k i n d l y f u r n i s h e d by D e W i t t C l i n t o n N e l l i s .
15
-. : / ^ y ; ; u f ' ^ ^ ^J^j
CELESTE BIRDELLA NELLIS. TOPEKA, KANSAS.
DAUGHTER OF D. C. NELLIS.
'f&A
THE WARNER FAMILY.
From Vermont on the North to Connecticut on the South
for fifty miles alon^ the eastern border of New York ex
tends the BerKshier Hills of Mass. it is a region of hill
and valley, lake and stream. Its beauty is world renouned.
Near the center of the BerXshler Hills on the line of
i the Boston and Albany rail road lies the present town of
Hinsdale, formerly called Dalton. Dalton was incorporated
March 20th 1784. January 2d 1792 Nathan Warner and others
wanted to petition the legislature for a Committee to lo
cate a Meeting House and determine whether any part of the
inhabitants ought to be set off to their town of Hinsdale
but the people could not agree,
Hinsdale was incorporated in 1804.
in this town of Hinsdale at a place then and now call-l
ed "Warner Hill" our record of the Warner family com
mences.
Warner Hill is 2135 feet above sea level and has a
fine view from the summit.
It appears from the records that the Warners owned
316 acres on this hill.
i ll
OUR RECORDS OF THE WARNERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Andrew Warner. Samuel Warner. Jesse Warner. Nathan
Warner (Sr.) Nathan Warner Jr. Salley Almira Warner.
ANDREW WARNER.
Andrew Warner lived at Hatfield the date of birth and
death not known. He had a son Samuel Warner.
SAMUEL WARNER.
Samuel Warner was born in >Hat field but date of birth
! and death not known. He married liary Sacket of Hatfield i
! and they had a son Jesse Warner.
JESSE WARNER.
Jesse Warner born in Hatfield May 6th 1718 and died MaV
10th 1793. His wifes name was Mary and they had a son Natron
Warner (Sr.). Jesse Warner was a farmer and lived on
Warner Hill where he owned several hundred acres. He at
one time sold 119 acres of this land to his son Nathan
Warner (Sr.).
Consideration named in the deed was Forty Dollars.
Jesse Warner died in 1793, In 1794 David Warner of
Warnesborough, N. Y, was appointed Administrator of Jesse
Warner fs estate and Nathan Warner was his bondsman.
/SX-/Z
NATHAN WARNER SR,
Nathan Warner Sr. was born at Hinsdale Mass. in 17&5#
and died in Lexington, Ky. Feb. 17th 1829. Nathan Warner
Sr. had three wives as detailed more fully later on.
His first wife, was Jerusha Webb and thdlr oldest son
was Nathan Warner Jr. See page 105,
His second wife was Mrs. Amy Cook, formerly Wetter.
Page 162.
Nathan Warner 3r. lived on a farm of 316 acres on
Warner Hill. He was evidently a church-going man fox it
appears that about 1798, he was one of the Congregational
Church Building Committee. He sold the farm on which he
lived Feb. 28th 1811 for $6,500 to Nehemirah Hubbard Jr.
and Joshua Stow of Middletown Conn, and executed the'deed
there. His wife Amy Warner released right of dower July
8th 1812 and she was then living in Geaugha Co. Ohio (Now
Lake County).
This Nehemirah Hubbard Jr. was large owner of land
at and near Ashtabula Ohio. The present Richard Hubbard
of Ashtabula from Middletown Conn., about 1861.
The record of Andrew, Samuel, Jesse and Nathan Warner
Sr, was obtained of Mr. Rollin Cooke of Plttsfield, Mass.
Further account of Nathan Warner Sr. on page 159.
4-
THERE ARE TURKS GRAVE STONES
IN THE CEMETERY AT HINSDALE, MASS.,
WITH THE FOLLOWING INSCRIPTIONS:
This Monument is *n memory of
Erected Mrs- ^^T Warner
in memory of rellet of
! Mr. Jesse Warner Mr. Jesse Warner
who died who died
May 10th 1793 October 19th 1801.
in the 76th year of in the 77th year of
his age. n e r age#
This monument is
Erected
in memory of
Mrs. Jerusha Warner
Consort of
Mr. Nathan Warner
who died
Sept. 25th 1794
in the 32d year of
her age.
Her children rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also and he pralseth her.
JU
t
159
KAPNFF FAMILY.
- c - o -
Nathan If a r D e r, S r ., father of N a t b a n W ar
ner, Jr., and grandfather of Sally Almira Warner-
Nellis, was born at Hinsdale, V a s s ., in 1755.
Be moved his family to Unionville, Take
Co., Ohio, in 1811. They came through from Massa
chusetts with ox tears and were over one month mak
ing the journey. He settled in the woods on 500
acres cf Government land, and was obliged to clear
op every acre cf land that he cultivated. Indians
v;ere plentiful and often dangerous, Nathan Warner,
Sr. was called out several' times during the War of
1812. He -went with a company of volunteers to
Cleveland and Sandusky, marching through on foot
and suffering many hardships. Nathan Warner, Sr.,
had three wives. His first wife was Jerusha Webb,
the children by first wife were:
N a t h a n W a r n e r , J r . b o r n et H i n s d a l e ifass. J a n . 8 1 , 1 785
l l i j a h Ifar.ner,
J e r u s h I f a r n e r " u " " J u l y 3 , 1 7 8 3
A n s o n T , ' a r n e r , " a * "
P h i l o t h e t e V T a r n e r "
L60
Of the above, Elijah Warner settled,lived
and died in Kentucky. He was the father of William
uarner, who now lives in Lexington, Ky; also the
father cf Almira Warner, who married V.r. Van S * e a r - !
enger, and they- at last accounts- lived in Monroe
-o- o-
Anson Warner settled, lived and died in
Kentucky. Have no account of his family.
-o- o-
Fhilcthete Warner married a Mr. Fanes.
They had several children. Have no record of this
family,
-c- c-
J e r u s h a W a r n e r m a r r i e d D i o k e r m a n C h a n c e r -
l i n , D e c . 1 s t , 1 8 0 3 . They had n i n e c h i l d r e n , v i z :
C e m a n t h a , F h i l o t b e t e , J e r u s h a , N ' a r y a n n , E m i l y ,
L o r e n z o , F l i , A l f r e d and E d w i n . T h i s f a m i l y l i v e d
a t R i g a , N. Y.
- o - o -
E l i C h a m b e r l a i n m a r r i e d V a r y a n n F a l s e r
Ld j
O c t . 1, 154 5. He a t one t i m e had a g r o c e r y s t o r e
a t R o c h e s t e r , N. Y.
- o - c -
Cenantbs Cham berlin married G. Dickascn,
Cct. 10, 1850. They bad three children, viz: Gath
er i r , 7 a s J r £ and Philotbete. Zasina married a Mr.
Fames, and at one time they lived on Ferry St., Cleve
land. H. C. Nellis boarded with her while attend
ing commercial school. Mr. Fames died and \i r s.
Feres carried Dr. Gleascn, and is nor; living at
22 4 0 Broadway, this city. Philotbete has been liv
ing at Chicago, but at the present time is living
v; i t h )'. r s . Gleascn.
-c- c-
Of t h e o t h e r c h i l d r e n o r g r a n d c h i l d r e n
cf J e r u s h a C h a ^ b e r l i r , I have nc r e c o r d .
- c - c -
163
T h e s e c o n d w i f e of N a t h a n E a r n e r , S r . was v » C ^ VO-^JU 7 m c v ^ < 777*2 £ $ • £ / > £>S*
!.' r s . Amy C c o k ( f o r m e r l y Amy W i t t e r ) . . M r s . Cook had A
a d a u g h t e r - S a l l y C o o k , who l a t e r m a r r i e d N a t h a n
e a r n e r , J r . T h e c h i l d r e n by s e c c n d w i f e w e r e
O t i s W a r n e r , l i v e d and d i e d a t L e r o y , O h i o .
O l i v e r W a r n e r ; l i v e d and d i e d on home f a n .
tfUvJL A l f r e d ff a r n e r , m o v e d f i r s t t o L e x i n g t o n , Ky. and A-
then to Monroe City, Mo. He purchased a farm of
640 acres, set out a large number of shade trees,
built a fine house, owned a number of slaves, and
at time of the war was living in true Southern
style. H e was a Judge cf Circuit Court, a Union
man during the ?f a r, and had many narrow escapes.
He died Sect. 21, 185^, aged 39. His picture ac
companies this article. His son, Alfred Earner,
Jr., is still living on the home farm.
The third wife of Nathan Warner, Sr., was
Urs , Kimball. No children.
All the children cf Nathan Earner's were
born at Hinsdale, Mass.
Nathan fanner, Sr., died at Lexington, Ky.
Feb. 17, 1829. The Barriers were all large size,
fine looking men.
i . U '->
m • s i * * • > . : • w *»
' ' / . . • •' r ^ ' •-•'•. . . • r . .- / • ; " > •« ••*' > «* t x v V v ' -"'--/'. '4'-., ". ^r*. '*- ";'.
