NELLIS

FAMILY HISTORY
1708 to 1896.

Also Short Sketches of the

Klock, Warner, Hall, Fassett,

and Gray Families.

CLEVELAND, O H I O , 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.

 •>'•'.:•
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, • . ;•_• -. • • . / . - - - , . - • • ; - . . • / '

ptpt*.
J . I. D. N E L L I S .

JOHN D. NELLIS.
REUBIN NELLIS.

A L F R E D WARNER NELLIS. RALPH H. NELLIS.

;j=r^n
 I N D E X TO

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 . , . o
Chestnut Grove Cemetery Lot 59
COUGIDS of A. tf., H. C. and J. P.. N., 7
For^l-'cers o f N e l l i s Family, 3
Nellis Alfred V7 69
Nellis Albert E. , . 130
Nellis Barnhart, » 130
Nellis Catharine P.iohcond, 135
Nellis Celeste, . . 154
Nellis Christian, 17
Nellis Cyrus, 128
Nellis David 1st, 18
Nellis D a v i d 2nd, 127
N e 1 1 i r. DeVTitt C , - 155
N e 11 i s Elizabeth Klock, 149
Nellis Elizabeth h'oot, 133
Nellis Flora, 101
Nellis George, son o f David, . . . . • • 128
M e 11.1 & George, . . . . 143
Nellis Grade, . . . . 111
Nellis Henry, 19
Nellis Homer- C , . . . . 109
Nellis Johannes, . . . . 15 19
Nellis John D., . . . . 27
Nellis John I. D., . . . 35
Nellis John G., . . . . 121
Nellis John P.. , . . . . 125
N e l l i s -Klock Patent, . . 16
Nellis Libbie Gray, . . 110
Nellis Mary Louise Hall, 79
(over)
 INDEX, Continued.
Nellis, Mary Fassett, , . . .. 13S
Nellis, Louisa Fish, 143
Nellis, Mary Anderson, , 128
Nellis, Mary Fr.oom, 142
Neflis, Nancy V/a-rner, . . . 130
Nellis, Peter, • 146
Nellis, Ralph H., 95
Nellis, Reuben, . . , . 43
Nell 1s, Sally .A. E a r n e r 63
Nellis, William, li 19
Palatine Stone Church, . 18
The Palatines, . . . 9
Stone Arabia Church, 15
r
Uncles of A. 'A. , H. G. and J. 3. N., 5,

-o-o-o-o-
 INDEX
J k e o k , 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
Axtell, 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
2
Fassett, Harriett I.!., 15
2 1 5
Fassett, Harry J.,
Fassett, Hat tie- Haskell, 139
2
Fassett, Henry, Sr., A1 138

{over)
 INDEX, Continued

Fassett Henry, Jr., . 139

Fassett Henry, 3r. , 215
Fassett Ida, ... 139
Fasse tt James A. , . . 215
Fassett John, . . . . 138
Fassett John Glen, 139
Fassett John Smith, . 218
Fasse 11 Luoinda Dart, 214
Fasse tt Mary N., 139
Fas sett Mary Nellis, 133 217
Fassett Marietta Hall, 177 219
Fassett Montague, . . 323
? a s s e 11 ^dT*7*?
« © VVV ^T 139
Fassett Neal P., . . . 139
Fassett Raphael, . . . 223
Fassett Samuel, . . . . 139
Fassett Samuel Montague, 211
Fassett Samuel M., . . 220
Fasse11 Silas S., . . . 213
Fassett Violet, . . . . 223
Fassett William, . . . 216

Gray, Alice Murray, 223

Gray, H. C , . . . . 227
Gray, Kate Nellis, . 223

Gray, Libbie Nellirr, 107 223

Gray, Wm. C., . . . 223

Hall, Edward, . . 176

Hall, Frederick L , , . . . . . . 173
Hall, George, 177 199
Hall, George, son o f L e a n d e r , . . 175

•—1B
 INDEX, Continued.

Ha 11, H a r r i e t t Marshall, . 187

Ha 11, J e r u s h a , 175
fi all, Jo serin Dean, 173
Ha 11, J o s e p h L., 175
Ha 11, J u l i a Rogers, . . . 175
Ha 11. L e a n d e r , Sr., . . . 176
Ha 11, L e a n d e r , Jr., . . . 176
Ha 11, L u c y , . . 176
Ha 11, Lyman, 177
Ha 11, M a r i e t t a Fassett, 177 219
Ha 11, Mary Louise-Nellis, .67 179
Ha 11, M a r i e t t a Palmer, . . 183
Ha 11, WE. C o n e , 175
Hutchinson, Charles, . . . 134
Hutchinson, Elizabeth Moot, 134

Klock, Elizabeth Nellis, ' 149 152

Klock, George, 149
Klock, George £. , 150
Klock, Henry, • 149
Klock, Jacob, "Colonel" 151

Marshall, Hattie, . . . . 187

Marshall, Henry T., . . . 187
Marshall, Louise, . . . . 187
Moot, Malancthon, . . . . 134
Moot, Hell- Rasback, . . . 135
Moot, Daniel, Sr. , . . v. . 133
Moot, Daniel, Jr. , . . . • 134
Moot, Elizabeth Hutchinson, 134

Moot, Theodore, 135

Palmer, Marietta Hall, 183

Palmer, M. R., Dr., 183
 INDEX, Continued.
Rasback, Maud, . . • 135
Rasback, Bell Moot, . . . . 135
Rasback, Clarence, . . . . 135
Richmond, Georgia- Maynard, 136
Richmond, Mary- Stroup, . . 135
Richmond, Parley, . . . . 136

W a r m y t/uryi'1% 1 Sff-A
Earner, Alfred, Sr,
162
'Tamer Alfred,. Jr.,
162
Warner Arthur,
141
Warner Cassius,
140
Warner Elbridge, 0., 140
169
Earner Sli.jah,
160
Warner Smeline Axtell,
171
Warner Eugene, .
141 •
Earner Georgie, . .
170
Earner Isadore,
140
Earner Jerusha, 160
Warner Josephine, 14 2
Warner Lucy Ann Cunningham, 168
Warner Nathan, Sr., 15 9-/^
Warner Nathan, Jr., 165
Warner Oliver, "..... 161
Warner Otis, 131
Warner Randolph, 170
Warner S a l l y Almira N e l l i s , 61
Warner Stephen, C, 169
Worfolk, Carl, . 218
Worfolk, Sdirard, 218
Worfolk, Het t i e F a s s e t t , 213
Worfolk, Morell, 2 IS
lUtK.yyi£y Sc<.ya.K ( S a i f j / o * * K )

1
I
-o-o-o-o-
 I N D E X T O

I L L D S T R A T I O N S

Axtell, Erceline, M r s . , Residence . . . . 193

Davt, Clara, Miss, . . • • • . '. . . . . 77
Far. sett, Henry, . . . Residence . . . . 104
Farsett, Lu c i nda, M r s . , . . . . . . . . 77 193
Fassett, S i 1 ». n, . . . Residence 77 104 192
Gr av, H. 0. , • 225
Hall, G e o r g e , . . . . 195
Hall, George, . . . . Cottage . , 1 94 20 3
Hall, G o o r g e, . . . . Monument . . . . 210
Hall, George, . . . . Residence . . 103 203
Hall, M a r i e t t a Fassett. 197
Marshall, Hattie*Hall, 185
Marshal], Hattie Hall, Residence . . . 191
Marshall, H. I,, . . . Design for Window 189
r
NP 3]i 66
Nellis, Residence . . . . 73
'• •'•' ' ;
No!lis 73
%'eJ ? * s Celeste, 157
154
V ^ "i 1 '• ** 311 f a c e t h K l o c k , . . 148
:.>3.ifF, 107
N 9 1 1 1 F. Family Tree . . . 1
Nalii s Family Monument . 50
N 9 11 i s 99
"V P 1 1 - <! 114
Nellis 106
Nellis -j n il7
25
Nellis 33
Nellis 123
Nellis 119

(over)

•t
 ^

INDEX OF ILLUSTRATIONS, Continued..

-o-

N e l l i s , Mary Louise Hall, 67 179

N e l l i s , Ralph H., ; . 94.
N e l l i s , 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 the Forebears of

FalDh Ball Nellis and Flora Nellis.

- o - o-

Christian Nellis Born No Eecord, Died about 1780

David Nellis, Born D e c . 2 5 . 1729 Died Dec.29, 1818
John D. Nellis, Bern Dec.10,1755 Died Mar. 1,1849
j ohn I. D. Nellis Born Feb.24,1783 Died Dec. 3,1849
5 Reuben Nellis, Born Mar.50, 1808 Died Jun.?. 4 , 1 8 56
6 Alfred W. Nellis Born Nov. 2.1841
7 Ralph Hall Nellis Born June 3,1875
7 Flora Nellis, Born J u l . 23, 1878

Forebears Cf

John Gray Nellis and Grade Nellis.

-o-o-
1 Christian Nellis Eorn No Record Died about 1780
? David Nellis, Born D e c . 2 5 , 1729 Died Dec.29, 1818
3 John D. Nellis, Born Dec.10,1755 Died Men. 1,1849
4 John I. D* Nellis Bern F e b . 2 4 , 1783 Died Dec. 3,1849
5 Reuben Nellis, Born Men.30,1803 Died Jun.24,1856
6 Homer C. Nellis Born Aug.17,1844
7 Grade Nellis Born Jul. 6,1873 Died Dec.30, 1878
?£ Z
7 Job n G r a y Nellis Born S e p . 1 5 , 1 8 8 5 V» e <*- l ^ ' * ' ''***

-c-o-c-o-
 Uncles and Aunts,
o f

His, B. Hellas and -J. F. Nellis

- c - c-
or n Died
Axtell, Exeline, April 13. 182 7
Axtell, I :. r i , Jan. 8, 1888
Fassett, Mary, Feb. 15 1822 Jan. S. 18 5 9
Fassett, Henry, Sept. 14 1817
Moot, Elizabeth, Sept. 26 1812 M a r c h 31 , 18 9 0
•(cot, Daniel, March 26 1804 Aug. 3, 1891
Nellis, David, May 5 1806 Oct. 6, 1872
Nellis, Caroline, Oct. 22 1809 Mch. 20t 1848
Nellis, Sliza, June 13, 1873
Nellis, Barn hart, Aug. 14 1810 Men, 21, 1877
Nellis, Clarissa, Aug. 18 1817 Mcb. 25. 1877
Nellis, John, March 21 1 820 June 7, 182 8
Nellis, Susan, May 2 18 2 4 S e c t 4. 1826
Nellis, Peter, Sept. 29 182 8 Feb. 24, 1655
Nellis, George, Jan. 24 182 6
Nellis, Louise, July 10 1840
Richmond, Catharine, Oct. 1 1817 Aug. 14, 1863
Richmond, Parley, Nov. 9 1814 July 25, 1890
TIarner, Stephen, Aug. 6 1816 Jan. 16, 1892
Warner, Lucy Ann, Oct. 1 1820
Warner, Nancy, Feb. 26 181 5 Mar. 13, 1865
Warner, Ilbridge, Dec. 15 1311 Mar. 11, 1884
Warner, Mrs. Shears,
Warner, Mrs. Sheverell,
 CODSINS OF
A . W. NELLIS, H C NELLIS AND J . E. NELLIS.

Axtell, Mary, M r s . Ju l i u s Byles, Titusville, Fa.,

Axtell, N ey W. , Died Oct. 2 5, 1371
Axtell, Ralph I ., Died Jan. 27. 1862
Axtell, EI a a, Di ed Jan . 16, 1862
Axtell, Laura A. , Painesville, Ohio,
Fassett , George, Ashtabula, Ohio,
Fassett , Samuel, Ashtabula. Chic,
Fassett , John, Died 1 8 70
F a s s e t t, Henry, Ashtabula, Ohio,
M c c t , Da n i e 1 E . ,
Oneida, N. Y
Moot, M . N.,
Clockville, N. Y
Vc o t, L i
bbie N. Mrs. C .Hutchinson Syracuse, N. Y..
Moot, T
h e• o d o r e , Clockville, R. Y. ,
Moot, . B
e l l M . , M r s . S. R a s b a c k , Ganastota, N. Y.,
Nellis,
J o s e p h D., Died Apr. 14, 1853
Nellis,
David N., Died Mar. 14, 1854
Nellis,
Sarah F . , Died July 18, 1836
Nellis,
M ary C . , Mrs, H.Anderson Elmore, Ohio,
Nellis,
George; L . , El m e r e , Ohio,
Nellis,
Cyrus J. , Elmore, Ohio,
Nellis,
Albert E., Died Aug. 5 0, 1896
Nellis,
M a r y M . , Vrs . A. E . P r o o m Chicago, 111.,
?. i c h m c n
d , M a r y , M r s . C. H . S t r o u p Little Falls, N.Y.,
R i c r si o n
d, G e o r g i a , M r s . A . M a y n a r d Dtica, N. Y• ,
Warner-
C as si us , Died Aug. 14, 1844
Warner
Eugene, Dnicnville, Ohio,
Warner
Josephine,Mrs .W.Cleveland Died Feb.26, 1870
Warner
Arthur, Unionville, Ohio,
Warner
Isadora, Died Jan. 21, 1862
W arner
.Majorie, Mrs. Rcat, Geneva, Ohio,
W arner
Georgia, 1st, Died J a n . 25, 1849
Warner
Randolph 1st, Died Jan . 11, 1849
Warner G e o r g i a 2 , M r s . C . W i l lard, Died F e b . 16, 1877
Warner Randolph 2nd, Columbus, Ohio .
 A F A M I L Y B I S T 0 RY

THE? P A L A T I N A T E .

The German Palatinate is situated in South

Western Germany, with the Rhine for its eastern boun-

dary and Alasoe and Lorraine embracing it on the west

and south. Its principal towns are Speyer, Zwei-

brucken and Landau. The War of the "Spanish Succes-

sion" aided by the Triple Alliance" of England, Hol-

land and Germany against France in 1702, occasioned

the invasion cf Geraany by French troops through the

Palatinate tc the Rhine beyond.

The v i c t o r i e s of Oudenarde, Bamillies and

Blenheim drcve the French from the Danube across the

Rhine, through the Palatinate into Alasce and Lor-

• raine. But the often tramping of soldier feet, both

French and the con-hired allies, became very wearisome

to the Palatines, wbc c o n c l u d e d that their location

gave them altogether too much prominence on the check-]

erboard of European royalty, for while those who were

"dressed in purple end fine linen" might be enjoying

the game, these were having the life blood trampled

out.
10

THE: P A L A T I N E S .

Not seeing any immediate, or even remote,

prosuect of being rid of their burden caused by war,

a large number of the Palatines in 1709, who were

staunch Lutherans, through their pastor, Joshua Koch-

erthal, cf Zweibrucken, petitioned Oueen Annie, of

England, through the British Board of Trade, to as-

sist them in their troubles and to provide for their

transportation to America. They prayed her Royal

Highness t o be l o c a t e d in the province cf New York.

Oueen Annie, needing the service of faith

ful ones to provide materials for the building cf her

naval vessels, concluded it would be a good plan to

grant their request and locate them in the province

of New York en the Mohawk River and Schoharie Greek,

where p l e n t y cf pine trees would furnish work for

them in making pitch and tar, as well as preparing

timbers for the ships that were to be built. The Pal

atines were a s s u r e d of proper transportation and safe

location in the portion of the province designated.

Queen Annie c o m m i s s i o n e d Col. Robert Hunter as Gover-

nor of New Ycrk end instructed him to provide fcr the

Palatines according to the premises made them.

 iJ

THEY EMIGRATE.

Onder Governor Hunter's supervision, ten

ships were loaded with 3,000 Palatines at Leith from

which port they set sail early in the year 1710, and

•seven cf these arrived safely in New Y o r k Bay,at the

island now known as Governor's Island, on June 15th

of same year. Many cf the Palatines died during

their rough passage. The number cf those buried at

sea was 470.

NELLIS BROTHERS.

Among t h e Palatines then landed in New York

were three brothers, William, Christian and Johannes

Nellis, all members cf the Lutheran Church; who, be-

ing the first of the name to land in America, deserve

tc be followed in their wanderings until happily set-

tled.

T
12

THEY LOCATE-.

Governor Hunter, instead of immediately lo-|

eating the P a l a t i n e s on t h e Mohawk and Schoharie Riv-

ers, according to t h e c o n t r a c t made w i t h them, pur-

chased 5,000 acres of woodland from Robert Livingston

on t h e Hudson R i v e r within the present limits of Col-

umbia and D u t c h e s s C o u n t i e s , The p r i c e paid was £400

New York c u r r e n c y , equal to $ 1 , 0 0 0 . D. S. money. On

these lands he t e m p o r a r i l y located these people and

contracted with L i v i n g s t o n , in the name of the Oueen,

to furnish food, clothing and other necessities, to

t h e new c o m e r s w h i l e they labored for the English

Oueen. But L i v i n g s t o n , like contractors the world

over u s u a l l y do, "looked c o t " more c l o s e l y for "Ko.l"

than f o r the welfare or c o m f o r t of the Palatines, who

consequently fared but slinly. A part were located

on t h e east s i d e of the Hudson at a place then called

E a s t Gamp, and a n o t h e r part on t h e west side of the

river, which p l a c e was then, and ever since, called

West Camp.
 Id

DISCONTENTED.

