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HIRAM TOWNSHIP
HOMER F. ABBOTT, farmer, P. O. Hiram, is a native of Hiram Township, this county, born October 22, 1843, son of Pliny and Ann (Gillett, nee Fletcher,) Abbott, natives of Massachusetts and Vermont respectively, of English descent, former of whom came to this county in 1827 to settle, and latter in about 1832 to Garrettsville, this county, with her mother and sister. They were married in this county in 1842. Both had been married before, but had no issue. Our subject still resides on the old homestead farm in Hiram Township, his parents having died, aged seventy-one and sixty-eight years respectively. He was married January 30, 1868, to Miss Carrie Haker, of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, a native of Germany, born February 14, 1847; and, her father having died while en route to America in 1853, she was reared in Euclid Township, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, by Sardis Welsh. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott have had five children: Howard (deceased), Arthur L., Ada B., Harry and Mildred A. Mr. Abbott has served in some of the township offices for several years. He is a Republican in his politics.
SHELDON C. CANFIELD, blacksmith, P. O. Hiram, was born in Pleasant Grove, Ill., in 1838. His parents, Joseph and Marlette (Root) Canfield, natives of New York State, moved to Illinois in an early day. From Illinois our subject came to this State in 1850 and settled in Geauga County, where he remained until 1867 engaged in farm work and painting. The years 1867 to 1870 he passed in Michigan, then came to Hiram Township, this county, where he has since given his attention to blacksmithing. Mr. Canfield was married in 1861 to Miss Rebecca Hill, of Geauga County, Ohio, a native of New York State, whence her parents emigrated in 1855, settling in this county. Our subject purchased property in Hiram Center. He has served as Clerk of his township. In politics he is a Democrat.
GEORGE H. COLTON, teacher, P. O. Hiram, was born in Nelson Township, this county, October 10, 1848, son of John B. and Mary L. (Tilden) Colton, of Hiram Township, this county. He was educated principally at Hiram College, in this township, where he graduated in 1871 and then spent one year in attending the civil engineer course at the Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Mich. He followed surveying and engineering for one year and engaged in a survey of the Cuyahoga Vallay Railroad, which position he resigned in 1873 and accepted the chair of Professor of Natural Sciences at Hiram College, which he still fills. He was married November 14, 1873, to Miss Clara A. Taylor, of Nelson Township, where she was born September 23, 1849, daughter of Edwin E. Taylor. By this union there is one daughter— Mary B., born October 8, 1874.
OREN J. CONANT, farmer, P. O. Grove, Geauga County, was born in Geauga County, Ohio, January 30, 1851, son of Gardner and Mary (Wood) Conant, natives of Vermont, of English and French descent, respectively, who settled early in life in Geauga County, Ohio, and moved to this county in 1854, where they lived until their death. Mrs. Conant died December 16, 1875, aged fifty-three years, and Mr. Conant November 5, 1882, aged seventy-eight years. Our subject has never left the home farm, and here he now has 130 acres of well-improved land, containing good buildings, etc. He was
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married June 22, 1876, to Miss Stella F. Bancroft, of Nelson Township, this county, where she was born October 23, 1853, the daughter of Barnos IL and Anna (Chalker) Bancroft, natives of Massachusetts and Ohio respectively, and of English descent, who settled in an early day in this county, where Mr. Bancroft died in 1870 and his widow still resides. To Mr. and Mrs. Conant has been born one daughter—Jessie M., born May 24, 1879. In politics Our subject is a Democrat.
STEPHEN H. DAVIS, farmer, P. O. Rapids, was born in Washington County, R. I., August 23, 182,9, son of Peter and Mary Ann (Hazard) Davis, who moved to New York State in 1840, where they remained until 1852, at which time they came to Geauga County, Ohio, where they now reside. Oar subject began at the age of seventeen years as an apprentice to blacksmithing, which trade he continued for twenty-four years, mostly in Janesville, N. Y. In 1866 he immigrated to this county and purchased land in Hiram Township, which he has improved and upon which he still resides. He was married November 5, 1850, to Miss Martha Ashard, born in Madison County, N. V., September 13, 1830, daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Howd) Ashard, residents of Madison, and where Mr. Ashard died; his widow died in Hiram Township, this county. Our subject is the father of five children, of whom two survive: William J. and Mary H. Mr. Davis has given his attention since coming to this county to agriculture. He was a member of the lodge of L O. O. F., which gave in its charter in 1864. He is a Democrat in politics. His wife is an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
HENRY A. DYSON, farmer, P. O. Hiram, was born in Hiram Township, this county, October 18, 1822; son of John and Sarah (Young) Dyson, natives of Delaware and Connecticut respectively, and who came with their parents to this county in 1804. The mother of our subject died in 1845, and the father in 1868. Our subject began the trade of stone-mason in his youth, which he followed in later years, giving also some attention to farming. He became owner of land in 1857 in Hiram Township, upon which he now resides. He was married in 1843, to Miss Lucinda Wright, of Hiram Township, a native of New York State, born in 1822 of parents who were early settlers in this county, now deceased. Our subject is the father of one son—Nelson H., born November 22, 1848, and married November 22, 1868, to Miss Emma Young, of Hiram Township, daughter of Andrew and Joann (Harris) Young, natives of Connecticut and Rhode Island respectively, and of English descent, who settled in this county in 1811. Mr. and Mrs.Nelson Dyson are the parents of three sons: Howard L., Eugene B. and Clarence A. Mr. and Mrs. Dyson, with their son Nelson H. and his wife, are members of the Disciples Church. Our subject has filled most of the township offices; both he and his son are Democrats in politics.