' ••••'•• -. • '•' ~ ' _ V . - ' • • ' [ 1 '• r . r ' . , v : - " • • v K - v • J ' ; "
ALFRED W A R N E R .
I O u
NATHAN WARNEF, J R .
G r e a t G r a n d f a t h e r Of
R a l p h N e l l i s , F l o r a N e l l i s and G r a y N e l l i s
- o - o -
Nathan (Tarner, Jr., son of Nathan V.T a rn e r,
Sr., and father of Sally Almira Warner-Nellis, was
born at Hinsdale, Mass., January 51st, 1785. He
carried Sally Cook, July 4tb, 1810. Sally Cook was
born at Preston, Conn., January 31, 1765, thus be
ing exactly cf the same age cf her husband. Sally
Cook was a daughter of Nathan Warner, Sr.'s second
v.'ife by her first husband. The children of Nathan
Earner, Jr. and Sally C c o k-ft a r n e r, were
El bridge Warner born D e c , 1 5 , 1811; died M e n . 1 1 , 18 8 4
Sally Almira Warner * May 3,1815; died
Stephen G . Warner born Aug. 8,1816; died Jan.16, 1892
Amy j . Warner, born Jul.33, 18?2; died F e b . 2 8 , 1823
Nathan W. Warner born A u g . 1 8 , 1824; died Mch.14,1825
Lmeline W, Warner born A p r . 1 5 , 1 8 2 7 ; died
The children were all born in Onicnville,
C. , except 1. 0. iV arner, who was born at Hinsdale,
Mass.
LUb
Nathan Warner, Jr. moved to Unionville from Hins
dale, Mass. in 1812. He located in the woods, one
mile south of what is now called Unionville Centre.
His land (5 00 acres) joined that of his father, who
bed located there the year previous. A log. house
was built and occupied till the year 1818 when a
small frame house was built. This house we.s built
in two parts, with a covered space between. It had
a large open fire place, where all the cooking was
done. This house was enlarged about 1351, and was
occupied by Stephen C. »arner till about 1853. !|
Nathan Earner, Jr., had a stroke of apop
lexy, and died in church September 8th, 18 41.
-0-0-
L B S
I O J
ELBPIDGE 0. WARNER.
El bridge 0. Warner, oldest son of Nathan
''.'arner, Jr., was born at Hinsdale, Mass, Dec. 15th,
1811. Died at Unionville, 0., March 11th, 1834.He
was one year old when his father icved to Ohio. He
isrried Nancy Nellis (daughter of Jv I. D. Nellis)
: January 5th, 1842. For further acccunt of family
i cf I , 0. '.'/arner, see "Nanc y-K ell i s-?.Ta rn er" page 140. i
; -C-Cr
i STEPHEN C. WARNER.-
S t e p h e n C. ftarner, s e c o n d s e n of N a t h a n
E a r n e r , J r . , w a s b o r n a t U n i o n v i l l e , O h i o , A u g , 6 ,
I 1 8 1 6 . D i e d e t U n i o n v i l l e J a n . 1 6 t h , 1 8 9 2 . He w a s
: a l a r g e s i z e , g o o d l o o k i n g m a n . He w a s a f a r m e r a n d
s t o c k r a i s e r . He m a r r i e d L u c y Ann C u n n i n g h a m J u n e
1 s t , 1 8 4 2 . L u c y C u n n i n g h a m w a s b o r n O c t . 1 , 1 8 3 0 . // " c&C^C >TJ4y £-*f/Jo/ e/&Ae/u&*2_
T h e i r c i i i 1 d r en w e r e
G e o r g i a W a r n e r , 1 s t . B o r n S e p . 1 2 , 1 8 4 5
P a n a o l p h W a r n e r , 1 s t B e r n G e t . 2 1 , 18 4 7
G e o r g i a W a r n e r , 2 n d H o r n S e p . 6 , 1 8 5 0
R a n d o l p h W a r n e r , 2 n d , B e r n N o v . 2 1 , 1 8 5 3
d i e d J a n . 2 5 , ' 4 9
d i e d J a n , 1 1 , ' 4 9
d i e d F e b . 1 6 , ' 7 7
d i e d
l/u
The two first children died of scarlet fever. Georg
ia Warner, 2nd, married Charles Millard at Paines
ville, Ohio, June 24th, 1874. She died at Muncie,
I n d . , F e b , 1 6 , 1 3 7 7 . 1$o c h i l d r e n ,
Randolph Earner, 2nd, married May F.
Deshler, of Columbus, Ohio, April 28th, 1885. They
have two children, Wm. Deshler Warner, born Oct. 3,
1885, and Randolph S. Warner, born Jan, 18th, 1892.
Mr, Warner is engaged in Furnace and Iron business,
firm of King, Gilbert and Warner, of Columbus, Ohio.
-c-o-
171
SALLY ALMIRA WARNER.
(See Sally Almira Warner-Nellis, page 63)
-o-o-
EMELINE WAENER-AXTELL.
E v e l i n e W a r n e r , y o u n g e s t d a u g h t e r c f N a t h a n
W a r n e r , J r . , was b o r n a t U n i o n v i l l e , O h i o , A p r i l 1 5 ,
1 8 2 7 . She m a r r i e d I m r i A x t e l l , O c t . 2 5 t h , 1 8 4 8 .
The c h i l d r e n of I r m i e A x t e l l and E m e l i n e W a r n e r - A x -
t e l l , w e r e
" a r y A x t e l l b o r n J u l . 1 7 , 1 8 5 0 d i e d
Key W a r n e r A x t e l l , b o r n A u g . 2 2 , 1 6 5 1 d i e d C c t . 2 5 , * 7 1
F. a l p h I m r i A x t e l l , b o r n V.ty 1 5 , 1 8 5 5 d i e d J a n . 2 7 , " 6 2
Emma A x t e l l , b o r n J a n . 1 , 1 8 5 6 d i e d J a n . 1 6 , ' 6 2
L a u r a A x t e l l , b o r n F e b . 1 , 1 8 6 2 d i e d ftolf. U ^ f Y
Mary A x t e l l m a r r i e d J u l i u s B y l e s , S e p t . 2 7 ,
1 8 7 4 . Mr. B y l e s i s a l a w y e r . They l i v e a t T i t u s
v i l l e , P a . T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e
Emma A x t e l l B y l e s b o r n K o v . 1 7 t h , 1 8 7 7 .
F l o r e n c e L a u r a B y l e s " J u n e 2 0 t h , 1 8 7 9
A x t e l l J u l i u s B y l e s u G e t . 2 1 s t , 1 8 8 0
- c - c -
172
Imri Axtell nas born in Perry, Lake Co.,
0., Feb. 12 th, 1 8 2 2 ,
He was a farmer and lived on his farmer in
Ferry, Ohio, till about 1865, *hen he moved to
P a i n e s v i l l e , Gbio. He was for many years a direc
tor of the painesville National Bank. In December
of 1887, he vr- e n t to Southern California for the
benefit of his health. He took a cold and died
there very suddenly, Jan. 8th, 1888,
M r s . Axtell and daughter Laura are living
in P a i n e s v i l l e , Ohio.
- o - o - c -
Slit Wo-l yivf6y£cC styL Pa-t yi£si/if/6 L£*"&ftry h w ^ ^ f t y y
/?J-.
THE COOK FAMILY.
1665 1675 1687 1717 1749 1785 Gregory—Stephen John— James El lsha Sa l ly .
Sarah (Sally) Cook Warner, Grandmother of A. W. and
i H. C. Nellis was a decendent of Gregory Cook QfjjSamb r idge ,
| Mass. I t i s thought that Gregory Cook came from Yorkshier,
I England and that his oldest son Stephen was born t h e r e .
! We can trace the name In America for two and a hal f Cen-
I t u r l e s , as the Cookes were early and numerous in New Eng-i
land. A Francis Cook came in the Mayflower in 1620 to
j Plymouth.
! GREGORY COOK. i
Gregory Cook resided in Cambridge, now Newton Mass.
j from 1665 tx 1690. He built and occupied a home at what
is now know as Anglers Corner. This place was the home-
| stead of some of his decendents till about time of tiie
| Revolution. Capt. Phineas Cook was the last who possessed
| it. Gregory Cook was a shoemaker. He was a Constable froij.
! 1654 to 1679. He was Selectman in 1669. He had a farm of I | 116 acres. His first wife's name was Mary. They had a j son Stephen. Wary died Aug. 17th 1681. Gregory married
2d Widow Susan Goodwin Nov. 1681. He died June 1st 1690, s
and his son Stephen administered on h is e s t a t e , which a c
cording to inventory amounted to 191 Pounds.