After enduring their hardships for a little

•none than one year, our Germans concluded they would

| look out for themselves, as they were either wholly

neglected or else oppressed, by the representatives

cf the English government. A large number of them,

including the Nellis brothers, started out late in t h a|

s u .i: ;r, e r cf 1712 and hewed a read through the forests

over the Oatsfcill Mountains to the Schoharie River.

They had no horses or other animals to as-

sist them in their .journey. Each man was.loaded with

whatever implements of toil or housekeeping they were

fortunate enough to possess. Every man's frau was

similarly loaded. On reaching the top of a beautiful

mountain en their .journey, they stopped to look and

en.joy the prospect up and down the mighty Hudson Riv-

er. The mountain and prospect were so pleasing to

them that they called it Helleberg, or the Shining

Mountain, a name which has since been corrupted to

"Helderburg".
14

SCHOHARIE SETTLEMENT.

These P a l a t i n e s reached the Schoharie'River

late in the autumn, and, of course, at cnce commenced

to build themselves log houses for homes. Their prin-

cipal and a l m o s t only means of subsistence was the

bountiful supply of game w i t h such nuts as they were

able to find. One man was f o r t u n a t e enough t o be able

to p u r c h a s e a peck of wheat at Schenectady, which he

carried on h i s back forty miles to Schoharie the fall

of bis arrival, and w i t h the help cf others he hoed

it in the ground between the stumps cf trees they had

recently c u t down. They had no p l o w s and this was

their only means of c u l t i v a t i o n . In the spring the

plants came up f i n e l y but so f a r apart they were able

t o hoe them l i k e Indian corn, which caused them to

grow all t h e more r a n k . At h a r v e s t time every ear was

gathered and from one p e c k of seed was p r o c u r e d eighty

pecks of g r a i n , enough to supply a good many of the

people with seed the following year.

 15

SETTLERS TROUBLED.

After a few years at Schoharie Settlement,

the Palatines found new difficulties in the fact that

they cculd obtain title tc b u t very little of the lend

they had settled upon. Many cf them again took up

the l i r e cf march and .ioutnied southward into the Prov

ince cf Pennsylvania. Among them was Johannes Nellis,

from whom sprung the Nellises now found in Western

Pennsylvania. This branch of the Nellis family is

net treated cf further in this record.

PALATINE.

Christian and William Nellis, with others,

left the Schoharie Settlement in 1720 and pushed on up

the V c h a w k River until they reached the site of the

present Palatine Church in Montgomery County,New York,

where they located end built themselves homes again.

CHRISTIAN NELLIS.

Christian Nellis and 26 other Palatines, on

the 1 9 t h day of October, 1.723, procured a patent for

12,000 acres cf l a n d lying mostly in the present town-

ship of P a l a t i n e and known as the "Stone Arabia Pat-

ent"
16

NELLIS AND KLOCK PATENT.

William Nellis and George Rlock, another of

the Palatines, later procured a patent for a smaller

tract of land lying in the vicinity of the present vili

I
!
lage of St. Johnsville, and the hamlet cf Palatine

Church. This tract was then known as the Nellis and i

i

Klock Patent. William Nellis's wife was a sister of

George Klock, and they were the parents of five sons,

whose names were'Andrew, Ludwig (Louis), Henry, Jo-

hannes (John) and William, Jr.

William Nellis scent his life clearing a

farm in his chcsen l o c a l i t y , and making it yield a liv-

ing for himself and family. Bow he prospered, when he

died,or his age at death is now unknown. He was one of

the principal ones interested in the building of the

first Lutheran Church at Stone Arabia in 1744, on the

site of the present c hu r o h - ed i f i c e .

STONE ARABIA CHURCH.

In 1729 the Palatines, who settled Stone Ar-

abia, perfected arrangements for the building of a

church at that place. Part of them were Lutherans and

-part Calvinists. They united in the building cf a log

jchurch and occupied it alternately until 1744. Christ-

ian and W i l l i a m Nellis and 10 others represented the

(Lutherans in this transaction.

 17

CHRISTIAN NELLIS.

C h r i s t i a n N e l l i s , t h e f a t h e r of D a v i d N e l l i s ,
w a s c u e cf t h e 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
c a m e o v e r w i t h t h e P a l a t i n e s in 1 7 1 0 . B e 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 o f h i s b i r t h is
not k n o w n . A s 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 , h e f o l -
l o w e d t h e f o r t u n e s cf t h e P a l a t i n e s u n t i l t h e i r s e t -
t l e m e n t at S c h o h a r i e , a n d 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 t o 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 . Here
he w i t h o t h e r s p r o c u r e d a p a t e n t f o r a l a r g e t r a c t of
land on w h i c h h e s e t t l e d a s 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 s e 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 , Henry
and T h e o b c l d . C h r i s t i a n N e l l i s t o o k an a c t i v e p a r t
d u r i n g t h e w a r of t h e 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 e n d a M i n u t e W a n 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 o n e of t h e
w e a l t h i e s t a n d b e s t f a m i l i e s in t h e P a l a t i n e D i s t r i c t
After the w a r 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 h i s h o r s e s took f r i g h t , r a n a w a y a n d b e w a s
killed. Ee l e f t a good m e m o r y , b u t , l i k e all good m e n
of t h a t d a y , b e 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 s a i d t h a t b i s s o n s H e n r y a n d G e o r g e a c k n o w -
l e d g e d t h e i r f a i t h in t h a t c r e e d t o p o s s e s s l a n d s ,
w h i c h t h e i r f a t h e r w o u l d n o t g i v e t h e m a s d i s c i p l e s of!
Calvin. (See Pronteersien of New York). Christian
Nellis with h i s t w o s o n s , H e n r y and D a v i d , helped to
build t h e P a l a t i n e S t o n e C h u r c h .

•*-
18

fr DAVID NELLIS.

David Nellis, s o n of C h r i s t i a n N e l l i s and

father of J o h n D. N e l l i s , grandfather of J. I . D . Nel-

lis great grandfather cf R e u b i n Nellis, and great,

great grandfather 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 , w a s b o r n December 25th, 1729,and died

at t h e a g e of 8 9 y e a r s and 4 d a y s . H e w a s a W e a v e r and

a Farmer; he had o n e s o n , J o h n D. N e l l i s , and three or

four d a u g h t e r s . He w a s small of s t a t u e , and wore short

bree-c-h-es and k n e e buckles as w a s t h e c u s t o m of the t i m e

He h e l p e d to b u i l d the o r i g i n a l Palatine

Stone Church, which is y e t s t a n d i n g about one mile

w e s t of P a l a t i n e , and n e a r St. Johnsville, New York.

It is t h e o l d e s t Protestant Church in A m e r i c a , west

of a line drawn through Albany and W a s h i n g t o n . A rec-

ord of t h e t i m e g i v i n g the names and s u m s paid by

each, is a s f o l l o w s ; to w i t ; -

Peter Waggoner, paid £100 .

Andrew Reber, 100 .
William Nellis, Jr., 60 .
Andrew Nellis, 60.
Johannes Nellis, 60 .
Johannes Hess, 60 .
Henry Nellis, 60 .
Christian Nellis, 60.
David Nellis, 60 .
 And W i l l i a m Nellis, the father of William,

Jr., Andrew, Johannes and Henry N e l l i s , paid for the

making of the spire, etc., to t.he steeple of the

church, and Hend r i c k W. N e l l i s gave the plot of ground

en which it was b u i l t . The W i l l i a m and Christian Nel-

lis that helped build this church, were the two broth-

ers that came o v e r with the Palatines in 17 10. They

were a l o n g lived race in those days. The o l d Stone

Church in P a l a t i n e was not destroyed by J o h n s o n ' s army

during the raid October 19th, 1780, when few buildings

escaped burning. About 1889 a visitor from Canada

n are'] N e l l i s came t o visit relatives of that name near

St. -Johnsville. From him it was l e a r n e d that General

Johnson promised a party by the name of Henry Nellis

before he l e f t Canada that he would not burn the Stone

Church at Palatine. It appears that this Canada Nel-

lis had h e l p e d build the church and used his influence

t c have it spared. This Henry Nellis moved to Canada

in 1 7 7 8 and his descendants are the Canadian Nellis we

now h e a r of. The P a l a t i n e Church was r e m o d e l e d in 1830

and is yet standing.. The inscription over the door of

the church reads as follows; viz:

"Built in the year of Christ 1770, The 1 8 t h August".

2Q

The i n t e r i o r of this church having been re-

modeled, its gallery removed, its front door closed

and two d o o r s opened at the easterly end, June 13th,

1888, it was rededicated.

On T h u r s d a y , August 18th, 1870, the centen-

ary anniversary of its dedication, a celebration took

p l a c e t o commemorate its one hundreth birthday. There

ffere fully 5,000 p e o p l e present and addresses were

made by Rev. G. A. S m i t h , Hon. Horato Seymour, and

others. A part of Mr. Snith's remarks were historic-

al and e x c e e d i n g l y interesting. After speaking of

t h e coming h i t h e r of the ancestry of its early German

Worshipers, of a h u n d r e d years ago, he observed:

"Some cf you remember the old steeple, tall, graceful,

and w e l l p r o p o r t i o n e d ; as an o b j e c t of beauty it «as

far in a d v a n c e of the one that has succeeded it. The

w e a t h e r cock t h a t was p e r c h e d on the very pinnacle,

always b r e a s t e d the storm, and looked bravely in the

face of every w i n d " , "You remember the pulpit as it

was modeled 100 y e a r s ago, and where it stood before

the entrance door, and the old queer pews with their

lyigh, straight backs, that made sleeping in church

very inconvenient. The pulpit, you remember, was

shaped l i k e a goblet, stem and all, and it had a sound

ing b o a r d overhead which was intended to arrest the

preacher's words, and fling them back upon the ears

cf the w o r s h i p e r s . The pulpit was slate colored and

t h e pews w e r e a dress cf Spanish brown. That was the

prevailing taste 100 years ago, for the dwellings had

the same t i n t s , Spanish brown outside and slate color

within. Some cf ycu remember the triangle that hung

in t h e eld steeple, but that now has been replaced by

5 sweet toned bell. The p u l p i t h a s g i v e n place to one

cf : c t e mederr construction". Near the close cf his

address, he s a i d "If the number in the church should

increase so a s tc require a larger edifice, he would

he w i l l i n g to see the church destroyed and a new one

built."

Upon the theme of destruction. Gov. Seymour

spoke as f o l l o w s : "If the requirements cf this commu-

nity e v e r demand a larger place cf worship, build a-

new and upon seme o t h e r spct. For the sake of your

fathers, whose m e m o r i e s and deeds we c h e r i s h ; for the

seke cf yourselves and posterity, I beg of you not to

tear down t h e old landmark. Let it stand as a menu-

rent tc the love of Gcd and the religious liberty cf

22

j its builders". Six c h e e r s were proposed and hearti-

ly given at the c l o s e cf bis address. (See Frcnteers-

ren of New York, by J, R. Siniins, Vol. I, page 281).

This P a l a t i n e Church, as the record shows,

?*as b u i l t almost entirely by C h r i s t i a n and William

Nellis and t h e i r sons.

- o - o - c - c -
 JOHN D. NELLIS.
FROM A PJUHTIHO.
M»ot IH 1835.

BORN 1755. DIED 1849.

•*>
 JOHN D. NELLIS.

John D. N e l l i s , father of J, I. D. Nellis,

grandfather of Peubin Nellis, and great-grandfather

cf A. W. N e l l i s , E. C. Nellis and J o h n P. Nellis,was

born December 10th, 17 5 5 . John D. N e l l i s married a

Widow Keller, whose husband was killed in the Revolu

ticnary War. Her maiden name was G a r l c c k . She bad

twc -sons by her first husband, Mr. Keller, and one

deu£hter who d i e d in infancy. The o l d e s t son was

Jacob Keller, who m a r r i e d and had a' l a r g e family.The

law in these days gave all the property tc the old-

est sen, sc Jaccb inherited all the property of his

father. Henry Keller, the younger son, was given

a farm by bis step-father, John D. Nellis. John D.

Nellis end Mrs. Mary Keller had six children, v i ?,.

Carried. Died.
John I.D.KelllB,
Born 1783. Feb. 24, Elizabeth Klock. Dec. 5, 184 9
David Nellis.
Eorn 1785. July 3, Young
Nancy Nellis,
Born 1787. Feb. 11, Daniel Ferguson, No Record.
Barnhart Nellis,
Born 1790. Feb. 1, Catharine Keller, Aug. 10, 1847
Maria Nellis,
Born 1792. June 14, Joseph Bruce. No Record.
David Nellis,
Born 179?). V. a r c h ' 4 , In infancy.
=
r
 John D. Nellis had brown hair, was good

size, well proportioned, fine looking nan, with

round face and fine features.

John D. N e l l i s was a "Minute **i a n " during

the Revolutionary !far, farming his land when not

in service. He b e l o n g e d to the Palatine Regiment

commanded by C o l o n e l Klock. The "New York State

Archives", The Pevcluticn, Vol. I, Page 455, gives

the names cf 51 N e l l i s soldiers that served during

the years 1773 to 1735. August 5th, 1777 his regi-

ment was in the battle cf Orisksny. Christian and

Philip Nellis, his cousins, were in the same battle.

Philip Nellis was wounded in the shoulder, it made

him a cripple for life. In this battle General Her-

kimer was m o r t a l l y wounded and many of his officers

and brave Palatines were killed. As an instance

of the fatality to many cf the Palatines in this bat

tie might be m e n t i o n e d the fact, that seven by the

name of Snell were killed; nine of this name parcip-

itated in the fight, two only lived to return to

Palatine. The m o s t of the fighting was against the

Indians who w o u l d watch till some soldier shot, and

then the Indian would run UD and shoot him. General

Herkiiier, when he d i s c o v e r e d how the Indians were

doing, ordered two f e l l o w s behind each tree, and

this soon made them stop this game.

The names cf John D. Nellis, Philip Nel-

lis and Christian Nellis, are inscribed on the Or-

is \any Monument, which has been erected to commem-

orate the battle.

This Regiment of Colonel Klock,to which

John D.Nellis belonged,was in active service from

Feb. 18th to Aug. 18th, 1779, and from March 10th

to September 1st, 1780. They were also Minute tfen

and called into service on d i f f e r e n t alarms to op-

pose the common enemy between October 1780 and May

17 85. (Page 5 4 2, Annals of the Revolution). This

Regiment was with Gates Army at the Battle cf Sar-

atoga, but had been detached and were 20 miles a -

way when the battle commenced.They hurried forward

but the battle was over before they could reach the

ground.

I will state here, that William Nellis,

who was one of the original Nellises that came over

with the Palatines (See page n ) was one of 40 Pal-

atines that volunteered in 1711 f o r an expedition

f
30

against Canada, which at that time belonged to the

French. This statement taken from Documentary His-

tory of New Y c r k , Vol. Ill, page 571. All of this

goes to show that the Nellis family were not lack-

ing in courage or patriotism. The records only show

one individual, Henry Nellis, who sympathised with

the Tories. (See cage i9).This Henry Nellis went to

Canada during the War cf the Revolution. He was

instrumental in saving the Palatine Stone Church at

the time of the raid of the British and Indians un-

der Johnson and Joe Brandt through the Mohawk, Oct.

19th, 1780. Henry Nellis had requested that they

spare the church as he helped build it, and his

bouse and the church were the only buildings left

standing, except the "Fort Nellis", to which the

people fled on t h e approach cf the Indians. Fort

Nellis stood a mile west cf Palatine Church toward

St. Jchnsville. (See Pronteerscien of New York, Vol.

II, page 451) After 1780 the Palatine settlement

was n o t again troubled by invasion and John D. Nel-

lis married, as b e f o r e stated. He inherited most

of his father's property being the only son. About

the year 1810 he removed to Glockville, N. Y., and

became engaged in farming and milling on a small

scale, which mills were l a t e r enlarged and owned

by h i s son, J. I. D. N e l l i s . William Fassett of

Ashtabula, Ohio, new 8 1 y e a r s old, relates that be

remembers John D, N e l l i s , who about the year 1345,

was on a visit tc Ashtabula, tc see his son J.I.D.

and grand-children, wbc at that time were mostly

living there. Fassett states that one evening, he-

w5th several' others, was at the home of J.I.D. and

that be (Fassett) bad a fiddle on which he was play

ing, that John D. Nellis, then about 90 years old,

got up and tried tc dance, and that the sight of his

father at that age trying tc be a bey again, affec-

ted J. I. D. so that he cried.

John D. N e l l i s died March 14th, 1848.

a£ed 94 years.

-o-o-o-o-
tc

v?f.5.''""--'^;'~^.'-^'.
H

J. I. D. NELLIS.
 JOHN I. D. N E L L I S .

John I. D. N e l l i s , father of P e u b i n Nellis

and grandfather cf A. W. N e l l i s , B. C. N e l l i s and J.

