Suffield Township (part 5 of 14)

WILLIAM A. LEE, proprietor of restaurant, and dealer in wines, liquors, etc., Kent, was born in Ithaca, N. Y,, March 29, 1829; a son of Daniel and Mary (Davenport) Lee, who settled in Peru, Huron Co., Ohio, in 1834; former a wagon maker by trade, at which he worked in Peru until his death. Our subject was reared in Huron County from five years of age. He was married, April 6, 1855, to Martha, daughter of William Moore, of Plymouth, Richland Co., Ohio, by whom he has four children: Ida, wife of Henry Struckrad; Flora, wife of J. Otis Smith; Hattie, and Bertie, wife of F. M. Townsend. Mr. Lee learned the machinist's trade in New Haven, where he remained until 1861, and was then employed in the railroad shops at Norwalk until 1865. He then came to Kent, this county, and worked in the railroad shops for two years, when he opened a billiard room, which he conducted for one year, after which he moved to Warren, and engaged in the same business for four years. He subsequently returned to Kent and embarked in the restaurant and saloon business, which he has continued in to the present time. On November 1, 1884, he supplied a long-felt want by opening a first-class restaurant in the Carver Block, which is conducted in the metropolitan style. He is a pushing, energetic man, and his experience in the business, taken in connection with his natural fitness for this pursuit, will no doubt prove his new venture a success. In politics he is a Democrat.

BYRON A. LONGCOY, farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Franklin Township, this county, June 5, 1854, son of David and Abby (Woodard) Longcoy. His father, a native of New York, born May 30, 1808, son of Anthony and Ann (Thompson) Longcoy, settled in Franklin Township, this conaty, in 1830, and worked in David L. Ladd's linseed oil-mills for several years. He afterward manufactured brick, and furnished this material for the construction of the Earl Block, and a large portion of those used in what is now known as the Carver Block. He was married, May 4, 1834, to Abby, daughter of Joshua and Rebecca (W^oodin) Woodard, early settlers of Ravenna Township, this county, and later of Kent, by whom he had nine children: Anna (deceased), Victoria (deceased), Nettie (wife of Samuel Putnam), Maretta, Francis and Frank (twins), Miraett, Ralph (deceased) and Byron A. In 1853 David Longcoy located on the farm now occupied by our subject, where he resided until his death, August 5, 1873. During the last eight years of his life he was engaged in butchering and had a market in Kent. Our subject was married, April 15, 1875, to Dolly A., daughter of Dr. J. S. and Delia (Rockwell) Sweeny, of Kent, this county, by whom he has two children: Bertha and David. Mr. Longcoy is a member of the Congregational Church, Mrs. Longcoy of the Episcopal denomination. In politics he is a Prohibitionist.

CORNELIUS C. MEACHAM, farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Litchfield, Litchfield Co., Conn., January 29, 1814, son of Seth and Sally (Weston) Meacham, who settled in Tallmadge (now Summit County) in 1816, where they lived for many years. Mrs. Seth Meacham died in 1872 in her eightieth year, and in the spring of 187-4 Seth Meacham removed to Franklin Township, this county, where he died in 1876, at the age of eighty-fom'. They had ten children: Fanny (deceased), Cornelius C, Esther (deceased), Cordelia (deceased), Esther second (Mrs. James McCormick), Samuel, Flora (deceased), Sally (deceased), Lois (deceased) and Seth. Our subject was reared in Tallmadge, where he lived until twenty-five years of age. He was married, February 1, 1839, to Rebecca D., daughter of James McCormick, of Armstrong County, Penn. , by whom he had two children: Clara and Sarah, both deceased. In 1841 Mr. Meacham settled in Brimfield Township, this county, where he lived seven years, then removed to Suffield Township, and resided there seven years. In 1855 he located in Franklin Township, and for the past fifteen yeai's has been a resident of Kent. In polities Mr. Meacham is a Republican.

HIRAM MERRELL, retired, Kent, was born in what is now Wyoming County, N. Y., May 29, 1818, son of Noah and Clara (Pearsons) Merrell, who settled in Franklin Township, this county, in 1837, renting a house of Joseph Stratton, on which they lived two years, then buying a farm of ten acres in the north part of the township, where they lived and died. Noah Merrell was a native of Connecticut, his wife of Holland. They reared a family of ten children: Althea (deceased), Norman, Oral (deceased), Hiram, Louisa (Mrs. Darius Davis), Freedom, Roxy,- Noah, Cass and Jane (deceased). The subject of this sketch when twenty years of age worked on a farm by the month one summer, and the following year he engaged in the manufacture of brooms, which business he followed for eight years, acquiring a farm of eighty acres, now owned by A. O. Haymaker, a part of which he cleared and improved, and where he resided ten years. In 1853 he purchased a large farm in Rootstown Township, where he resided one year, when he returned to Franklin, and since then he has owned several farms, having speculated considerably in farm property, and has accumulated a competency. Mr. Merrell was married, February 24, 1842, to Sarah, daughter of Frederick Williard, an early settler of Franklin Township, this county, by whom he has had seven children, four of whom are now living: Angeline (Mrs. Byron Fessenden), Wallace, Earl and Frederick, Our subject moved to Kent in 1868, where he has since resided, one of its representative citizens. In politics he is a Republican.

N. J. A. IVIINICH, editor and proprietor of Kent Saturday Bulletin, was born in Columbia, Lancaster Co., Penn., October 2, 1849; son of Henry Gand Ann C. (Albright) Minich. His father was a stock-dealer and son of Jacob Minich, a distiller of Landisville, Penn., of German descent. His maternal grandfather was Anthony Albright, a native of Philadelphia, and the publisher of the Lancasterian at Lancaster, Penn., son of John Albright, who published the first paper in the city of Lancaster. Our subject was reared in Columbia up to twenty-three years of age, and is a graduate of the Columbia Classical Institute. In 1868 he entered the oflice of the Columbia Sjyy. where he served an apprenticeship of three years at the case. In 1872 he went to Akron, Ohio, and worked in the job department of the Akron Daily Beacon as a journeyman, and was for some time connected with the editorial department of the same paper. In 1874 he with others organized the Argus Printing Company, of which he was President, and founded the Akron Daily Argus, with which he was connected up to May, 1876, when he i-emoved to Kent and purchased the Kent Bulletin, which at the time of his purchase had suspended publication for live weeks. At that time it was a six-column folio, but has since been enlarged to a six-column quarto. By the management of Mr. Minich it has been made a grand success, and with one exception has the largest circulation in this county. Since locating in Kent, Mr. Minich has been identified with nearly every enterprise oE a public nature that tended toward the improvement of the city, many of which originated in the columns of the Bulletin. He was married August 3, 1875, to Lottie E., daughter of Henry and Emily (Hodges) McMasters,. of Akron, Ohio, by whom he has one child - Henry S. In politics Mr. Minich is a Republican. His paper is independent in all things.

VALORUS NEEDHAM, retired farmer, Kent, was born in what is now Wales, Hampden Co., Mass., March 29, 1806; son of Alvin and Abigail (Walbridge) Needham, who were the parents of five children: Alfred, Erasmus (deceased), Valorus, Minerva (deceased) and Rebecca (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Needham settled in Brimfield Township, this county, in 1837; located on the farm, a part of which they improved, now owned and occupied by I. G. Wise, and there lived and died. Our subject settled in Brimfield in the fall of 1837. He was a carpenter by trade, at which he worked up to 1844, when he settled on the farm (now occupied by his son-in-law, S. B. Cuthbert, ) which he improved and lived on until 1865, when he moved to Kent, where he still resides. He has been twice married; on first occasion, in 1843, to Mary L. , daughter of Henry and Chloe (Chapman) Smith, of Chenango County, N. Y. The issue of this union was six children: Henry (deceased), Hamar (deceased), Minerva (wife of S. B. Cuthbert), Ellen (deceased), Ann (wife of L. M. Tracy) and Chloe (deceased). October 19, 1862, Mr. Needham married Mrs. Lucia M. Earle, daughter of Abel and Prudence (Lyon) Burt, who came from Brimfield, Mass, to Brimfield, this county, in March, 1823. Mr. Needham is a representative citizen of Kent. Iii politics he is a Republican.