J —
STEPHEN COOK,
Stephen Cook (son of Gregory) was bom in England and
came with his father to Cambridge. He was a farmer and a
Selectman of Newton 1697-98, 1708 and 1716. He was a Mem
ber of Hr. Bailey's Church, full Communion, watertown whex^
he was a Deacon. He married Nov, 19th 1679, Rebecca Flagg
of Watertown. They had eight children (viz) Mary, Stephen,
Isaac, John, James, Samuel, Peter, Daniel, Mrs. Cook, died
in 1721. Mr. Cook died in 1738.
JOHN COOK.
John Cook (son of Stephen) was born in Newton, March
15th 1687. Settled in Preston, Conn, about 1710, he mar
ried Ruth Barton of Watertown, Mass. Dec. 6th 1715. John
Cook was a farmer, in 1719 he was one of two grand jurors
from Preston. In 1730 he was Selectman, in 1731 he was
the deputy (representative) from Preston to the General
Assembly of the Colony. In 1736 he was Justice of the
Peace, and in 1737 Town Agent. Mrs. Ruth Cook died in
Preston June 27, 1771. John died in Preston Aug. 22d 1762
They had ten children (viz) James, Margaret, Isaiah, Thad-
deas, Ruth, John, Abigah, Elizabeth, Margery, Barton.
John Cook was quite well off for those days. He left
a will dated April 24th 1762 in which he willed his Negro
Servants to his son Barton.
/?2-6
James Cook.
James Cook oldest son of John Cook, was born in Pres
ton January 1st 1717. He spent his life as a farmer and
clothier in Preston. He married Rebecca Larrabee born in
1721. She was mother of two of his children, and died Nov^
28th 1748. Mr. Cook subsequently married Parks who
was mother of four of his children. Tine date of the death
of Mr. Cook and last wife not known. Their children were
Daniel, Isaiah, Nathan, Stephen, Elisha. Eliphant. (All
Bible names).
ELISHA COOK.
Elisha Cook 5th son of James Cook was born in Preston
in 1749. He married Amy Wetter May 29th 1783. Thier chil-|
dren were, Abigail, born Aug. 6th 1783. Sarah (Sally) bor|
January 31st 1785. Elisha, bom Nov, 9th 1786. Stephen,
born Feb. 19th 1790. All born in Preston. Elisha Cook d
died in Preston Nov. 8th 1793. Amy Wetter Cook widow of
Elisha, married Nathan Warner Sr. May 25th 1795. Page
159. Sarah (Sally) Cook, second child of Elisha and Amy
Cook, married Nathan Warner Jr. Page 165, and they were
the parents of Sally Almira Warner (Nellis) and Grand-par
ents of A. W. and H. 0. Nellis.
The foregoing Information in regard to Cook family
was taken from a "Cook Genealogical Record", kindly fur-nlshed by Rollin H. Cook of Pittsfield Mass. July 23d 1901
L73
JOSEPH DEAN BALL.
G r e a t G r a n d f a t h e r of R a l p h and F l o r a N e l l i s .
- o - c -
J c s e p h Dean H a l l , son of
and f a t h e r c f G e c r g e B a l l , was b o r n A p r i l 4 , 1 7 8 4 ,
s t L y n n e , C o n n .
I n 1 8 0 0 , vrb en c n l y 16 y e a r s o l d , b e c a m e
t h r o u g h f r o m L y n n e t c C l e v e l a n d , O h i o , K i t h a s m a l l
c o m p a n y of p i o n e e r s , l o o k i n g f o r a f a v o r a b l e p l a c e
t c l o c a t e - l a n d . He d r o v e s y c x e cf s t e e r s w i t h
a l l h i s h o u s e h o l d p o s s e s s i o n s i n a f a r m c a r t , a n d
h i s m o t h e r ( a w i d o w ) d r o v e o n e h o r s e b e f o r e a c h a i s e
T h e r e w e r e no r o a d s b e t w e e n C c n n e a u t a n d
C l e v e l a n d , a n d t h e y h a d t o p i c k t h e i r way t h r o u g h
t h e w o o d s , f o r d i n g s t r e a m s , e t c . , a s b e s t t h e y c c u l d .
T h e y s e r e n e a r l y t h r e e m o n t h s m a k i n g t h e . j o u r n e y .
Upon t h e i r a r r i v a l a t C l e v e l a n d , t h e y f o u n d o n l y
t w o o r t h r e e b o s s e s . £ l e v e l B n 6 a t t n a t t i m e hao.
h a r d l y b e e n s u r v e y e d .
J . D . B a l l e x a m i n e d t h e s o i l , a n d f i n d i n g
i t s a n d y , c o n c l u d e d i t n s n e t s t r o n g e n o u g h f o r
f a r m i n g p u r p o s e s , s o he t u r n e d a b o u t and w e n t b a c k
t o P o m e , , A s h t a b u l a C o . , w h e r e h e l o c a t e d 1 0 0 a c r e s
174
of c l a y l a n d . At t h e t i m e of h i s d e a t h , t h i s c l a y
f a m was w o r t h Twenty F i v e D o l l a r s p e r a c r e , t h e
C l e v e l a n d l a n d a n y y h e r e f r o n Ten t o F i f t y Thousand
d o l l a r s p e r a c r e . T h i s l a n d l o c a t e d .1 y J . D. B a l l ,
c o s t One D o l l a r p e r a c r e . I t was a l l h e a v i l y t i m
b e r e d and bad t o be c l e a r e d b e f o r e any c r o p s c o u l d
be r a i s e d . A l e g h o u s e was b u i l t and o c c u p i e d
t i l l 1 SS c 7/h en a f r a m e b o u s e was e r e c t e d . Game was
i n g r e a t a b u n d a n c e and was t h e p r i n c i p a l r e l i a n c e
f c r f c o d d u r i n g t h e f i r s t two y e a r s . I t was no u n
common o c c u r r e n c e t o s t a n d in t h e d o e r cf t h e o ld
l e g r e u s e and s h o o t a d e e r o r w i l d t u r k e y .
I n d i a n s were n u m e r o u s and o f t e n a s o u r c e
cf g r e a t a n x i e t y , p a r t i c u l a r l y so d u r i n g t h e War cf
1 8 1 2 . I n t h i s war , J . D. H a l l was a s o l d i e r u n d e r
G e n e r a l H a r r i s o n . Re was d e t a i l e d p a r t of t h e t i m e
as cook and body s e r v a n t t o t h e G e n e r a l ,
The h o r s e t h a t was d r i v e n t h r o u g h from
Lynne l i v e d t o be o v e r 50 y e a r s e l d . Re was u s e d
f c r a l l f a r m i n g p u r p o s e s , and t o c a r r y g r i s t t c a
m i l l 40 m i l e s away. He was r e n t e d o u t a t d i f f e r e n t
t i m e s , a t t h e r a t e - c f c n e d o l l a r p e r d a y , and i t i s
e s t i m a t e d t h a t o v e r F i v e Hundred D o l l a r s was r e -
175
c e i v e d f o r b i s u s e .
J o s e p h D * H a l l was m a r r i e d t w i c e . H i s
f i r s t w i f e was J e r u s h a G i l l e t t , who was b o r n in
1 7 8 1 , They w e r e m a r r i e d D e c e m b e r 1 5 , 1 8 1 0 . T h e i r
c h i l d r e n were
E d w a r d H a l l b o r n M c h . 1 1 , 1 8 1 2 ; d i e d
L u c y H a l l , b o r n F e b . 9 , 1 8 1 4 ; d i e d M e n . 5 0 , 1 8 4 2
L e a n d e r H a l l , b o r n J a n . 5 , 1 8 1 6 ; d i e d May 1 , 1 8 9 2
G e o r g e H a l l , b o r n F e b . 2 6 , 1 8 1 7 . .
J e r u s h a G i l l e t t B a l l , d i e d D e c . 1 5 , 1 8 1 8 .
- c - o - o - c - c - o -
March £ 8 t h , 1 8 2 0 , J o s e p h Dean B a l l m a r r i e d
J u l i e R o g e r s . T h e i r c h i l d r e n w e r e
d i e d K c h . 1 4 , 1 8 1 9
d i e d O c t . 2 4 , 1 8 6 4
d i e d J u n . 1 1 , 1 8 2 9
d i e d May 8 , 1 8 6 2
J e r u s h a H a l l , b o r n F e b . 1 8 1 9
J o s e p h L . H a l l b o r n S e p . 2 7 , 1 8 2 5
Wm. C o n e H a l l b o r n A u g . 1 , 1 8 2 7
K B . C o n e H a l l b o r n M c h . 2 7 , 1 8 3 0
The l a s t w i f e , J u l i a R o g e r s B a l l , d i e d
J u l y 2 5 , 1 8 7 4 .
J o s e p h Dean H a l l d i e d D e c . 2 9 , 1 8 7 2 , a g e d
B8. He l i v e d and d i e d on t h e fa rm w h i c h he l o c a t e d
in 1 8 0 0 .
176
J U
Edward B a l l , t h e o l d e s t s o n of J o s e p h D
B a l l , was b o t h a c a r p e n t e r and f a r m e r . He l i v e d
and d i e d on t h e home f a r m . He m a r r i e d C l a r i s s a
C o n e , D e c . 2 7 , 1 8 4 1 . T h e i r c h i l d r e n w e r e J e r u s h a
H a l l and John H a l l .