ERWIN E. EDWARDS, farmer, P. O. Garrettsville, was born in Hiram Township, this county, June 19, 1844, son of Erwin and Polly (Waite) Edwards, the former a native of this county, the latter of Vermont. They were the parents of one son and one daughter: Erwin E. and Frances H., who died several years since. The father died in 1860. The mother still resides on the homestead farm with her son, Erwin E., who became owner of the same at the death of his father. Mrs. Edwards was formerly the wife of Newman Elwell, of Vermont, who died in Newberry Township, Geauga Co., Ohio, soon after moving there. He was the father of three children, of whom only one survives—Mary. Our subject was married, in 1881, to Miss Lona M. Chamberlin, born in Hiram Township, this county, daughter of James and Jerusha (Chase) Chamberlin, early settlers in this county, and where Mr. Chamberlin still resides, his wife having died several years since. Mr.
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Edwards has made some valuable improvements on the home farm, which comprises ninety-six acres, valued at from $70 to $90 per acre. He is a Democrat in politics.
JAMES ABRAM GARFIELD, twentieth President of the United States, was born November 19, 1831, in Orange, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, son of Abram and Eliza (Ballou) Garfield, latter a native of New Hampshire, a relative of the celebrated Hosea Ballou. The genealogy of the Garfield family traces back to 1587, in which year a tract of land on the borders of Wales, near Chester, England, and not far from the celebrated picturesque vale of Llangollen, was given to James Garfield (or Gearfeldt) through the influence of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. The Gearfeldts were probably descendants of the old Knights of Gaerfili Castle, whose prowess in arms and deeds of chivalry are frequently made mention of in English history. Their crest consisted of a helmet with the visor raised and an uplifted arm holding a drawn sword, and their motto was "In truce vino" (In, or under, the cross I conquer). In 1630 Edward Gearfield, of Chester, England, and who was born in 1575, came to America in a company of colonists, and from him, in a direct line, comes James A. Garfield. Abram Garfield, father of our subject, born December 28, 1799, at Worcester, Otsego Co., N. Y., and who was one of the first settlers of the township of Orange, died in 1833, leaving a young family of four children, of whom James A. was the youngest, being at the time of his father's death only a year and a half old. The family were poor and were kept together only by the industry, energy and courage of the widowed mother. Young Garfield received a common school education while working on his mother's farm, and at the age of fourteen learned the carpenter's trade, while, two years later, he served for a few months as a boatman on the Ohio Canal. Through his own arduous efforts he obtained a college education, entering at the age of seventeen on a course of study, first in the Geauga Seminary, at Chester, Ohio, and a little later in the Eclectic Institute, then recently established at Hiram, this county, and not long after entering that institute he was made an assistant teacher. In 1854 he entered the Junior Class of Williams College, Massachusetts, having in a little more than three years fitted himself for college, and completed the two first years of college study. He was a favorite pupil of the venerable President Hopkins, and when he graduated, in 1856, he carried off one of the highest honors of his class. In obtaining his education Mr. Garfield was wholly dependent upon himself. His earnings, first as a carpenter, then as a teacher, supplemented by some small loans (subsequently repaid in full), carried him through his course of study. .
Immediately after his graduation Mr. Garfield was chosen teacher of the ancient languages and literature in the institution at Hiram, and the following year he was elected Principal. He was an incessant and effective worker, frequently teaching six or seven hours a day, besides attending to the general supervision, and delivering numerous lectures on a great variety of topics, both before his students and before popular audiences.
