VAN RENSELAER T. JOINER, a farmer and stock-raiser of Jefferson township, Ashtabula county, was born at Conneaut, this county, Dec. 12, 1838, a son of Irwin and Phema (Moore) Joiner.  The father was born in Vermont, in 1795, and when a youth participated in the war of 1812, as Aid-de-camp to his uncle, General Erastus Joiner.  Mr. Joiner was afterward engaged in farming in New York, next worked as a farm hand in Erie county, Pennsylvania, and in 1828 located in Conneaut, Ohio.  He was married in that city in 1837.  After following the cooper's trade a number of years, he engaged in shoemaking, but subsequently was employed as a brick and stone mason.  In 1840 he purchased a timber farm in Sheffield township, Ashtabula county, cleared the same and erected a cabin,  and was engaged at his trade and farming.  In 1855 he sold his land and purchased another small tract of timber, which he also cleared.  Mr. Joiner eventually made his home with his children, and he died July 26, 1891, at the age of ninety-six yeas.  He was a member of the Universalist Church, was a good and useful man and honest citizen.  The mother of our subject was born in Canada, May 20, 1816, came with her parents to Conneaut, Ohio, at the age of sixteen years, and was married two years later.  She was well versed in the use of the wheel and loom, and, although not a member of any church, was a noble and self-sacrificing woman.  Her death occurred in 1856.  Mr. and Mrs. Joiner had six children, all of whom now reside in Ashtabula county.
     Van Rensaeler T. Joiner, the subject of this sketch, was early taught the value of industry, and when young engaged with his father at the stone mason's trade.  He afterward worked as a farm laborer six years.  In 1864 he became partner in a milling enterprise, manufacturing all kinds of lumber, including oak, ash and whitewood, and this venture proved quite successful.  In 1866 Mr. Joiner bought 154 acres of land, and later, in company with his partner, they purchased 307 acres of timber land; and also owned a portable mill, cleared the land, sawed all the available timber into lumber, and increased their annual business to $10,000.  Mr. Joiner's home is located about three and a half miles east of Jefferson.  He has all the barns and sheds necessary for his stock and grain, has been engaged in the dairy business since 1870, has a fine herd of sheep and horses, and is interested in fruit-growing.  In political matters he affiliates with the Republican party, has served as Township Trustee, School Director, and filled many other offices of trust.  Our subject has kept a correct diary of the events of his daily life and transactions, and in this record he takes a just pride.
     Nov. 12, 18__ he was united in marriage to Miss Dell C. Thompson, a daughter of Oral Thompson, a prominent merchant of Conneaut.  Mrs. Joiner was born in that city Sept. 29, 1846, received her education in the Kingsville school, and was engaged in teaching for a number of years.  She was married at the age of twenty-two years.  Mr. and Mrs. Joiner have two children, - Linas E., born Nov. 17, 1870, received a good education in the Jefferson Educational Institute, and is now engaged in farming at home; and Bernice C., born Oct. 16, 1879, has also received good educational advantages.  Mr. Joiner was early thrown upon his own resources, having begun work for himself at the age of sixteen years, and by steady application to business, well directed efforts and honorable methods has gained what he now owns.  His wife has been his faithful guide and counseler throughout their marriage life, and both occupy a high position in the hearts of the citizens of Ashtabula county.
(Transcribed from Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio embracing Ashtabula, Lake and Geauga Counties; published in Chicago: Lewis Publ. Co., 1893 - Page 438)

EDWIN E. JONES, a prominent miller and one of the most enterprising, progressive business men of Jefferson, Ohio, was born in Warren, Pennsylvania, June 14,1841.  His parents, Annias and Ruth (Palmer) Jones, were both natives of Charlotte, Vermont, in which place the mother was born in 1801, and where they were reared and married.  Their ancestors were early settlers of New England States, with the affairs of which they were actively identified.  The mother of the subject of this sketch witnessed the memorable battle of Lake Champlain, on which so much depended in the struggling history of the American colonies.  About 1834, the parents removed from the Green Mountain State to Pennsylvania, when, in 1845, they removed to Ohio, settling near Conneaut, in Ashtabula county, where the father was engaged in farming for many years.  He afterward went West to prosecute business, and was there taken sick and died.  The mother died in Ashtabula county, lamented by a large circle of friends.  They were the parents of five children, of whom three, all sons, now survive.
     The subject of this sketch was reared in Conneaut, Ohio, where he received a common school education.  At about the age of twelve years he entered the employ of his brother, a successful liveryman and stage proprietor, with whom he remained until he was about twenty years of age.  Mr. Jones, of this notice, then took charge of a hotel at Union Mills, Pennsylvania, which his brother had bought, and in which city his brother conducted a stage line.  In 1865, the brothers went to Erie, Pennsylvania, where they pur­chased a flouring mill, which they successfully operated six years.  The subject of this sketch then went to Kansas, and there entered the stock business, which he profitably continued five years.  He then returned to Ashtabula county and entered the employ of Bailey, Paine & Weatherston, successful millers of Jefferson.