F. N e l l i s , w a s b o r n F e b . 2 4 , 1 7 8 5. Fe m a r r i e d Eliz-

abeth Klcck July 1 4 t h , 1 8 0 5 , and had e l e v e n children

v i
Born. Died.
avid Kellis, 18 0 6 Yay 5 1872 Oct. 6,
euben Nellis, 1803 Uc h 30 18 56 June 24,
a r r. hart Nellis, 1810 Aug 14 1877 Men. 21,
lizabeth Nellis 1812 Sep 26 1 8 9 0 M c b . .3 1,
ancy Nellis, 1815 Feb 22 1865 V. c h . 13,
atharine Nellis 1817 Oct 1 1365 Aug. 14,
chn S e 1 1 i s, 18 2 0 Mc h 21 13 28 June 7,
ary N'ellis, 1822 Feb 13 1859 Jan. 5,
S usan Nellis, 18 2 4 1' a y 2 1 826 S e p t .24 ,
eorge Nellis, 18 2 6 Jan 24
eter Nellis, 18 2 8 S e p t.2 9 1855 Feb. 24.

The children were all born et Clockville,

which is twc miles south cf the present town of C an -

astot? on the line of the New Y o r k Central Railroad.

John I. D. Nellis, being the oldest son, inherited

s cs t of. his father's property, but before the death

of his father, became owner of the farm and mills

before socken of. J. I. D. Nellis nrcsnered and be-

3 b

came quite wealthy for those times. He had a Grist

Mill, Saw Mill, Plaster Mill and Carding Mill. A-

bout 1840 he sold out his property in C l o c k v i l l e and

removed with his family, which were not then married,

or dead, to Ashtabula, Ohio. David, the oldest son,

had married and settled in Harbor Creek, Pennsylva-

nia; Reuben, the second son, came to Ohio in 185 9,

and it was through his influence principally that

J. 1. 0. was induced to move and settle at Ashtabu-

la.

Elizabeth had married Daniel Moot in 1551.

u
Catharine married Parly Richmond" 1858.

John died at age cf 5 years in 1328.

Susan died at age of 2 years in 1325.

This left Barn h a r t , Nancy, Mary, George,

and Peter, who came w i t h J. I. D. t c Ashtabula. A

further history of all the children cf J.I.D. Nel-

lis will be given on succeeding pages. J.I.D. Nel-

lis at this time was about 57 yesrs old. Having a

competency he did not engage in any active business

but became noted throughout all that section as a

speculator and money lender. Among other transao-

 ticns he went to M a u m e e C o u n t y and ourchased a large

tract cf l a n d at $ 2 . 5 0 cer acre. This land is near

the present town of Elmore, Ohio, it in time became

very valuable. It w a s d i v i d e d U D between the sens

cut David Nellis moved on tc the land end finally

became ccssesscr of the greater cart. Some cf the

children cf David Nellis are new occupying nart cf

this land.

Another cf bis enterprises was the pur-

chase of the "Steam Host Cleveland". This boat was

c n e of the first steam beats that ever ran en the

lake. It m a d e r e g u l a r trios between Buffalo and

Cleveland, stooping at Erie, Conneaut, Ashtabula,

and Painesville. Centaln Shepherd, of Ashtabula,

was captain and had a small interest in the boat.

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 d a y s of r a i l r o a d s about 185 0, and was at

the time considered a greet achievement. People

cam e in from a long distance on the d a y s the boat

was ex Dec ted and locked at it w i t h more wonder than

they would on a flying machine at the p r e s e n t day.

"T
38

J.I.D. Nellis was v i e w e d with great awe and pointed

out as "That is the man that owns the Steam Boat".

The w r i t e r (A. T.. Nellis) remembers when

he was 11 y e a r s old, of taking a trie with his fath-

er and mother from Ashtabula to Cleveland and back

en this boat. The boat was run at a gc c d c vcf i t •

for a number of years and then sold to Captain '/arc

of Detroit who r a n it on his line till the demand

came for larger boats, when he had it changed over

into a sailing vessel.

J. I. D. N e l l i s was one of the original

abolitionists and was associated with Joshua R.Gid-

dings, B. F . Wade, and others, in promoting the

cause cf f r e e d or. . I t was known that Mr. Nellis had a

biding place where he secrete: the fugitive slaves

t i l l such time as they cculd be forwarded with safe-

ty on their .v a y t c C a n a d a . The slave owners cf

Kentucky finally got an order- from Z cu r t , and had s

number cf Ashtabula County citizens arrested by a

Onited States marsh a l l fcr violating the Fugitive

Slave Law. Mr. Nellis, Dr. Henry Harris, James

Hall were some cf those arrested. They all gave

bail and then fought the case in the courts, till

tfc• S o u t h e r n e r s get tired of it and dropped the suit

•sines ?. Chase volunteered his services to defend

::£se csrties in case they needed him, but be was

r: i c a l l e d on.

Such in brief are a few cf the facts in

r i - ?. :• d to the life and doings of Grandfather Nellis.

t c sn be readily seen from the foregoing that he

••; i : • :•: i d s awake, good business man, and that his

recctaticn as being smart and reliable was well

f: r r'-.:> . He was about 5 feet, ? inches tall, and

weighed about 150, a straight, well formed man. Be

: i ed at Ashtabula, December 5, 1849, aged 66 years.

Grandmother Elizabeth Klock'Nellis died

: 6: t e:. c i i 2 8th, 1875. (See page 149 )

 41

REUBIN NELLIS.
COPY FROM A DAGUERREOTYPE TAKEN IN 1853.
 z± o

REUBEN NELLIS

Second Son cf J. I. D. Nellis.

-o-o-
Name. Born Married.

Reuben Nellis 1803 Mch.50; 1840 Jan. 1.

Died 1856 June 24.

Sally Almira N e l l i s , 181.5 May 5: 1840 Jan. 1.

tfCul — I f 0 3 Ro**-. / 1 r :
Children.

Alfred ".'/arner Nellis 1841 Nov. 2; 1367 Nov.15.

<PJ*U*6 — j j o l %eS% f:
Hosar Cook Nellis 134^ Aug.17; 1366 Nov. 7.

John Reuben Nellis 1847 Sep.1.5; 1870 Sen.14.

Died 1871 Nov. 11.

(See future pages for life of A. W ., H. C , £ J.R. Nellis

Our father, Reuben Nellis, was born at

:iockville, N. Y., '/arch 50th, 1803. German was

the language used until he left home, and as school-

ing at that time was not considered necessary, he

»as keot at work on his father's farm, or attending

one of his various mills, till he became of age;

then he h i r e d cut to his father for two or three

years and saved up bis wages until he had enough to

44

buy himself a horse and wagon, which he fitted up to

carry the old fashioned wooden clocks. He secured

a stock of c l o c k s 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 c l o c k s 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 A s h t a b u l a . <7bile in Canada

be visited and m a d e his headquarters with the de-

scendants of the Henry Nellis that moved there from

Palatine in 1 7 3 1 . 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 Ashtabula, and one member of

which family (Henry Fassett) married a sister (Mary

"ell is) as d e s c r i b e d on p a g e . Also one member

of the F a s s e t t f a L i1y (Marietta Fassett) married

George B e l l , and they are the parents of 55 a ry Louise

Hall-Nell is. Thus it transpired that father's trip

t o Canada in 1 3 5 4 , furnished me w i t h the dearest of

h e 1 p i a t es in 13 6 7 . During the winter of 1855 and

13 5 c , father attended a select school kept by Kr,

J ? z e s Baker, at Lenox, • -' a d i s o n C o . , N, Y. He c o n -

sidered the school his vacation from hard work of

traveling. .4 warn friendship sprang up b e t w e e n Mr.

F'sker and h i n 6 f 1 f, and for many years they visited

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 . Father

embraced every opportunity to educate himself and

scon was a b l e t o h o l d his own on any ground. Con-

stant travel for 3 years end contact with many dif-

ferent classes cf people, would tend to sharpen a

nan's wits, and t h e fact that all this time he suc-

ceeded and made money w o u l d show t h a t he m u s t have

had. h i s w i t s about him. Besides German, be learned

during his travels, to speak English and French.

French was used in Canada to a large extent, and

46

II
JU™

when he worked into ?(estern Ne;r York and Ohio, E n s - •'

i

1 i s b w as us ed . i
• i

As showing father's ability as a c om pos 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 w r o t e 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 C33e 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 U n i o n v i l l e , Lake County,

Ohio, he met our m o t h e r (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 l o n g before there was a mutual attach-

 zk (

l e n t forned and t h e y w e r e engaged to be married.

See "Vfarner n family, page/^.5" In April 1858, father

purchased of Amasa C a s t l e , a farm situated about

1 mile e a s t of Ashtabula on the south ridge road.

There was a l o g h o u s e b u t this was torn down and a

c r i c k house b u i l t . It was n o t very large but a good

comfortable house, and it is standing today as built

in 1 8 3 ? . January 1st, 1840, father and m o t h e r were

married at Dnionville, and f o r a wedding t r i p they

drove to t h e i r new h o u s e , which was all furnished

ready t o commerce h o u s e - k e e p i n g . Father worked this

farn for six years, but becai-e d i s c o u r a g e d with it,

as t h e A s h t a b u l a River which ran through it had a

habit of o v e r f l o w i n g its banks t j t and c a r r y i n g off

fence and d e s t r o y i n g crops, so he s o l d the farm to

a Mr. Landon, and it yet remains in the possession

of t h e Landon f a m i l y , a grandson of the original

purchasers now o c c u p y i n g it.

Father t h e n moved to U n i o n v i l l e where he

rented a farm which he w o r k e d for two y e a r s . The

following summer he a c c e p t e d a position as C l e r k on

the Steam-boat Cleveland,which belonged to h i s fath-

er, as r e c o r d e d in a previous chapter. After sail-

48

ing one season and finding it impossible to over-

come a tendency to sea-sickness, he decided to aban-

don a life on the rolling deep.

J. I. D. Nellis died'DeC. 3rd, 1848, and

by his will appointed father executor of his estate,

which amounted to about Fifty Thousand Dollars.

Father qualified as executor and settled the estate

in a very short time, to the satisfaction of all.

About this time he w a s in active speculation in real

estate. He bought and sold several farms, and

bought parcels of l a n d which he allotted to good ad-

vantage. In l o o k i n g over his capers, I found fif-

teen different deeds of real estate, made to b i i, b e -

tween the d a t e s of 1848 and 185 3. Father always

took an interest in m i l i t a r y matters. He studied

military tactics and was promoted from a private

till be became colonel cf a regiment of militia.

This was about the tir.e of the Mexican iVar. T h e Mil-

itary spirit ran high; there were frequent meetings

for drill practice and Colonel Nellis on his milk

white horse was a familiar figure. He would have

volunteered and gone to the war, were it not for the

entreaties of mother. Again in 1349, at the time

 49

* o / r / f , . 4 C 4 * / 7 / J > y T f e u l e * / V e / / / s y* /fjf
^ x ^ ' ^ / A CA/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
50

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 C c 7 : i d e . r y s i s A l e m ? , fa CA/,
 51

of the gold excitement in C a l i f o r n i a , he d e s i r e d to

co there with a number that went from that section

l\3t 3 3 S prevailed on not to g o . H i s l o v e for wife

and children was paramount.

In D e c e m b e r 1 8 4 8 , he p u r c h a s e d from the

Crane estate, five acres of l a n d situated on the

corner of L a k e and Prospect Sts., Ashtabula, Ohio.

Fcr this land he paid $500.00, and at once moved

his family to a h o u s e on the opposite corner and

commenced the erection of a fine residence on his

n e;: o u r c n a s e .

Father worked very hard, t h i s winter, draw-

ing stone and timber, and we think laid, the founda-

tion for the lung trouble which later caused his

death. This house at the time, 184S, was considered

the f i n e s t dwelling in A s h t a b u l a . It w a s occupied

by o u r family until 1866, when the p l a c e was sold

tc L a b i n Sherman for 110,000. ¥ir. Sherman, soon

after removed the old house a short distance north

of i t s former site, and erected a new and m o r e mod-

ern style of h o u s e , which he s t i l l occupies. The

fruit and shade trees on and about the place were

all set out byfather, and came into bearing before

52

JU=

the place was sold. There were seven different

kinds of fine c h e r r i e s , 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 as 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 A s h t a b u l a , 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

 53

and. o t h e r s in New York were afraid of him, thinking

he was a bad man from the West, The first summer

fiter his attack, he went to Marquette, Lake Sup-

-r-ior fcr his health, as it was reported that the

? ire air and balsam fir of that section would be

0n
beneficial. this trip he took along his broth-

er. George N e l l i s . The second winter, he took all

r. 1 s f a n l l y and vrent to St. Jobnsville, N. Y. so a s to

•• - •; < g s t e a d i e r climate than that cf the lake shore.

11 v;\t> a t * t b i s time that the writer first saw the

ciK\ r a l a t i n e Church, b.u i 1 1 by the Nellis family in

i 7??, as d e s c r i b e d on 'pa g e IB. The second summer,

be, uith mother, drove a large fire horse and cov-

ered carriage f r cm A s h t a b u l a t c M ad i s or, Wisconsin,

: r. 5 b a c k. They were gone three as c n t b s and m e. t wit h

.j. i F. i a a ventures, as at that t i J. e some of the coun-

try 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 children

•:-:re l e f t ir. the care of Dncle David Nellis, who

then l i v e d in part of the house of Grandmother Nel-

-is. As D n c l e and Aunt were away at Elmore most of

tfle time, ;re d i d net get much care to speak of.

That winter father spent at home. There

iS nc
3oubt but what his strong will and constant
5 4

fight for life prolonged bis days. Too much o a r -

not be said in praise of the patieno", c •: n s t a n t carp

and loving kindness of mother, e x h i b i t e d through all

these three years of father's sickness. For months

at a time he ;? a s c o n f i n e d to his ted and almost

helpless and she, from choice, was h i s constant

curse, enduring it all, and c a r i n g fcr him till the

end.

Father had no bad habits cf any kind. He

never swore, or drank intoxicating liquors, nor

used, tobacco in any form. He p a i d his debts, was

never arrested or sued in his l i f e . He was an ac-

tive member of the Presbyterian Church.

Father died peacefully June 2 4 t h , 1356,

surrounded by h i s family and friends.

He was b u r i e d on t h e family lot in Chest-

nut Grove Cemetery.

-o-c-o
 55

Composition

written by F e u b e n Nellis, while attending

the School cf J a m e s Baker

- during the winter of 1 3 5 6 -

The C h a ru s a n d A d v a n t a g e s of W i n t e r .

There is no s e a s o n that has not some

shares ceculict t to itself. 'tie a d m i r e the summer

r. cut r? on a c c o u n t cf their balmy breezes, their dec-

orating the h i l l s and vaH i e s with verdure, and

their causing the sweet scented and fragrant bios-

sees to u n f o l d their beauties and perfume the air

site ether, and call from their retreat the feather-

ed s o n g s t e r ? that warble such enchanting melody,and

often as t h e l o v e r of solitude retires to his even-

ing or m o r n i n g d e v o t i o n s in the grove, he stands

spell bound and c h a r m e d and enraptured, while the

weed l a n d s are made v o c a l with their notes- but all

the o b j e c t s would cease t o c h a r ri w e r e we t o h a v e no

variety. How l i t t l e attention we pay in autumn to

the f o l i a g e , with which our f o r e s t s are clothed,

t
56

and which we but a few months previous gazed upon

with much admiration. Our c o n s t i t u t i o n s , 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 p r e j u d i c e , 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 b e h o l d e r , E-ven a single flake of snow

considered, with attention, affords w o n d e r s , 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

lurmurs against Providence on account of the winter

is really to be pitied, and I fear such will not

find charms in spring but will be as insensible as

at this season. However desolate all nature may

appear in the eyes of some, she is nevertheless a

masterpiece of Divine workmanship, and it is our

blindness alone wh i c fa h i d e s her beauties. There

ere some rays of beauty and wisdom shining in every

pert. We a r e net apt to follow nature in all her

parts, but we o n l y adrrire and are attentive to such

things as strike the senses most forcibly and flat-

ter our passions most. In this resoect nany resemble

the b r u t e s , that see the sun, moon, stars and all

the c e l e s t i a l bodies performing their offices; they

see the vegetation springing from the earth, the

rein and snow descending, but they do not look away

vr i t b g r e a t f u l hearts to Him who is the bes t ov er of

all these, b l e s s i n g s . Our souls would be filled with

gratitude and warmth toward the creator were we

rightly and attentively to consider the works of

Sod i n - t h i s season of the year. Then the air might

be in c o m m o t i o n , the heavens become tempestuous and

all nature stripped and dispoiled of her sweetness

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.

 59

CHESTNUT GPOVE CEMETERY LOT.

-o-o-

Tbe lot in Chestnut Grove Cemetery, -where father was

b u r i e d , is one selected by himself, and on which he placed a
small comment. On the death of J. I . D. N e l l i s , father sold
the south west corner of the* l o t , for the b u r i a l place of his
f a t h e r and mother, and on which they were buried. On this
c o r n e r of the lot, Peter Nellis was also buried. At time of
the death of Earnhart Nellis and his wife, Henry Fassett, as
executor of the e s t a t e , bought the p r i v i l e g e of burying them
on t h e 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'silis, in the erection of a nev; monument, on v;nicn was
inscribed the names of a l l tncse then i n t e r r e d on tns l o t .