In 1859, without solicitation or effort on his part, the Republican party in his district elected him to the Ohio Senate, and although the youngest member of that body, he immediately took rank with foremost Senators in ability, industry, and usefulness.
Just before the conclusion of his Senatorial services, the Southern Rebellion broke out. In accordance with all his political antecedents and convictions, Mr. Garfield at once espoused the cause of the Union against secession. Early in the autumn of 1861 he was made Colonel of the Forty-second Regiment
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of Ohio Volunteers. This regiment, largely enlisted by his personal efforts, was rapidily organized, drilled, and prepared for the field. On the 17th of December it was ordered to eastern Kentucky, and its Colonel was placed in command of the Eighteenth Brigade of the Army of the Ohio. With this command Col. Garfield conducted a highly successful winter campaign against a force of rebels under the command of Humphrey Marshall. The victories of Middle Creek and Pound Gap were the first successes of the Union Army that year in the West. Their immediate result was the expulsion of the Confederate forces from eastern Kentucky. President Lincoln, recognizing the value of this success, promoted Col. Garfield to the rank of Brigadier-General.
Gen. Garfield now joined the army of Gen. Buell. He commanded the Twentieth Brigade at the battle of Shiloh, and in the subsequent operations around Corinth, Decatur, and Huntsville, Ala. In the winter of 1862-63 he was a member of the court-martial that tried Fitz-John Porter. In January of the latter year he was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, then under the command of Gen. Rosecrans, who at once made him Chief of Staff of the army. In this position
Gen. Garfield rendered distinguished services. He was the confidential adviser of the commander-in-chief. He participated in all the engagements in middle and southern Tennessee. He greatly distinguished himself for ability and bravery in the bloody battle of Chickamauga, and was immediately promoted to the rank of Major-General. Here Gen. Garfield's military career closed. He resigned his commission on the 5th of December, 1863, to enter another field of duty.
On leaving the army Gen. Garfield took his seat in the House of Representatives, having been, in October, 1862, elected by the Nineteenth Ohio Congressional District its Representative to the Thirty-eighth Congress. He soon took rank among the ablest and most useful members of the House. During his first term he served on the Committee of Military Affairs, during the second on the Committee of Ways and Means. In the Fortieth Congress he was Chairman of the Military Committee, and in the Forty-first Chairman of the Committee of Banking and currency. On the organization of the Forty-second Congress, he was made Chairman. of the Committee of Appropriations, the most laborious and responsible position in the House. The duties growing out of these responsible positions were discharged in a manner highly creditable to himself and advantageous to the country. But it must not be supposed that they bounded the circle of his legislative life. Some of his special services were peculiarly onerous and valuable. In 1864, as Chairman of a special committee, he made a thorough examination into the affairs of the Printing Bureau of the Treasury Department. As Chairman of the Committee on Banking, he investigated the Gold Panic of 1870, and submitted to the.House a valuable report of the investigation. In 1867 he introduced into the House, and carried through it, the bill creating the National Bureau of Education,—a most valuable bureau, which he defended against all assaults. But his most conspicuous and valuable services were in the field of the national finances. His continued thorough study of this difficult subject, for which his previous training well fitted him, rendered him the most thorough master of it in the House of Representatives, and one of the most thorough in the country. Convinced that. the interest no less than the honor of the nation lay in that direction, he strenuously resisted all propositions looking toward repudiation and inflation, advocating, from the first, an honest payment of the public debt and a speedy return to specie payments.
January 13, 1880, the Ohio Legislature elected Gem Garfield to the United States Senate, and in the same year he was chosen a delegate to the Republi-
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can Convention to meet at Chicago. Here, amid unqualified enthusiasm, he was nominated for the Presidential chair and was subsequently duly elected. But; President Garfield was not destined to long enjoy his new-made honors, for the assassin-fiend was already shadowing his footsteps; the bullet that had its fatal billet had been cast in the mold. On July 2, 1881, while on the eve of stepping on board the train at the Baltimore Railway station, at Washington (for he was on his way to Long Branch, there to meet his wife), he was fired at twice by the graceless madman, Guiteau, the second shot taking effect, the bullet entering the President's side, tearing through the spine and lodging in the flesh.
After long, lingering, painful suffering, heroically borne with true Christian spirit, the martyred President, in the quiet Franklyn Cottage, Long Branch, passed through " the Golden Gate" September 19, 1881. His remains repose in the beautiful Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio.
"Farewell! the leaf strown earth enfolds
Our stay, our pride, our hopes, our fears,
And autumn's golden sun beholds
A nation bowed, a world in tears."