HARVEY C. NEWBERRY (deceased) was born in Rootstown Township, this county, January 21, 1812; sou of Chauncey and Fanny (Coe) Newberry. His father was a native of East Windsor, Conn., and his mother of Granville, Mass. They settled in Rootstown Township, this county, about 1810, where they lived until 1823, when they removed to Franklin Township and there died. They had nine children: Harvey C. (deceased), Cynthia (deceased), Frederick (deceased), Oliver H., Stoddard (deceased), Lura, Mary, Oscar (died in the late war of the Rebellion) and George (deceased). The subject of this sketch was reared in Rootstown Township, this county, until ten years of age, when his parents removed to Franklin Township, and here he afterward resided. He was first married November 24, 1838, to Sarah Slaughter, of Franklin Township, this county, and had two children: William and Thomas. April 10, 1846, Mr. Newberry married Flora Raver, also of Franklin Township, a native of Germany, and by her he had four children: Fanny (deceased), Jane (Mrs. A. D. Clark), Byron C. and Frederick. Our subject died very suddenly while in conversation with some friends, in Kent, Ohio, March 19, 1885. He was elected to the ofSce of County Treasurer in 1859, serving one term, and was, previous to his death. Treasurer of the corporation of Kent. In politics he was independent.

Franklin Township, this county, about 1806, locating on the farm now owned by Mr. Kindice, wlaich they cleared and improved. They had twelve children: George (deceased), Clarissa (deceased), Catherine (deceased). John (deceased), Margaret (deceased), Henry, Polly (deceased), William (deceased), Emily, Frederick, Eliza and David (deceased). Our subject remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, and then bought a farm of fifty acres in Streetsboro, this county, where he lived four years. He then bought a farm of 100 acres in the same township, which he lived on till 1863, then removed to the north part of Fi-anklin Township, in 1878 locating on the farm where he now resides. He has been twice married. By his first wife, Parmelia Van, of Franklin Township, he had seven children: Perry, George (deceased), Orrin, Alvin (deceased). Almond, Electa (Mrs. Jesse Nelson) and Laura. Alvin died in the service of his country during the late war of the Rebellion. Mr. Nighman's present wife (nee Sally Stewart) was born in Stowe Township, Portage (now Summit) Co., Ohio. Mr. Nighman has been a resident of thie county seventy-eight years, and is one of its representative citizens. In politics he is a Democrat, always having voted the Democratic ticket.

McKENDREE D. NORTON, farmer, P. O. Earlville, was born in Wadsworth, Medina Co., Ohio, November 6, 1836; son of Joseph and Jeannette (Graham) Norton, who were the parents of six children, of whom four are now living: McK. D.; Charles S. ; Angelina, wife of A. J. Powell, and MaxweM G. Joseph Norton, a native of Milford, Conn., came to this county in 1834, and located in Brimfield Township, where he worked at shoe-making for several years. He afterward went to Edinburg and from there to Franklin, where he now resides. The subject of this sketch was in the late war of the Rebellion, enlisting in the Ninth Ohio Independent Battery. He served as a private, Corporal and Sergeant, and participated in all the engagements of the battery. January 19, 1862, they had their first engagement, ai Fishing Creek, Ky., and March 22, 1862, they were under fire seven hours, and threw 200 shells; August, 1862, they were shut in the Cumberland Gap by the enemy for one month, without communication and short of rations. The battery participated in many engagements, in which they were always victorious. Since the war Mr. Norton has been engaged in farming and has resided on his present farm since 187-4. He was married, August 20, 1868, te Rachel D., daughter of James D. and Mary R. (Olin) Haymaker, of Franklin, by whom he had one child - Nettie (deceased). Mrs. Norton is a member of the Universalist Church. Mr. Norton is a Democrat in politics; a member d^. the G. A. R.

PARMELEE FAMILY. The annals of this family heretofore published trace their lineage back to the year 1447, to an ancient and noble Belgian family. This noble house flourished for several centuries in a parish of the same name located three leagues south of the city of Liege when Belgium wac under the dominion of Spain. They were reformers in religious matters an^ to escape persecution fled to Holland and afterward settled in England. In this volume space will only permit of a record dating back to one, John Parmelee, a native of Guildford, England, who with his family and twenty-four ether men, presumably also with families, set sail for America in 1639. HVhile on shipboard, a few days' sail from Boston, the company entered into the following covenant or agreement. "We, whose names are hereunder written, intending by God's gracious permission to plant ourselves in New England, and if it may be in the southern part about Quinnipisack (or New Haven) we do faithfully promise each to each for ourselves and families and those that belong to us, that we will, the Lord assisting us, set down and join ourselves together in one entire plantation, and be helpful each to the other in any common work, according to every man's ability and as need shall require, and we promise not to desert or leave each other on the plantation but with the consent of the rest of the greater part of the company who have entered into this engagement, as for our gathering together in a church way, and the choice of officers and members to be joined together in that way we do refer ourselves until such time as it please God to settle us in our plantation, in witness whereof we do subscribe our hands this 1st day of June, A. D. 1639. - Robert Rickell, John Bishop, Francis Bushnell, William Crittenden, William Leete, Thomas Joans, John Jurden, Wvi. Stone, John Hoadley, John Stone, William Plam, Richd. Sutiridge, John Housinger, William Dudley, John Parmelee, John Mepham, Thomas Norton, Abraham Crittenden, Francis Chatfield, William Noble, Thomas Naish, Henry Kingston, Henry Doude, Thomas Cook, Henry Whitfield.'''' They were Presbyterians and the last-named was their Minister. This company located at Guilford, Conn. The generations of the Parmelee family may be named shortly as follows: Luther H., now a resident of Kent, Portage Co., Ohio, was the son of Elisha, the son of Theodore, the son of Abram, the son of Abraham, the son of Isaac, the son of John, Jr., the son of John Parmelee, who settled at Guilford, Conn., in 1639. John and John, Jr., were born in Guildford, England; Isaac was born at Guilford, Conn., November 21, 1665; Abraham was born at Guilford, Conn., May 18, 1692; Abram was born at Guilford, Conn., April 28, 1717, and was a warm and earnest patriot during the Revolutionary war; Theodore was born April 3, 1751, and served in the same war for about four years as Captain of a company of horse on the patriot side, and though he took part in many desperate engagements was never wounded. He was a man of extraordinary resolution and courage, and once in a hand-to-hand encounter, when completely surrounded by the enemy, and ordered to surrender, he cut his way through and escaped. This same Theodore Parmelee, in company with his brother-in-law, David Hudson, Birdseye, Norton and two others, bought the entire township of Hudson in Summit County, Ohio, in 1797 or 1798. Elisha Parmelee was born at Goshen, Conn., February 16, 1785. In 1807 he made his first trip to Ohio to look after a one-half section of land in Hudson To'js^nship, which his father had given him. He soon afterward returned to Connecticut, where he was married, November 9, 1809, to Roxa Stanley, a daughter of Deacon Jesse and Eunice (Bailey) Stanley. The following year he moved to Mt. Morris, N. Y. At this place his wife died, January 31, 1813, leaving two children: Myron N., born at Goshen, Conn., September 19, 1810 (since deceased) and Luther H., born at Mt. Morris, N. Y., August 31, 1812. He was married a second time at Mt. Morris, N. Y., October 20, 1813, to Elizabeth M. Satterlee, and to this union wei-e born Elisha H., July 21, 1814, died in infancy (August 23, 1815); Roxa S., born May 27, 1816; Emily E., born July 26, 1819; John F., born June, 1821 ; Mary H. , born May 1, 1824. About 1817 he moved to Warsaw, N. Y., where he was a merchant, and in 1824 moved to Batavia, N. Y., and kept a hotel. In 1832 he came to Ohio and bought a farm in Hudson Township, Summit County, where he remained for twelve years, and in 1844 went to Louisville, Ky. , but returned the following year to this county and located at Franklin Mills (now Kent), where he was a successful merchant for many years. He sold out in 1858 and retired from active business. He died September 4, 1865, at Kinsman, Trumbull Co. , Ohio, at the home of his sonin-law, Rev. Thomas Corlett, and was buried in the Kent Cemetery. His widow died March 25, 1867, and was interred by his side. Elisha Parmelee was a man of marked ability, thoroughly enterprising, and universally

LUTHER H. PARIMELEE, retired merchant, Kent, was born in Mt. Morris, Livingston Co., N. Y., August 31, 1812, son of Elishaand Roxa (Stanley) Parmelee, natives of Goshen, Litchfield Co., Conn. He was educated in Batavia, N. Y. , and came to Hudson, Summit Co. , Ohio, with his parents in February, 1832. He worked on his father's farm two years and taught school winters, after which he was employed three years as clerk in a store at Copley, Ohio. In 1838 he embarked in mercantile trade in Copley, which he continued there up to 1845, when he removed to Akron, Ohio, and there resided ten years. In 1855 he came to Franklin Mills (now Kent), this county, and has since been chiefly engaged in farming. He owns a fine farm of 170 acres in Franklin Township. Mr. Parmelee was married, May 14, 1838, to Tamma, daughter of Noah and Mary (Stickles) Ingersoll, of Copley, Ohio. By this union there were seven children: Helen E., wife of George O. Rice; Walter M.; Caroline G., wife of A. L. Ewell; Luther H., deceased; MaryH., wife of Henry A. Rea; Frank H., and Roxa S., wife of W. I. Caris. Mr. Parmelee is one of the representative citizens of Kent. He has satisfactorily discharged the offices of Coroner and Commissioner of Portage County; has been Justice of the Peace, and has filled minor official positions in Franklin Towuship. He was Cashier of the Kent Savings and Loan Association from 1874 to 1879. In politics our subject is a stanch Republican.

