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FREEDOM TOWNSHIP.

JOSHUA ATWOOD, retired, P. O. Freedom, was born February 29, 1812, in Pittsfield, Vt., son of Joshua and Thankful (Stone) Atwood, the former a native of Massachusetts, the latter of Vermont. Our subject, whose portrait appears in this work, was educated in the country schools, and was a farmer until seventeen years old, when he began to learn the blacksmith's trade with a Mr. Egleston in Pittsfield, Vt., with whom he continued for three years and then worked for himself a few months in Rutland, same State, and at Pittsford one year, after which he engaged with Mr. Egleston one year, and then for a time worked for himself. He came to Ohio in 1836 and opened a blacksmith shop at Freedom, this county. In 1844 he added a carriage manufacturing department, and soon employed as many as eight men, and supplied the demand within a large radius. He was very successful, and in 1875 he retired from active labors to enjoy the fruits of many years' hard and persistent toil. Mr. Atwood was married in 1838 to Aurelia Birge, who died in 1874, leaving no children. He and she were among the first members of the Congregational Church at Freedom. Our subject has served the township honorably as Treasurer and Trustee. He is a pleasant gentleman; in politics a representative Republican. His brothers-in-law, Lasell and Simeon Birge, came to

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Freedom Township, this county, the former in 1832, bought 400 acres of land and erected many of the buildings in Freedom Center. Simeon Birge, who was a physician, moved away in 1838, while Lasell remained until 1846 or 1847. The father of our subject was in the war of 1812, and participated in battle of Plattsburg.

HENRY IRVING BROWN, farmer, P. 0. Freedom Station, was born in Freedom Township, this county, July 28, 1860, son of Isaac and Rebecca (French) Brown, natives of New York and Connecticut respectively, whose parants were among the first settlers in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Brown were married here in 1837 and reared a family of five children, three now living: Ellen A., Ida D. and Henry I. The two eldest, Levi J. and Mary A., are dead. The mother died February 8, 1881, aged sixty-two years. Our subject was married October 27, 1881, to Allie Miller, of Freedom Township, this county, born June 2, 1861; parents of one daughter-Mamie E. Brown, born September 7, 1883. Our subject follows general farming and stock-growing. In politics he is a Republican.

CHARLES DUDLEY, farmer, P. 0. Freedom, is a native of Richmond, Berkshire Co. Mass., born December 8, 1814, son of Timothy and Anna (Osborn) Dudley, natives of Guilford, Conn. They were married in Berkshire County, Mass., in 1800, and in 1835 moved to Freedom Township, this county, and in 1837 to Whiteside County, Ill., where they died, aged seventy-.seven and ninety years respectively. Our subject came to this county in 1837, settling in Freedom Township, where he now resides. He has cleared many acres of land and has followed general agriculture. He was married June 22, 1837, to Sarah Leete, a native of West Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., Mass., born August 6, 1816, and daughter of Nathaniel and Dimmis (Wickhane) Leete, natives of Connecticut, and who were married in 1800, and lived and died in Berkshire County, Mass. To our subject and wife were born four sons: Charles A., attorney in Des Moines, Iowa; Plimmon H., civil engineer, New York City; Marquis W., and John F., a farmer in Freedom Township, this county, all married. Our subject has served in some of the township offices. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. In politics he is a strong Republican.

LISBON FINCH, farmer, P. 0. Freedom Station, was born in Otis, Berkshire Co., Mass., July 8, 1819; son of Joshua and Clarissa (Clark) Finch, also natives of Otis, Berkshire County, where they were married, and reared a family of nine children, three of whom are now living. They came to Freedom Township, this county, June 16, 1825, where Joshua Finch was an old-line Whig "stand-by," and was prominently identified with the Masonic order for sixty-two years. Here he and his wife died. Our subject, who has always made his home in this county, owns several hundred acres of land here. (His sister Celestia's marriage in November, 1826, with Lester Hall, was the first wedding in the township.) He was married April 8, 1846, to Eunice Scovill, born in Licking County, Ohio, July 4, 1821, daughter of David and Clarissa Scovill, natives respectively of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, and early settlers in Johnstown, Licking Co., Ohio, coming June 17, 1817. They were the parents of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Finch have had five children born to them: Cordelia, Howard J., Lydia R., David S. and Lyman J., all living except Lyman. Our subject is a Republican.