Tnere are no r i g h t s 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''.-"':;'%•'••'',; '••'••-.if.

SALLEV A£.MfRA WARNER-NELUS.

 63

0 0 R M O T H E R .

Sally Almira 'Earner- Nellis

-o-c-

Our m o t h e r , S a l l y A l m i r a E a r n e r , o l d e s t
5 c u p. n t e r of N a t h a n W a r n e r , J r . , w a s born at d n i o n -
v i l l e , 0, . ay 5 r d 1 3 1 5 . er f a t h e r at t h a t time
live5. in s log house and mother was years old be -
fore"tbe frame house was built. There were no car-
riages 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
hod an •i « rt urc n an her c a l l i n g on h c r s e-back.
Indians " e r e q u i t e n u m e r o u s and o f t e n a s o u r c e of
Tu c r anxiety as they would l o i t e r a b o u t , beg and
steel if n o t i i n i w o r s e . B e a r s w e r e also p l e n t i f u l
«r 5 m o t h e r r e l a t e s tb'a I " O n c e on a time w h e n s h e
;•?ss going through the w c o d s to v i s i t a " S u g a r G a m p "
;*, cer a her b r o t h e r s ivere m a k i n g m a p l e s u g a r , s h e s u d -
denly found herself c l o s e to a b e a r , w h i c h w a s d r i n k -
in? sac from a " S l a b t r o u g h " . Which was the most
frightened, I have n e v e r b e e n a b l e to find o u t . At
any rate they both e s c a p e d . 'tfhen a b o u t 80 y e a r s old,
i o tfce r was c o n s i d e r e d q u i t e a " b e l l e " . S h e ;?as goo d
size, good l o o k i n g and fond of good c l o t h e s , and not
afraid to w e a r t h e m . A good old M e t h o d i s t m i n i s t e r
felt called en e t o n e time to s t a t e in h i s s e r m o n ,
t h at he re ? r t; d t h e r e were two m e m b e r s of h i s c o n g r e -
gation that w e r e s e t t i n g a bad e x a m p l e by t h e i r gay
attire.. Be had r e f e r e n c e to c o t h e r and a M i s s
" ixe r, who h a d o c i e cut w i t h new b o n n e t s and l o n g
«reen v e i l s . I t h i n k if t h a t m i n i s t e r w e r e l i v i n g
today and should a t t e n d s o m e F a s t e r s e r v i c e , he
would t h i n k the e x a m p l e had s p r e a d . This style,
64

ho w e v e r , a p p e a r e d to s u i t our f a t h e r for within a

y e a ^ from f i r s t a c q u a i n t a n c e , Sally A l m i r a ?fartier
and R e u b e n N e l l i s w e r e m a r r i e d 9t 3 n i o n v i l l e , J a n u -
ary 1 s t , 1 8 4 0. ( S e e l i f e of Reuben* N e l l i s page 43
t o 58. )

M o t h e r w a s n a m e d as e x e c u t r i x in f a t h e r ' s
will. S h e m a n a g e d t h e e s t a t e so that it increased
in v a l u e . S h e r e a r e d h e r t h r e e sens fror the ages
of 9, 13 and 15 u n t i l they b e c a m e cf z ^ e , so that
they a l w a y s l o v e d , h o n o r e d and obeyed h e r . She was
o f t e n a s k e d bov s h e m a n a g e d to keep such good control
over her b e y s . I t h i n k the secret was in her a l -
w a y s e v i d e n t a n x i e t y f o r t h e i r c c af o r t and w e l f a r e .
A f t e r t h e s a l e cf the r e s i d e n c e on P r o s p e c t S t r e e t ,
A s h t a b u l a , 0., m o t h e r m o v e d to P a i n e s v i l l e , O h i o ,
w h e r e s h e p u r c h a s e d a o l a c e on Erie S t r e e t , near
h e r s i s t e r , 'Mrs. S m e l i n e A x t e l l . Here s h e lived
till w h e n s h e t o o k r o o m s at the S t o c k w e l l H o u s e ,
w h e r e s h e r e m a i n e d till 1 3 7 9 ,
H. C. M el 1 i s, w h o was in the F i r s t N a t i o n a l
Bank of P a i n e s v i l l e d u r i n g this time, r e m o v i n g to
P i q u a , 0., in 187S, m o t h e r one year l a t e r also moved
to P i q u a , and is new l i v i n g with B r o t h e r n o s e r .
M o t h e r is now 35 y e a r s old and in full p o s -
s e s s i o n of all h e r f a c u l t i e s ; has never had a fit of
s i c k n e s s w i t h e x c e p t i o n of a fall some t h r e e years
s i n c e , w h i c h c o n f i n e d her tc her bed a b o u t two
months.
At this writing she is with us in Cleveland
on a visit.

-o-o-o-
66

.- - , t . X"**-.-;V-;.. •C-;-'4, , :*h

A L F R E D WARNER NELLIS.
 67

J-

~'w'y:

"i'.-.T-'.'i '.^•i-i-^.'-v^

MARY LOUISE HALL-NELLIS.

 69

ALFPFD W. NELLIS.

-oo-

Alfre W. N e l l i s , the complier of these

sketches, is the oldest son of Reuben Nellis and

Sally A l m i r a ft a r n e r - N e l 1 i s . I was born November

2nd, 1341, on a .farm one m i l e east cf Ashtabula,0,.

At birth my w e i g h t was 5 1/2 pcunds, and it is

stated that for several months, the only way I

could be handled with safety was on a pillow. At

three years old, I have my f i r s t remembrance of

any event, and that was being run away with by a

scan of horses which father bad left for a moment

unhitched . A £u i na hen flew on the fence in

front of the horses, and gave one of its peculiar

squav.-ks and off the horses went. They ran about

a mile when they were stopped by Deacon McDonald.

There was a high dash board to the wagcn, and I

stood up tc that and called "Ho, Ho" for all I was

worth. The Deacon heard me a n d jumped over a fence,

seized.a rail,end at great risk tc himself managed

to stco the teem. It was very muddy and I was plas-

tered over with mud, I can remember I was taken

70

into a l o g h o u s e and had to wait till some water

could heat in an i r o n kettle over an coen fire,be-

fore they c o u l d wash me o f f enough to take home.

J? b e n I was a b o u t 7 years old, father moved

to Qnionville, Ohio,and my n e x t experience was try-

ing to l e a r n t o chew t o b a c c o . Father's hired man

u s e d t h e weed, I borrowed a chew from him, one trial

was enough f o r me. I have never since used tobac-

c o in any form. My n e x t remembrance is cf a trip

on t h e S t e e s Boat C l e v e l a n d from Ashtabula tc Cleve-

land and r e t u r n , as d e s c r i b e d on p a g e 38. Although

quite seasick on t h i s trip, it did not break uc my

d e s i r e tc t r a v e l , as some subsequent events will

show.

Father moved back to Ashtabula when I was

ten years old, and I can remember many incidents

connected with the b u i l d i n g of the house, corner cf

Prospect and Lake S t r e e t s . One i n particular was

the finding- by t h e mason that laid the foundsticn-

cf a fine flint arrow head, which he g a v e to me.

T h i s arrow head was t h e starting point of my c o l l e c -

tion of m i n e r a l s , shells, etc., which at the pres-

ent time amount to over 500 varieties.

 i 1

At 1 2 y e a r s old I was left one summer in

care of Uncle David Nellis, while father and mother

tcok a carriage trip to Wisconsin. It w a s during

this summer that I found cut hew bard it w a s tc make

money, in seme e s s e s . I used to get up at three

> ~ lock and walk three or- f o u r miles and pick black-

berries and sell then: at three cents per quart. I

also pared apples at five cents per bushel. I have

made some money easier since then, but nothing that

I ever took zc r e pride in. A n o t h e r well remembered

and interesting ev e r r o c c u rr ed about this time. My

brothers, Homer and John, and myself, had our dagur-

rectype taken by U n c l e George Nellis. A copy of

this cloture can be found en next page. Appearances

seem to indicate that some cf us'Considered, it a

serious matter. Father died when I was 15 years old,

and f r o u- t h a t time on I took hold and did my best

to k e e p things in order, lock after the twc farms,

and the seven acres cf land on the home place. For

about ten years these three places kept me busy. In

time I con s i d ere C . my s el f q u i t e an expert in farm met- 1

ters. In t h o s e d a y s crops seemed to yield better

than et p r e s e n t . Cne peck of potatoes to the hill,

72

two good crops of c l o v e r , cut from the same field

each season, was no u n c o m m o n yield. Corn, wheat,

oats, sorgum, broom corn, with potatoes and other

vegetables, were all raised at various times to

good advantage. In t r i m m i n g and transplanting trees

and shrubs, I became expert. At one time over 150

young hemlocks were gathered from the weeds and

planted as a h e d g e , of the w h o l e number only three

died. \ty m o t t o was that "Anything worth doing at

all, was worth doing well."

Being kept so busy my school days were

very i r r e g u l a r , -it o f t e n being the c a s e that only

twc or three months attendance was made during any

one year; however, by the time I was 21 years old,

I had passed through all the different grades and

graduated at t h e Ashtabula High School. During the

winter of 1 8 6 5 , Edgar Ball, Fred Fassett, William

Haskell and m y s e l f , attended 1-astnan's Commercial.

School at P o c h e s t e r , S. Y. We all had a pleasant

and profitable time. In the spring before return-

ing home, I visited at Clcckville, Little Falls and

St.Jchnsville, where father had taken me once be-

fore, as s t a t e d on page 53.

 73

NELLIS BROTHERS.
ALFRED, 12 • JOHN, 8 - HOMER. 8
Y E A R S OF A G E .

COPY FROM A DAGUERREOTYPE TAKEN BY

UNCLE GEORGE NELLIS IN 1863.
 75

It m u s t not be u n d e r s t o o d 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 w h i c h I seemed to be in good demand.

In those days gaite w a s quite plentiful,

end to p r e s e r v e 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 w e r e m a d e fcr the p u r p o s e . Soon after a new

end l a r g e r c a s e w a s built and the specimens were

transferred tc s a m e . Not having room for some of

the l a r g e r birds, they were disposed of, the re-

mainder having kept in good condition to this date,

which is new over 50 years.

I cast my first vote for Abraham Lincoln,

and h a v e always voted the Pepublican ticket. During

the »lar cf the P e b e l l i o n , I joined t h e m i l i t i a -and

soon bee ane C o r e o r a l . The Ashtabula Company, with

76

others, went into camp h e r e at Cleveland, on a va-

cant lot on t h e west side of ffillson Avenue, where

Kennard Street now r u n s . At t h e t i m e K i r by Smith's

army came up t h r o u g h Kentucky and t h r e a t e n e d Cincin-

nati. Volunteers were c e l l e d fcr 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 the c i t y . I was the

first one t o v o l u n t e e r from Ashtabula County. tf e

soon raised a company cf about 50 a n d , after being

rigged out with old fashioned muskets, shot-guns,

cotton knap-sacks and tin cups, we s e t forth. As

good luck would have it, cur Company was p l a c e d on

a steam boat to patrol the river; thus, we w e r e able

to keep dry, had enough tc eat, such as it was, and

a s nc r e b e l s shewed up, we had on t h e w h o l e cuite an

easy time of it. In a b o u t two w e e k s , the danger

having passed, we w e r e sent home. Th.cse volunteers

were c a l l e d "Squirrel Hunters". Governor Tod, whe

was t h e n governor of O h i o , sent the volunteers a

certificate saying that "Cincinnati was a en a need by

the enemies of our Union;David Tod,Severer cf Ohio,

•called en t h e "Minute Men" of the S t a t e and the

"Squirrel Hunters" came by t h e thousands to the

rescue. You, Alfred ». Nellis, were one of thee

 77

o .? T f t is T n c C tt >\ d Clara /'n s s c tt

M r s A W A'c / I i s

Mrs A W N e J ' i s Mrs J//as Tasse/t

A\,ss Cartielffar't
L__ LL-
78

X . w ^ e . / V ^ . c e of/IW/Ve/J*'

Yt & w t o o k /-n o A/or i f . t/o»i f'assctf f t > 11

A W Af <£//;*
 79

and t h i s is your honorable d*i so b a r g e , September

1862. David Tod. Governor'.

In 1865 m o t h e r , as executrix, sold the

bcie p l a c e c o r n e r Prospect and L a k e Street , to

Lab in Sherman, Esq. She reserved the house just

v;est with a b o u t one a c r e of land. This house had

been b u i l t by f a t h e r shortly before his death for

renting p u r p o s e s . It was built to accommodate two

far. i l i e s , b u t we r e m o d e l e d same and occupied it un-

t i l my removal to Clev.eland in 1868. Mother re-

rained h e r e u n t i l about 1870, when she sold the

d a c e tc John C o l l i n s , whose widow still occupies it.

In 1865, I went into the painesville National Bank

ss r. zc*~ k e e n e r - I was there only a short time when

I was c a l l e d home t o c o n s u m m a t e the sale to Mr.

Shernsn, and h e l p mother move and remodel her new

bene. After this was c o m p l e t e d , I engaged to H. H.

Hall, as c l e r k in his grocery and shoe store, and

regained w i t h him till my r e m o v a l to Cleveland in

18c e.

. About 1865 I first became acquainted with

••'sry L o u i s e H a l l , and from the first meeting there

seemed tc he a m u t u a l desire to see each other as

80

often as possible. In less than a y e a r we became

engaged, with an agreement on my p a r t to wait a-

while till Louise became a "little older".

In 1866, George Hall moved w i t h his fam-

ily to C l e v e l a n d , Ohio, and then "true love" had

a hard time of it till November 15th, 1857 we were

married at Cleveland, Ohio, by Rev. Dr. floolcott.

This step I have never i n my l i f e regretted and have

reason to believe that Louise is equally well con-

tented. For our- w e d d i n g trip, we went to Rutland,

Vt. where we v i s i t e d Silas Chapman and w i f e , and

daughter, Dorcas Chapman. M r . s , Chapman was an

aunt of.Mrs, Hall. 'He a l s o visited my u n c l e , Dan-

iel Moot and family, at Glookville, N. Y.

On o u r return we l i v e d at A s h t a b u l a till

April 1869, when we c a m e to Cleveland to l i v e with

George Hall, and have remained with him e v e r since.

For the first 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 Avenue, the next year in George if. Howe's

house on E r i e Street, then for a year in t h e second

bouse east of St. Paul's Church on E u c l i d Avenue,

teen we moved into tfr. Pall's new h o u s e j u s t coz-

eleted, at 364 Euclid, w h e r e we have r e s i d e d for

 81

RALPH NELLIS. FLORA NELLIS.

TAKEN IN 1889.
 .8 3

the l e s t 21 y e a r s . Here Ralph Hall Nellis was born

June 3 r d , 1875, and t h r e e years later, July 25rd,

137 3, F l o r a N e l l i s was born, both good, strong,

healthy, eight pounders at birth.

In A p r i l 186 9, I went into J r . Hall's Pi-

ano S t o r e , 66 P u b l i c Square, as c o l l e c t o r and as-

sistant book-keeper, and about 18 7 5 , Mr. H a l l , hav-

i n g given up a c t i v e m a n a g e m e n t , I had general super-

vision of t h e b u s i n e s s . Soon after I first entered

the s t o r e , Mr. H a l l had as salesmen,besides himself,

X. J . Wilson, J. F. I sham, B. P . Hart, A. H. Slack,

I. D. C c l v i n , and a l s o bad l o c a l agents at Toledo,

Pittsburgh, Sandusky, Norwalk, Ashtabula, Paines-

ville, Hudson and v a r i o u s other places. He employed

two t u n e r s , Ectsford and, R h o d e s , John Brunton as

polisher 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 advertiser, having a regular six inch

space in a l l the Cleveland papers cf that day. As

I was d e p e n d e d on t o see that all attended, to busi-

ness and d i d their duty, as w e l l ss to s e t t l e with

a g e n t s , - keep b o o k s , and attend t b e cash drawer, it

k e p t me busy f o r many y e a r s . Of the above, Wilson,

S l a c k and C o l v i n are dead. The r e s t are scattered.

= P =
84

I am t h e only one remaining of the original force.

Vr. Hall, having discontinued advertising and grad-

ually curtailed the business, the present help con-

sists of ft. P. Francis and myself as salesmen and

collectors, IV. M, C o r n e r , Cashier and Care of Mort-

gages, yr.'Gill, Tuner, and A. J . Johnson, General

Utility man.

For a record, and to show that not all of

my l i f e has been given to work w i t h o u t some recrea-

tion (which is very essential to good work) I will

here give a condensed account of some of the trips

taken and places visited at various times.

1st. Ashtabula to St. Johnsville, N. Y , , L i t t i e

Falls, etc., the winter father went east fcr his

health.

2nd. Ashtabula to Rochester, N. Y , , Little

Falls and St. Jchnsville, the winter I attended

Eastman's Commercial School.

5rd. Took a sailing vessel at Frie, Fa., com-

manded by C a p t a i n Charles Pratt, and w e n t to Chi-

cago and'back to St. Mary's, Canada, from there to

Niagara Falls and home. This was in the year 1360.