James A. Garfield had great powers of physical and mental endurance; he was strongly built and well proportioned, standing six feet high, a man of wide range of studies, taste and thought. Public duties did not engross all of his talents and attention, for in the spring of 1861, after a full course of legal reading, he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Ohio, and in 1866 he obtained the same standing in the Supreme Court of the United States. From the time of his admission to its bar, he-every year argued cases in the latter tribunal.
He had great patience in the accumulation of facts, great skill in generalization and in the development of principles. In his chosen fields of statesmanship, probably no man in Congress had at command a larger body of systematized knowledge. As a public speaker, he was forcible and elegant. Some of his occasional papers and addresses have a high degree of merit. Of these may be mentioned his paper on ".The American Census," read before the Social Science Association; his adresses on "College Education" and "The Future of the Republic," and his " Eulogy" on Maj.-Gen. George H. Thomas. He had large power over young men; and while an educator, many hundreds of students received from him a vigorous and healthy intellectual and moral impulse.
Mr. Garfield was married in 1858, to Miss Lucretia Rudolph, of Hiram, and was eminently happy in his domestic life. He was a member of the Christian or Disciples Church, and while a teacher at Hiram—though never intending to follow that calling—he was an acceptable, and even favorite, speaker in the pulpits of that denomination. While thoroughly progressive in his thoughts and tendencies, Mr. Garfield was far from being an extremist; abundant evidence of which can be found along the course of his whole public life. In 1872 Williams College conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D., as a recognition of his learning and ability.
RICHARD MASTERSON HANK, retired, P. 0. Hiram, is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, where he was born June 22, 1814, son of Daniel and Mary (Masterson) Hank, natives of Pennsylvania, of English descent. They were married in Fayette County, that State, December 16, 1792, and in 1804 moved to Trumbull County, Ohio, and soon after taking up his abode there Daniel Hank purchased a farm of 200 acres of heavily-timbered land on the Mosquito Creek bottom in Howland Township, on which was a log-cabin and a few acres of land in cultivation. Before his death he built a large frame
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house, and the first frame barn in the township, and besides working at his two occupations of iron molder and stone-mason a part of the time, he and is two elder sons cleared the forest from about 100 acres of the farm, split rails and fenced it into fields and so brought the land into cultivation. He died June 5, 1821, and his widow December 22, 1856, aged fifty and eighty- three years respectively. Of their eight children, Richard Masterson is the only survivor. Our subject received his collegiate education at Allegheny College, Pennsylvania, and afterward, in 1839 and 1840, was a student in the office of Tod & Hoffman, in Warren, Ohio, (David Tod, afterward Governor of Ohio, and Ben Hoffman, afterward Judge of Common Pleas, now a resident of Youngstown, Ohio,) but his health failing, he was obliged to abandon the pursuit of law. Mr. Hank was married April 4, 1843, to Miss Harriet E. Griffin, of Trumbull County, Ohio, also a native of Fayette County, Penn., born February 3, 1824, daughter of Samuel and Esther (Smith) Griffin, of English descent, natives of the same county and State, where they died. Our subject taught school for several years in his native county, and in 1840 purchased a farm then noted for its mineral springs, which be improved and made quite a pleasant place of resort, now known as the " Howland Springs." From there he came to this county in 1865 and purchased a nursery in Hiram Township, where he now resides. He has served his township for eighteen years as Justice of the Peace, and was one of the officers of Hiram College of this township. In 1871 he with others organized the First National Bank of Garrettsville, Ohio, of which he was President for several years. His wife is a member of the Disciples Church.
ROYAL P. HUTCHINSON, farmer, P. 0 Hiram, was born in Hiram Township, this county, January 2, 1826, son of Orin and Paulina (Sweet) Hutchinson, natives of Connecticut and New York State respectively, both now deceased. They settled in this county about 1811, and reared a family of whom three survive: Royal P., Egbert S. and Mary C. Our subject purchased the land in Hiram Township, this county, where he now resides, in 1852, and has followed general agriculture through life. He was married September 17, 1854, to Miss Abby J. Kennedy, of Mantua Township, this county, a native of Geauga County, Ohio, where her parents were early settlers, but who in later years moved to Aurora Township, where they both died. To this union have been born four children, two now living: William R. and Mary A. Mrs. Hutchinson is a member of the Disciples Church. Mr. Hutchinson has served in some of the township offices. He is a Democrat in politics.