WILLIAM GARDNER, farmer, P. O. Freedom, was born in Berkshire County, Mass., October 1, 1805, son of Henry and Abigail (Stedman) Gardner, natives of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, respectively, and who died in Berkshire County. Our subject came to this county in 1829, and purchased

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land in Freedom . Township, where he followed brick-making for a number of years. He was married in Freedom Township in 1836, to Marietta Matteson, of Hiram Township, this county, and a native of Bennington County, Vt., born in 1818, daughter of Robert and Lois (Vaughn) Matteson, who moved from Vermont to this county in 1833, and resided a few years in Hiram Township; thence they went to Illinois, and later to Kansas, where they died. To our subject and wife were born five children: Henry, Robert, Marion, Christopher C. and Franklin, all living. In politics Mr. Gardner is a Democrat.

JOHN R. JAMES, farmer, P. O. Freedom, was born September 14, 1813, in Hampshire County, Mass.; son of Aaron and Irene (Willcutt) James, natives of same county, and where they were married; in 1817 they moved to Charlestown Township, this county, and settled upon land formerly purchased by their forefathers. Of their family three survive: Joel W., John R. and Catherine W. Peebles. Our subject remained upon and operated the home farm until about 1855, and then came to Freedom Township, this county, where he now resides. He was twice married, first on May 30, 1838, to Elsie Prentice, also of Charlestown Township, this county, a native of Connecticut, daughter of Elisha and Betsey (Frisby) Prentice, who settled in this county about 1823 and here died. To our subject and wife were born three children: Albert P., Laura A. and Rosa C. The mother died September 5, 1847, aged thirty-six years, and our subject then married, May 1, 1854, Prudence D. Colton, of Freedom Township, this county, born in Hartford County, Conn., January 11, 1824, daughter of Jeremiah and Lucy (Lusk) Colton, natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut, respectively, and who were married in Hartford County, Conn., May 29, 1814. In 1825 they came to Freedom Township, this county, where they died, Mr. Colton in 1867, his widow in 1868, aged seventy-five and seventy-seven years respectively. Their family of five are all now deceased except the wife of our subject, By this union were born four children: Mary E., Willis C., Lucy J. and Flora I. Mrs. James is a member of the Congregational Church. In politics he is a Republican.

JOHN KILBOURN, farmer; P. O. Freedom, was born August 13, 1828, in Hartford County, Conn., son 'of Hiram and Mary (Crocker) Kilbourn, natives of Connecticut, and of English descent. They were married in Hartford County, Conn., November 24, 1824, and in 1828 came to Freedom Township, this county, where they purchased land, built a log-cabin and saw-mill, cut roads, cleared farms, etc., and reared a family of which two are now living: John and Frank. The father died September 3, 1866, the mother November 13, 1879, aged sixty-eight and eighty-one years, respectively. Our subject purchased land in Freedom Township, in 1850, and in 1858 became owner of the homestead farm; he has now 210 acres. He was married July 5, 1857, to Amy IL Loomis, of Hiram Township, this county, where she was born in 1836, daughter of Charles and Arminta (Harmon) Loomis, natives of Vermont and Massachusetts, respectively. Thoy married in this county, and reared a family, of whom six are now living. The parents are both dead. To the union of our subject and first wife were born three children: Rena, Myrtie and Charles L. Mrs. Kilbourn died April 17, 1880. Our subject was married again February 22, 1882, to ,Mrs. Sarah A. Davis, of Freedom Township, this county, widow of Martin Davis, who died in 1874, father of three children: Cora, Emma (deceased) and Eugene. Our subject is a Republican in politics.