C l a r i s s a Cone H a l l d i e d i n 1 8 4 ? and Sep
t e m b e r 2 , 1 3 5 1 , Edward H a l l m a r r i e d S a r a h F l o w e r ;
no c h i l d r e n .
- o - o - o -
Lucy H a l l m a r r i e d F i t c h C o l l i n s , S e p t e m
b e r 185 4 . They had one d a u g h t e r , E l i z a C c l l i r s ,
T h i s f a m i l y a r e a l l d e a d .
- o - c - o -
L e a n d e r H a l l w a s f o r m a n y y e a r s a m e r
c h a n t a t A s h t a b u l a , O h i o , and l a t e r a l l y a t C i n c i n
n a t i , O h i o . He m a r r i e d F h e a a L c c k w c o d , of A s h t a
b u l a , S e p t . 2 2 , 1 8 5 9 . P h e u a L c c k w c o d B a l l d i e d
Nov. 2 2 , 1 8 8 0 . T h e i r c h i l d r e n w e r e , G e o r g e H a l l ,
b o r n March 1, 1845 and L e a n d e r B a l l , b o r n !/ay 2 2 ,
1 8 5 0 .
T h e s e s o n s a r e b o t h m a r r i e d and l i v i n g i n
C i n c i n n a t i , O h i o . G e o r g e m a r r i e d E l l a D i c k s O c t .
177
21, 1858. They have a daughter, Mary £hena Hall,
born Sept. 15, 1876.
Leander married Fannie Hastings Hazzard,
Aug. 2, 18 77. They have a daughter, Marion Snell-
ing Hall, born Feb. 4, 1882.
-o-o-o-
Gecrge Ball, third son cf Joseph Dean
Hall and father cf Vary Louise Hall-nellis, has
bad many and varied experiences, which will be re
lated in a separate chapter. Be married Marietta
Fassett, of Ashtabula, Ohio, Sept. 17tb, 1844.
Their children were
Frederick L, Hall born July 18, 1 8 4 5 .
Mary Louise Hall, born Apr. 26, 1649.
Harriet Emily H a l l , born May 3, 1 8 5 1 .
yarietta Georgia Hall born Nov. 7, I 8 6 0 .
(See pages 199 to206 for' further sketches
of Geo. Hall and family)
(See pages 211 t o 22? for sketches of Fassett
family)
-o-o-o-
Lyman Hall, fourth son of Joseph Dean Ball
178
and h a l f b r o t h e r of f i r s t f o u r c h i l d r e n , m a r r i e d
A u g u s t a C r o s b y , Nov , 9 , 1 8 5 1 . They bad two c h i l d
r e n ( n a m e s n o t k n o w n ) .
Wm. H a l l w a s a c a r p e n t e r and f a r m e r . He
e n l i s t e d in t h e U n i o n Army i n t h e ft a r of t h e R e
b e l l i o n , and was k i l l e d a t t h e s i e g e of V i c k s b u r g h
- o - o - o - c - o -
FPFDFPICK L . HALL.
F r e d e r i c k L. H a l l , t h e o n l y s o n of G e o .
H a l l , was b o r n a t A s h t a b u l a , O h i o , J u l y 1 8 , 1 8 4 5 .
He a t t e n d e d t h e p u b l i c s c h o o l a t A s h t a b u l a , and
a l s o t o o k a c o u r s e i n p e n m a n s h i p w i t h t h e w o r l d r e -
n o u n e d , P i a t t P . S p e n c e r . " F r e d " b e c a m e an e x p e r t
p e n m a n , w h i c h a r t was of s e r v i c e t o him in l a t e r
l i f e .
In 1 8 6 2, d u r i n g t h e war o f t h e r e b e l l i o n ,
he e n l i s t e d f o r t h r e e y e a r s , i n lOotn Regiment, 0 . 7 . I .
and saw much a c t i v e s e r v i c e . He was w i t h S h e r m a n
en h i s m a r c h t o t h e s e a . On a c c o u n t of h i s g o o d
p e n m a n s h i p , he was d e t a i l e d t o t h e Q u a r t e r m a s t e r ' s
D e p a r t m e n t a s b o o k - k e e p e r . At t h e e x p e r i a t i c n c f
179
h i s t e rm of s e r v i c e b e r e i n l i s t e d . At t h e c l o s e of
t h e war , be was f o r a t i m e engaged in b i s f a t h e r ' s
s t o r e in C l e v e l a n d , and l a t e r , w i t h Gordon Lamp and
Gas F i x t u r e Company , as b o o k - k e e p e r .
" F r e d " was n e a r l y s i x f e e t t a l l , w e i g h e d
a b o u t 1c0 l b s , d a r k h a i r and a f i n e l o o k i n g m a n . He
d i e d a t C l e v e l a n d , O h i o , Nov. 1 1 , 1892 , and was b u r
i ed on h i s f a t h e r ' s l o t in Lake View C e m e t e r y , h i s
d e a t h and b u r i a l o c c u r r i n g t h e same day a s t h a t of
h i s s i s t e r V e t t a .
- o - o - o -
KAPY LOUISE EALLrNELLIS.
V.ary L o u i s e B a l l , o l d e s t d a u g h t e r of Geo .
H a l l , was b o r n a t A s h t a b u l a , 0 . , A p r i l 8 6 , 1 8 4 8 .
At f o u r y e a r s of a g e L o u i s e c o u l d s i n g and p l a y t h e
a c c o m p a n i m e n t on t h e p i a n o . She gave e x h i b i t i o n s
cf h e r a b i l i t y a t v a r i o u s c o n c e r t s g i v e n by h e r
f a t h e r a b o u t t h i s t i m e . .She has a lways k e p t up h e r
t a s t e f o r n u s i c and p l a y s t h e p i a n o wi th c o r r e c t
t i m e and e x p r e s s i o n . L o u i s e , b e i n g t h e o l d e s t
d a u g h t e r , h e r s i s t e r s , H a t t i e and ¥ e t t a , w e r e o f t e n
1 8 0
l e f t in he r c a r e d u r i n g t h e a b s e n c e of t h e i r m o t h e r
en e x t e n d e d t r i p s with t h e i r f a t h e r , t o v i s i t h i s
v a r i o u s s t o r e s . She t h u s in e a r l y y o u t h became
imbued wi th domes t i c t a s t e s and r e s p o n s i b i l i t y ,
which have c lung to her t h r o u g h l i f e . She became
a member of t h e C o n g r e g a t i o n a l Church a t A s h t a b u l a
in 18 5 c . She reaoved wi th her f a t h e r ' s f a m i l y t o
C l e v e l a n d , Ohio, in 1866.
Mary L o u i s e Ha l l m a r r i e d A l f r e d ft. N e l l i s ,
of A s h t a b u l a , Ohio, at C l e v e l a n d , C , Nov. 1 5 , 1 8 6 7 .
T h e i r c h i l d r e n a r e Ralph Hall N e l l i s , b o r n J u n e 5 ,
1875 , and F l o r a M. N e l l i s . born J u l y 2 3 , 1 8 7 8 .
( F o r f u r t h e r p a r t i c u l a r s of t h e l i f e c f A . W,
N e l l i s and f a m i l y , s e e p a g e s 59 t o 1 0 1 )
L o u i s e has had an a c t i v e and u s e f u l l i f e .
B e s i d e s t h e c a r e and r e a r i n g of he r own f a m i l y , s h e
f o r many y e a r s was t h e main r e l i a n c e of h e r i n v a l i d
m o t h e r . "Where i s L o u i s e * "where i s mama" h a s b e e n
t h e c o n s t a n t c a l l . Through i t a l l s h e has m a i n
t a i n e d an even temper and a l o v e l y d i s p o s i t i o n .
She has been a devo ted d a u g h t e r , w i f e and m o t h e r .
"None know h e r , but t o l o v e h e r " .
- o - o - o - o -
I s i
-•-r. fc>^ f f i0^Q*h- M^^SV v u&v*
'..•'.•••-•:.>>:•• i;-."iy«' r-rJ,\; :t iff-^-\i.\ks•••;•> < ^ ; A r : ~ . -\ .::•• •\ : . r . ' . ,s-- : :-r . :x-: : . . ' . •• ; .^>?v-.-«*M.:-
182
183
U ( L E I E m Gv EA.Lk- f ALVLfefc.
- o - o -
Marietta 6. Hall, youngest daughter cf
Gecrge Hall, was born at Ashtabula, Ohio, Nov. 7th,
1860.
"Metta" was never of a very strong consti
tution and was more or less of an invalid all her
life. When quite young she bad trouble with one
of her limbs and for sometime she was obliged to
walk with a crutch. For many years cf her later
life, she often had dispepsia, and through all her
sufferings she maintained a cheerful disposition.