DAVID KERNOHAN, farmer, P. O. Hiram, was born April 17, 1854, in County Antrim, Ireland, sou of James Kernohan, who died in his native land during 1862, and Mary (Clark) Kernohan, who immigrated to America in 1864, accompanied by four of her children, settling at Niles, Trumbull Co., Ohio. There our subject received his education, removing to Hiram Township, this county, in 1876, where he entered the service of Benjamin Tilden, who with his wife, Samantha (Edwards) Tilden, were natives of Connecticut, and among the first settlers in this county, where they lived and died. They were members of the Disciples Church. Mr. Tilden died January 31, 1884, aged seventy-one, his widow July 26, same year, aged sixty-seven years, making our subject legatee of their property. On December 3, 1878, David Kernohan was married to Flora Ledyard, born March 19, 1846, in Aurora Township, this county, adopted daughter of Mr. Tilden (also a beneficiary under his will to the extent of $2,000) and widow of Ransom Ledyard, who died June 25, 1877, leaving a daughter-Myra V., born August 5, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Kernohan are the parents of one son-James D., born September 24, 1879.
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GEORGE H. LAUGHLIN, President of Hiram College, Hiram, was born December 28, 1838, at Quincy, Ill. Being now in the very prime of life and of excellent physique, his greatest work is probably yet before him. His hair is considerably tinged with grey, but his step has lost none of its elasticity, nor have his dark brown eyes lost any of their original fire and expressiveness. His early training was received on an Illinois farm, and his first educational opportunities were limited. In October, 1857, he entered Berean College, Jacksonville, Ill., but being dissatisfied with that institution, he left it in less than one year, to enter Abingdon College, Knox Co., Ill., where he remained four years as student and graduated with the highest honors of his class. At Cameron, Ill., August 21, 1862, he was married to Debbie J. Ross, who has proved to be a devoted wife and helper. At this time he began teaching and preaching, and has since steadily continued his work. He regards teaching as his profession, and preaching as 'an avocation. For three years we find him engaged in the public schools of Illinois, afterward eight years Principal of the Rails County Academy at New London, Mo., five years of this time filling the office of County Superintendent of Public Schools. During this time his Sundays were spent in preaching. He has done much work in county institutes, in preparing teachers for their work. In 1874 he was called to fill the Chair of Ancient Languages in Oskaloosa College, Oshkosh, Iowa. After holding this position seven years, he was elected President of that institution. After a successful term of two years he resigned to accept the Presidency of Hiram College, Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio. This position he has held for two years past with admirable success, having already won the approval and regard of the friends and patrons of the college. His life has. been a very active one, and will doubtless continue so, until he shall lay aside. the armor which he has never allowed to rust. Much of his time has lbeen spent in writing for educational papers, both as editor and correspondent. He has given many lectures on educational and religious themes. He is of a metaphysical turn of mind. As a minister he is decidedly non-sectarian, and as. a public speaker he has been regarded as very successful. He is logical and concise in writing, using pure diction, and possessing a style clear and forcible, as well as oratorical. In character he is blameless, and throughout his. life, including a public career of nearly a quarter of a century, " not a stain. can be found on his shield."
GOULD B. MURWIN, farmer, P. 0. Garrettsville, is a native of Delaware County, N. Y., born January 25, 1819, son of James and Ann (Barlow) Murwin, natives of Connecticut and Nova Scotia, and of Irish and English descent, respectively, and who were married in Delaware County, N. Y., where they lived a term of years and then removed to Tompkins County, N. Y., where Mr. Murwin died. His widow became a resident of Ashtabula County, Ohio, where she died. Our subject moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1838, thence to Mentor, Lake Co., Ohio, and in 1840 to Garrettsville, Ohio, where he continued in the shoe trade for five years. He then returned to Ashtabula County, where he operated a tannery and shoe business, and in 1849 came to this county and purchased land in Hiram Township, where he still resides, following general agriculture. Mr. Murwin was married, August 19, 1847, to Miss lAmanda E. Udall, of Hiram Township, this county, where she was born August 2, 1826, daughter of George and Melinda (Hutchins) Udall, natives of Vermont and New Hampshire,, and of English and Irish descent, respectively, and who were among the first settlers in this county, where Mr. Udall died at. the age of sixty-two years and his widow still resides, aged eighty-two years. Our subject is the father of one son—Herbert B., born August 7, 1859, mar-.
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ried October 13, 1880, to Miss Flora B. Wells, of Hiram Township, this county, born in Geauga County, Ohio, March 15, 1857, daughter of William H. and Hannah D. (Bancroft) Wells, now residing in Portage County, Ohio. Our subject has served in some of the township offices; in politics he is a Democrat.