4th. In 1 8 5 1 , Edgar Hall, cf Ashtabula, and

 85

syselff took a sail ve$sel at Cleveland for Mar-

co e 11 e, Mich,, where we staid about one month, vis-

iting the iron Eiines> hunting, fishingf etc. Big

storm on the way back. The C a p t a i n called on u s to

help take in sail. Hall said the boat did not be-

long to him, and it could sink if it wanted to, be

r. a s n o t 5 c i ng cut to get wet. This was just before

t h e war and the gold which I took with me f o r ex-

penses and did not use, was kept till the premium

en same m o r e than covered the expense cf the trip.

51 h . Cincinnati end do wn the r i v er, during the

war, "Squirrel Hunters", as heretofore stated.

6th, In 1865 went tc Monroe City, M c., and vis-

ited Alfred iV a r n e r , Fsc., illy Mother's Dncle) after

y;hco I was named. Vr. Warner was a slave owner but

s Union man during the war. He had many narrow es-

capes. His son, Alfred Warner, Jr., now resides on

t h e home f a r m (640 acres). He has visited here sev-

eral times recently.

7th. Our wedding trip to Rutland, V t. , etc., as

before describee.

8th. In 1868 I went with brother Homer C. Nel-

lis to Lawrence, Kansas on a prospecting tour." IV e

86

went via. Cincinnati and St. Louis, where we took a

river steam boat for Kansas City. The river was

low, the boat was slow and, after standing it three

days, we took the cars, went to Kansas City, Law-

rence and back to Kansas City on our w a y home, where

we saw our boat just arrived.

9th. In 1372 Mrs. Nellis and myself to N e w York-

City, Greenoort, L. I., Saratoga, etc,

10th. Mrs. Nellis and myself to N e w York, Boston,

Rutland, Vt., Saratoga, calling at C a n a s t o t a , N. Y.

11th. Mrs. Nellis and myself. New York and Green

port, L. I., in 1 8 7 4 . In 1875 I went to New York and

Saratoga with Mr. Hall .

12th. In 1876, I went to the C e n t e n n i a l at Phil-

adelphia, made my first visit.to Asbury Park, N. J.,

then to New York and home. Mrs. Nellis did not ac-

company me on this trip.

15th. In 1877, Mrs. Nellis and myself, with my

mother, visited New York, Newport and Boston, call-

ing at Clcckville, N. Y.

14th. In the spring of 1 8 7 8 , w e w e n t to N e w Or-

leans, La., and to Bay St. Louis on t h e Gulf where

we staid several weeks, then to Mobile and Montgcm-

 87

4-
ery, stopping about one week a t each place. Ralph

went w i t h us on t h i s trip.

15th. In t h e sumrer of 1879, with B. C. Nellis,

and w i f e , we went t o New Y o r k , New L o n d o n , Conn.,

Greenocrt, L. I . , and Asbury Park, N. J. Ralph and

Flora were l e f t in c a r e of a nurse at Painesville.

loth. In t h e spring cf 1880, I went south with

V.T. B a l l , visited Jacksonville, Winter Park, etc.,

and on my r e t u r n stepping at Savannah, Charleston

and Washington.

17th. We went t c C h i c a g o in the spring of 18SI

I and r e t u r n e d by t h e way cf Fiqua, Ohio.

18th. In t h e summer of 1882, I went alone to

\ Clayton, N. Y. and down t h e St. Lawrence to Montreal

and from there to Portland, Me., then down the coast

, t o Old O r c h a r d Beach and Boston, thence tc New York

, vie. Fall River and t h e Sound Steamer, and home via.

.'; e v; York C e n t r a l , stooping at C anas t c t a, •N . Y.

18th. In 1885 we went to Philadelphia, then to

Asbury Park, N. J . , and frow there to New York City,

Saratoga, Lake G e o r g e , etc,

2 o t h . In s p r i n g of 18 5 4 , 1 went as far south as

Atlanta, Ga., with Mr. Hall, who was at that time

C5 3

;
sick and f e a r f u l to start alone. Mr. Hall c o n t i n u H
on s o u t h and I returned home.

81st.. In t h e summer of 1 8 8 4 , we went v i a . 5 tea"

boat to Maohinao Island, St. Mary's, etc., Balcn

and Flora accompanied us on t h i s trip..

22nd. In June 1886, Mrs. N e l l i s , Flora and my-

self, went to Washington, D. C., t h e n c e down t h e

sound by b o a t to Old P o i n t Comfort, t h e n by r a i l to

Philadelphia, New York and home.

25rd. In August 1886, we a l l went by c o a t to

Machinac Island, Petoskey, etc. Gone about one

month .

24th. In 1 8 8 7 , we a g a i n a l l went t o Machinac

and Petoskey by b o a t and returned home by r a i l , via,

Fiqua, Ohio,

25th. In the spring of 1888, I accompanied Mr.

Hall to Winter Park, Rock Ledge, and o t h e r points

in Florida- Gone s i x weeks.

26th. In t h e fall of 1 8 8 8 , Mrs. N e l l i s and myself

went to the Cincinnati Exposition, and r e t u r n e d via

Piqua. Later in the fall we went t o New York City,

etc .
27th. In 1 3 8 9 w e n t to P i q u a , Ohio, in the
spring. Went t o Lakewood, N. Y. w i t h the family

in summer and in the fall, ¥rs . Nellis and myself

went t c New York City and returned via. Pittsburgh

end P i c u a .

28th. In 1 8 9 0 , we w e n t to Piqua in the spring;

went t o L a k e s i d e , Ohio, in July for a week; in the

fall we went to New York City and Niagara Falls.

29th. In t h e spring of 1891, I accompanied Mr.

rail south, via. Nashville, Montgomery, and Thomas-

ville, to J a c k s o n v i l l e , F'la., Here Mr. Hall was

t a k e down w i t h La G r i p p e and for nearly two months

?; a s u n a b l e tc r e t u r n . He w a s v e r y sick and as I

:;as a l o n e w i t h bin and took most of the care of

rim, I had a n y t h i n g but a p l e a s a n t trip.

50th. In summer of 1881, we w e n t to Pique and

1 o l e d e and l a t e r to Philadelphia, Atlantic City and

New York G i t y ,

51st, During 189 2 , we w e n t to Port Huron for a

•••cck, and in the fall tc New Y o r k City. Flora with

-sstPortiuron.

? 2 D 3, In 189 5, sr e v i s i t e d at Piqua in spring.

v
'r. Hall and F l o r a elorg. The l a s t of June and

first cf July we w e r e at the World's Fair et Chicagc

bu

and r e t u r n e d via. Piqua and Toledo. In the fall we

went t o New York C i t y . . This summer we a l l spent

one m o n t h at Lakewood, N. Y., occupying Mr. Hall's

cottage and taking our meals at the Sterlingworth.

53. In 1 8 9 4 , visited Piqua once in the spring.

All went t o Lakewood, N. Y. and staid two m o n t h s in

cottage, boarding at the Sterlingworth.

54th. In 1 8 9 5 , all went t o Lakewood and occupied

Mr. Hall's cottage two m o n t h s . While family were

there, I took a trip to Sarinac Lake, in the Adrion-

daoks, where I met H. C. Nellis and f a m i l y . From

there I went to P l a t t s b u r g h and down t o Saratoga and

returned to Lakewood.

5 51 n . In June 1896, with Mr. Hall, we w e n t to

Washington, D. C . , thence t o New York City, calling

at Lakewood, N. Y. on o u r return. In July, Flora

and m y s e l f visited Piqua and Toledo, returning via.

boat to Put-in-Eay and heme. In September, Vrs.

Nellis, Flora, Mr. Ball and myself, went to Lake-

wood for a week, thence to New York C i t y for ten

days, returning by same route.

 91

For the benefit of my c h i l d r e n , and any

ethers who may in the f u t u r e scan these pages, I

will give a few of t h e rules and actions, which I

have endeavored to l i v e up t o , and w h i c h certainly

will be a benefit to any one t o follow:r

"Keep the Ten Sommar. d m e n t s .

Do unto others as yots w o u l d have, them do

unto you,

•Touch not, taste not, handle not, intoxi-

cating drinks.

Kever use tobacco in any form.

Never fool in business natters.

Ask thy purse what thon shouldst spend.

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 help.

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 , Ralph and F l o r a , I have en-

deavored to set a good example; h a v e given, them

such recreation, education, and advice as I think

was f o r their best interest, and so f a r I am h a p p y -

to state that I know of nothing to r e g r e t , and trust

that in the future, as in the past, t h e y may do

nothing of which t o be ashamed.

-c-c-o-o-
sf*a*c%^ *****
94
 95

_J

RALPH HALL NELLIS.

Raloh Hall Nellis, only son of A. W , Nel-

•; l i s and Mary Lcuise Nellis, was born at 8 64 Euclid

Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, June 5, 1-8 7 5 .

Weight at birth, 9 lbs; at 6 m o n t h s old

21 l b s . He c c u l d walk alone at 11 months old. Has

always been self reliant, seldom calling on any one

for assistance where it will be possible for him to

accomplish the task himself.

At two years old he was taken to Saratoga,

Newport and New York City. During the whole trip

he never cried or m a d e any trouble, every one re-

marked en his being a good traveler and seeming to

understand and enjoy the trip. In the spring cf

187 6 when not yet three years old* he was taken to

New Orleans, La., seme -incidents cf which trip he

remembers. In 1881, he w e n t t c New York and Asbury

Park, S. J. At five years old he c o u l d read end do

some easy sums in figures. He commenced attending

Hiss Freeman's private school at 6 years old; grad-

uated at Central High School in 1895, took one term

at Scenceriar Business College in 1894. In 1886

96

be took twc terms of music lessens on the piano,

and in that time he l e a r n e d to play and read mu-

sic; can play a guitar and has become quite a ^ood

singer, without any instructions, whatever.

In 1385, he went to St. Ignance, Macki-

nac Island, and F e t c s k e y , Mich; again in 1886 he

made the sane trip. He attended the Second Pres-

byterian Sunday School for several years, and in

1888 he became a. m e m b e r of the church, and has taken

an active part in Sunday School and Church work ever

since. On t h e invitation'of Rev. Dr. Pomercy, Ralph

went with the Doctor and bis family in 1891 to V'us-

kcka Lake, Canada, for the summer. Rev. Pomercy

owned an island in this lake, and fearful that Ralph

might get drowned, be was told that he must learn to

swim before he c o u l d go. He w e n t to the Y. M. G. A.

bathing pool and the second day could dive in and

swim as w e l l as m o s t any one. Ralph joined the Y.

M. C. Association and soon became a leader in ath-

letic sports. He a t one time had over fifty young

men u n d e r his instruction. While attending High

School, he, one f a l l , played on the foot ball team,

and that season the High School team won every

 97

match game they played. In 1895, be attended the

Chicago Exposition. He has passed several summers

in Lakewood, N, Y. He is always in good demand,

for his ability, strength and agility as a dancer.

He w e n t into the Wade P a r k Bank in Janu-

ary, 1 8 9 6, to learn the banking business, and is now

employed there as book-keeper.

halph has no bad habits. He u s e s no pro-

fane language. He k e e p s the Sabbatb. He d o e s not

drink, smoke or chew. -If for the balance of his

life, he can shew as clear a record it will be much

honor to himself and nleasureto his friends.

_ n — r. - r. -
 88

r*\

I.
: ..•-.» v<-••

•'-••iiff:- fi-i^pf.[
'"• -••'- V ' . ' - I : . - . ' : - . . . " • ; ; " * : : • • ; W " i " i r ^ " > * > ; -
'.- ''" * , - V " '•.•• " • ' . •-"•.••• , ."!'= '' V / ' i r , : ; '

FLORA NELLIS.
 103

FLORA M. NELLIS.

- o - o-

F l o r a M a y N e l l i s , o n l y d a u g h t e r of A . W .
N e l l i s end M a r y L o u i s e H a l l N e l l i s , w a s b o r n at 8 5 4
E u c l i d 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 .
H e r w e i g h t at b i r t h , 8 1/2 l b s . at six
m e n t i s o l d , w e i g h t 20 l b s ; c c u l d w a l k a l o n e at 11
m o n t h s o l d . Is n o w f i v e f e e t , 3 inches high, weight
1 1 6 p o u n d s . , has l i g h t h a i r , b l u e e y e s , g o o d f o r m
and f e a t u r e s . A t f o u r y e a r s old s h e c o u l d read and
s p e l l . Attended the public school during 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 M i s s M i t t l e -
b e r g e r ' s p r i v a t e s c h o o l f o r g i r l s in 1 8 9 1 , and h a s
n o t c o m p l e t e d c o u r s e as y e t . S h e h a s m a d e a n u m b e r
cf t r i e s t c v a r i o u s p o i n t s , g o i n g u p t h e l a k e s t o
P e t o s k e y in 1 8 8 5 , t c W a s h i n g t o n and O l d P o i n t C o m -
f o r t , V s . , in s p r i n g of 1 8 8 6 , and t o S t . I g n a n c e
and M a c h i n a c I s l a n d in s u m m e r of 1 8 8 5 . In 1 8 9 2 s h e
w e n t tc N e w Y o r k C i t y and a g a i n to N e w Y o r k in 1 8 9 5 .
W e n t t o C h i c a g e I x p o s i t i o n in 1 8 9 3 . H a s s c e n t s e v -
e r a l 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 g o o d
d a n c e r , e n t e r t a i n i n g end s e l f p o s s e s s e d . S h e is
m u c h s o u g h t a f t e r , and n e v e r , in a n y c o m p a n y , h a s
to o l s y t h e p a r t of " W a l l F l o w e r " . S h e is a good
c e r r e s o e n d e n t , w r i t i n g m a n y , and l o n g l e t t e r s to
her f r i e n d s . S h e is k i n d and o b e d i e n t t o h e r p a r -
e n t s , a n d v e r y t h o u g h t f u l of t h e w i s h e s a n d r i g h t s
cf e t h e r s .
Flcra has been a constant attendant cf
the Second Presbyterian Church Sunday School since
orD .
/
<U.*i •V/-rv t-\ ~4~$// // v'V^c
 L03

Pcyy,i/r ResSctcnct o f ft'CJV£fff&.

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10 4

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7H£5/cfS r t c £ * f f??yj gi fla j PJLSSe f r

Ja^cTA B a . s f V*'c w

Rzsic/£y7d * / H * » y
? P i L S S t t t Est,

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106
 L07

|£^%&Vriv«'' < H - -/;'-'.-'' ' -v"*

LIBBIE GRAY-NELLIS.
 109

HOMER COOK NELLIS.

Homer Cook Nellis, second son of Reuben

Nellis, was born August 1 7 , 1844, on a farm one

mile east of Ashtabula, Ohio. The name "Cook "was

given him in honor of his m o t h e r ' 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 S t . with M r s . F a m e s , who was a cousin of

his m o t h e r ' s . At that tim e (1830) Perry St. seer, ed

to be almost out of the c i t y . 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 5 1 , at the age of 1 7 , 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

u
the Directors of the Bank to en list in Company B"

of 171 Regiment Ohio National Guards. This Regi^

r
lent was mustered into the J. 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 ^ * / < f o / £L J i o n ^ r v ^ WO* 4/rtu.CZctt/Z /V Cf7^CCt. o j fit.?/LCV }??*>U&
v/ara job,. After his discharge,he returned to his
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 t b e 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 family barely bad time to escape before the

house was enveloped in f l a m e s . The loss was heavy

as there was only a partial insurance carried. He

then built a brick house on Erie Street, which he

occupied several years. Being quite a trader and

speculator, he w a s always ready to accommodate any

one that wanted a place that he had fixed up, pro-

vided they wanted it enough more than he d i d to

cay the price asked. The last house built in

Painesville was on the c o r n e r of M e n t o r Avenue

and Wood Street. It w a s a fine residence, and is

today one of the most desirable residences in Paines-

ville. On his removal tc P i q u a this place was sold

to W. F. Smith, who still occupies same. Nov. 7th,

1855, H. C. Nellis married Libbie 6. Gray, a daugh-

ter of B. C. Gray, of Painesville. Mr. Gray ^iss at

that time proprietor end. e d i t o r of the Painesville

telegraph and in connection rith this he had a book-

store' was also for a time editor of the Cleveland

Leader.

"The c h i l d r e n of E. C. Nellis and Libbie

Grey Nellis, are G r a c e Gray Nellis, born July 5th

-r
112

1873, in Painesville, Ohio. Grace died Dec. 30tb,

1878, and was buried in the Painesville Cemet ry.

John Gray Nellis was born Sept. 15th, 1883, in

Piqua, Ohio.

After his resignation as C a s h i e r of -bank

in 1378, H. C. N e l l i s removed to P i q u a , 0., where

he purchased an interest and became a partner of

F. Gray Co., in t h e Picua Woolen Mills. This busi-

ness was soon enlarged and a stock company formed

under the name of T h e F. Gray Co., of which pe was

one of the incorporators and was elected 7 ice Pres-

ident, which office he held for several years. This

Comoany manufacture felts, which are used by Faoer

V. I l l s ; also horse blankets and a fine quality of

woolen bed blankets for house use. In 1891, The

F. Gray Comoany purchased and consolidated with the

Akron Felt Company and the Acme Woolen Felt Comoany

of Albany, N. Y., and at this time they have one of

the best equipped mills in the c o u n t r y . They em-

ploy on an average of about 175 hands. F. Gray

is P r e s i d e n t , W.C. Gray, Treas., H. C. Nellis,

Sec'y of the Company and the three have full manage-

ment of its affairs.