She was always a great favorite with young men, and
could entertain then equally well either with con
versation, music cr dancing. She was a brunette,
tall, well formed, noticeable figure. Her educa
tion was acquired tc a large extent by reading,
travel and observation.
"Metta* G. Hall married Dr. Marvin P. Pal
mer, of.Jamestown, N. Y. , at Cleveland, Ohio, Pec.
51, 1890. They lived for one year at Jamestown,
184
N.Y. where Dr. Palmer was in company with Dr.Hazle-
ton. They then moved to Lakewood, N. Y. where the
Doctor had charge of a Sanitarium for the cure of
consumption.
Here M e 11 a died very suddenly, Nov-. 11,
1832. She was buried in Lake View Cemetary, Cleve
land, Ohio. She died and was buried on the same
day as her brother, Frederick L. Hall. Matt a was
a member cf the Plymouth Congregational Church, of
Clevelland, Ohio. Dr. Palmer now resides at 221
West 127th St., N. Y. where he has an office and
is a regular practicing physician. He m'arried for
his secord wife. Miss Helen Van Praag, Oct.1,1896.
-o-c-c-o-
185
HATTtE HALL-MARSHALL.
H A R R I E T E M I L Y B A L L - M A R S H A L L
- o - o -
18?
H a r r i e t E m i l y H a l l , second d a u g h t e r of
G e c r g e H a l l , was biorn a t A s h t a b u l a , Ohio , May 3 r d ,
1 8 5 1 . " H a t t i e " was a l w a y s of a l i v e l y , c h e e r f u l
d i s p o s i t i o n , v e r y o u i c k and a c t i v e in a l l h e r move
m e n t s . She makes a c q u a i n t a n c e s and f r i e n d s w i t h
a l l w i t h whom s h e comes in c o n t a c t . She i s fond
cf a m u s e m e n t , and t a k e s d e l i g h t in s e e i n g young
p e o p l e e n j o y t h e m s e l v e s . She i s a f i n e m u s i c i a n ,
p l a y i n g most any d i f f i c u l t p i e c e on t h e p i a n o w i t h
v e r y l i t t l e e f f o r t . She owns a f i n e r e s i d e n c e on
1 0 t h S t . , T o l e d o , O h i o .
" H a t t i e " E. B a l l m a r r i e d Henry T. Mar
s h a l l , of C l e v e l a n d , 0 . , a t C l e v e l a n d , O c t . 1 5 , 1 8 7 5 .
They have one d a u g h t e r , L o u i s e M a r s h a l l ( L u l u ) b o r n
a t C l e v e l a n d , 0 . Aug . 2 2 , 1 8 7 4 . Henry T. M a r s h a l l
was born a t C l e v e l a n d , O h i o , J u l y 7 t h , 1 8 5 1 . He
was in t h e h a r d w a r e b u s i n e s s w i t h Lockwood, Van Dorn
and M i l l e r , f o r S y e a r s , commencing in 1 8 6 9 . For
f o u r y e a r s of t h i s t i m e he was t r a v e l i n g s a l e s m a n
188
for above firm. In 1877 he accepted position as
ticket agent at St. Louis, Mo., for the Big Four
Railroad. He removed his family thither and re
mained two years. In February 1879 he moved to To
ledo, 0., and went into the General Ticket Office
at the Union Depot, where he is still engaged. He
has taste and skill as a designer of wall caper
patterns and stained glass windows. The design for
window on page 189 was executed and donated by him
for this book. f f J n y S s / t i j }?J£i.4.*d<*•££., J t c /Z .oo ^ / / L / j ^ t . ' ^ *>* ? & / ^ C ^ A / J C
fa/fit, ;W*^Z£,^
189
J-
193
t T & i • ... • • •&f*f -£ l .S f
RESIDENCE OF HATTIE HALL - MARSH ALL. TOLEDO, OHIO.
193
sat **» * V i t .
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f??f:-5 Caryl£sJb<*yt~ ??)yz J* ' / a .S /a t se / f .
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187
MARIETTA FASSETT - HALL.
188
GEORGE HALL,
-o-o-
George Hall, father of Mary Louise Hall-Nellis, and
grandfather of Ralph and Flora Nellis,was born in a log house
in Rome, Ashtabula County, Ohio, Feb. 26th, 1817. The first
ten years of his life was spent in this log house, which was
of the most primative kind, not a sawed board being used in
its construction. The floors were of split logs (called pun
cheons). The cracks were all filled with mud plaster, which
often worked out, and a good driving snow storm worked in, so
that it often happened that on awakening in the morning, snow
would be found on the bed clothes. Quite a contrast between
the "Then and Now". A new house was built by his father in
1826 with some of the then "modern improvements", such as
glass windows, stairs, brick chimney, etc. At 18 years of
age, George Hall, not being satisfied with a farmer's life,
left home with his father's consent, and went forth to seek
his fortune. The first winter he attended school at Farming-
ton and worked for his board. This was the only schooling he
ever received outside of a few months in the old log school
house near his home.
The next winter he passed an examination and taught
a school at Edinburgh, Ohio. All the questions asked of him
00
at the examination to procure this school was to spell "gauge"
and"sieve". .Many of his scholars were much older and larger
than himself. He often had to study most all night to mas
ter the lessons for the following day. In this way he edu
cated himself just in advance of his scholars. He'receiv
ed $10.00 a month and boarded around. This method had one
advantage at least in giving him a change of diet. The next
season he went to Ravenna and opened up a private academy,
which was a success in every way. Some new systems of
teaching and school government were introduced, which were
a novelty at the time. Scholars were required to take turns
in hearing recitations, taking charge of the school, etc.
All scholars were put on their honor to report their own ex
ceptions to rules, and as this was required every day at a
given hour and before the whole school, it soon became quite
rare that a rule was broken. This school was maintained six
years, when his health not being very good, he concluded to
take a trip south. He fitted up a rig and started overland
to New Orleans,stopping occasionally to form a class in pen
manship, to lecture on Phrenology or to take dagurreotypes,
he having the first instrument and took the first pictures
ever taken in America. This instrument he purchased at a
cost of $300. of a man that bought it of Dagurre in Paris.
r> 01
and brought it direct to Ravenna.
He was nearly one year on this trip, was taken sick
at New Orleans and for several months was unable to travel.
He sold his rig and returned by boat, via. Mississippi and
Ohio Rivers to Ohio. He then located in Ashtabula, Ohio,
where he soon opened up the Ashtabula Academy, and had a
flourishing school which he maintained for five years. It
was managed very much on the same principal as the former
school at Ravenna.
Geo. Hall and Marietta Fassett were married Sept. 17,
1844. (See page 176)
Mr. Hall went as clerk on the Steamboat Cleveland,
during the season of 1S4S. That winter he opened a book
and toy store at Ashtabula. To this stock he very soon
added' a number of Prince Melodeons, which were then made in
Buffalo, N. Y. One winter before the railroad was built, he
had a load of melodeons hauled through from Buffalo on a hay
rack. This store was sold out in 1850 to a Mr. Chapman. A-
bout this time Mr. Hall made his first trip to New York, to
buy pianos, going by way of boat to Buffalo, and down the Erie
Canal by packet boat. He purchased three pianos of the firm
of Raven and Bacon on time, the pianos to be paid for after
sold and the money collected. The firm had never seen or
o 02
heard of him before, and he had no acquaintance or l e t t e r s
of c red i t , but from t h a t day to t h i s , .Mr. Bal l has kept tha t
make of piano in s tock . He has purchased hundreds of t h e i r
pianos and paid there thousands of d o l l a r s . These th ree
pianos were brought to Ashtabula, and the f i r s t s a l e made was
to Lewis Austin, of Austinburgh, Ohio. The f i r s t piano case
melodeon was sold to Joshua P.. Giddings, of Jef ferson, Ohio.
From th i s small beginning, with ao c a p i t a l , but good c r e d i t
and a firm determinat ion to succeced, the bus iness increased
t i l l in the course of a few y e a r s , he nad e s t a b l i s h e d agen
cies in P a i n e s v i l l e , Ravenna, Akron, Salem and Canton. Soon
another s to re was opened in Cleve land . He t r a v e l e d fro fa
place to place looking a f t e r the va r ious s t o r e s , helping the
agents to make s a l e s , e t c . He was the f i r s t one to s e l l any
a r t i c l e on the monthly payment sys tem. At one t ime, Sfn. E.
Bradbury offered Mr. Hal l s a l a r y of $6 ,000 . per year, and an
in te res t in the Bradbury Piano, i f he would go to New York
and take charge of the Bradbury Piano F a c t o r y . Soon the
Cleveland s to re became of the !30st importance,, and in 1366,
he moved his family to Cleveland. The f i r s t s t o r e was l o
cated on Ontario S t r e e t , but in 1887, he secured a long lease
o)i the present s t o r e , 60 Publ ic Square , where the business
has been conducted ever s i n c e . This s t o r e he purchased for
JU o
RESIDENCE OF GEO. HALL. 8G4 EVJCUD AVE., CLEVELAND, O.