NOBLE H. NICHOLS, farmer, P. O. Garrettsville, Ohio, was born in Essex County, N. Y., May 29, 1825; son of Andrew and Sallie (Haven) Nichols, natives of the same county and State, born September 27, 1790, and July 17, 1797, respectively; former was a Sergeant in the war of 1812; they were married January 7, 1819. Andrew Nichols remained in New York State until 1832, when he came to Ohio and settled with his wife in Shalersville Township, this county, where they created a home and raised a family of five sons and five daughters: Polly M., Roby D., Paris C., Noble H., Lucretia G., Mason E., James H., Martha L., Rossella J., Albert M. The father was an active Democrat all his life, and died in Shalereville Township at the age of seventy- seven years; his widow also died here, aged seventy-live years. Their remains are interred in the Shalersville Cemetery, this county, Our subject was married, April 11, 1844, to Miss Ursula B. Drake, of Shalersville Township, born in Hampshire County, Mass., November 28, 1822, daughter of Stimpson W. and Abigail (Joslin) Drake, also natives of Massachusetts, who married, lived and died in Hampshire County, that State. The wife of our subject came to Ohio in 1843 and is now the mother of eight children: Marcus H., George F., Charles L., Addle L., Henry C., Ida M., William A. and Clarence P. Ida and Andrew died in infancy. Our subject purchased land first in Shalersville Township in 1847. In 1850 he sold this and purchased in Mantua Township, and eight years later removed to Hiram Township, where he has since resided, and is now the owner of over 1,000 acres of land. He and his wife are members of the Disciples Church.
SYLVESTER R. PACKER, farmer, P. O. Hiram, is a native of New London County, Conn., born March 4, 1803, son of Ebenezer and Ketura Packer, who were natives of the same State, where they remained until death. Sylvester R. came to this count?. in 1826 and purchased land in Hiram Township, on which he still resides. He was married in 1827 to Miss Laura Maxon, of Hiram Township, this county, also a native of Connecticut, where she was born September 6, 1809, and whose parents were among the first settlers in this county. To this union were born eight children, of whom only two survive: Angeline and Mary. Mr. Packer has served in some of the township offices. In politics he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church.
JASON L. PRICHARD, farmer, P. O. Grove, Geauga County, is a native of Geauga County, Ohio, where he was born August 14, 1837, son of Jesse and Cornelia (Cadwell) Prichard, natives of Massachusetts and Connect. icut respectively, and of English descent. They settled in this county in an early day, locating first in Nelson Township, and then in Hiram Township, latterly moving to Geauga County, Ohio, where Jesse Prichard followed the milling business until his death in 1883. His wife also died in the same year. Our subject engaged in the saw-mill business in this county in 1860, operating and building at different times five or six mills. In 1882 he became owner of the old home farm in Hiram Township, upon which he now resides and where he is building a stationary saw-mill. He married in 1863 Miss Caroline Abbott, of Geauga County, Ohio, where she was born January 24, 1837, daughter of Harrison and Mary (Burt) Abbott, natives of Massachusetts and of English descent. Caroline Prichard, who was the mother of one
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daughter, died March 29, 1880. Our subject then married, September 4, 1881, Mrs. N. K. (Keblor) Freeman, of Geauga County, born in Trumbull County, Ohio, November 8, 1842, the widow of Loran Freeman, who died in 1879, leaving no offspring. Mr. Prichard is a Democrat in politics.
NELSON F. RAYMOND, farmer, P. O. Hiram, was born in Hiram Township, this county, September 30, 1841, son of Silas and Rebecca (Pitkin) Raymond, natives of Orange, N. H., and Hartford, Vt., respectively. They came to this county in about 1816 and 1818 and were married in Hiram Township, this county, in May, 1826, where they reared a large family, six of whom survive. Silas Raymond died in 1881, aged eighty-two years, his wife having preceded him in 1878, aged seventy-eight. Our subject was married December 28, 1871, to Miss Mary A. Hyde, of Farmington, Trumbull Co., Ohio, where she was born November 23, 1844, daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Sager) Hyde, natives of Herkimer County, N. Y., and Trumbull County, Ohio, respectively, and who were married in Trumbull County, Ohio, where they settled about 1838 and where they still reside. Our subject and wife are the parents of one son—Glenn H., born August 13, 1877. Mr. Raymond purchased in 1870 his farm in Hiram Township, this county, which he has greatly improved, and has given considerable attention to fruit-raising, mostly grapes. He and his wife are members of the Disciples Church of Hiram Center. In politics he is a Republican.