L14

: &i£

GRACIE NELLIS.
 115

H. C. Nellis ?;as one of the.founders and

a director cf the Piqua Handle Mfg. Co. He in-

duced the Hosiery Co. to r e m o v e from Canastcta. N.

Y. to Piqua, and was one of the incorporators of

what is now called The P i q u a Hosiery Co. He was

one of the original incorporators and a director

in The 3rd Building and Loan Association of Piqua.

He is Vice president of the Piqua Milling Company.

He i s a brother-in-law of W. C. Gray, with whom

he purchased several tracts of land and allotted

same and which is called the Nellis and Gray addi-

tion to the City of Piqua. On t h i s land they

built 56 houses, which places have mostly been dis-

posed of. E. 0. Nellis was elected President of

the first Foard of Trade ever organized in Piqua,

and he yet retains that office. He h a s been in-

strumental in inducing several large manufacturing

establishments to locate at Piqua, and is always

interested in all public enterprises. He h a s al-

ways been very fond of cut doorsports and usually

takes his recreations in the mountains or on the

sea shore. With rod or gun he is an expert.

The present residence of H. C. Nellis

L16

is on t h e corner cf Ash and Caldwell 31 s, , Piqua,

Ohio. This place was purchased by him in 1330. It

is a large fine brick house, with hign ceilings and

built on a l i b e r a l plan. Several alterations have

been made on t h e interior and it now has a fine stair

way, a oarlor 20 X 35 and a dining roc;; 20 X 55,

a number of fine paintings adorns its walls. It has

natural gas, electric lights, etc., and is an up to

date bouse in all modern improvements. H. 0. Nel-

lis became a member and active supporter of the

Episcopal Church soon after he was married. He has

held various offices in connection with the Church

work. He h a s been Vestryman since 1375. The pres-

ent family of H. C. Nellis c o n s i s t s ' of him s e l f , h i s

wife, Libbie S• Nellis, his son, John Gray Nellis,

and our In o t h e r , Sally Almira Nellis, who has made

it her home w i t h Homer since 1890.

Homer is 5 feet, 9 1/2 inches high.

He h a s dark hair and dark blue eyes.

-c-c-o-
 117

' C i * ^ " -•' ••* "V

RESIDENCE OF H. C N E L L I S , PIQUA, OHIO.

 119

JOHN GRAY NELLIS.

 L2j

JOHN GRAY NELLIS.

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 in the 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 p r i n t s 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 W o r l d ' s Fair at C h i c a g o in 1 8 9 3 . He is now 13

years old, 5 feet, 1 inch high, has dark hair and

eyes.
-o-o-
L23
 125

JOHN FFDEFN H6LLTS.

John Reuben Nellis, third son of Reuben

Nellis, was born at Unionville, Ohio, Septemper 15,
1847. He w a s always a very healthy, robust child,
and became a large size, good looking Ear. He was
only nine years old when father died,but under moth-
er's care he grew U P to m a n h c o d , without a single
bad habit, and never- c a u s e d any of us any extra wor-
ry or anxiety. Ee had a kind disposition and made
friends with all who knew him. He a t t e n d e d the pub-
lic school at Ashtabula till 19 years of age and then
went to O b e r l i n College one year. When be w a s 21
years old, he went into the Painesville National
Bank, as book-keeper, his brother, H. C. N e l l i s , be-
ing at that time teller of seme bank. John R. Nel-
lis remained in this bank about two years. Ee board-
ed with his brother end together they built a fine
residence on 8 acres of land which they purchased on
the east side of t h e river. This.bouse was burned
down, f o r an a c c o u n t of w h i c h s e e z a ^ e 110.
S e p t e m b e r 1 1 , 1 8 7 0 .i 0 hn m a r r i e d K a t e G r a y , ? , s i s -
t e r cf h i s 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 , J o h n a c c e p t e d 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 . D p h a m on a p r o s p e c t i n g t o u r t o F o r t
S c o t t , K a n s a s . They w e n t out w i t h 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 f i r e and J o h n s t o o p e d e v e r o n e d a y to
view the ruins. T h e r e be t o o k a s e v e r e c o l d w h i c h
by t h e t i m e he r e a c h e d F o r t S c o t t d e v e l o p e d into
d i p t h e r i a . N o t h a v i n g p r o p e r c a r e and w e t h i n k f r o m
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 h i s n u r s e ,
L26

John d i e d November 11th, 1871. He w a s i n t e r r e d at

P a i n e s v i l l e , Ohio. He l e f t no children.
His widow married W. C . Gray, of Piqua, Ohio,
She died January 111 b, IBfo.
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-

David Nellis, oldest son of J. I. D. Nel-

lis, was born '/ay 5th, 1806. He m a r r i e d Caroline

Steadman for his first wife, Sept. 22nd, 1830. She

died March 20th, 1848, and he m a r r i e d a widow, Mrs.

Fli73 Oolph, July 2cr-d, 1350. Mrs. Dolph Nellis

died June 15th, 1875. leaving no c h i l d r e n by David

Nellis. The c h i l d r e n of David Nellis and Caroline

S t e e d mar, were

N A MF 3 Married Died

DAVID NELLIS,

bcrn 1806 May 5, 'Sep. 22, 18 3 0 , Oct. 6,1872

CAROLINE STEADMAB,

born 1809 Oct. 22, Sep. 22, 1830 Mch. 2 0,1648

0 HI LDFFK.
born
Joseph David Nellis 18 3 2 M c h . 3 0 , 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

Joseph,John and Sarah all died in in-

fancy. !4ary m a r r i e d Henry Anderson June 23rd, 1374,

and has one son, b o r n 5£ay 1 0 t b , 1875, 'named Geo. H.

Anderson .

Cyrus married a Miss Ingraham about 1875,

and they had three children, one of which died in

infancy. One c h i l d , Dow, was born March 20th, 1378,

Bede *as born Sept. loth, 1881.

«rs. Gyrus Nellis died several years since.

Gyrus Nellis was always a peculiar acting

boy, and be has been a source of anxiety to his

friends. He has never shown any disposition to in-

jure any one, but it h a s been found necessary at

various times to s e n d him to t h e C l e v e l a n d and Tole-

do A s y l u m s . ^ G e o r g e Nellis was a very smart scholar

when young and was taking a course of study at Ober-

lin C o l l e g e , but his m i n d gave way and he too was

sent to t h e C l e v e l a n d Asylum for a short time. He

had to * i v e up school and has never gone into any

active business, but has worked some land left him

by h i s f a t h e r . George never married. It is sup-

posed that the t r o u b l e with the boys was inherited

 I2y

from their mother, Caroline Steadman.

U n c l e David Nellis lived at Harbor Creek,

?a. till about 1 8 5 3 , when he m o v e d his family to

A s h t a b u l a , where they remained for two or three

years. He then moved to E l m o r e , O h i o , and set-

tled on the tract of land bis f a t h e r had purchased

soz.etime p r e v i o u s . David by inheritance and pur-

chase acquired the g r e a t e r part of this tract of

lend. At the time of bis death the land was worth

about $ 5 0 . 0 0 an a c r e , and at the present time about

$100, per acre.

David died October 6th, 1872.

-o-c-o-

fy^A^ ^ 4 ^ * f U ^ Pfjtj&z^, ttfosux^^ s£y/ yt>f*&

130

UNCLE EARNHART NELLIS.

-o- o-

Barnhart Nellis, 3 r d s o n of J. I. D. Nellis

Name. Married . Died.

Barnhart Nellis,

Born 1810 Aug. 1 4 , 1840 -.lay 19. 1377 Men. 21

Clarissa F. E a s t m a n ,

Born 1817 Aug. 13. 18*0 May 15, 1377 Men. 25

Children.

Albert Eastman Nellis,

Born 1342 May 2, Date not Known. 1596 Aug. 30.

Albert Eastman Nellis married Sarah Roof

about the year 1855. No children.

Albert died at. Sandusky, Ohio, Aug. 30th,

1395, and was buried at Franklin, Ohio, his death

occurring since this sketch was first written.

Barnhart Nellis was for many years a fam-

iliar figure in Ashtabula. He c a m e to Ashtabula

about 1837, and in 1340 he married Miss Eastman of

Kingsville who a t that time was considered one of

 IcJJ

-f

the handsomest girls in the C o u n t y . Barnhart never

engaged in any active business, but farmed in a

small way and speculated some in real estate. After

the d e a t h of his father in 1 8 4 9 , he m o v e d 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 w o u l d borrow money to buy stock, and, as the rail-

road often gave the stock holders an extra dividend,

and an increase of s t o c k be w o u l d double his money.

n"e k e p t at this, till, with the money he inherited

"from his f a t h e r and mother, he w a s worth some Sixty

Thousand Dollars, which amount he g a v e to Oberlin

College a short time b e f o r e his death, on condition

that the C o l l e g e should pay him, his w i f e , and bis

sen, a certain stipend each year during their lives.

As Uncle and Aunt died soon after, it l e f t the Col-

lege with only the son to pay. A. E. N e l l i s , not

being satisfied with this arrangement, commenced

suit against the C o l l e g e . The matter was settled

by the C o l l e g e paying him a lump sum of Twelve.

Thousand Dollars. This amount A. F. N e l l i s 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 h i s . Barnhart Nellis was a member

of, and helped build the C o n g r e g a t i o n a l 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 xere 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 C l o c k v i l l e , N. Y. Sept. 2 5 ,

1812. She married Daniel Bloom Moot, January 18th,

1851". Mr. Moot was a farmer. He owned a fine farm

about cue mile west of C l o c k v i l l e , where he lived,

raised his family, and died August "3rd. 1 3 9 1 .

He was an honest, upright, hard working

~ a n, and accumulated quite property. He was lib-

eral with his c h i l d r e n , giving the sons each a farm

and the daughters money and stock to an equal a-

mount. This division was m a d e 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 w o m a n , liked by every o n e . Her great-

est ambition was the c o e f o r t and welfare of her

husband and children. Sbe was a member of the Pres-

b y t e r ! an Church.

She died March 31st, 1890, aged 7S.

164

The c h i l d r e n of D 3 n i e ^ B l o o m M o o t , and

Elizabeth N e 11i s-M c c t, a r e

Daniel 31 o 0 a M o o t , Jr., born Mo v . 1 5 , 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

Libbie Nancy iioo t, born Sac. 6, 18 3 9

Theodore Garner Moot, born July 10, 184 2

Bell Mary Moot, born D e c . 10, 1849

-0-

Daniel Bloom Moot, Jr., married Jennett •

Amstead, Oct. 13th, 185 8 . They for several years

lived on a farm adjoining his father's. They moved

from there to Oneida, Sf. Y. , No children.

- o-

Malancthon Nellis Moot married Nellie

Hill, Sent. 35, 1350. Nellie w a s born November

21st, 1343. They have one daughter, Mildred Moot,

born June 24th, 1855. M a 1 a n c t r. o n is a prosperous

farmer. He h a s a fire farn; and farm house, command-

ing an extensive view. Trey travel considerable,

fb
visiting N e w To r k a n d the / / e s t . }?J^/A VC/A**- - # ' W h i a j M

Libbie Nancy Meet married Charles Spencer

Hutchinson, Sent. 4 1 n, 1355. Mr. Hutchinson was

A
 13 u>

for a number of years in the dry -goods business at

Canastcta, N. Y. Be then went to Syracuse and act-

ed as General Agent for the Davis Sewing Machine.

Si nc P 1891, he has been agent for a N e ?; York Invest-

ment Cc sp a ny. They are a model couple. It will do

C/?4.x/£S Pyidy/c/k
you good to know them. They had one child ''Freddy"

wni z //\ a i c D in i n f a n c y . f h ey a r e m e m b e r s of the

Presbyterian Church.

Theodore Garner Moot married Emma Bull,

September 6th, 1 8 7 1 . No c h i l d r e n . They have a

fan of s e v e r a l hundred acres, fine buildings, raise

grain and s t o c k , ana have a large creamery. Theo-

dore says he o w n s all the l a n d but, w h a t joins h i s .

-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 P r e s b y t e r i a n Church. M r . Rasback is

Cashier of C a n a s t c t a National Bank.

-o-
1 3 t>

CATHARINE NELLIS- RICHMOND,

-o-o-

Aunt C a t h a r i n e Nellis, third daughter of

J. I. ) . N e l l i s , was b o r n Oct. 1st, 1317.

She married Parley Richmond, May 30, 1838.

She died at L i t t l e Falls. N. Y., Aug. 14th, 1853.

Farley Richmond was born Nov. 9th, 1314.

He died July 25th, 1890.

Their c h i l d r e n were

Mary Richmond, born Nov 14th, 1846.

Georgia Richmond born Nov 4th, 1852.

-o-

Mary Richmond married Charles H. Strcuo,

May 2 0 t h , 15 53. Their children are

Irving Stroup, born May 2 n d , 1854, mar-

ried Mary E. S t e p h e n s o n , April 24th, 1889.

William H. S t r o u p , born March 24 tb, 1555,

married Maggie C u r t i n Aug. 4th, 18 8 4 . All reside

at L i t t l e F a l l s , N. Y.

Georgia Richmond carried Adiscn Maynard

June 5th, 1 3 7 2 , They have one d a u g h t e r , Lillian

Maynard, born F e b . 1 0 t h , 137 5. Mr. Maynard is

 lu/

an Engineer and resides at Utica, N. Y.

-o-

Parley Richmond was engaged in Faoer Mill

and Coal Business. Be was a very genial man, and

liked by every one.

Aunt Catharine was of a lively disposition,

tall, light hair and blue eyes. I only remember of

seeing her once.

-o-
L38

A U N T MARY N E L L I S - FASSETT.

- o - o-

Mary Nellis, fourth daughter of J. I. D.

Nellis.

Name. MARRIED. DIED.

MARY NELLIS,

Born 1822 Feb. 15, 1342 Mar. 23rd. 1859 Jan. 5.

HENRY FASSETT,

Born 1317 Sep. 14, 1842 Mar. 23rd. ^4u,J/*sfZ^^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 c h i l d r e n , Perry N..

born Feb. 27th. 1873, Ida born Oct. loth, 1874, died

, Harriet E., born June SO, 1879;

George H. born Nov. 7th, 1881.

X ,
Oteo H PcLss<fff 'ct.' £'C T/yyit Z J ~ 'V99. Hz c£yo/i/t£a( d e a . t t */
hea-rj1 / felt 4 f t ~°~
Henry Fassett, Jr., married Rose E. Phillips

, and has 3 children, viz: John Glen,

born Jan. 1 s t , 1 3 7 6 , Mary N. born Dec. 21st, 1881,

Neal P., born Jan. 14th. 1890.

Samuel M. Fassett never married. John N.

Fassett died in 1 3 7 0 . For an account of the life

of Henry Fassett, husband of # a r y Nellis, see page

217.

-G-

r-
 AUNT NANCY NELLIS- 7/ARNER

_ i"» _ i^ _.

Nancy Nellis, second daughter of J. I. D.

Nellis, was b o r n Feb. 22nd, 1315, married Elbridge

0. .'lamer, Jan. 51 b, 1342, died at Unionville, 0.,

March 13th, 1355.

Elbridge 0. Warner died at Unionville, 0.,

March 11th, 1854. E. 0. Warner was a brother of

our mother (Sally A. Warner). He v;as a farmer and

stockraiser. See "narner Family" page

The children of B• 0. V/arner and Nancy

Nellis- Earner, were

Oassius Elbridge V.'arner, born Aug. 14,1844

Died Jan. 27, 1852

Eugene Nellis Warner, born Jan. 10,1847

Josephine Earner, born Aug. 7, 1849

Died Feb. 2 6, 1870.

Arthur Elbridge 7T a r n e r , born Dec. 22,1851

Isadora Earner born Jan. 2 , 1 8 55

Died Jan. 21, 18 5 2 .

-0-

Eugene N. Warner married Kate A. Hutchins

 l l

April 17th, 1873, and they have seven children, viz:

Dorr Eugene Warner born Dec. 6 , 1873

Otto Nellis.Iarner, born Dec, 21, 1874

Josephine Clara Warner horn S&v, 2 6, IS?7

George Elbridge Warner born June 21, 1880

Nettie Nancy Warner, born Aug. 26, 1881

Mary Fneline Warner, born Nov. 16, 1884

Elbridge Stephen Earner born Feb. 16, 1896

Q?ffo frsffi'5 U/OAs^uAs^siM^aC hfA* J A * * * ^ ofhoMStyjjyfyu*/-£-&/fva-
- o- o -

Cousins Eugene Nellis Warner and A r t h u r h.

W ar n er are d o u b l e cousins of A . W. N e l l i s and H. C .

Nellis, their father and our m o t h e r being brother

and sister, and t h e i r mother and our f a t h e r being

brother and sister.