Uo
$25,500. cash Sept. 24th, .1887. -Here-many thousand .pianos
and organs have been sold, and as many .homes made happy with
the soothing and refining melody of music.
?/bile a resident of Ashtabula, Geo. Hall built a
fine residence on Park Street, a kcdac view of which can be
seen on page 102. His present residence, S64 Euclid Avenue,
he designed and built in 1874, at a cost of over $50,000. A
cut of this house accompanies this article. In 1883, he
purchased a fine summer cottage at Lakewood, N. Y. at a cost
of $5,000. This cottage commands a fine view of Lake Chau-
taucua, and is considered one of the most desirable places
in Lakewood. One striking characteristic of his residence,
cottage and store, is that they are all invariably painted
white outside and in. In 139S, V.T. Hall erected a fine
white granite monument on his lot in Lake View Cemetery, at
a cost for lot and monument of $4,000.
He has always taken an active part in the build
ing and support of the Congregational Church. He is a mem
ber of Plymouth Congregational Church, of Cleveland.
For the last 25 years, he has been quite a trav
eler, spending a good part of each summer at either the moun
tains, sea side, or at Lakewood, N. Y., and many winters in
Florida and the South. He is now SO years old, stands 5
r> 06
feet 6 inches high, has light brown hair,, and not a gray hair
on his head, weighs 148 pounds, and looks to be not over
60 years old.
-o-o-o-o-c-
208
SUMMER C O T T A G E OF GEO. H A L L , L A K E W O O D . N. Y.
2 1 0
4=
MONUMENT ERECTED BY GEO. HALL, ON HIS LOT IN LAKE VIEW OEMETfiRY.
211
F A S S E T T F A M I L Y ,
-o-o-
Samuel Montague Fassett- father of Marietta Fassett-
Hall, was born in Bennington, Vt., Oct. 5th, 1785, and died at
South wold, Upper Canada, Hov. 3rd, 1834. Dorcas
Siith, his wife, daughter of Capt. John Smith, of West Rutland,
•/t., born May 26tn, 1736/ died at Ashtabula, Ohio, Nov. 15th,
1S62. Mrs. Fassett was medium size, dark hair and eyes, very
active and energetic.
Samuel Montague Fassett and Dorcas Smith, his wife,
were the parents of
Silas S. Fassett, born in Rutland, Vt., Aug. 29th,
1303, and died at Ashtabula, Ohio, April 17th, 1893.
Harriet M. Fassett, born in Ancaster, Canada, April
5th, 1812, and died at Ashtabula, Ohio.
?irilliam Fassett, born in Beverly, Canada, March 14th,
1315.
Henry Fassett, born in Beverly, Canada, Sept. 14th,
1817.
Marietta Fassett, born in Ancaster, Canada, Dec. 84,
1319. Died at Cleveland, Ohio.
John Smith Fassett, born in Bayham, Canada, May 3rd,
1822, died at mioughby, Ohio.
^ 1 2
Samuel M. Fassett, born in Bayham, Canada, May 11,
1625.
-o-o-o-
Mr. Fassett moved from Rutland, 7t., to Holland
Purchase, 8, Y., and from thsrs to Ancaster, Canada, between
the year 1305 and 1812. He died in 1834.
Mr. Fassett, with Harriett, Marietta and Samuel
moved to Ashtabula about 1333. Hlliam, Henry and John had
previously moved to Ohio, as shown on succeeding pages.
-0-0-0-
S/ly Jt^iax, rfa^dZZ^€*.& tvyzo^/r*?)
SILAS 3 . FASSETT
- o -o -
1 3
S i l a s S. Fasse t t , the o ldes t son of S. M. Fassett
was born in Rutland, Vt., August 29th, 1808. He case to Ohio
when about 28 years old, and se t t l ed at Massillon. His f i r s t
occupation was that of a singing school teacher and leader of
church cho i r . HS moved to Ashtabula about 1337, where he a l
so taught music, and for many years led the choir in the Pres
byter ian Church. Be purchased the second piano that was
brought i n t o Ashtabula. Through a l l his l i f e he kept up his in
t e r e s t in music. Hs rcas engaged at one time in the Dry Goods
business at Ashtabula, with his brother Henry Fassett , and was
a lso a pa r tne r in ths sa:; mill and other enterprises under
taken by the "Fasse t t Brothers". Ee helped build the double
house, on Main S t r ee t , now occupied by Henry Fassett , and
l a t e r he sold out h is i n t e r e s t in t h i s place , and bought 13
acres of land on tha h i l l just east of town. Tnis place nas
been known for years as F a s s e t t ' s H i l l . There is a fine row
of maples surrounding ths place, a lar.<s variety of f ru i t and
shade t r e e s , and, in many respec t s , i t i s one of the most
p leasant and des i rab le places in Ashtabula. I t is now
owned and occupied by Mrs. Luncinda Fasse t t . For a nucber of
214
years S. S. Fassett was engaged in the oiano business. He
tuned and sold pianos for his brother-in-law, George Hall, of
Cleveland. He made it his home while in Cleveland with Mr.
Hall, and was familiarly called "Uncle Silas".
•. Fassett had four wives. The first two were from
Vermont, His first wife was Clementine Gage, to whom he was
carried March 10th, 1333. She died Feb. 14th, 1537.
His second wife was Gastendana Gage (a sister of his
first wife) They were married Sept. 19th, 1337. She died
Jan. 27th, 1840.
His third wife was Emslias 7an Houtsr (formerly Cros
by) of Ashtabula, Ohio. They sers larried March 16th, 1341,
and she was the mother of all ths childran, viz:
Frank Fassett, born Dec. 29, 1341.
>toy i x y * Frederick S. Fassett, born June 10, 1343. Died in'1893.
Emma Jane Fassett, born Apr. 30, 1345,
James Fassett, born May 15, 1847. JJ/£cC J^fah / - / X f y
His fourth wife was Mrs. Lucinda Dart (formerly Dick)
of Ashtabula, Ohio. They wera married Deo. 17th, 1333. Mrs.
Dart had two daughters when she married Mr. Fassett, viz: Miss
Olara Dart and Mrs. Millard, of Chicago.
Uncle Silas died April 17th, 1893, aged 83. He looked
in death as though in a peaceful sleep. Mrs. iJsllis and myself
attended the funeral at Ashtabula.
215
Frank Fassett, the oldest son of S. S. Fassett, en
listed Aug. 12th, 1361 and served till the close of the tfar of
the Rebellion. He vas with Fremont, Hunter, Curtiss and Hal-
lack, and took part in 13 battles. He married Lucy E. Rob
ertson, July 5, 1869.
They have two children:
Harry J. Fassett, born Nov. 25, 1869.
Bertha E. Fassett born Nov, 10, 1872.
-o-o-
Frederick E. Fassett, second son of S. S. Fassett,
carried Francis H. talker, Feb. 24, 1831. They have 3 children:
Clara Louise Fassett born Aug. 25, 1882.
Earl Walker Fassett, born Dec. 29, 1S84,
Grace Emeline Fassett " Dec. 12, 1S37.
-o-o-
Emma Jane Fassett, the only daughter of S. S. Fassett
married ifa. J. Smith, July 6, 1871. She obtained a divorce from
Mr. Smith about 1890 on the ground of desertion and non-support.
Tney had one child which died in infancy. In 1391, she married
H. N. Johnson, and now lives on Ouinby Avenue, Cleveland.
•James A. Fassett, third son of S. S. Fassett, married
Mary E. Reed, June 1383. Mo Children. James A. Fassett has for
many years been engaged in raising plants,flowers,smilax,etc.for
Cleveland and other markets. S / ^ facty / ^ V ^ 9 /
216
rflLLIAM FASSETT.
-o-o-
jfilliam Fassett was born in Beverly, Canada, Sent.
14, 1815. He at first moved to Massillon, Ohio, and later to
Ashtabula. He was engaged at one time running a steam saw
mill, which he owned in connection with his brother Henry.
This mill stood on /Test Prospect St., Ashtabula, about oppo
site where Triangle Park now is. He was also in the store
with Henry and Silas. He moved to Beloit, '-Visconsin, and was
engaged in selling oianos and organs with his brother, John
Smith Fassett. From Beloit he moved to Cleveland and lived
for a number of years on Hough Avenue, near rVillson. T/hile
in Cleveland ne -.fas engaged in selling organs for Kennard Or
gan Co., and later he sold pianos and organs on commission for
George Hall.
Mr. Fassett ;*as a singer and played the bass viol.
ft'illiaa Fassett's first wife was Martha Bishop. Taey had tnree
children, viz: Henry, -.vac died ia infancy, Edward who livad to
be about 25 and died about 1885, Henry S., bora June 29, 1340,
and ;rho is no:? living and is a bachelor. H t y i y j / f ? F a s s £ / f - e f / t e l
Mr. Fassstt's second :7ife was a widow Terrell, aa^
they are now living at Ashtabula. , , / / / * / • /j*/-cLYS~
lky£U; ~£evC*jtst ****~ *&' - & ^ ^ & & .