EDWARD A. PARSONS, Kent, Secretary and Treasurer Railway Speed Recorder Company, was born in Northampton, Mass., January 25, 1829, son of Edward and Clementine (Janes) Parsons, who settled in Brimfield Township, this county, in 1831, where they lived until 1868, when they removed to Kent, and here the father died, April 4, 1874, aged seventy-seven years. The mother, now eighty-two years old, resides with her son-in-law, C. H. Barber. (Her father's name was Peleg C. Janes). Their children were six in number: Edward A., Timothy G., Harriet J. (deceased), Martha K. (Mrs. George W. Crouse, in Akron), William C, in Akron, and Clementine (Mrs. C. H. Barber). Edward Parsons (the father) was a native of Northampton, Mass., son of Moses Parsons, and Clementine, his wife, was a native of Brimfield, Mass. Our subject was reared on his father's farm in Brimfield Township, this county, and educated in the common schools. He farmed up to 1863, when he removed to Kent and embarked in the lumber business. In 1871 he sold his business to his brother and engaged in the produce and shipping interest. In 1876 the Railway Speed Recorder Company was formed, of which he has since been Secretary and Treasurei*. He was married September 25, 1853, to Mary J., daughter of Freeman and Mercy A. (Lincoln) Underwood, formerly of Massachusetts, who settled in Brimfield Township in 18_18. They have n© children, but an adopted daughter - Effie S. P. (Mrs. J. B. iMiller.) Mr. Parsons has held several offices in Franklin Township, this county. He served as County Commissioner from 1874 to 1878, and was the main projector in building the fine arch stone bridge over the Cuyahoga River at Kent. In politics Mr. Parsons is a Republican. He is a representative business man and worthy citizen.

TIMOTHY G. PARSONS, lumberman, Kent, was born in Brimfield Township, this county, September 17, 1832, son of Edward and Clementine (Janes) Parsons, who settled in Brimfield Township in 1831 (see sketch of E. A. Parsons). Our subject was reared on his father's farm, educated in the commoa schools and Twinsbury Academy. In January, 1853, he went to California, where he was engaged in mining and farming up to November, 1859, when he letm-ned to Brimtield. He served in the late war of the Rebellion, enlisting in September, 1861, in Company A, Forty-second Ohio Vounteer Infantry, Garfield's regiment; served twenty-six months, and received an honorable discharge. He was then employed as a clerk in the Quartermaster's Department, holding that position till the war closed. In September, 1S65, he located in E.ent, and engaged in the lumber business with his brother E. A. Parsons up to 1870, when he purchased his brother's interest, and carries on the business himself. In addition to this, he runs a large planing-mill, the only establishment of the kind in the place. Mr. Parsons was married, December 12, 1866, to Eleanor M. , daughter of Henry and Susan (Hall) Sawyer, of Brimfield, by whom he has three children living: Edward S. , John T. and Dwight L. Mr. Parsons is a F. & A. M. In politics he is a Kepublican. He is known in Kent as an active, honest and successful business man, one who takes a lively interest in all affairs promotive of the town's welfare.

FREDERICK E. ROISTER, photographer, Kent, was born in Wetzlar, Ehenish Prussia, May 9. 1857, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Shaeffer) Poister. His father, after serving his time in the German Army in the Twenty-ninth Regiment Infantry at Koblenz, settled in the city of Wetzlar, where he held a position in the Provincial Court. On the 3d of June, 1861, our subject's mother died in that city, and the following year his father resigned his position and immigrated to America, where he arrived in December, 1862, and located in Gallon, Ohio, where he still resides, and where Frederick E. was reared and educated. In the spring of 1874 our subject entei'ed the photograph gallery of L. M. Reck, of that place, where he served an apprenticeship ®f live years. He then went to Norwalk, Ohio, where he acted as operator in ^be galleries of George Butt and G.W. Edmundson for two years. In February, 1882, he located in Kent and embarked m business for himself. He is a photographer and artist not only in name, but in education, one who understands the art principles of lighting and posing his subjects, wherein lie the true merits of a photographic portrait.

ABRAHAM PRATT, farmer, P. O. Eadville, was born in Marion, Wayne Co.jN.Y,, June 28, 1823, son of Darius and Phebe (Baker) Pratt, the former of whom was born June 25, 1780, and the latter February 5, 1784. They were the parents of twelve children: Asahel, Zina, Harriet, Lorinda, Presson, James, Sidney, Elizabeth, Phebe, Darius, Abraham and Mary (twins). All are now deceased but Abraham, who is the only member of the family now living. In 1834 Darius Pratt settled on the farm now owned by Marius Heighton, in Franklin Township, this county, but in 1842 removed to the farm where he died in 1842, aged sixty-two years. His widow died February 25, 1858, aged seventy-four years. Abraham Pratt, paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of New England, and his maternal grandfather, James Baker, a native of Marion, N. Y. Our subject was reared in Franklin Township, this county, from eleven years of age, and assisted his father to clear the farm. He was married, June 9, 1837, to Marilla, daughter of Arvin and Betsey (Bennett) Olin, who settled in Franklin Township in 1834. By this union there were the following children: Francis B. (deceased), Mary E. (wife of Perry Williard), James A., Diantha M. (deceased wife of Emmet Barber), Emma (wife of Almon Cackler), Almira R., Ransom O., Wilson and Willis (twins), the latter deceased, and Charles M. (deceased). Mr. Pratt in 1845 went to Michigan, where he lived one year, then removed to Indiana, where he resided eight years, and finally returned to Franklin Township, this county, purchasing his present farm, on which he has since resided. He is one of Franklin Township's repx'esentative men. In politics he is a Democrat.

JAMES H. REED, veterinary surgeon, Kent, was born in Boston, Summit Co., Ohio, August 12, 1815, son of James and Catherine (Stough) Reed, natives of New Joibey and Germany respectively, and who settled in Boston Township, Summit County, about 1810. James Reed, who was a millwright, also a carpenter and joiner by trade, was a soldier in the war of 1812, being "out" two years, for which he drew a pension and land warrant, and on his return settled in Ravenna Township in 1816. He had nine children: Robert, James H. , George, Peter, John, Calvin, Orrin (deceased), Melinda (Mrs. Spencer Smith), Irena (Mrs. Burt A. Smith). Our subject served an apprenticeship at cabinet-making in Medina until he was nineteen years of age, when he returned to Ravenna and worked at his trade one year. In 1837 he located and partly cleared the farm he now owns in the northeast part of Franklin Township, this county. He has been a veterinary surgeon upward of forty years. He was married, August 13, 1835, to Tussey Scranton, daughter of Joseph Scranton, of Franklin Township, this county, by whom he has ten children, seven now living: Lawrence, Levi, Lucy (Mrs. Luther Johnson), Paulina (Mrs. Fred Myers), Martha (Mrs. C. A. Ferguson), Amelia (Mrs. Frank Brown) and Elber. Mr. Reed located in Kent in 1876, where he has since resided, principally engaged in the practice of his profession. He has held several offices in the township with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the people. In politics he is a Republican.