Eugene N. W a r n e r h a s a f i n e far? about o n e

mile east cf U n i o n v i l l e , Ohio, and is an extensive

fruit and g r a p e grower. He e v i d e n t l y does net i n -

tend tc h a v e the Warner family run out if he can

help it. Long may 1-e w a i v e !

-o-

Arthur E. Warner married Mary Rostetter,

April 16th, 1835. They have one c h i l d , Is e d or e

Nellis Warner, born July 4th, 1339. Arthur E. is

i* -

also a farmer and lives in Unionville.

-o-

Josephine Warner married Wilbur Cleveland.

Nov. 13th, 1353. They had one c h i l d , Alfred Cleve-

land, bofan Feb. 22, 1870. Josephine died Feb. 26,

1370. The son, Alfred, is now ?, : ith his father in

St. Paul, Minnesota.

Cassius and Isadora Warner, as the record

shows, died young.

-o-

Every one speaks of Aunt N a n c y Warner as

being a very handsome girl. She c e r t a i n l y w a s , as

I remember her, a l o v e l y woman.

-o-

Elbridge 0. W a r n e r for his s e c o n d wife mar

r i e i a w i d o w , M r s . M i n e i? v a S h e a r s , and she l i v e d

but a short time. He a g a i n married Mrs. Marion

B. 3 never ill, and by the l a s t wife had one d a u g h -

ter, M a r g e a Olive Warner, born Sept. 25, 1 8 7 5 . This

d a u g h t e r married B . 0. R o t e , of G e n e v a , O h i o , D e c .

7, 1 8 9 2 , and is now l i v i n g in G e n e v a . Ohio.

"Time makes Many Changes".

end of the world was near at hand, and could quote

scripture by the hour to p r o v e it. He now writes

me that he b e l o n g s to the "Church of God".

October 15th, 135 8, be m a r r i e d Louise Jane

Fish, of D ay tcn, Ohio. They lived at Ashtabula

for about one year, and then moved to Dayton where

he w e n t into a Woolen mill with M r . Fish, his father-

in-law. Frcm there he m o v e d to C h i c a g o , Oct. 18th,

1872, and opened a Photograph Room near Jackson

Park. He remained there till Aug. 1st, 1880, when

he l e f t bis wife end daughter and secured a divorce

Oct. 16th, 1850. The c a u s e of s e p a r a t i o n has never

been explained tc m e . George traveled from place

tc place for a number of y e a r s , and for the last

ten years he has been living at 5 t r o u d s b e r g , Pa.

-o-o-o-
Li*

Gecrge Nellis made it his home with his

mother, at A s h t a b u l a . 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 l a r g e w agon fitted u p,

and in this they went from town to t o w n and staid

as l o n g in each place as business ;••; 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 t a k i n g pictures by photography, and

it r e o u i r e d a 1 on£ sitting to get a good negative.

The picture of Reuben Nellis on page 41, and the

one of A l f r e d , Homer and John Nellis, en p a g e 73,

are c o p i e s fromdagurreotypes taken by George Nel-

lis about 185 3.

Uncle Gecrge was a great bible student and

became imbued with the doctrine of t h e Second Adv e n -

tists. He b o u g h t a printing press and printed

tracts, urging every one to prepare for the l a s t day.

Good advice at any rate, be w a s doing no d a m a g e to

any one. One day, while be was hard at work witb

bis press, a slight shock of earthquake happened

along, he ran and told his m o t h e r that the l a s t day-

had co^e. We all c o n s i d e r e d it a p r e t t y good joke

on him. He, however, held to his b e l i e f that the

ir
 L i

UNCLE GEORGE NELLIS.

-o-o-

eorge Nellis, fifth sen of J. I. D. NellisJ

N AM S 3 CR K MARRIED.

GEORGE. NELLIS, 1826 June 24, 1859 October 16,

L C LI 1 £ l JAKE PISH, 1840 July 10, 1859 October 16,

CHILDREN.

:.' A ft Y >: I N .v I ; .NELLIS, 1 S6 1 Ma r . 25 ,

-o-

Mary Minnie Nellis married Dr. A l b e r t E.

F" r o 0 a , May 2 4 t h , 188-3, Dr. F r o o a was horn N o v .

30thl 1 3 6 1 , in B e l v d u s , 111. He g r a d u a t e d from

the Chicago Medical College. (Regular)

They h a v e five children:-

Albert Nellis Proosi Born 1884, Apr. 16,

Marguerite Louise Frooa, Born 1885, Nov, 22,

Helen Genevieve Froon, Born 1888, May 7,

Mary Katharine F r c o ai, Born 1889, Nov. 22,

Edgar Albright F r c o a, Born 1892, July 6.

All living August 15th, 1896.

-0-
-I-
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 C e m e t a r y .

Peter Nellis was the only one of the Nellis

family, living to m a t u r i t y , that never married.

-o-o
L48

ELIZEBETH KLOCK - NELLIS.

 uy

ELIZABETH KLOCK-NELLIS,

The Klock Family,

-o-o-

The family name of our grandmother (Mrs-

J. i. D. Nellis) was Klock.

Klock is a German name and very uncommon.

The Klocks at the present time are mostly found

through the S t a t e of New York.

The first of the family, as f a r back as

our record gees, is H e n r y Klock, who came over with

the Palatines in 1 7 1 0 , and settled on the Mohawk

near Palatine, on a f a r m which is s t i l l in possess-

ion of descendants of his family. He w a s b o r n on

the Fiver Rhine in G e r m a n y . He had six sons,

George, John, Jacob, Adam, Conrad and Joseph.

The information in regard to H e n r y Klock

was written by his g r a n d - s o n , Gecrge G. K l o c k and

copied f o r my grandmother about 185 2. Henry Klock

died ir 1760.

George Klock, son of Henry Klock, was born

in the County of F u l t o n , New York State, on the

L O U

= r^=r-=- l
tract of land then in possession of his father. The

date of his birth is not now known. A * his father's

death he came into possession of the home f a r m , and

a large amount of property. He p u r c h a s e d lands

of the Cana.iohara Indians to the amount of thous-

ands of acres. In 1773, he owned land whose boun-

dary was 11 m i l e s on o n e s i d e by 14 1/2 on t h e oth-

er, embracing the then entire township of Openbeim

and Sphrata and the southern part of the township

of Stratford. G e o r g e Klock d-ied in 1780.

He h a d seven sons, of whom G e o r g e G.Klock

b o r n Nov. 12th, 1742, was t h e oldest,- and, accord-*

ing to the custom cf the times, George 6. inherit-

ed most of the property. George G. Klock was a

merchant and l a r g e farmer. He s h i p p e d several

boat loads of Gin-sing to C h i n a . In traveling from

his farm t o New York he had to disguise himself to

escape robbers who w e r e w a t c h i n g for him, as it was

known he c a r r i e d a large amount of money. During

the War of the Revolution, this George G. Klock was

a M i n u t e Man, and served in the Col. Jacob Klock

regiment, along with John 0. Nellis, Christian and

Philip Nellis, as d e s c r i b e d on page 29.,

 153

Colonel Jacob Klock was a brother of G e o ,

G. Klock.

New York Archives, Annals of t h e R e v o l u -

tion, V o l . I, p a g e 408, gives the names of 2 0 K l o c k

soldiers that served in t h e 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 George G. Klock

was the father of E l i z a b e t h Klock, who married my

grandfather, J. I. D, N e l l i s . Her mother's name

was C a t h a r i n e Bellinger, born in J u l y 1 7 4 8 ,A and

A*** Ay ffftc^/c: ^ ^ syctf
died July 26th. 1 8 2 7 .

Elizabeth Klock was the thirteenth of a

family of s i x t e e n children. Her sisters were Peggy,

Sophia, Caty, Hannah, Caty 2nd, Polly, Caty 3rd,

and Eva. Her brothers were Joseph, Jacob, George,

John, Henry, David and P e t e r . Her parents lived

together in a m a r r i e d state 80 years, a n d , in 1 8 6 5 ,

there were t e n of h e r b r o t h e r s and s i s t e r s living.

Their grandchildren numbered at that tiwe about

80, and g r e e t grandchildren 81.

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, 1 3 7 5 . 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 1 7 0 9 .

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

..;.'.-."i J . IT?

. -.: f s * £ r : •>*£&'$

• -^>Wi

DE W I T T C. N E L L I S .
T O P t K A , KANSAS.
• ESCENOEO FROM PALATINES OF MOHAWK V A L L E Y .
IN FOLLOWING L I N E :
WILLIAM NELLIS, BORN 1 6 8 8 .
ANDREW NELLIS, BORN 1 7 1 3 .
P H I L L I P NELLIS, BORN 1 7 4 8 .
PETER P. NELLIS. BORN 1 7 8 3 .
JAMES N E L L I S , BORN 1816
OE WITT C. NELLIS. BORN 1849
 15c

DeltlTT CLIKTOH BBLCiIS.

DeWitt Clinton Nellis, is the son of James

Nellis, who was the son of Peter P. Nellis, who was

the son of Philip Nellis, who was the son of Andrew

Nellis, who was the son of William Nellis, one of

the original Palatines, as d e s c r i b e d in previous pa-

ges.

DeWitt C. Nellis now resides in Topeka,

Kansas, and is employed on the "Kansas Farmer". He

has three children, viz: Luther, Annie and Celeste.

The daughter Celeste was born in H a y s City, Feb. 7,

1377, and at an early age d e v e l o p e d a tast.e f o r mus-

ic. She is now an expert pianist, and a teacher in

(
'
/ m. H. Sherwood's Conservatory of M u s i c at Chicago.

I met /iss Nellis in Cleveland in J u l y 1895. Miss

Nellis had a book with her, written by her father,

u
.the title of which is N el 1 i s-Mc Af ee Family Album".

From this book, kindly loaned me for the purpose,

many of the facts were obtained in regard to the Pal

atines, and the three original Nellis Brothers,

Christian, tfilliam and Johannes.

The pictures of himself and Miss Celeste

were kindly furnished by DeWitt Clinton Nellis.

 15

-. : / ^ y ; ; u f ' ^ ^ ^J^j

CELESTE B I R D E L L A NELLIS.
TOPEKA, K A N S A S .
DAUGHTER OF D. C. N E L L I S .
 '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 l
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- JU
THERE ARE TURKS GRAVE STONES
IN THE CEMETERY AT HINSDALE, MASS.,
WITH THE FOLLOWING INSCRIPTIONS:
This Monument is * n memory of
Mrs
Erected - ^ ^ 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 a g e#

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.

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 1 7 5 5 .

Be moved his family to Unionville, Take

Co., Ohio, in 1 8 1 1 . 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 W a r n e r , Sr.,

had three w i v e s . His first wife was Jerusha Webb,

the children by first wife were:

Nathan Warner, Jr.born et H i n s d a l e ifass. J a n . 8 1 , 1 7 8 5

llijah Ifar.ner,

u
J e r u s h Ifarner " " " J u l y 3,1783
a
Anson T,'arner, " * "

PhilotheteVT a r n e r "
L60

Of the above, Elijah Warner settled,lived

and died in K e n t u c k y . He was the father of William

uarner, who now lives in Lexington, Ky; also the

!
father cf Almira W a r n e r , 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-

Jerusha Warner married Diokerman Chancer-

lin, Dec. 1st, 1803. They had nine children, viz:

Cemantha, Fhilotbete, Jerusha, N'aryann, Emily,

Lorenzo, Fli, Alfred and Edwin. This family lived

at Riga, N. Y.

- o - o-

Eli Chamberlain married Varyann Falser

 Ld j

Oct. 1, 154 5 . He a t one time had a grocery store

at Rochester, N. Y.

-o-c-

Cenantbs Cham berlin married G. D i c k a s c n ,

Cct. 10, 1850. They bad three children, v i z : Gath-

er i r , 7 a s J r £ and P h i l o t b e t e . Zasina married a Mr.

Fames, and at one time they lived on Ferry S t . , Cleve

land. H. C. Nellis boarded with her w h i l e attend-

ing commercial school. Mr. Fames died and \i r s.

Feres carried Dr. Gleascn, and is nor; l i v i n g at

22 4 0 Broadway, this city. Philotbete has been liv-

ing at Chicago, but at the p r e s e n t time is living

v; i t h )'. r s . Gleascn.

- c - c-

Of the other children or grandchildren

cf Jerusha Cha^berlir, I have nc record.

- c- c-
163

The second wife of Nathan Earner, Sr. was

v » C ^ VO-^JU 7 m c v ^ < 777*2 £ $ • £ / > £>S*
!.' r s . Amy Cc ok (formerly Amy W i t t e r ) . . M r s . Cook had
A

a daughter- Sally Cook, who l a t e r married Nathan

earner, Jr. The children by s ec c nd wife were

Otis Warner, lived and died at Leroy, Ohio.

Oliver Warner; l i v e d and died on home fan.

tfUvJL A l f r e d ff a r n e r , m o v e d first to Lexington, Ky. and

A-

then to M o n r o e 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. He was a Judge cf Circuit Court, a Union

man during the ?f a r, and had many narrow escapes.

He died S e c t . 21, 1 8 5 ^ , 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 , K i m b a l l . No children.

All the c h i l d r e n cf Nathan Earner's were

born at H i n s d a l e , Mass.

Nathan fanner, Sr., died at Lexington, Ky.

Feb. 17, 1829. The Barriers were all large size,

fine l o o k i n g 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 WARNER.
 I Ou

NATHAN WARNEF, JR.

Great Grandfather Of

Ralph Nellis, Flora Nellis and Gray Nellis

-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, 1 8 1 0 . Sally Cook was

born at Preston, C o n n . , January 3 1 , 1 7 6 5 , thus be-

ing exactly cf the same age cf her h u s b a n d . 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 b r i d g e Warner born Dec,15, 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 J a n . 1 6 , 1892

Amy j . Warner, born Jul.33, 18?2; died F e b . 2 8 , 1823

Nathan W. Warner born Aug.18, 1824; died Mch.14,1825

Lmeline W, Warner born Apr.15,1827; died

The children were all born in O n i c n v i l l e ,

C. , except 1. 0. iV arner, who was born at H i n s d a l e ,

Mass.
LUb

Nathan Warner, Jr. moved to Unionville from Hins-

dale, Mass. in 1812. He located in the w o o d s , 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 b u i l t . 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 1 8 5 3 . !|

Nathan Earner, Jr., had a stroke of apop-

lexy, and died in church September 8th, 18 41.

-0-0-
LBS
 IOJ

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 O h i o . He

isrried Nancy Nellis (daughter of J v I. D. Nellis)

:
January 5th, 1 8 4 2 . 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.-

Stephen C. ftarner, second s e n of Nathan

Earner, J r . , was born at Unionville, Ohio, Aug, 6,

I 1816. Died et Unionville Jan. 16th,1892 . He w a s

: a large size, good looking man. He w a s a f a r m e r and

stock raiser. He m a r r i e d Lucy Ann C u n n i n g h a m June

1st, 1842. Lucy C u n n i n g h a m was born O c t . 1 , 1 8 3 0 .

// " c&C^C >TJ4y £-*f/Jo/ e/&Ae/u&*2_
Their c ii i 1 d r en w e r e

Georgia Warner, 1st. Born S e p . 1 2 , 1845 died Jan.25, '49

Panaolph Warner, 1st Bern G e t . 2 1 , 18 47 died Jan,11, '49

Georgia Warner,2nd Horn Sep. 6,1850 died Feb.16, '77

Randolph Warner, 2nd, Bern N o v . 2 1 , 1853 died

l/u

The two first children died of scarlet fever. Georg-

ia W a r n e r , 2nd, married Charles Millard at Paines-

ville, Ohio, June 24th, 1874. She died at Muncie,

Ind., Feb, 16, 1377. 1$o children,

Randolph Earner, 2nd, married May F.

Deshler, of C o l u m b u s , Ohio, April 28th, 1885. They

have two c h i l d r e n , Wm. Deshler Warner, born Oct. 3,

1885, and Randolph S. W a r n e r , born Jan, 18th, 1892.

Mr, W a r n e r 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 W a r n e r - N e l l i s , p a g e 63)

-o-o-

EMELINE WAENER-AXTELL.

Eveline Warner, youngest daughter cf Nathan

Warner, Jr., was b o r n at U n i o n v i l l e , Ohio, April 15,

1827. She m a r r i e d Imri Axtell, Oct. 25th, 1848.

The children of Irmie Axtell and Emeline Warner-Ax-

tell, were

"ary Axtell born Jul.17,1850 died

Key Warner Axtell, born Aug.22, 1651 died C c t . 2 5 , *71

F. a l p h Imri Axtell, born V.ty 15,1855 died J a n . 2 7 , "62

Emma Axtell, born Jan. 1,1856 died Jan.16, '62

Laura Axtell, born Feb. 1,1862 died ftolf. U ^ f Y

Mary Axtell married Julius Byles, Sept.27,

1874. Mr. B y l e s is a lawyer. They live at Titus-

ville, Pa. Their children are

Emma Axtell Byles born Kov. 17th, 1877.