    Subsequently, Mr. Jones bought out the interest of Mr. Weatherston in the business, and afterward other changes took place in the firm, until, in 1878, Mr. Jones became sole proprietor of the pant, which he has since successfully operated.  This mill has a capacity of seventy-five barrels a day, is supplied with all the latest improvements and turns out an excellent grade of flour, which finds a ready market at profitable rates.  This prosperity is due to the careful and efficient management of Mr. Jones, who adds to his thorough knowledge of the business, indomitable perseverance and industry, a combination capable of accomplishing wonders.
     Oct. 30, 1868, Mr. Jones was married to Emily Blinn, daughter of Rev. T. D. Blinn, who died leaving one son, Elmo B.  In 1885, Mr. Jones married Helen Deveraux, and they have one child,. Ruth.
     Of thorough integrity, public spirited, liberal-minded and progressive, Mr. Jones has taken an active interest in the welfare of his city, and holds a high position in the regard of the community.  Mr. Jones is a member of the Masonic order, Tuscan Lodge, No. 342, and the I. 0. O. F., Ensign Lodge, No. 400. In politics, he is a Prohibitionist.
(Transcribed from Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio embracing Ashtabula, Lake and Geauga Counties; published in Chicago: Lewis Publ. Co., 1893 - Page 199)

JOHN JUDD, a highly respected citizen now living retired at Conneaut, Ohio, was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, in 1807, son of Eli and Sallie (Hendrix) Judd, both natives of that State. Eli Judd was a manufacturer of bar iron.  He died at the age of forty-eight years, and his wife at seventy-four.  Both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the long life of the latter was one that shone with a luster undimmed by age or surrounding circumstances.  There were three children in their family, namely: Elijah, who died in Delaware county, New York; John, the subject of this sketch; and Azubah, wife of Garey Stone, a resident of Seneca county, New York, died in 1891, at the age of eighty years.
     John Judd received a common school education only, and at the age of eighteen years began teaching in Connecticut.  For several years he taught there and in Dutchess county, New York, teaching and farming occupying his time until 1837, when he came to Conneaut, and after coming here he taught for a time.  Then he turned his attention to the lumber business, owning and operating a steam mill for ten or fifteen years.  He afterward ran a flour and feed mill, next had a grocery, then was engaged in the real-estate business, and since about 1872 has been retired.  He was a Town Trustee for several years.
     Mr. Judd was married Aug. 25, 1829, to Aurilla Stone, daughter of David and Abbie (Fenton) Stone, of Litchfield county, Connecticut.  Mrs. Stone was related to Governor Fenton, of New York, and was a widow at the time her daughter Aurilla was married.  For sixty-four years Mr. and Mrs. Judd have lived happily together, and for the past twenty years Mrs. Judd has been an invalid.  This worthy couple literally planted the vine and fig tree, beneath the friendly shade of which they now rest, enjoying the sweets that come to those who have lived useful lives.  Mrs. Judd has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years.  By their many estimable qualities both have endeared themselves to a large circle of friends and acquaintances.   Following are the name of their children: Charlotte, wife of R. J. Wells, died in 1863, at the age of thirty-two years, leaving one child, Bertha; Byron, a grocer of Conneaut, has been twice married and has one child, George B., by his first wife; Emeline, widow of Austin Harmon, has two children, William and Fred R; next came three children who died young, Ivah Jane, John and one unnamed; Ivah J., wife of Elvington Phillips, has three children, - Harry, Laura and Bessie; Mary, wife of Charles Reets, East Conneaut, has two children, - Florence and John; Lelia, wife of Charles Goldsmith, died in 1878, at the age of thirty-three years, leaving three children, - Minnie, Lila and Leverett B.; Willie died at the age of two years.
     Such, in brief, is a sketch of the life and lineage of one of Conneaut's venerable citizens.
(Transcribed from Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio embracing Ashtabula, Lake and Geauga Counties; published in Chicago: Lewis Publ. Co., 1893 - Page 182)

JAMES H. JUDSON, a prominent business man and enterprising citizen of Conneaut, Ohio, was born at this place, Sept. 28, 1848, son of Hiram and Azuba (Horton) Judson.