LEVI REED, liveryman, Kent, was born in Franklin Township, this county, September 8, 1842; son of James H. and Thirza (Scranton) Reed, who were among the early settlers of the township. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and the Oberlin Commercial College. After he became of age he worked on a farm by thel month for two years, and in 1864 enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Eighty -eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served till the close of the war. He was married, October 3, 1867, to Clarissa C. , daughter of Joseph B. and Ruth (Olin) Stratton, who settled in Franklin Township, this county, in 1837, and by this union there were live children: Willie, Lorena, Joseph A. (deceased), Leona and Leroy. After his marriage Mr. Reed engaged in farming for two years, and in 1869 located in Kent. For three years he worked in the railroad shops, after which he engaged in the coal business, feed and grocexy store and livery business with his brothers Luther A. and L. G. In 1882 Mr. Reed embarked in the livery business on his own account, in which he has been profitably engaged till the present time. He is a member of the G. A. R. , and both he and wife are members of the TJniversalist Church. In politics he is a Republican.

C. R. REED, of the firm of Carlile & Reed, tinners and plumbers, P. O. Kent, was born in Franklin Township, this county, July 20, 1854, son of William and Mary E. (Day) Reed, whose family consisted of William, Charles (deceased), Charles (second) R., Robert, Nellie, John and Frank. William Reed, father of our subject, was born in New Lisbon, Columbiana Co., Ohio, May 31, 1823, and was reared on his father's farm. He served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, which has been his occupation ever since. His parents were John and Rebecca (Morgan) Reed, who settled in Fraoklin about 1828, and who were the parents of twelve children, eight of whom grew to manhood and womanhood: Reuben (deceased), Sperry, William, Hiram, Ellen (wife of M. Hulbert), Rebecca (deceased), Cassa (deceased) and George. John Reed was a native of Maryland, a weaver by trade, which he followed for several years after coming to Franklin Mills (now Kent). He then engaged in agriculture, clearing and improving a farm on which he lived and died. C. R. Reed's maternal grandfather, Jacob Day, was a stone mason by trade, and one of the first settlers of Franklin Township, this county. Our subject was reared in his native township, and in 1876 entered the employ of F. F. Carlile, to learn the business of tinner and plumber, and worked as journeyman up to 1882, when he became associated with his employer under the firm name of Carlile & Reed. He was married. February 12, 1884, to Cora S., daughter of Samuel B. and Sarah (Doolittle) Hall, of Kent, Ohio. Mr. Reed is one of Kent's enterprising business men and a worthy citizen.

GEORGE O. RICE, Kent, Ohio, was born in Brandon,Vt., April 22,1819, son of Hastings and Nancy A. (Bates) Rice, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts, and in later years residents of Brandon, Vt., where they were married and lived until death, and where our subject resided till thirty-five years of age. In 1850 he removed to Kent, Ohio, where he still resides, and for about ten years he carried on the harness trade, then for about ten years he was engaged in the general produce business, and for the last ten years he has been interested in the real estate and insurance business. Mr. Rice has been generally successful, and is possessed of a competency of this world's goods. At the age of twenty-one years our subject was married to Miss Joanna P., daughter of John H. Lincoln, of Pittsford, Vt., and by this union there were seven children, of whom none survive. Mrs. Rice died at Kent, Ohio, December 19, 1874, and Mr. Rice then married, June 19, 1877, Miss Helen K Parmelee, daughter of Luther H. Parmelee, of Kent. As a citizen Mr. Rice is enterprising and public-spirited, and has given his influence and means invariably and liberally to everything calculated to benefit the people and town in which he resides. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, in which he has served as Deacon and Sabbath -school Superintendent for eighteen years. His politics have been Whig, Abolition, Republican, and at this time he has a strong tendency toward Prohibition. Mr. Rice is now, and has been for the last eleven years, a Notary Public. He does a large part of the real estate and insurance business in Kent.

GEORGE RISK, Jr., retired, Kent, was born in Stowe, Summit Co., Ohio, July 19, 1833, son of George and Isabella (McCauley) Risk, natives of Ireland, of Scotch descent, who settled in Stowe Township, Summit Co., Ohio, in 1830, and there lived until 1835, when they removed to Brimfield. where Mrs. Risk died October 13, 1866. They had eight children: Samuel, George, Jr., Sarah J. (Mrs. J. W. Sapp), Eliza '(deceased), Martha (Mrs. R. S. Hazlett), John W., Robert M. and William (latter deceased). Our subject was reared on a farm. Owing to rheumatism he has never walked a step since he was eight years old, but possessing indomitable will, perseverance and industry, he secured an education. For many years he was a huckster, and by economy and frugality has gained a competency, and is owner of a double business block opposite the depot, from which he derives a good rent. He is a gentleman of pleasing addi-ess; politically a Republican.

HON. DAVID L. ROCKWELL (deceased) was born in Pierpont, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, October 22. 1813, sou of Harvey Rockwell, a native of Connecticut and a pioneer of Ashtabula County. He was reared in his native town, where he received a liberal education for those days, and was a shoe-maker by trade. He was married in 1836 to Mary E., daughter of Ephraim Palmiter, of Pierpont. The issue ©f this union was four children: Dorema (wif e of Judge U. L. Marvin), David L,, Jr., Charles H. and Orlo S. In 1839 Mr. Rockwell settled in Brimfield Township, this county, where he remained one year, then removed to Franklin Mills (now Kent), Ohio, where he worked at his trade for sevei'al years, and while working on his bench he was elected to the Legislature from Portage County, 1848-49. He was engaged in the hotel and mercantile business in Kent for many years and, 1862-63, was re-elected to the Legislature, where he served with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. During the war of the Rebellion our subject was a hearty supporter of the Union cause; in politics he was a Republican. Both he and his wife were members of the Episcopal Church. He died February

FREDERICK E. ROCKWELL, farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Franklin Township, this county. May 28, 1833, son of Elijah and Euphemia (Austin) Rockwell, who settled in Franklin Township in 1826, locating on the farm now occupied by our subject. Elijah Rockwell was a native of Massachusetts, born October 25, 1795, and died March 29, 1837; his wife was a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., born September 21, 1797, and died January

30, 1881. Mr. Rockwell cleared a part of the old homestead and his sons the rest. He had four children: Mary H., Charles H. (in Iowa), Edward J. (was mate of steamer " Schuyler " and was drowned in the Mississippi River, June 6, 1867), and Frederick E. (the subject of this sketch who has always resided on the old homestead where he was born and reared). His sister lives with him. In politics Mr. Rockwell was formerly a Republican, but of late years has been independent.

LUCIUS E. RODENBAUGH, contractor and builder, Kent, was born in Springfield, Summit Co., Ohio, June 3, 1844, son of John and Laura A. (Purdy) Rodenbaugh. His father was born September, 1809, in Westmoreland County, Penn., son of Peter and Betsey (Hornbecker) Rodenbaugh, who settled in Springfield Township in 1816 and reared a family of seven children: Polly (deceased), Sally (deceased), John (deceased), William (deceased), Isaac, Peter and Eliza. John Rodenbaugh was reared and educated in Springfield, Ohio, and was a farmer and auctioneer by occupation. He was married November 1, 1832, to Laura A., daughter of Solomon and Nancy (Backus) Purdy, formerly of Vermont, who settled in Springfield, Ohio, in 1829. Her father was a manufacturer of stone-ware and established the second pottery in Springfield. The issue of this marriage was six children, of whom five grew to manhood and womanhood: John M., Henry C, Calvin P., Lucius E. and Emma R. (wife of J. C. Converse). In 1853 John Rodenbaugh located on a farm in Franklin Township, where he remained until his death, October 24, 1865, being murdered within a half mile of his home, for his money, by two men, one of whom (Jack Cooper) was hung for the crime and the other (Joel Berry) was sent to State prison for life. He was a man of sterling business qualifications; a Democrat in politics. Our subject was reared in Franklin Township, this county, from nine years old, and received a common school education. He was in the late war of the Rebellion, enlisting August 8, 1862, in Company I, One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He went through the Atlanta campaign and was also in the battles of Franklin, Fort Fisher, Knoxville and all the engagements the regiment participated in, and was wounded at the battles of Dallas, Ga. , and Columbia, Tenn. He was honorably discharged June 17, 1865, when he returned to this county and located in Ravenna Township, and soon after entered the employ of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, with whom he was engaged for several years. In 1870 he embarked in business for himself as a contractor and builder, which he has made a success, having all the business he can do. In the spring of 1882 he located in Kent, where he still resides. He was married September 29, 1867, to Flora L., daughter of Ozias and Anna (Knowlton) Buzzell, of Ravenna. Mr. Rodenbaugh is a wide-awake, thorough business man. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

YALE RUSSELL, farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Russell, Mass., March 10, 1802, son of Richard and Sarah (Yale) Russell, natives of Connecticut, of English descent. Our subject was reared on the farm until seventeen years of age, after which he worked at wagon-making for three years in Chatham, N. Y. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed twelve years. In 1824 he came to Ohio, and settled at Franklin Mills (now Kent), where he worked at his trade ten years. The year of his settlement he purchased the farm where he now resides and on which he has lived since 1834. He was married April 7, 1834, to Lucy, daughter of Joshua and Rebecca (Woodin) Woodard, of Kent, by whom he had five children: Cornelia (Mrs. Cornelius Latimer), in Westtield, Ohio; Darwin, in Michigan; Wilson H. ; Celestia (Mrs. Lemuel Reed) and Sarah, deceased. Mrs. Russell's father served through the war of 1812 with the rank of General. Darwin, the eldest son of our subject, was in the late war, a member of tbe One Hundred and Twentyeighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Wilson H., the second son, resides on the old homestead farm with his parents. He was married October 6, 1875, to Ella, daughter of J. T. King, of Kent, by whom he has two children: Myrtle and Lottie. Our subject comes of a long-lived race, his father having lived to be upward of seventy-five years, his mother to be ninety-nine years and ten months old. Mr. Russell is now eighty-three, and is hale and hearty. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Kent. In politics he was formerly a Whig, but has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party since its organization. He has filled several offices in the township with credit.