Florence Laura Byles " June 20th, 1879

u
Axtell Julius Byles Get. 21st, 1880

- c- c -
172

Imri Axtell nas born in Perry, Lake Co.,

0., Feb. 12 th, 1822,

He was a farmer and lived on his farmer in

Ferry, Ohio, till about 1865, *hen he m o v e d to

Painesville, 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,

Mrs. Axtell and daughter Laura are living

in Painesville, Ohio.

-o-o-c-

Slit Wo-l yivf6y£cC styL Pa-t yi£si/if/6 L£*"&ftry hw^^ftyy

 /?J-.

THE COOK FAMILY.

1665 1675 1687 1717 1749 1785
Gregory—Stephen John— James Ellsha Sally.
Sarah (Sally) Cook Warner, Grandmother of A. W. and
i H. C. Nellis was a decendent of Gregory Cook QfjjSamb r i d g e ,
| 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 f o r two and a h a l f Cen-
I t u r l e s , as the Cookes were early and numerous i n New Eng-
i
land. A Francis Cook came in the Mayflower i n 1620 t o
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 i s 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 b o m 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, b o m 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.

Great Grandfather of Ralph and Flora Nellis.

-o-c-

Jcseph Dean Hall, son of

and father cf Gecrge Ball, was born April 4, 1784,

st L y n n e, Conn.

In 1800, vrb en cnly 16 years old, be came

through from Lynne tc Cleveland, Ohio, Kith a small

company of pioneers, looking for a favorable place

tc locate- land. He d r o v e s ycxe cf steers with

all his household possessions in a farm cart, and

his mother ( a widow) drove one horse before a chaise

There were no roads between Ccnneaut and

Cleveland, and they had to pick their way through

the woods, fording streams, etc., as best they cculd.

They sere nearly three months making the .journey.

Upon their arrival at Cleveland, they found only

two or three bosses. £levelBn6 at tnat time hao.

hardly been surveyed.

J. D. Ball examined the soil, and finding

it sandy, concluded it n s net strong enough for

farming purposes, so he turned about and went back

to Pome, , Ashtabula Co., where he l o c a t e d 100 acres

174

of clay land. At t h e time of his death, this clay

f am was worth Twenty Five Dollars per acre, the

Cleveland land anyyhere fron Ten to Fifty Thousand

dollars per acre. This land located .1 y J . D. Ball,

cost One D o l l a r per acre. It was all heavily tim-

bered and bad to be c l e a r e d before any crops could

be raised. A leg house was b u i l t and occupied

till 1 SS c 7/h en a f r a m e b o u s e was erected. Game was

in great abundance and was the principal reliance

fcr fcod during the first two years. It was no un-

common occurrence to stand in the doer cf the old

leg reuse and s h o o t a deer or wild turkey.

Indians were numerous and often a source

cf great anxiety, particularly so d u r i n g the War cf

1812. In this war, J. D. Hall was a s o l d i e r under

General Harrison. Re was d e t a i l e d part of the time

as cook and body servant to the General,

The h o r s e that was d r i v e n through from

Lynne l i v e d t o be o v e r 50 y e a r s eld. Re was used

fcr all farming purposes, and to c a r r y grist t c a

mill 40 m i l e s away. He was rented out at different

times, at the rate- c f cne dollar per day, and it is

estimated that over Five Hundred Dollars was re-

 175

ceived for bis use.

Joseph D * Hall was m a r r i e d twice. His

first w i f e was Jerusha Gillett, who was b o r n in

1781, They w e r e m a r r i e d December 15, 1810. Their

children were

Edward Hall born Mch.11,1812; died

Lucy Hall, born Feb. 9,1814; died Men.50,1842

Leander Hall, born Jan. 5,1816; died May 1,189 2

George Hall, born Feb.26,1817..

Jerusha Gillett Ball, died Dec. 15, 1818.

-c-o-o-c-c-o-

March £8th, 1820, Joseph Dean Ball married

Julie Rogers. Their children were

Jerusha Hall, born Feb. 1819 died Kch.14, 1819

Joseph L.Hall born S e p . 2 7 , 18 2 5 died Oct.24,1864

Wm. Cone Hall born Aug. 1,18 27 died Jun.11,182 9

KB. Cone Hall born Mch.2 7,1830 died May 8,1862

The last wife, Julia Rogers Ball, died

July 25, 1874.

Joseph Dean Hall died Dec. 29, 1872, aged

B8. He l i v e d and died on the farm which he located

in 1800.
176

JU

Edward Ball, the oldest son of Joseph D

Ball, was both a carpenter and farmer. He lived

and died on t h e home f a r m . He married Clarissa

Cone, Dec. 27, 1841. Their children were Jerusha

Hall and John Hall.

Clarissa Cone Hall died in 184? and Sep-

tember 2, 1351, Edward Hall married Sarah Flower;

no children.

-o-o-o-

Lucy Hall married Fitch Collins, Septem-

ber 185 4 . They had one daughter, Eliza Ccllirs,

This family are all dead.

-o-c-o-

Leander Hall was for many years a mer-

chant at Ashtabula, Ohio, and laterally at Cincin-

nati, Ohio. He m a r r i e d Fheaa Lcckwcod, of Ashta-

bula, Sept. 22, 1859. Pheua Lcckwcod Ball died

Nov. 22, 1880. Their children were, George Hall,

born March 1, 1845 and Leander Ball, born !/ay 22,

1850.

These sons are both married and living in

Cincinnati, Ohio. George married Ella Dicks Oct.

 177

21, 1858. They have a daughter, Mary £hena Hall,

born Sept. 15, 1 8 7 6 .

Leander married Fannie Hastings Hazzard,

Aug. 2, 18 7 7 . They have a daughter, Marion Snell-

ing Hall, born Feb. 4, 1 8 8 2 .

-o-o-o-

Gecrge Ball, third son cf Joseph Dean

Hall and father cf Vary Louise Hall-nellis, has

bad many and varied e x p e r i e n c e s , which will be re-

lated in a separate chapter. Be married Marietta

Fassett, of A s h t a b u l a , Ohio, S e p t . 17tb, 1 8 4 4 .

Their children were

Frederick L, Hall born July 18, 1845.

Mary Louise Hall, born Apr. 26, 1649.

Harriet Emily Hall, born May 3, 1851.

yarietta Georgia Hall born Nov. 7, I860.

(See p a g e s 199 to206 for' f u r t h e r sketches

of Geo. Hall and family)

(See p a g e s 211 t o 22? for sketches of Fassett

family)

-o-o-o-

Lyman Hall, fourth son of Joseph Dean Ball

178

and half brother of first four children, married

Augusta Crosby, Nov, 9, 1851. They bad two child-

ren (names not known).

Wm. Hall was a carpenter and farmer. He

enlisted in the Union Army in t h e ft a r of the Re-

bellion, and was killed at the siege of Vicksburgh

-o-o-o-c-o-

FPFDFPICK L. HALL.

Frederick L. Hall, the only son of Geo.

Hall, was born at Ashtabula, Ohio, July 18, 1845.

He a t t e n d e d the public school at Ashtabula, and

also took a course in penmanship with the world r e-

nouned, Piatt P. Spencer. "Fred" became an expert

penman, which art was of service to him in later

life.

In 1 8 6 2, during the war ofthe rebellion,

he enlisted for three years, in lOotn Regiment, 0 . 7 . I.

and saw much active service. He was with Sherman

en his march to the sea. On a c c o u n t of his good

penmanship, he was detailed to the Quartermaster's

Department as book-keeper. At the experiaticn cf

 179

his term of service bereinlisted. At t h e close of

the war, be was for a time engaged in b i s father's

store in Cleveland, and later, with Gordon Lamp and

Gas F i x t u r e Company, as book-keeper.

"Fred" was nearly six feet tall, weighed

about 1c0 l b s , dark hair and a fine looking man. He

died at Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 11, 1892, and was bur

ied on h i s father's lot in Lake View C e m e t e r y , his

death and burial occurring the same day a s that of

his sister Vetta.

-o-o-o-

KAPY LOUISE EALLrNELLIS.

V.ary Louise Ball, oldest daughter of Geo.

Hall, was b o r n at Ashtabula, 0., April 86, 1848.

At f o u r years of age Louise could sing and play the

accompaniment on t h e piano. She g a v e exhibitions

cf her ability at various concerts given by her

father about this time. .She h a s always k e p t up her

taste for nusic and plays the piano with correct

time and expression. Louise, being the oldest

daughter, her sisters, Hattie and ¥ e t t a , were often

180

left in her c a r e during the absence of their mother

en e x t e n d e d t r i p s with their father, to visit his

various stores. She t h u s in early youth became

imbued w i t h d o m e s t i c tastes and responsibility,

which have c l u n g t o her through life. She became

a member of the Congregational Church at Ashtabula

in 18 5 c . She reaoved with her father's family to

Cleveland, Ohio, in 1866.

Mary L o u i s e H a l l married Alfred ft. Nellis,

of Ashtabula, Ohio, at C l e v e l a n d , C, Nov. 15, 1867.

Their children a r e Ralph Hall Nellis, born June 5,

1875, and F l o r a M. N e l l i s . born July 23, 1878.

(For further particulars of the life cf A. W,

Nellis and family, see pages 59 to 101)

L o u i s e has had an a c t i v e and u s e f u l life.

Besides the care and r e a r i n g of her own f a m i l y , she

f o r many y e a r s was t h e main r e l i a n c e of her invalid

mother. "Where i s Louise* "where is mama" h a s been

the constant c a l l . Through it all she has main-

tained an even t e m p e r and a lovely disposition.

She has been a d e v o t e d d a u g h t e r , wife and mother.

"None know h e r , but to love her".

-o-o-o-o-
 I si

-•-r.fc>^f^f^i0^Q*h-^M^^SV v ^u&v*

'..•'.•••-•:.>>:•• i;-."iy«' r -rJ,\; : tiff-^-\i.\ks•••;•> < ^ ; A r : ~ . -\ .::•• •\:.r.'.,s--::-r.:x-::..'. •• ; .^>?v-.-«*M.:-

182
 183

U(LEIEm 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 c o n s t i -

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, n o t i c e a b l e 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, O c t . 1 , 1 8 9 6 .

-o-c-c-o-
 185

HATTtE HALL-MARSHALL.
 18?

HARRIET EMILY BALL-MARSHALL

-o-o-

Harriet Emily Hall, second daughter of

Gecrge Hall, was biorn at A s h t a b u l a , Ohio, May 3rd,

1851. "Hattie" was always of a lively, cheerful

disposition, very ouick and active in all her move-

ments. She m a k e s acquaintances and f r i e n d s with

all with whom s h e comes in contact. She i s fond

cf amusement, and takes delight in s e e i n g young

people enjoy themselves. She i s a fine musician,

playing most any d i f f i c u l t piece on t h e p i a n o with

very little effort. She owns a fine residence on

10th St., Toledo, Ohio.

"Hattie" E. Ball married Henry T. Mar-

shall, of Cleveland, 0., at Cleveland, Oct. 15,1875.

They have one daughter, Louise Marshall (Lulu) born

at Cleveland, 0. Aug. 22, 1874. Henry T. Marshall

was born at Cleveland, Ohio, July 7th, 1851. He

was in the hardware business w i t h Lockwood, Van Dorn

and M i l l e r , for S years, commencing in 1 8 6 9 . For

four years of this time he was traveling salesman

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 T o -

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.

ffJny S s / t i j }?J£i.4.*d<*•££., J t c / Z . o o ^ / / L / j ^ t . ' ^ *>* ? & / ^ C ^ A / J C

fa/fit, ; W * ^ Z £ , ^
 189

J-
 193

tT&i • ... •••&f*f-£l.Sf

RESIDENCE OF H A T T I E HALL - MARSH A L L .

TOLEDO, OHIO.
 193

sat **»
* V it.

* • «
sg^i 1^

Vfiu/ej i/a.y^ <X*tJ B a r n a n fassiff- JJ^TPIX,

f??f:-5 Caryl£sJb<*yt~ ??)yz J * ' / a . S / a t s e / f .

fft i f d l yi c 6 o / Jj?ys /Sff&s / p A t a f f o

i

l_
L94

—If

7H£slcf£»oe. o j fftss f - i n e h ' K & e ^ K f e i l

* y/ £ s v / f f f CO *i 1 o
L T^A
L96
 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 a c q u a i n t a n c e or l e t t e r s

of c r e d i t , but from t h a t day to t h i s , .Mr. B a l l has kept t h a t

make of piano in s t o c k . He has purchased hundreds of their

pianos and paid there thousands of d o l l a r s . These t h r e e

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 J e f f e r s o n , Ohio.

From t h i s small beginning, with ao c a p i t a l , but good c r e d i t

and a firm d e t e r m i n a t i o n to succeced, t h e b u s i n e s s 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 t o r e was opened in C l e v e l a n d . He t r a v e l e d fro fa

place to place looking a f t e r the v a r i o u s 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 s y s t e m . At one time, Sfn. E.

Bradbury offered Mr. Hall s a l a r y of $ 6 , 0 0 0 . per year, and an

i n t e r e s 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 t o r e became of the !30st importance,, and in 1366,

he moved his family to C l e v e l a n d . 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 s e c u r e d a long l e a s e

o)i the present s t o r e , 60 P u b l i c 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 A V E . , 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. HALL,

LAKEWOOD. N . Y.
210

4=

MONUMENT ERECTED BY GEO. H A L L ,

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 m i o u g h b y , Ohio.

^12

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*?)
 13

SILAS 3 . FASSETT

-o-o-

S i l a s S. F a s s e t t , the o l d e s t son of S. M. Fassett

was born in Rutland, Vt., August 29th, 1808. He case to Ohio

when about 28 years old, and s e t t l e d at Massillon. His f i r s t

occupation was that of a singing school teacher and leader of

church c h o 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-

b y t e r i a n 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 h i s 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 l s o a p a r t n e r in ths sa:; mill and other enterprises under-

taken by the " F a s s e t t Brothers". Ee helped build the double

house, on Main S t r e e t , now occupied by Henry Fassett, and

l a t e r he sold out h i s 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 Hill. There is a fine row

of maples surrounding ths place, a lar.<s variety of f r u i t and

shade t r e e s , and, in many r e s p e c t s , i t i s one of the most

p l e a s a n t and d e s i r a b l e places in Ashtabula. I t is now

owned and occupied by Mrs. Luncinda F a s s e 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 xy*
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 ^ f a h /-/Xfy

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 t h e 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 K l l i a m s / 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 r o t h e 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 A s h t a b u l a , a n d engaging in dry goods and saw

mill business undsr the name of F a s s e t t Bros. He married E l i z a -

beth Graham, Aug. 1 s t , 1352, at D a r l i n g t o n , iVis. where he open-

ed a piano s t o r e . He r e t u r n e d to Cleveland in 1869 and bought

place at corner of Hough and ffillson. Here he b u i l t ssveral

houses which he disoossd of to good advantage. In 1383 he pur-

chased a bouse and 13 a c r e s of land in ffilloughby where he died

in 1391, This place was s o l d by Mrs. F a s s e t t . The only c h i l d i s

H e t t i s F a s s e 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 , all

l i v s in •Villoughby, Ohio.Thsy have a vsry pleasant place con-

t a i n i n g 15 acres of land on Mentor S t . Ths boys, Morell and

Carl, ars good looking and s m a r t . Mr. Norfolk is caaagsr of

ths "Boston" Dry Goods s t o r e b a r s in Cleveland. Mrs. Norfolk

(Hattie F a s s e 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 favorite.

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. 2 6 ,

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.
 26

M
rS

HENRY CANAN GRAY.

*—^ \l3
T V
 227

HENRY CANAN GRAY,

H. C. Gray, t h e f a t h e 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 P r e s b y t e r i a n f a i t h , and

was an Elder i n t h a t Church. His mother was a daughter of

Colonel John Canan, who was a conspicuous figure in the r e v -

olutionary flar, and was for many y e a r s Surveyor General of

Pennsylvania. Col. Canan was of English e x t r a c t i o n . 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 t h s Commercial A d v e r t i s e r of Huron, Ohio, He was

one of the founders of t h e 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 e x c e p t i o n s i s now t h e only l i v i n g member of t h a t large

body who formed t h e p r e s e n t fundamental laws of the S t a t e of

Ohio.

Since 1845, Mr. Gray has been a r e s i d e n t of Paines-

v i l l e , Ohio. He was e d i t o r and owner of the P a i n e s v i l l e T e l -

egraph for 25 y e a r s . He kept a book s t o r e for 10 y e a r s . He

has been p o s t m a s t e r s e v e r a l times.

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 d a u g h t e r of Judge J c e l D o o l i t t l e , of

Middlebury, V t . , and was born J a n . 7 t h , 1321. She died in

F a i n e s v i l J e , Ohio, May 5 t h , 1886. Seven c h i l d r e n were born

to them, only t h r e e of whom a r e now l i v i n g , v i z : Libbie Gray-

N e 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 p r e v i o u s s k e t c h e s .

Alice Gray married F . M. Murray, c a s h i e r of the

Marine Bank, of Cleveland, Ohio, where they a r e now l i v i n g .

They have t h r e e 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

c h i l d r e n , both boys.

-c-o-o-o-o-o-o-
 ddv

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 illustrated 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.

®H«lbert»
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.