Charles Curtiss Stedman
Charles Curtiss Stedman, secretary and general manager of the Cook Motor Company, at Delaware, is one of the enterprising and successful young business men of this city. He was born in Randolph Township, Portage County, Ohio, December 5, 1871. and is a son of Edward E. and Martha A. (Gardner) Stedman.
The great-grandfather, Edwin Stedman, and the grandfather, William Stedman. came from New York State and settled in Portage County. In 1861 William Stedman became colonel of the Sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and served with distinction through the Civil War. Later he became closely identified with the Republican party in Ohio, and was a strong supporter of the political ambitions of James A. Garfield. After the latter's election to the Senate, he testified to his appreciation of Mr. Stedman's loyalty by bringing about the latter's appointment as consul to Cuba. Both men. united in friendship, were fated to fall by the hand of an assassin, Mr. Stedman being the victim of a Spanish insurgent in 1868. He had married Samantha Elmore, whose people came from Connecticut to Ohio in an ox-cart, among the early pioneers.
Edward Elmore Stedman. father of C. C. Stedman, was born in 1843. and died November 15, 1906. He was reared on his father's farm and later learned the watchmaking trade at Ravenna. At the opening of the Civil War, with his father and two brothers, Wallace and Charles, Mr. Stedman entered the Sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and was twice discharged on account of disability. When he served last it was in the capacity of chief bugler. He then went into the jewelry and watch business but continued ill health forced him to give it up, and in 1872 he returned to the farm in Randolph Township. This farm he sold in 1879 and moved to Newton Falls, Ohio, where he resided until his death, having been on the road for several years previously, in the interest of an invention of his own on which he had secure patent. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Newton Falls. Like his father and grandfather, he was a member of the Masonic fraternity, with which he united in Ravenna. In politics be was a Republican.
In 1869 Mr. Stedman was married to Martha Aldula Gardner, daughter of William Gardner, of Freedom, Ohio. They had five children: William G., residing at Cleveland; C. C.; Winnifred, wife of F. A. Starr, residing at Newton Falls; Roy C, residing at Akron; and Olive, wife of Homer J. Crane, residing at Columbus. The mother of the above family still survives and resides at Newton Falls. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
C. C. Stedman was reared at Newton Falls and after attending school through early boyhood, he went to Akron as an apprentice in the machine shop of the Starr Drilling Machine Company, where he remained five years, gaining a thorough knowledge of the business. He came then to Delaware and in 1895 engaged in the well drilling business with Warren H. Williams and they continued together for two years when Mr. Stedman purchased his partner's interest and continued alone until 1904. From 1896-98 he was engaged also in dealing in bicycles. He disposed of his other interests when he entered into his present connection in 1904.
For one year, 1898, Mr. Stedman taught the clarinet and the flute in the Delaware Conservatory of Music. He is a natural musician, has been an expert performer since he was 12 years of age, but has mainly followed it as a pastime.
Mr. Stedman married Monette Carr, who is a daughter of S. T. Carr, of Ostrander. In politics, he is identified with the Republican party. He belongs to the American Federation of Musicians, to the Commercial Travelers of America and to the Elks.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908