GILES W. KNEELAND, farmer, P. O. Freedom, was born in Shalersville Township, this county, October 15, 1817, son of George W.. and Sally (Carlton) Kneeland, who settled here in a very early day, and where they were married in 1815. They were both natives of Connecticut, whence they moved

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with their parents, who were among the first settlers in the county. Our subject is the only survivor of a family of four children, whose parents died in 1835 and 1878, respectively, faithful members of the early pioneer church. He came in 1828 into Freedom Township, where he now resides, and where he was married December 6, 1838, to Amy A. Barber, born in Berkshire County, Mass., May 24, 1818, daughter of Myron and Amy (Spaulding) Barber, natives of Connecticut and .Massachusetts respectively, and who came to Freedom Township, this county, in 1824; they died, aged sixty-seven and forty-three respectively. Of their family of four only one—Amy A.—survives. Our subject and wife are parents of five children, all now living: Keziah S., Elbert R., Charles J., Myron A. and Elva M. Mr. Kneeland has served in some of the township offices. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church.

A. C. LARKCOM, farmer, P. 0. Freedom, was born in Otis Township, Berkshire Co., Mass.; son of Paul and Comfort (Norton) Larkcom. Paul, who had been in the war of the Revolution three years, came with his family to Portage County, Ohio, in 1826, via Erie Canal, the lake and stage, and bought land where our subject now lives. A. C. Larkcom was married in May, 1828, to Miss Sarah Perry, born June 27, 1803, who bore him the following children: Mary, married to Enoch Lewis; Cherilla, married to Ambrose Hall; Lyman M., born February 5, 1831, attended country schools, and was married November, 1863, to Miss Rosalia Derthick; and Perry, deceased. March 11, 1868. Our subject has remained since 1826 on his present farm, which he reclaimed from the wilderness. He was appointed at various times to the offices of Township Clerk, Constable, Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. He can honorably boast of being second cousin to Noah Webster, the great lexicographer; his wife was second cousin to the immortal Commodore 0. H. Perry, who gallantly sustained the unsullied honor of our flag on Lake Erie. Mrs. Larkcom died August 21, 1883. The results of Mr. Larkcom's labor are 178 acres of well-improved land and some bank stock at Garrettsville, this county. At the age of seventeen years he began the manufacture of burial caskets, and during his life he has made and sold over 3,000 caskets.

JOHN P. PARKER, farmer, P. 0. Ravenna, was born in Bethel, Windsor Co., Vt., January 24, 1813; son of. Nathan and Bethiah (Peak) Parker, former a native of Connecticut, latter of Windsor,l where they were married and lived, dying at the respective ages of eighty-six and fifty-three years. Our subject moved to and settled in Freedom Township, this county, in 1839, and here cleared a farm and established a home. He was married March 9, 1845, to Almira Martin, of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, born in Vermont August 24, 1821, daughter of Reuben and Thankful (Bolton) Martin, natives respectively of Vermont and Connecticut, married at Rochester, Vt. They moved to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in 1834, thence to Lorain County, and in 1853 to Defiance, where they died, the father aged eighty-three, the mother eighty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Parker are the parents of two sons: Nathan and Elmore M.; they have an adopted daughter named Zella. Our subject is a stanch Republican.

ORLIN C. STURDEVANT, farmer, P. 0. Freedom, was born in Susquehanna County, Penn., September 28, 1818; son of Joel and Diana (Capron) Sturdevant, who moved to what is now Summit County, Ohio, in 1820, and there remained about fourteen years, thence came to Freedom Township, this county, in 1834, where they lived and died. Our subject was married, March 3, 1842, to Amanda .Hollenbeck, of Shalersville Township, this county, born at Hudson, Summit Co., Ohio, March 14, 1821, daughter of Gad and Phoebe

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(Bishop) Hollenbeck, who accompanied their parents to Summit County at a very early day, and where they were married. Subsequently they removed to Charlestown Township, thence to Shalersville and finally to Geauga County, Ohio, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Sturdevant are the parents of nine children, six of whom are now living: Phoebe A., Emma D , Eugene A., William H., Lucius V. and Minnie E. Our subject purchased the farm on which he now resides in 1842. In politics he is a Republican.