     Hiram Judson was born in New York in 1812, the oldest of three children of Elisha Judson, his two brothers being Ephraim and Isaac. Ephraim went to Michigan, where he died when about twenty-one years of age.  Isaac died in Elkhart, Indiana, about 1886.  The mother of J. H. Judson was born Dec. 10, 1809, oldest of the two children of James and Asenath (Mann) Horton, natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts respectively.  The other child, Sarah, was born in May, 1811; became the wife of S. A. Pelton, of Connecticut; died Mar. 1, 1883.  After the death of her mother, which occurred when Azuba was three years old, she went to live with her grandparents, Nathan and Elizabeth Mann, by whom she was reared.  Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Judson were married Mar. 6, 1835, and in 1840 settled in Conneaut.  Of the three children born to them only James H. is living. Elisha, the oldest, is a member of the Congregational Church.
     Mr. Judson votes with the Republican party, taking, however, little interest in political matters.  He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having taken the Scottish rite degrees.
     In connection with the life of James H. Judson, it is fitting that further mention be made of his honored father, and the following sketch will be of interest to many.
     Hiram Judson, deceased, was born in Penfield, New York, Sept. 29, 1812.  He and his wife came to Conneaut in 1840.  For a number of years he, in company with Mr. Asa Shepard, conducted a woolen mill and store on South Ridge, and in 1859 he moved into Conneaut and engaged in merchandising, E. A. Higgins being his partner.  He also, with Hiram Lake as a partner, carried on a lumber business.  With the discovery of oil in Pennsylvania, he went to the oil fields and for a number of years was one of the busy men in that busy section.  He returned to Conneaut, however, in 1864, far from being a wealthy man.  At the death of Mr. Lake, James H. Judson came into the firm, and he and his father continued a successful business in lumber.
     On Tuesday, October 14, 1890, Mr. Judson, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Brayman, left Conneaut in the best of spirits for California, to engage in a new enterprise, the planting of an orange grove, an undertaking, as he expressed to the writer, from which he knew he could not live the requisite length of time to receive any benefits, but which he believed would eventually prove one of the most profitable investments.  Little did he think he would not live to reach the Golden State, much less that his death would be the result of his falling from the train that was speeding him to his new field of labor.  We have no details of the sad accident.  The following Saturday, the sorrow stricken family received the following dis­patch: "Mr. Judson fell from the train and was instantly killed."  This was a sad ending of a life so grand and useful, making a mournful impression upon the mind.
     Hiram Judson is dead. These are the most painful words we have written in many a day.  They have cast a pall of sorrow not only over the family and its immediate connections, but also over the entire city of Conneaut.  No man was better known or more highly respected than the deceased, and therefore this universal mourning.  The feelings of sorrow and sadness that hold sway in every breast is but a just tribute to the man whose departure has been so sudden and unexpected.
     A resident of this place for nearly a half a century, and identified with all its interests as a leader among the many of our active citizens, his worth became known to us all.  No enterprise of a public nature was ever inaugurated without, if according to his judgment it was proper and for the best interests of the community at large, receiving the hearty support of his active brain and liberal purse; and if it met with his disapproval he was equally bold and fearless in opposing it with voice and action.  He was a man of strong convictions, fearless and bold in his dealings with municipal officers, and no measure of a public nature was ever undertaken without the result that his voice was raised either for or against it and in no uncertain tone.
     During the time we were laboring for the establishment of the Nickel Plate shops, he was one of the active men; again, when working with might and main for our Southern railroad scheme, his voice was loud and strong, and his purse wide open.  He served the city as Councilman for a number of years, and as a member of the Council, as in every other place, he was a power for good.  In his private business enterprises he was possessed of rare tact and foresight, great activity and indomitable perseverance, and whatever he undertook to do he carried to a successful issue.  In his vocabulary there was no such word as "failure."
     With all the push and energy he applied to his various business enterprises, and the process of acquiring a handsome fortune, there is not a man living who could give expression to a suspicion that in all his business relations he was not the soul of honor, honesty and uprightness. In social life he was an example worthy the imitation and emulation of all -calm, dignified and active.  In all measures that had a tendency to elevate mankind and to make better, lie was a leader.  Every appeal to relieve the sufferings of his fellow men found him not only a ready listener but also ready with an open hand to assist and succor.  There are many in our community who will sadly miss his fatherly advice and his many acts of charity.
     Although not a professor of religion, he was a regular attendant upon divine service and a most liberal contributor toward the support of the Gospel.  He lived the life of the follower of the Lamb.  He was merciful and he shall receive mercy.
     In Evergreen Lodge, A. F. & A. M., he was a pillar, and in his younger days was a most active worker.  Here, as well as in business circles, in the church and in the family, is a vacant place.
     In his death the aged and invalid wife, the only son and his family have met with an irreparable loss.
(Transcribed from Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio embracing Ashtabula, Lake and Geauga Counties; published in Chicago: Lewis Publ. Co., 1893 - Page 237)