ISAAC RUSSELL, carpenter, Kent, was born in Woodbridge, New Haven Co., Conn., February 12, 1810, son of Lemuel and Elizabeth (Hotchkiss) Russell. When he was five years of age his parents removed to what is now Knox, Albany Co., N. Y., where he resided u.ntil seventeen years of age and received a limited education in the common schools. In the fall of 1827 he came to Ohio, and located in what is now the village of Kent, where he has since resided and where he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, an occupation he has followed up to the present time. He has been twice married; first, in June, 1835, to Abigail, daughter of Ebenezer Fenton, of Manlius, N. Y. The issue of this union was six children, four of whom grew to manhood and womanhood: Martha (Mrs. W. H. Palmer), Nelson, Darwood C. (deceased) and Frances A. (Mrs. W. H. Cole). Our subject's present wife was Mrs. Mary M. Clark, nee Lake, to whom he was married November 9, 1880. Mr. Russell has been a resident of what is now the village of Kent for fiftyseven years, and has filled several offices in the township and the village of Kent. He has been elected to the office of Justice of the Peace for seven consecu.tive terms, and was previously elected to serve an unexpired term; was also Mayor of Kent one term, and held other minor offices. In politics Mr. Russell has been a Republican since the organization of the partv.

FRANCIS L. SAWYER, Kent, was born in Brimtield Township, this county, July 11, 1831, son of Asa and Caroline A. (Lincoln) Sawyer. His father was a native of Berlin, Mass., son of Asa and Eunice (Bruce) Sawyer, who settled in Brimfield Township, this county, in 1818, where they lived and died, and who had nine children: Levi, now in Iowa; Asa, deceased; William, deceased; Alvin, deceased; Sophia, deceased; Lucy (Mrs. W. R. Kelso); Mary, deceased; Sarah (Mrs. A. J. Shuman), and Luke, deceased. Asa, the father of our subject, after his marriage located on the farm in Brimfield Township, this county, now occupied by his widow, where he lived until his death. He had four children: Francis L. , Mary (deceased), Ellen and Henry. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Dr. Luke and Maiy (Thorndike) Lincoln, formerly of Massachusetts and early settlers of Brimfield Township, this county, coming in 1820. Our subject was reared in Brimfield Township and educated in the common schools and Twinsburg Academy. When twenty-two years of age he located in Kent, serving as clerk in the dry goods store of C. H. Sanborn & Co. for two years, and in the same capacity for other parties up to 1857, when he went to Iowa. In 1858 he returned to Kent and embarked in dry goods trade. In 1860 he was elected Auditor of this county, serving one term, after which he engaged with the A. & G. W. R. R. Co. for three years; also as clerk in the store of W. W. Patton & Co. He was then appointed Postmaster of Kent, serving two years, when he resigned. He was married in February, 1857, to Margaret C, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth McMeen, of Brimfield Township, by whom he has three children living: Nellie M. (Mrs. O. S. Rockwell), Willis F. and Carrie.

AARON M. SHERMAN, physician and surgeon, Kent, was born in Brimfield, Hampden Co., Mass., March 24, 1826, fourth son of Capt. Harris and Sally (Morgan) Sherman, both of whom were natives of Brimfield, Mass., and who had a family of the following children: Lewis M. ; Caleb, deceased; Caroline, deceased; Sarah, wife of William R. Mathews, in Sully, Iowa; Aaron M. ; Thomas, in Sully, Iowa; Otis S., deceased, and John W. Capt. Harris Sherman came to Ohio in 1831, an'iving in Brimfield Township, Portage County, Sunday the 5th of June, that year. He and his wife are now deceased, having lived honored lives for more than four- score years. The genealogy of the Sherman family dates back to the early settlement of this county, and were honored names in its history. Three brothers emigrated from England to America in an early day, one settled in Massachusetts, one in Connecticut, and one in Rhode Island. The subject of this sketch belongs to the Massachusetts branch. His early life was passed on his father's farm, attending school six months in the year until he was sixteen years old, when a few terms at a select school fitted him for teaching in a county school. He taught four winters in a day school, and singing in the evenings. At the age of twenty-one he commenced the study of medicine at Garrettsville, this county, with Dr. John A. Knowlton. He attended two full courses of lectures at the Medical Department of W^estern Reserve College of Cleveland, Ohio, graduating in the spring of 1851. On September 26, same yeai', he was married to Miss Henrietta, eldest daughter of John and Mary (Green) Tabor, of Garrettsville, Ohio, who died October 26, 1853. He was again married April 26, 1854, this time to Harriet, daughter of Watson I. and Mary (Mcintosh) Gray, of Bedford, Ohio, by whom he has one son - Harris G., a prominent oculist in Cleveland, Ohio. The Doctor, after graduating, located in Garrettsville, and followed his profession until the spring of 1857, when he moved to Kent and embarked in the drug business, but after four years resumed his profession, and has since had a large and successful practice. During the war of the Rebellion he was Assistant Surgeon in Lincoln General Hospital at Washington, D. C. In the fall of 1883 Dr. Sherman was elected to the Sixty-sixth General Assembly from Portage County, of which he is at present a member. Diiring his first winter he took an active and intelligent part in the general legislation, and was among the industrious and prominent members of that body. The Doctor has always been an active promoter of every public enterprise in his community. He has frequently served as a member of the School Board, and for several years has been the efficient Secretary of the Pioneers' Association of Portage and Summit Counties. In 1881 he wrote a history of Brimfield Township, dating from its first settlement, which he delivered as a historical address in that township, July 4 of that year. It was published in paruphlet form and was the only history of that township written up to that date. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and for ten years held the position of Master of the first lodge in Kent. In politics he is a stanch Republican. In religious belief a Universalist.

GEORGE L. STAUFFER, grocer, Kent, was born in Uniontown, Stark County, Ohio, October 26, 1839, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Myers) Stauflfer, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Ohio. Our subject was reared on a farm until twenty years of age, and educated in the Greensburg Academy. When twenty-two years of age he went to New York City and entered the employ of the Northern Transportation Company, where he remained seven years. He then engaged in the grocery business in Jersey City for one year. In 1871 he located in Kent and engaged as a clerk in the store of Lute Stauffer. In 1878 he embarked in the grocery trade in Kent with George A. Furry, under firm name of Stauffer & Fariy, which partnership has existed to the present time. Mi*. Stauffer whs married, December 14, 1865, to Eva E., daughter of William J. and Lovena (Beach) Sanford, of Connecticut, and who came to this county when quite young, then moved to Marion County, residing there a few years, then returned to this county, where they have since lived. To our subject and wife were born five children: Ida, George J., William S., Lucy M. and Robert E. Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an active member of the I. O. O. F. and R. A. ; has served as Councilman of Kent one term. In politics he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM STEVENS, farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Franklin Township, this county, September 6, 1820; son of Elisha and Margaret (Brown) Stevens, who were among the first settlers of Franklin Township, and who located on what is now known as the Fulmer farm, taking up 160 acres of land in the wilderness and making a small improvement. They were parents of eight children: Emily, Marcus, Harriet, Caroline, Mary, Cynthia, Lucius and William, all deceased except William. Elisha Stevens, who was a carpenter and joiner by trade, died in 1822. His widow subsequently married Eben Phelps, of New York, and lived and died in Franklin Township, this county. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and has always followed agricultural pursuits. He was married February 2, 1840, to Rebecca, daughter of John Bair, of Stark County, Ohio, by whom he bad three children: Francis (deceased), Frank W., and Fred H. , now in Colorado. Mr. Stevens gave his sons good educational advantages, and both are filling excellent positions. Since his marriage our subject has lived on his present farm, all of which he himself cleared and improved. He is a representative farmer and citizen of Franklin Township. In politics he is a Republican.