JOSEPH P. ROBERTS, farmer, P. O. Mantua, is a native of Middlesex County, Conn., born in 1821. His parents, Asher and Sarah (Paddoe) Roberts, were natives of Connecticut, of English descent. They were the parents of five children, two of whom survive: Jane and Joseph P. The father died in 1823, and the mother then married Charles Cone (by whom she had three children) and died in 1878. Our subject removed to Hiram Township, this county, in 1839, spending the first two years in Shalersville, where he began blacksmithing, a trade he continued twenty years in Mantua, this county. In 1857 he came to Hi am Township and purchased the farm on which he now resides, and which he has improved in various ways. He was married in 1845 to Miss Lovina Spencer, born in Mantua, only daughter of Hiram and Elizabeth Spencer, early settlers in this county. By this union wero two children: Sarah, and Mary (deceased). Mrs. Roberts died in 1848 and Mr. Roberts again married, on this occasion, in 1855, Miss Lora Webster, of Ashtabula County, Ohio, her native home; by whom he had three children: Julia, Lydia (deceased) and Bion. She died in 1872, and our subject then married, the third: time, in 1877, Miss Adda Stanton, a native of this county, and by her has one son—Ray. Mr. Roberts is a Democrat in politics.
NUMAN P. SQUIRE, farmer, P. O. Rapids, was born in Aurora Township, this county, December 9, 1813; son of Warren and Lovina (McConoughey) Squire, natives of Massachusetts, and of. English and Irish descent, respectively, and whose parents settled in this county in 1809. Our subject was married, in 1839, to Miss Rebecca Avery, of Aurora Township, this county, a native of New York State, and whose parents immigrated to this county in a very early day. To this union was born one son—Frank, who is married and resides upon the home farm. The mother of this son died September 6,1844, and our subject married again, in 1846, Miss Julia A. White, of this county, also a native of New York State, and daughter of Nathan White, who was one of the first settlers in this panty. Mr. Squire purchased his farm in Hiram Township, this county, in 1846, and has improved the same in many ways. He has served his township in most of its offices; in politics he is a Democrat.
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ANDREW J. SQUIRE, physician, P. 0. Hiram, was born in Aurora Township, this county, September 17, 1815; son of Ezekiel and Clarissa (Stewart) Squire, natives of Berkshire County, Mass., of English descent, who immigrated to Ohio in 1810 and settled in Aurora Township, this county, same year In 1815 they moved to Mantua Township, where Ezekiel Squire followed the practice of medicine and died September 5, 1822. He was the father of four sons and three daughters. Our subject was educated in the Medical University at Willoughby, Ohio, (from 1840 to 1841) and began the practice of medicine in Mantua Township, this county, in 1843. There he continued until 1864, when he moved to Hiram Center, where he still continues in the practice of his profession. The Doctor was elected to the State Legislature and served from 1859 to 1861; has also filled most of the township offices—Justice of the Peace, etc. He was married in 1850 to Martha Wilmot, of Mantua Township, daughter of Ella and Lucretia (Blair) Wilmot, early settlers of this county, and to this union have been born two sons: Andrew, practicing law, and Marion, attending the Medical College.
FRANCIS STRONG, farmer, P. 0. Garrettsville, is a native of Vermont, born in 1807, where his parents, Francis and Thankful Strong, formerly of Massachusetts, lived and died. Our subject came to this county in 1836 and for two years operated a woolen-mill in Garrettsville; thence moved to Hiram Township, where he has since followed general agriculture and has served in most of the township offices. He is a Royal Arch Mason, has been a Deacon in the Congregational Church for twenty-five years; he is a stanch Republican in politics. Mr. Strong was married, in 1837, to Louisa Hitchcock, of this county, a native of Connecticut, and daughter of Chauncy and Mary (Goodrich) Hitchcock, who settled in Hiram Township, this county, in 1835, and here remained until their death. Our subject and wife are parents of one daughter— Clara L. born in Hiram Township, and who was married April 16., 1865, to James le Rudolph, also a native and resident of Hiram Township, born April 16, 1840, son of John and Cleona (Atwater) Rudolph, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively, and who were among the first settlers of this vicinity.