HENRY A. STURDEVANT, farmer, P. 0. Freedom, was born in Summit County, Ohio, September 4, 1825; son of Joel and Diana (Capron) Sturdevant, natives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively, and of English descent. They were married in Susquehanna County, Penn., in 1817, and there lived a few years, then moved to Summit County, Ohio, where they remained until 1834, when they came to this county, cleared up land and followed farming. Here they died at the ages of sixty-nine and ninety-one, respectively. Our subject purchased land in Shalersville Township, this county, in 1850, and in 1866 came to Freedom Township, where he now resides. He was married, November 17, 1853, to Weltha A. Tuttle, of Shalersville Township, this county, born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., February 3, 1831, daughter of Eli and Mary (Nelson) Tuttle, natives of Massachusetts and of English descent. They married in Berkshire County, Mass., in 1830, moved to New York State, and in 1833 came to this county and settled in Shalersville Township. They were parents of seven children, all now living. They died at the ages of sixty-eight and sixty-four years, respectively. Mr. Sturdevant has served in some of the township offices. In politics he is a Republican.

DR. JAMES WEBB (deceased) was born February 26, 1799, and died in Freedom, Portage Co., Ohio, November 9, 1852, in his fifty-fourth year. His early life was spent in Corfu, Genesee Co., N. Y. At the age of twelve and until he was fifteen he was a great sufferer from a white swelling. Perhaps no course of events at any time transpired that had more to do with shaping the current of his life than this long illness. Being incapacitated for manual labor, his mind naturally was attracted to books and the realm of thought, the outcome of which was the study of medicine. At this early period, too; he commenced that life of prayer and trust and patience, which ever after adorned a most exemplary Christian character, whose light was always pure and steady, and to be trusted. In early manhood he commenced the study of his chosen profession, graduating at Batavia, N. Y., Medical College, in 1823. He began the practice of medicine at Holley, Orleans Co., N. Y., and it was here he formed the acquaintance of Miss Eliza Landfear, with whom he was united in marriage, November 27, 1827. Four sons and six daughters were born to this union, of whom five were natives of Holley. Here Dr. Webb spent thirteen or more of the best years of his life in building up a successful and honorable practice. Here too he united with the Masonic fraternity, of which he was an honored member, and at the time of his death was a member of Garrettsville Lodge, No. 246, F. & A. M. In 1840 he exchanged his village property for a home and thirty acres of land in Freedom, Portage Co., Ohio, to which he removed with his family in May of that year. One special object in the removal was that he might secure land where his boys might find employment and still be under home restraints. Here, as in Holley, he built up a good practice, the needs of the community commanding his services as a physician and surgeon. Here he labored faithfully until he was attacked by that terrible disease (cancer on the face) which after many months of intense suffering terminated his days, while he heard the call of the Great Physician to "come up higher." In his life Dr. Webb was ever known as a Christian physician, and

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was beloved and honored as such. He was a member of the Congregational Church at Freedom. His beloved wife, two sons, Warren and Mervin, and daughter, Sarah, have already followed him "over the river." Rollin S. Webb, Charles B. Webb, Mrs. Dr. Tidball, Mrs. W. S. Wight, Mrs. Warren Peirce, and Miss Mary Webb, are all residents of this county and the village of Garretsville. Mrs. Cornelia Rainey, the eldest, is a resident of Bay City, Mich. As a father Dr. Webb was one of the wisest and best, and to his children the memory of such a father is of priceless worth.