THOMAS C. STEWART, farmer, P.O. Kent, was born in Franklin Township, this county, March 1, 1826; son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Clement) Stewart, former a native of Allegheny County, Penn., latter of Washington County, Penn. The mother came to this county in 1811 with her eldest brother, Thomas Clement, and located in Ravenna Township. She is now (1885) living, in her eighty-sixth year, and is hearty. Jonathan Stewart came to the county when a youog man, and after his marriage in 1819 settled in Franklin Township on the farm now owned by Nicholas Knapp. He afterward settled in Ravenna Township on the farm now owned by his nephew. Alex Clement, and lived thereuntil his death in 1832, in his thirty-third year. He left a family of six children: Uziah (deceased); Alexander (deceased); Jonathan, who enlisted in the Eighty-eighth Indiana Regiment from DeKalb County, Ind., and after participating in several battles in Kentucky, died of exhaustion at Lebanon,

Ky., during the late war; Thomas C. ; Margaret A. (Mrs. F. D. Eeese) and "William (deceased). Our subject was reared in Eavenna Township, and received his education in the common schools, the Grand Eiver Institute at Austinburg, and high school at Jefferson, after which he taught in the common schools for four winters following. He was married, March 14, 1854, to Adeline, daughter of Homer W. and Mary (Knowlton) Hart, pioneers of Solon ^ Township, Cuyahoga County, and later of Franklin. The issue of this union is six children, all living: William, in Iowa; Addie E.; Homer J., in Iowa; Mary (Mrs. E. W. Talcott); Clara (Mrs. J. C. Yeend), and Julia E. After his marriage Mr. Stewart settled in Streetsboro, and lived there up to 1861, when lie located in Franklin Township, where he now resides on what was formerly known as the Latimer farm. He has been elected Trustee of Franklin Township three terms in succession. Assessor one term, and on the Board of Education one term. In politics he is a Eepublican.

HENEY W. STINAFF, late foreman of bridges, Second Division and Franklin Branch, New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Eailroad, was born in Eavenna August 11, 1823; son of AVilliam and Sarah (Babcock) Stinaff. His father was a native of Sheffield, Mass., and a son of William Stinaff, of that place. When a young man he came to Ohio on horseback, and settled in Eavenna in 1819. He was a carpenter by trade, which he followed all his life in Eavenna and Kent. He is still living at the age of eighty-seven, and resides with our subject. His wife was a native of Granville, Conn., and a daughter of Perry and Cynthia M. Babcock, who settled in Eavenna in 1819. Her father was a blacksmith, but the latter part of his life, though he still worked at his trade, he carried on a farm and accumulated a good property. The children of William Stinaff were three in number: Cynthia M. (deceased), Henry W. and Sylvanus P. The subject of this sketch was reared in Eavenna, where he received a common school education. In 1840 he went in his father's shop to learn the carpenter's trade, and when of age went into business with his father, the partnership existing up to 1862. He then entered the employ of the A. & G. W. E, E. Co., having been engaged on that line of road to the present time, with the exception of two years, when with his father he took the contract for building the Union School of Kent, one of the finest buildings in the county. The following is clipped from a local paper:

Mr. H. W. Stinaff, who for many years held the position of foreman of bridges and buildings on the N. Y., P. & O. R. R., retired from the service of the company November 29. Mr. Stinaff commenced work at building bridges for the A. & G. W. R. R. April, 1862, on the First Division, making twenty-two years and eight mouths. He was absent about two years while building the Kent Union School Building. Then returning as foreman on the Third and Fourth Divisions, afterward was assigned to the Second Division and Franklin Branch as foreman of bridges and buildings, which position he held about fifteen years up to the time of his retirement. The following letter from Mr. Charles Latimer, Chief Engineer of the N. Y., P. & O., shows the esteem in which Mr. Stinaff was held by the company:

Mr. Henry W, Stinaff: Dear Sir. - I wish to express my regret to you that any change should have occurred in the road management necessitating the change made whereby you leave the service of the company, and to also express my great satisfaction that in all of the eleven years past during which you have been foreman of bridge building, there have been no accidents or loss of property in your jurisdiction which could in any way be ascribed to your failure. Your work speaks for itself, and I hope that you will feel that in retiring you take with you a record to which you can point with pride.

Mr. Stinaff has been married four times, his first wife being Lydia Button, of Kent, by whom he had one child - Charles H. (deceased). His second wife was Maryette Loomis, of Ravenna, by whom he had three children: William C, George and Perry (all deceased); his third wife was INtrs. Emily Plum, of Ashtabula County, Ohio, and his present wife was Mrs. Ellen Whitney, of Greenville, Penn. In politics Mr. Stinaff was formerly a Whig, castino- his first vote for Henry Clay. He joined the Republican party at its organization, and has acted with it ever since.

J. B. STRATTON, P. O. Kent, a retired farmer and an honored citizen of this county for upward of forty years, was born at Bennington, Yt., March

14, 1800. His parents, Joel and Rhoda (Beaman) Stratton, were farmers, to which occupation the subject of this sketch was reared. In 1824 he deposited his first vote for Henry Clay as President. He was married, in his native town, May 12, 1824, to Ruth Olin, a daughter of Ezra Olin, of Shaftsbury, Vt. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Stratton are as follows: Almira, born February

15, 1825; Mary M., born August 12, 1826; Asa, born February 24, 1828; Lucas, born November 8, 1829; Samuel, born August 19, 1831; Freeman, born June 26, 1833; Joel, born March 28, 1835, and accidentally scalded to death, January 12, 1838; Jonathan N., born May 16, 1837; Melissa, born May 28, 1839; Susan, born December 30, 1840; Joseph B., born October 22, 1842; Clarissa C, born July 2, 1849. Soon after marriage Mr. Stratton moved to Genesee County, N. Y., and thence to Wyoming County, N. Y., and in 1837 took up his residence in this county, buying a farm of 130 acres about two miles north of the present village of Kent. Though Mr. Stratton received in his youth a very limited education, his success in life speaks well for his natural sterling qualities of mind. He added to his first possessions in this county, and at one time owned some 400 acres of valuable land and other property. At the time (1874) of the celebration of the golden wedding of himself and wife, eleven of their children were living, all of whom were married, ten of them being present on the occasion, and Mr. Stratton presented each of them, as a memorial of the event, with $1,000. The eleven children are all now living and in prosperous circumstances. In 1884 our subject's grandchildren numbered thirty-two, and his great-grandchildren, fifteen. Mrs. Stratton, who was a member of the Universalist Church, died April 4, 1877, and Mr. Stratton then, January 15, 1878, married Mrs. Martha A. (Williams) Munsee, widow of Edward A. Munsee, and daughter of Mark and Polly (Staunton) Williams, of Hampshire County, Mass. Mr. Stratton now resides in the north part of the village of Kent, where^he owns eleven acres of land. He and his wife are members of the Universalist Church. In politics he is a Republican.

FREEMAN STRATTON, farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., June 26, 1833, son of Joseph B. and Ruth (Olin) Stratton, who settled in Franklin Township, this county, in 1837. Our subject was reared here and educated in the common schools, and has always followed farming as an occupation. He was married, May 5, 1857, to Emelia, daughter of Frederick and Margaret (Foster) Williard, of Franklin Township, this county. By this union there are three children living: Georgianna, Harry J. and Franklin S. Mr. Stratton resides on the old Williard homestead, where he has lived since 1869. In politics he is independent.