217
HENFY FASSETT.
Henry Fassett, second son of S. M. Fassett, was born
in Beverly, Canada, Sept. 14th, 1817. He came to Ashtabula
about 1836. In connection with his brothers, William £ Silas,
be started in ths dry goods business; also built and operated
a sav; mill. About 1837, he was owner and editor of the Ash
tabula. Sentinel , which paper he edited 15 years. During the
war and later till ths office sas discontinued in that dis
trict, Mr. Fassett was collector of Internal Revenue. Then he
?;as elected Probate Judgs of Ashtabula Co. and held the office
several years. Latterly he has been engaged in the real es
tate, insurance and loan agency business.
Mr. Fassetfs first wife was Mary Nellis, a daughter of
J. I. D. Nellis, and,- being a brother of Marietta Fassett
(Mrs, Geo. Hall) makes him an uncle of both Mrs. Nellis and my
self. Mr. Fassett and. Mary Nellis were married at Ashtabula
March 23, 1842. She died Jan. 5, 1859. A more complete record
of Mary Nellis and her children is given on page 138.
Henry Fassett's second wife was a Mrs. Jones, who only
lived a few years. She had one child- a boy- who was very hand
some and bright, but he died at about 4 years of age. His
third wife ?;as a widow, Lucia Klliams/ She was a very fine,
v,TelI educatsd woman,used to be a school teacher. She died about
1333. His fourth wife was a Widow Post, formerly Mary Matrons.
/ie*yjf P * *s £?f of •**=£ *4^f M S / -&}~ /&? 7 a f yfs ft f a 4^* /*. &J, to^
218
JOHN SMITH FASSETT.
John Smith F a s s e t t , born in Bayham, Canada, May 3rd,
1322. Re was the fourth son of S. M. F a s s e t t . He came to Ohio
with his b ro the r s , rfm. and Henry, f i r s t s e t t l i n g in Massillon
and l a t e r moving to Ashtabula ,and engaging in dry goods and saw
mill business undsr the name of Fas se t t Bros. He married E l i z a
beth Graham, Aug. 1s t , 1352, at Dar l ing ton , iVis. where he open
ed a piano s t o r e . He re tu rned to Cleveland in 1869 and bought
place at corner of Hough and ffillson. Here he b u i l t s s v e r a l
houses which he disoossd of to good advantage. In 1383 he pur
chased a bouse and 13 acres of land in ffilloughby where he died
in 1391, This place was sold by Mrs. F a s s e t t . The only c h i l d i s
Het t i s Fasse t t , born Aug.5,1856, married Edward Norfolk July 7,
1380. Mr. and Mrs. Jlhrfolk have two c h i l d r e n , Carl iforfolk,
born July 4th, 1832, Morrell Worfolk, born 8ov. 13, 1334.
Mrs. J. 5. F a s s e t t ("Aunt Lib") and the ff erf o i k s , a l l
l i v s in •Villoughby, Ohio.Thsy have a vsry pleasant place con
ta in ing 15 acres of land on Mentor S t . Ths boys, Morell and
Carl , ars good looking and smar t . Mr. Norfolk is caaagsr of
ths "Boston" Dry Goods s t o r e bars in Cleveland. Mrs. Norfolk
(Hatt ie Fasse t t ) is f i r s t cousin of Mrs. U e l l i s , and has a l
ways been hsr p a r t i c u l a r f a v o r i t e .
The name 7/erfolk i s a Saxon name and aieans "Isst-
folk, or people from the V/est. - o - o -
219
MARIETTA FASSETT-HALL.
Marietta Fassett was born in Ancaster, Canada, Dec.24,
1819. She coved to Ashtabula about 1333, and for a number of
years macs it her boms with her brother Silas Fassett. Shs was a
fins singer and sang in the Presbyterian Church Choir at Ashtabu
la. She married Geo. Hall, Sept. 17, 1844. She was the mother of
Frederick, Louise, Eattis and Marietta Hall. See cage Shs ;vas
s devote wife and mother, caring core for the comfort of her fam
ily than for society. She was fond of travel and cade many trips
east and south with hsr husband. For a number of ysars before
her death, she was a great sufferer from sickness,but shs bore
it all with heroic fortitude. She died Feb. 7, 1892, at ths Hall
family rssidencs, 364 Euclid Ave, and was interred in Lake View
Cscstary. She was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church.
HARRIET M. FASSETT.
Aunt Harris!, oldest- daughter of S. M. Fassett, and
only sister of Marietta Fassett (Mrs. Geo, Hall) was born in An-
castsr, Oanada. She was never married. After the death of her
mother, she made it her home with her brother Henry, with an oc
casional short visit to Cleveland. Aunt Harriet considered it
her duty to watch over her mother, her brothers, her sister, and
all their children. If any one were sick. Aunt Harriet was al-
ways on hand to nurse tb.sc back to health again. "No one knew
her but to love her". She died Nov. 2, 1880.
t
220
SAMUEL M. FASSETT.
Samuel M. Fassett, Jr., youngest sou of 3. M. Fassett,
bora in Bayham, Canada, \fay 11, 1325, coved with his motasr to
Ashtabula, Ohio, about 1338, worked in printing office of ths
Ashtabula Sentinel, sang and played ths flute in ths church
choir at Ashtabula. At 16 years of age, went to Detroit, Mich,
and sang in the -choir of Dr. Duffield's church two years, thsa
ws.it to NST York and sang in Dr. Alexander's church, was librar
ian in a Bsthel Sunday School in Five Points, returned to Ash
tabula for nsarly two years, then went to Beloit, Wisconsin,
where he bscame acquainted with Cornelia Adile Strong, of Jsf-
fsrsoa, Ohio, who at the time was on a visit to Beloit, re
turned and married Miss Strong at Jefferson, Ohio, Aug. 26 ,
1351.fis bought his wedding ring and piano of Geo. Hall. First
place of rssidence was Adrian, Mich., where he remained 13
months, clerking on a salary of $400.00 per year. Mrs. Fassett
taught music. |n 1353 moved to Galena, 111. and clerked in a
wholesale dry goods house, and was leader in ths First Presby
terian Church Choir. Having an offer to go to Chicago on a
salary of $300.00 per year and learn the basinsss of daguerotyp^
ing, he coved to Chicago in the fall of 1354. Next year after
he bought a gallery at 131 Lake Street. He sang in the First
Prssbytsrian Church, and had control of the choir for 14 years
221
or until the fire of 1871. During this time he built three fine
gallsries, ons of which was in the Smith -1 Nixon Bld'g. in
this gallery he did a big business. He had 21 employss. The
ledger showed ons ysar a business of $49,000. Hs paid one ar
tist $100.00 a week, another $30., another $75.00, and so on
down. Business booced thsn in photography. About this time,
Mrs. Fassstt and ths children wsnt to Paris, she to study paint
ing and art, and the children to attend school under ths care
of a good governess which they took along. They remained in
Paris two years. Mr. Fassett then went over and traveled with
Mrs. Fassett through Europe for eight months. On their return
to Chicago, Mr. Fassett bought a lot corner of 7an Euren and
Wabash Ave., where hs put up the finest gallery on the continent
The grsat firs of Oct. 10, 1871 destroyed everything, residsncs
as wall as gallery. Loss estimated at $100,000. This fire de
stroyed over 1,000 blocks of property, 17,500 houses. The area
burned over was 2,124 acres, or about 3 1/2 souars miles. Ths
loss in property about $200,000,000. Mrs. Fassstt and ths five
childrsn, with two servants, wsnt to Jefferson, Ohio. Mr.
Fassett remained in Chicago and soon opened up temporary rooms
in a temporary building and did a 'good business in a small way
until a second fire terminated his caresr in Chicago. Thsy then
coved to V/ashington, D. 0. and opened up a studio, with every
222
prospect of a fins business, and everything was going lovely,
when, by ths failure of ths Geman-American Bank, they again
lost heavily, and Tsre obliged to doss their studio. Mrs.
Fassstt had during thess years, and by'hsr study while in
Paris, bscorae a celsbrated portrait painter. Shs had paintsd
the portraits of Lincoln, Ohass, Garfield and many other cel
ebrated people. At ths tics of ths *|lsctoral Commission",
shs pairted a picture of the Supreme Court Room, with the Com
mission in Session, showing 268 peopls in the picture. This
painting was purchased by order of Gongrsss, at cost of $10,000.
and now hangs in one of ths Senate Galleries. Mrs. Fassett is
now painting many miniatures foe .fhloh she receives good prices.
Soon after the suspension of his photograph business, Mr. Fas
sstt secured a position in the Treasury Department, which he
hsld for 6 years, at a salary of $100.00 per month. He was
then out of office during Cleveland's administration for four
years, but under Harrison he was appointed photographer for
IT. S. Treasury Department, at a salary of $2,000 per year.
