The anthology book 'History Hall of Lake County, Ohio Fairgrounds' was released last July. Over 180 portraits, photos and illustrations trace an important era in our county's beginnings. In Part III of this series, a brief retrospect of noted Western Reserve architect / builder Jonathan Goldsmith is highlighted. Goldsmith was born in 1783 in Connecticut and began his career as an apprentice in the shoe and carpenter trades. A marriage in 1808 tied to Abraham Skinner of New Market- Fairport-Painesville fame brought Goldsmith to Ohio. His career was soon to take off.
Goldsmith was well-known in local architectural circles for his craftsmanship as a builder with an affinity for Greek revival homes and public buildings. From 1819-1843 he built more than 59 homes and public edifices, many for prominent citizens of Painesville, Mentor, Willoughby and Cleveland. In Painesville, he is credited for the Dr. John Mathews' home now located on the Lake Erie College campus, The Morley House at 231 N. State Street, Eber Howe home at 205 Mentor Avenue. Uri Seeley House at 969 Riverside Drive, Fifield Tavern at 571 East Erie Street plus four others.
Other Lake County builds include The Sawyer House on Mentor Avenue, The Corning-White House at 8353 Mentor Avenue and one Willoughby Home-The William P. Robinson residence now located at Hale Farm in Bath, Ohio. Twelve other promiunent Painesville homes have been demolished over time. These include the original 1825 Fairport Lighthouse (rebuilt in 1871), Painesville Academy, Bank of Geauga, The Mountain House and Painesville-Fairport RR.
Notable Cleveland builds included the Millionaire Row homes on Euclid Avenue of Judge Shelock Andrews, Williams Brothers, Peter Weddell's Cottage, Judge Samuel Cowles Mansion, Ashbel Walworth House and a half dozen more. Sadly these estates have been demolished.
Goldsmith passed at age 64 in his home 'Ingleside' in Painesville. Ingleside stood where the Painesville Fairgrounds now stands.
History Hall of the Lake County, Ohio Fairgrounds, a Biographical Anthology by Members and Friends of LCGS, (Painesville, Ohio: Lake County Genealogical Society, 2014). Book is available at www.createspace.com/4728333 (benefits the Society best) or Amazon.com. It is also at Morley Library, Painesville.
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