AARON B. STUTZMAN, A. M. , Superintendent of the public schools at Kent, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 23, 1842, son of Henry and Catharine (Miller) Stutzman, natives of Summerset County, Penn., of German descent. They came to Ohio in 1826, locating in Greene Township, Wayne County, where they lived and died. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, and educated at the Smithville High School and Mount Union College, whence he graduated in 1870. He engaged in teaching, as

Principal of the Dalton High School, of Dalton, Wayne Co., Ohio, where he remained two years; from there he removed to Doylestown, where he was engaged in teaching two years, after which he was for five years Superintendent of the public schools at Wadsworth, Medina Co., Ohio, and a member of the County Board of Examiners. In December, 1878, he passed a rigid examination at Columbus, Ohio, before the State Board of Examiners, who granted him a certificate of high qualifications, which is good for life and in any public school in the State. In same year he located in Kent, where he has held the position of Superintendent of public schools to the present time. He was married, August 15, 1872, to Jennie, daughter of Israel Clippinger, of Dalton, Ohio, by whom he has had three children: Edwin H. (deceased), Grace E. and Willie G. During the civil war Mr. Stutzman served in the Union Army, as private in Company A, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Stutzman is a gentleman of culture and wedded to the profession he has chosen. He and his wife ai'e members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican. He is a F. & A. M., and an active member of the I. O. O. F.

HENRY A. SWAN, farmer and milkman, P. O. Kent, was born in Boston, Summit Co., Ohio, September 28, 1840, son of Levi L, and Louisa (Metlin) Swan, early settlers of that locality. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native town, where he followed farming for three years after he became of age, then went to Bath, where he lived one year, thence came to Streetsboro, where he engaged in farming and dairying for six years. In 1873 he located in Kent, and in 1876 on the farm where he now resides. He keeps a dairy of from fifteen to twenty cows, and in 1882 built his present residence, one of the finest in the county. His barns and other out-buildings are first-class, well adapted to the uses for which they were built, and everything about his premises shows evidence of care and thrift. Mr. Swan was married, March 9, 1865, to Eliza, daughter of Aaron and Mary (Dickison) Ferry, who located in Franklin Township, this county, about 1833. The issue of this union is two children: Herbert and Karl. In politics Mr. Swan is a Democrat.

J. S. SWEENEY, physician and surgeon, Kent, was born in Middlefield, Greauga Co., Ohio, August 14, 1831, son of John and Dolly (Brown) Sweeney, natives of Belfast, Ireland, and New Hampshire respectively. John Sweeney was a farmer by occupation, and one of the first settlers of Geauga County, Ohio, locating in Painesville in 1818, where he resided for several years; then removed to Middlefield, where he lived until his death, which occurred July 9, 1874, in his eighty-third year. He was pressed into the British service during the war of 1812. In character he was upright, honest and honorable, a firm friend and true to his convictions. Our subject was reared on his father's farm and educated in select schools. From 1850 to 1854 he stvidied medicine with his brother, E. J. Sweeney, of Nelson, this county. He then went to Parkman, Geauga Co., Ohio, where he engaged in the practice of medicine two years; thence moved to Chardon, practicing there one year. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company A, Hoffman's Battalion, and served on Johnson's Island, Lake Erie, guarding prisoners, until he received an honorable discharge on account of disability in the fall of 1862. He then located in Stowe, Summit Co. , Ohio, and resumed the practice of medicine, remaining there until 1871, when he moved to Kent, where he has since been in active practice. He was married June, 1854, to Delia, daughter of Joseph W^. Rockwell, of Rome, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and by her he has three children: Dolly A. (Mrs. Byron Longcoy), Edward J. and Alice. Dr. Sweeney is an active member of the K. of P. and G. A. R., of which latter he is Post Commander. In politics he is a Democrat.

JOHN L. TIBBALS, farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Deerfield Township, this county, January 15, 1821; son of Alfred M. and Martha H. (Swem) Tibbals. His paternal grandfather, Moses Tibbals, a native of Massachusetts, settled in Deerfield Township in 1805, where he cleared and improved the farm on which he lived and died. He had five children: Clarissa (deceased), Alfred M. (deceased), Arbet L. (deceased), Francis (deceased) and Seymour. His maternal grandfather was William Swem, a native of New Jersey, and a pioneer of Salem, Columbiana Co., Ohio. The father of our subject was reared from eight years of age in Deerfield Township, this county. There he cleared and improved two farms (one now occupied by his son Frederick) and resided until he was killed at the age of sixty years by a falling limb of a tree. His children were five in number: John L., Norman (deceased), Frederick and Curtis (farmers in Deerfield) and Newell, a prominent lawyer of Akron, Ohio, and who has filled the office of Judge of Common Pleas. Our subject was reared and educated and served as Trustee for several years in Deerfield Township, where he resided till 1875, when he removed to Franklin Township to the farm where he now resides. He was married, February 19, 1851, to Mary C, daughter of Frederick and Fanny (Williams) Dewey, of Franklin Township, this county, former of whom was a native of Chester, Mass., and a son of John Dewey, parent of three children: Mary C, Sylvester F. (deceased), and Harriet F., wife of J. N. Stratton. Frederick Dewey came to Franklin Township, this county, in 1818 and located on the farm now owned by Marius Heighten, and in 1834 settled on the farm now occupied by our subject, most of which he cleared and improved, and here he died in February, 1872, in his seventy-fifth year. Mrs. Tibbals' maternal grandfather, Dudley Williams, also a native of Massachusetts, settled in Franklin Township, this county, in 1820. Our subject and wife are the parents of five children: Floris (deceased), Charles, Frank, John and Frederick. Mr. Tibbals is a Kepublican in politics.

TURNER BROS. (Joshua and John G.), manufacturers, Kent, are natives of Bradford, England, where they served [an apprenticeship of seven years in the worsted mills of that city. In 1873 they came to America, and located in Jamestown, N. Y., where Joseph Turner, their father, started the first worsted mills, which he conducted for five years. They are now owned by William Hall & Co., and still in operation. In 1879 the family located in Kent, and embarked in the manufacture of a superior quality of worsted dress goods. They occupy a building five and a half stories high, in dimensions 160x45, and thoroughly equipped with the latest improved dye-house, combing, drawing and spinning machinery, with 114 looms and 2,000 spindles, employing 150 hands. The mills are run by two large turbine water-wheels, developing 120 horse-power. The Turner Bros., who are the managers, are gentlemen of experience in all the details of their business, one of the leading industries of the place, contributing largely to the substantial welfare of the community.

JOHN G. TURNER, manufacturer, Kent, was born in England, April 10, 1857; son of Joseph and Martha (Gill) Turner, who came to America in 1873, and located in Jamestown, N. Y., where his father, with others, under the firm name of Hall, Broadhead & Turner, started the first alpacamills in that city, and where he was engaged in business up to 1878. In 1879 Joseph Turner located in Kent, this county, and embarked in the manufacture of worsted goods in company with his sons, Joshua and John G. , in which he continued until his death. He died in 1881 at the age of fifty-three years. The business is still carried on by his sons (see sketch of Turner Bros.). Our subject was reared in Yorkshire, England, until sixteen years of age, and was educated in all the details of his present business in that country, and in his father's mill at Jamestown, N. Y. Mr. Turner is a gentleman of push and enterprise, and his identity with the manufacturing interests of Kent has been alike valuable to himself and the public. He is a F. & A. M. In politics a Republican.

JAMES WARK, photographer, Kent, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, January 23, 1847; son of William and Catherine (Long) Wark. His ancestors, who were of Scotch descent, located in Ireland in 1798. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his .native county, and came to America in 1866, locating at Cuyahoga Falls, Summit Co., Ohio, where he remained five months. He then went to Akron and worked on a farm by the month until 1869, when he entered the photograph gallery of G. W. Manly, where he served an apprenticeship of two years. In 1871 he removed to Kent and opened a photograph gallery, in which he has been profitably engaged to the present time. He was married, June 8, 1871, to Belle, daughter of Jasper and Fidelia (Bliss) Haught, of Kent, by whom he has two children: William J. and Bessie B. Mr. ^V^ark is a member of the Episcopal Church, also an active member of the I. O. O. F. and R. A. He is now serving his third term as Clerk of this township, and first term as Clerk of Kent corporation. In politics he is a Republican.

LEWIS K. WILLIAMS, farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Franklin Township, this county, January 15, 1842, son of Austin and Adaliue (Knowlton) Williams, the former a native of Massachusetts, the latter of Vermont. His paternal grandfather was Dudley Williams, who came from Russell, Mass., to Franklin in 1820, and located on the farm now owned by Henry Lake. He afterward removed to Wisconsin and died there. He reared a family of five children: Calviu (deceased), Austin (deceased), George, Fanny (deceased) and Polly (Mrs. Sylvester Huggins). The maternal grandfather of our subject was William Knowlton, formerly of Vermont and an early settler of what is now Kent. Austin Williams, the father of our subject, was reared on a farm and always followed farming as an occupation. In his early manhood his father gave him forty acres of land, on which he moved after his marriage and to which he added by purchase until he had accumulated 320 acres, whei'e he lived and died April 1, 1872, in his sixty-fifth year. He had four children: Lewis K., William D. (deceased), Scott T. and Charles A. The subject of this sketch, a farmer, was reared on his father's farm and educated in the common and high schools of Kent. In 1865 his father gave him and his brother, William D., 120 acres of land, which they worked together for two years. He then purchased William D.'s interest and conducted the farm himself up to 1883, in which year he rented his farm and, having purchased a residence in Kent, removed there, where he now resides. He was married November 30, 1869, to Abbie, daughter of Deacon Lyman and Lucy C. (Stebbins) Sabi^, of Hampshire County, Mass. In politics Mr. Williams is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church.

