Summit County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1881 (part 17 of 17)

_ The others died at the average age of 10 years. None of the boys were ever intoxicated or went to law; all were hard-working and | industrious men, honest and upright in their dealings. Mr. and Mrs. Norton are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their she was ransomed by the British. Her father was an early settler in Connecticut; in his | absence to the settlement for provisions, the Indians came, massacred the mother, a son 17 adopted and he ever after remained with them. The Oviatts are said to be of Scotch descent. Benjamin, the father of Salmon F., was born in Litchfield Co., Conn., February, 1779, and emigrated West in 1799, to what is now Hudson Township, locating on the land his father had previously purchased. He married Rhoda Kellogg, who was a danghter of Bradford Kellogg, whose wife was- a 'Thompson, to whom were born Alonzo, Alfred, Rena,. Luna, Alvira, Rhoda and Polly. | To Benjamin and wife were born eleven chil- | dren, of those who grew to be adults were | Elizabeth, Olive, Hanford, Julia, Silas, Salmon F., Martha and Mary. Benjamin, the | father of the above, died in 184¥, aged 69, having at the time of his death about 700 acres of land. He was for a number of years a member of the Presbyterian Church, and took an active part in religious matters. May 9, 1849, Salmon F. married Margaret Cameron, who was born in Stark Co. Jan. 31, 1831, to Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Andrews) Cameron, to whom were born six sons and three daughters. Since Mr. Oviatt's marriage, he has resided in the southeastern part of the township, where he has been prosperous and happy. He has no children. His land consists of 075 acres. JOEL R. PARMELEE, farmer; P. O.

Twinsburg. The Parmelee family originated from three brothers, who came from England to America prior to the Revolution. The family settled in North Killingworth, Conn., one of whom was killed in King Phillip's war. The subject of these lines was born in Fairmont, N. H., July 14, 1815; son of William Parmelea, whose wife's maiden name was William was a son of Daniel, who was a son of Lemuel, who was born in 1700, in -Killingworth, Conn. To William Parmelee was born thirteen children. Those who grew up were Lucius, Mary, Fannie. Joel R., Samuel N., Harriet, Daniel S., Emily and Edward (twins). William Parmelee came West in 1828, located in this township, and cleared up his farm; remained in the township until his death; he was a good citizen; a but finally settled down to agricultural pursuits. Aug. 24, 1844, married Harriet A. Holt, Dec. 7, 1815, in Chester, Corin.; daughter of Benjamin and Lucy (Southworth) Holt. The Holt family emigrated from England to

Nov. 9, 1848, he married Rhoda Roach, who was born Dec. 10, 1829, in Hebron, Washington Co.,N. Y. She was the daughter of James Roach, whose wife was Mary Nelson. February, 1862, Mr. Parmelee purchased 100 acres a | . little west of the Center, which place has since |

Dolaishe, residents of Put-In-Bay; Jose B. at home; and-Chloe O., now Mrs. Charles Riley, of this township. He is not a member of any church, but favors religion and practices mo-

| 22.1766, his wife Julia July 2, 1764. Mr. ~ and Mis. Parmelee have four children - Howard R.. now a minister in Edinburg, Portage Co.: Mary E., now the wife of Amizi Wilson: Harriet F., who is now a missionary to a small lad when his father died, and, at the ' age of 7, went to live with one Mr. Wilcox, _ remaining seven years, when he began learn- _ ing the blacksmith's trade. with him, and, on ' completing it.he walked from his native State who. was born Aug. 29, 1806, in Westbrook, Conn. She was the daughter of Joshua and Mollie (Dee) Post. To them were born five children, viz., Gardiner, Mary, Henry and Juliet. He died in April, 1862; she also is deceased. Both were members of the Con- - gregational Church. Gardiner learned the | blacksmith's trade with his father; after

PHILO POST, farmer; P. O. Twinsburg ; was born June 29, 1817, in Saybrook, Conn., to Joshua and Mollie (Dee) Post. His grand- The father of Mollie Dee was Marcus. To Joshua and Mollie (Dee) Post were born thirteen

Philo came . to this county with his parents when + years | the family located in the southern , part of the township, near Brandywine, upon | land which his father purchased before leaving Connecticut. | years after his arrival." age, Philo moved to Liberty street, this township, with his mother, who purchased 950 acres.

Cynthia, Maria, Elijah, Cornelius B.,George, | Comfort, Elijah. Aaron Carpenter was for | many years a member of the Methodist Epis- | copal Church, and a Class-leader of the same. |

He was a just and upright man, and worthy citizen. The political status of both sides of the families have been Whigs, and more recently Republicans. Since Mr. and Mrs.

the farm where he first located. He has been an industrious man, and has been successful in accumulating a good share of this world's goods - having 200 acres of land, which is adorned by excellent farm and house buildings. Of six children born him, those living are: Emma V., now the wife of L. Bennett; Stella L., Harry E. and Rosa M. Willie died when 15 months old, and William at 5 years of age. MOSES N. ROACH, mechanic and farmer: P. O. Twinsburg; was born Oct. 16, 1832, in Hebron, Washington Co.,N. Y.. vo James and Mary (Nelson) Roach. His ancestors came from Ireland. The Roach family came West in 1836, locating in this township on Lot No. 1. When Mr. Roach arrived here, he had but $5 in money. He was a carpenter and joiner, and worked at his trade, earning enough to pay for his land, which was unimproved. He worked at his trade during the day, came home, and by night cut down trees, which the boys would trim up the next day; this was continued until the land was cleared. For nearly a score of years he worked at his trade, and spent the remainder of his life on the farm. He died in February, 1876; hewas an upright man, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To him were born Gilbert, now in Cleveland; Chloe C., Mrs. Horatio Bartlett, in East Cleveland; left home and learned the blacksmith's trade. June 11, 1853, he married Minerva Beldin, daughter of Erastus and Betsey (Armstead) Beldin, to whom were born seven children. Since Mr. Roach was married, he has been engaged at his trade and at farming, and, with the exception of three years spent in Hudson Township, he has been a resident of this. He rents 180 acres of land in the west part of the township, and carries on his shop at the Center. He has two children - Albert E. and Alonzo N. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is much interested in the Sunday-school cause; is a Superintendent thereof, and an exile

OLIVER RONIGER, farmer: P.O. Twinsburg; he was born June 10, 1807, in Eri, Switzerland: his parents were Mecher and Frances (Miller) Roniger. to whom were born

When 21, he went to learn the stone-mason's © trade, at which he worked four years. learning | the plasterer's art and the luying of brick as | haversack of old clothes and 75 cents in money, which he afterward loaned to an acquaintance to purchase necessaries for his family. When Mr. Roniger came. he was not familiar with the English language. which was taken advantage of, at times, by: unprincipled men, who endeavored to protit by his native honesty and unsuspecting manner. Two years afterward, by diligence and economy, he purchased 35 acres in the southeast part of the township. In November, same year, he married Jane Burroughs. born April 1, 1812, in Mifflin Township, Mifflin Co.. Penn.; her parents were John (Durst) Burroughs, who emigrated to Palmyra, who now bears their name; he was born in Boston Township, Oct. 22, 1846, son of John and Martha (Reed) Dunn. Morris married Mary Sabin, born in Ravenna; they have five