LEWIS C. TODD, farmer, P. 0. Garrettsville, was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., July 30, 1824; son of Lewis C. and Ellen (Stedman) Todd, natives of Connecticut and New York State respectively, of English descent, and who were married in Chautauqua County, where they lived several years, he being a teacher of the Latin and Greek languages, and a publisher and preacher. They came to this county in 1834 and settled in Nelson Township, but in 1854 removed to Geauga County, where the father was elected to the Legislature, and in 1862 they removed to Nelson, where they both died. Our subject purchased land in this county in 1845, to which he added in 1862 by purchases in Nelson Township, where he farmed until 1882, when he moved to his present residence in this township. Our subject has been twice married, his first wife being Mary P. Cook, who died in 1861, leaving two children: Clarence L. and Mary E. He was married, November 6, 1862, to Electa J. Young, of Geauga County, Ohio, a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., where she was born November 27, 1834, daughter of Elisha W. and Lovica (Ryder) Young, natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively, and of English descent. By this marriage he is parent of two children:, one sons Melvin B., and a daughter, Jennie L. Mr. Young was the inventor of the first smut-mill, and also a patentee of other discoveries in mechanics. He died in Geauga County in 1881 and his widow in 1882. Our subject is a Master Mason; he is Independent in politics.
WILLIAM E. UDALL, farmer, P. 0. Garrettsville, was born in Hiram Township, this county, April 20, 1820; son of Rufus and Mary (Loomis)
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Udall. Our subject became owner of land in Hiram Township, this county, in 1839, which he sold a few years later, and in 1843 purchased the property on which he now resides. He has followed farming through life; also operated a threshing machine, in the season, for three years, and has been a mover of millings for the past twenty years. He was married in Hiram Township, this county, November 22, 1842, to Miss Salle Bently, of Troy Township, Geauga Co., Ohio, where she was born November 15, 1818, daughter of Simeon and Eliza Gently, natives of New York State, and who moved in 1842 from Geauga County, Ohio, to Putnam County, where they died a few years later. Our subject is the father of one son—Charles Albert, born November 6, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Udall have been members of the Disciples Church for forty-five years. In politics he is a Republican.
FRANK M. UDALL, farmer, P. O. Hiram, was born in Hiram Township, this county, December 20, 1838; son of George and Melinda (Hutchins) Udall, natives of Vermont and New Hampshire respectively. They moved to this county in 1818, where they lived until the death of Mr. Udall in 1857, and where his widow still resides with our subject. Frank M. Udall was married in 1864 to Miss Clara A. Bishop, of Cleveland, Ohio, to which city her parents had emigrated from Nova Scotia about 1847. Her father died in that city, where her mother still resides. To the union of our subject and wife have been born five children: George M., Jessie A., George F., Olevia and Don B., all living but George M. and Don B. Mr. Udall served fourteen months in the late war of the Rebellion, in Company A, Forty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church at Hiram Center. He has served as Township Clerk. In politics he is a Republican.
BENJAMIN F. WATERS, farmer, P. O. Garrettsville, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, January 20, 1822; son of Gideon and Phoebe (Rhodes) Waters, natives of Connecticut and New York State respectively, and who were married in Chenango County, N. Y. About 1812 they came to Trumbull County, Ohio, where they reared a family of eight children and where Gideon Waters died ; his widow then removed to this county, where she passed the remainder of her days. Our subject was married in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1846, to Miss Mary A. Hyde, whose parents were early settlers in this county, and where they died. To this union have been born two sons and two daughters: Emergene, Alva C., Frank H. and Mary (latter deceased.) Our subject came into this county in 1865 and purchased land in the township where he now resides, devoting his time to general agriculture. He served under the 100-days call in the late war, a member of Company H, One Hundred and Seventy-first Regiment Ohio National Guards, and was captured, but soon after paroled. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Politically he is a Republican.
ERASTUS M. YOUNG, retired, P. O. Hiram, was born in Hiram Township, this county, April 2, 1813, son of George and Elizabeth (Montgomery) Young, of English descent, natives of Windham County, Conn.,where they were married and whence they moved to this county in 1811. They settled in Hiram Township, where they cleared up a large farm, reared a family of five children, of whom only our subject survives, and here the mother died in 1815, the father in 1823. At the age of sixteen our subject learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he followed principally for twenty-five years. He then purchased land in Hiram Township, which he farmed until 1880, when he sold the same and moved to Hiram Center, where he now resides. He was married in 1837 to Miss Lorena E. Mackintosh, of Mantua Township, where her parents settled
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in an early day. She died August 13, 1839, mother of one daughter—Lorena E. Mr. Young then married in 1841 Miss Chestina Allyn, of Hiram Township, a native of Connecticut, born May 29, 1821, and whose parents were also very early settlers in this county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. To this second union were born three children: Lorena A., Sutton E. and Clark M. Mr. and Mrs. Young are members of the Christian Church, in which the former has filled the office of Deacon over forty years. He is a Republican in politics.