This office hs hold till Cleveland was a~ain elsctsd, when hs
was asked to resign. Thus in brief we have an account of a
very busy and eventful lifs. In addition to all ths forsgoings
may be added that Mr. and Mrs. Fassstt have raised a family
of 8 children. Their names and short sketch of each can bs
found on next page, for* Pcuaff d i e d JAH-UA^J yf-^-iris'
2'4
Tns children of S. M. Fassstt and Cornelia A. Strong-
Farsstt, are
"r/altsr Samusl Fassstt, born May 24, 1352; died June
! 25, 1375.
-o-
Flora Mac Ivor Fassstt, born Sept. 23, 1353, marrisd
Clark Hod?s, of Cleveland, 0., June 16, 1330. Mr. Hodgs disd
in Isfs than ons year, and Mrs. Hodge returnsd to Washington
and has bssn in ths Government Post Office Department, on a
good salary for ths last 15 years.
-o-
Montague Fassstt, born Juns 24, 1863. Never married.
Think hs is in some office in Chicago.
-o-
Raphael Fassett, born Sent. 10, 1865. Married Ruth
E. Jones, of Madison, if is., Jan. 29th, 1394. He is now in a
music stors at Madison. He is a fins musician and can play
a variety of instruments. Hs writes and publishes music.
-o-
Adils Fassstt, born July 22, 1368, in Paris, Francs,
marrisd Myron Allen Pearce, of Chicago, May 23, 1839. Thsy have
two children, Stanley A. Pearce, born Nov. 11, 1391, Adils
Psarcs, born May 1893. Mr. Psarcs is in ths rsal estate and
insurance business in Chicago.
-o-
Arthur Fassstt, born March 17, 1370.
Clara Fassstt, born July 4, 1372
Violet. Tqssett, born March 23. 1374.
2 6
M r S
H E N R Y C A N A N GRAY.
*—^ \l 3
T V
227
HENRY CANAN GRAY,
H. C. Gray, the f a the r of Libbie Gray-Nellis and
grandfather of John Gray N e l l i s , was born in Huntington Co.,
Fa. , Dec. S, 1816. His f a t h e r , James Gray, was of Scotch
I r i s h descent and belonged to the Presbyter ian fa i th , and
was an Elder in t h a t Church. His mother was a daughter of
Colonel John Canan, who was a conspicuous f igure in the rev
olut ionary flar, and was for many years Surveyor General of
Pennsylvania. Col . Canan was of English ex t r ac t i on . He died
at ths age of Be .
H. C. Gray came to Ohio in 18S6, and was for many
years connected with the p r e s s . . He was for five years pub
l i s h e r of ths Commercial Adver t i se r of Huron, Ohio, He was
one of the founders of t he Cleveland Leader. He was also a
member of the C o n s t i t u t i o n a l Convention of 1850, and with one
or two except ions i s now the only l i v i n g member of tha t large
body who formed the p r e sen t fundamental laws of the Sta te of
Ohio.
Since 1845, Mr. Gray has been a res ident of Paines
v i l l e , Ohio. He was e d i t o r and owner of the Pa inesvi l le Tel
egraph for 25 y e a r s . He kept a book s t o r e for 10 yea r s . He
has been postmaster s e v e r a l t imes .
22S
H. C. Gray and E l i z a b e t h E. D o o l i t t l e , were married
Nov. .3rd, 1840.
She was the daughter of Judge Jce l D o o l i t t l e , of
Middlebury, Vt . , and was born Jan . 7 th , 1321. She died in
Fa inesv i l Je , Ohio, May 5 th , 1886. Seven ch i ld ren were born
to them, only th ree of whom are now l i v i n g , v iz : Libbie Gray-
Ne l l i s , Alice Gray-Murray, and William C. Gray.
Libbie Gray and Kate Gray married H. C. and J . R.
N e l l i s , as s t a t e d in prev ious s k e t c h e s .
Alice Gray married F. M. Murray, cash ie r of the
Marine Bank, of Cleveland, Ohio, where they are now l i v i n g .
They have th ree c h i l d r e n , Jay N. Murray, Helen Murray, and
Kate Murray. / A / - ' * * " * } < * ' ' * * " • * * » * * * * W * * " * *
"tfilliam C. Gray married L i l l y Ramsey, of Piqua, Ohio,
They are now l i v i n g near P h i l a d e l p h i a , Fa. They have two
chi ldren, both boys.
-c -o-o-o-o-o-o-
d d v
C O N C L D S I O N .
From ths birth of Christian Nellis, in the Gernan
Palatinate, the foregoing records span a space of about two
hundred years. "They record the appearance and disappearance
of six generations (leaving a portion of the sixth yet on
the stage cf life) with the introduction of the seventh".
"While no renowned names appear in the seven gener
ations, yet we rejoice to know that there was nothing in the
lives of any of them, that we would wish to forget." They
were christian, patriotic, law abiding, temperate, energetic
self-supporting citizens. Tney were equally fortunate and
harpy in the choice of their life partners. The records of
the Klocks, '/larners. Halls, Fassstts and Grays, are all
good and will stand the closest scrutiny.
"If in future years, there are those who may wish
to continue these sketches, we trust there will be nothing
of fairily history which will shame them to record."
o—o—o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o—o o
The Nellis Coat of Arms i l lustrated left was drawn by an heraldic a r t i s t from Information officially recorded in ancient heraldic archives. Documentation for the Nellis Coat of Arms design can be found In Rietstap Armorial General. Heraldic a r t i s t s of old developed their own unique language to describe an Individual Coat of Arms. In their language, the Arms (shield) is as follows:
"D'or a deux coqs hardis adosses de gu., les tetes affr."
When translated the Arms description i s : "Gold, two red roosters back to back, heads facing each other."
Above the shield and helmet is the Crest which Is described as: "Un coq hardl de gu., la tete cont."
A translation of the Crest description 1s: "A saucy red rooster, head turned around."
Family mottos are believed to have originated as battle cries in medieval times. A Motto was not recorded with the Nellis Coat of Arms,
Individual surnames originated for the purpose of more specific identification. The four primary sources for second names were: occupation, location, father's name and personal characteristics. The surname Nellis appears to be patronymical In origin, and Is believed to be associated with the Irish, meaning, "the son of Niallghus (champion; choice)." The supplementary sheet Included with this report is designed to give you more information to further your understanding of the origin of names. Different spellings of the same original surname are a contnon occurrence. Dictionaries of surnames indicate probable spelling variations. The most prominent variations of Nellis are Nells, Mac Nells, Mac Enellis, Mac Enealis and Nealis.
Census records available disclose the fact there are approximately 650 heads of households In the United States with the old and distinguished Nellis name. The United States Census Bureau estimates there are approximately 3.2 persons per household In America today which yields an approximate total of 2080 people In the United . States carrying the Nellis name. Although the figure seems relatively low, i t does not signify the many Important contributions that individuals bearing the Nellis name have made to history.
No genealogical representation Is Intended or Implied by this report and I t does not represent Individual lineage or your family tree.
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istoriDpLphrj The Smythe Coat of Arms Illustrated left was drawn by an heraldic artist from information officially recorded In ancient heraldic archives. Documentation for the Smythe Coat of Arms design can be found in Burke's General Armory. Heraldic artists of old developed their own unique language to describe an individual Coat Of Arms. In their language, the Arms (shield) Is as follows:
"Gu. on a chev. or, betw, three bezants as many crosses pattee fitehee sa."
When translated the Arms description is; "Red, a gold chevron between three gold coins, and three black pointed crosses."
Above the shield and helmet Is the Crest which is described as: "A dexter arm couped at the elbow per pale or and gu. c u f f e d ar. holding in the hand ppr, a griffin's head erased az. beaked and charged with a martlet gold."
A translation of the Crest description Is: "A right arm severed at the elbow, divided vertically in gold and red, cuffed in silver, holding In the hand of flesh color, a blue griffin's head jagged, beaked gold and charged with a gold martlet."
Family mottos are believed to have originated as battle cries In medieval times. A Motto was not recorded with the Smythe Coat of Arms.
Individual surnames originated for the purpose of more specific Identification. The four primary sources for second names were: occupation, location, father's name and personal characteristics. The surname Smythe appears to be occupational in origin, and is believed to be associated with the English, meaning, "one who worked with metals." The supplementary sheet included with this report is designed to give you more Information to further your understanding of the origin of names. Different spellings of the same original surname are a common occurence. Dictionaries of surnames Indicate probable spelling variations. The most prominent variations of Smythe are Smith. Smithe and Smythes.
Census records available disclose the fact there are approximately 1000 heads of households In the United States with the old and distinguished'Smythe name. The United States Census Bureau estimates there are approximately 3.2 persons per household in America today which yields an approximate total of 3200 people in the United States carrying the Smythe name. Although the figure seems relatively low, it does not signify the many Important contributions that individuals bearing the Smythe name have made to history.
No genealogical representation Is Intended or Implied by this report and It does' not represent Individual lineage or your family tree.