WILLIAMS BROS., proprietors of the Peerless Mills, Kent. This firm is composed of Scott T. and Charles A. Williams, the two younger sons of the late Austin Williams, the former a farmer by occupation, and the latter a student of the Western Reserve College. They began business in 1879 in the erection of the Peerless Mills. The present main building was erected in 1880, and the mill started in June, 1881, fully equipped for the manufacture of 125 barrels of fiour daily by the "new process," as it was then known. At the end of two years the business had outgrown the building, also the capacity of the machinery for manufacturing, at which time (1883) the mill was enlarged by adding a wing nearly as large as the original building, the system of grinding changed to "full roller," the daily capacity increased from 125 to 200 barrels, and a feed department added. The mill is now 96x73 feet, five stories high, having a floor surface of over 35,000 square feet, and equipped iu the best manner for flouring by the E. P. Allis system, containing sixteen full sets Gray roller mills, three clearing machines, twenty-one bolts, seven purifiers and aspirators, also dusters, centrifugals, packers, etc. It is run by a 100-horse-power engine, which is furnished with steam from two 75-horse- power boilers. As the mills are now run they consume from 250,000 to 300,000 bushels of wheat annually, and also have a capacity for grinding 150.000 bushels of corn. Grain for supplying the mill is largely bought from farmers at home, and the prices paid are equal to any market 'in the State, making the best of home markets for the farm. The proprietors are young men of push and enterprise, and fully understand all the details of the milling business, which is one of the leading industries of Kent.

SCOTT T. WILLIAMS, miller, Kent, was born in Franklin Township, this county, February 26, 1852; son of Austin and Adeline (Knowlton) Williams. His paternal grandfather was Dudley Williams, an early settler of Franklin Township, this county, who afterward removed to Wisconsin and died there. His maternal grandfather was William Knowlton, a native of Cape Ann, Mass., also an early settler of Franklin Township, this county. Our subject was reared on a farm, and after he became of age engaged in ao-ricultux-e for six years. In 1879, in company with his brother Charles A. ^ he erected the Peerless Flouring Mills, and embarked in the milling business, in which he is engaged at the present time. He was married, October 17, 1877, to Hettie, daughter of Elias and Triphena (Blair) Converse, of Mantua Township, by whom he has one child - Lewis B. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Congregational Church. In politics he is a Republican.

FRANKLIN WILLIARD, farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Franklin Mills (now Kent) November 11, 1822; son of Frederick and Margaret (Foster) Williard, respectively natives of Maryland and Beaver County, Penn. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Philip Williard, a native of Germany and one of the first settlers of Rootstown, where he lived and died. Frederick Williard, a carpenter by trade, was an early settler of Franklin Township, and for the last twenty years of his life he was a farmer, the homestead now being occupied by his son-in-law, Freeman Stratton. He had nine children: Catherine (deceased), Sarah (Mrs. Hiram Men-ell), George, Franklin, Frederick (deceased), Edwin, Mary (deceased), Samuel, and Amelia (Mrs. Freeman Stratton). The subject of this sketch has always followed farming. He has been twice married. His first wife was Mary Pratt, of Franklin Township, this county, by whom he had two children: Perry, and an infant daughter (deceased). By his present wife, nee Sai'ah A. Hackett, he has three children: Frederick, Fi-ances and Asa. Mr. Williard now resides a mile east of Kent, where he has lived for eighteen years. In politics he is a Democrat.

SAMUEL WILLIARD, farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Franklin Township, this county, October 22, 1832, son of Frederick and Margaret (Foster) Williard, who were among the first settlers of Franklin Township, this county, wherein our subject has always lived, and he'now occupies a part of his father's homestead. He was married April 10, 1864, to Emma, daughter of Matthias Clark, of Akron, and by her he has had two children: Clifl"ord (deceased) and Evalena M. Mr. Williard is a representative farmer and citizen of Franklin Township. In politics he is a Democrat.

SIMON P. WOLCOTT, attbrney-at-law, Kent, was born in Northfield, Summit Co., Ohio, January 30, 1837, son of Alfred and Mary A. (Scovill) Wolcott. He was born and reared on his father's farm and received his earlj education in the common schools. He prepared for college under the instruction of the late President Garfield, at Hiram Eclectic Institute, Hiram, Ohio, and from there attended "Western Reserve College at Hudson, Ohio, where he graduated in 1862. Choosing the law for his profession, he studied one year in the office of H. B. Foster, of Hudson, Ohio, and one year with N. D. Tibbals, of Akron. He was admitted to the bar of Summit County in 1864, and in the fall of the same year located in Kent, where he has been in active practice ever since. He was married July 17, 1866, to Mary H. , daughter of Anson A. and Sally P. (White) Brewster, of Hudson, and the issue of this union was three children: Nellie B., Jennie B. and Duncan B. Wolcott. In 1866 Mr. W''olcott was elected Mayor of Kent, being the second Mayor of the town; also served as City Solicitor of Kent two terms: was a member of ithe School Board nine years, and he is at present member of the Board of Examiners. In the fall of 1881 he was elected to the State Senate, I'epresenting Portage, Summit, Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula Counties; was re-elected in the fall of 1883 and he is now serving his second term. In politics Mr. Wolcott has always been a stanch Eepublican.

JAMES WOODARD was born in Ravenna, Portage Co., Ohio, July 31, 1810. He was the eldest son of Gen. Joshua Woodard, and the first white male child born in what is now Ravenna Village. He came to Franklin Mills (now Kent), Ohio, in 1818, his father soon after erecting a woolen mill and continuing that business with John Haymaker for many years. His early advantages for an education were very limited, but he acquired, by diligent study, a good practical common school education. He was possessf^d of an active mind, and was compelled by force of circumstances in that early day ie habits of industry. In 1834 he married Maria Hopkins, daughter of Rudi Hopkins, of Copley, Summit Co., Ohio. Soon after their marriage they commenced keeping hotel at the Upper Village at Franklin Mills, remaining there for some years, afterward settling on a farm now within the corporate limits of Kent. They raised a large family of children, two sons and seven daughters, all now living save one. Mr. Woodard occupied many positions of responsibility and trust. He served many years as Justice of the Peace and was als® Sheriff of Portage County for two terms, and it has been often and truthfully said that Portage County never had a more efficient Sheriff. He was strictly honest, brave and courageous, and during his terms as Sheriff had occasio-n to arrest many counterfeiters and rascals that then infested Portage County. Notably among these was the notorious "Jim" Brown, who was convicted and sent to the Ohio Penitentiary. Mr. Woodard in his later years had retired from the more active duties of life. He was the efficient Mayor of Kent two terms, closing his last term three months before his death. Hie administration was mai'ked by his considerate attention to the beat interests <^ Kent, where he had so long lived, and it is universally conceded that Kent has never had so efficient a Mayor. He was a man of most positive conviction^, sterling integrity, and was fearless in the expression of his views on all subj-ects. He was kind and charitable to the poor, and always gave with an open hand. He died at his pleasant home in Kent, September 2, 1883, of neuralgia of the heart, after an illness of only two days, honored and respected by all who knew him.

Woodard. His paternal grandfather was Gen. Joshua Woodard, a soldier of the war of 181 2, and an early settler of this county. His maternal grandfather was Kudd Hopkins, one of the first settlers of the county, who was identified with the woolen manufacturing interests in Franklin Mills ( now Kent), in the early times. .James Woodard was the first white child born in the original town plot of Ravenna. He was the father of nine children: Clara (Mrs. John Perkins); Abby, deceased; Rebecca (Mrs. James Metlin); Delia (Mrs. E. W. Bassett); Frank; Lucy (Mrs. George Furry); Estella (Mrs. N. Hall); Mary (Mrs. Richard Williams), and Charles R. In politics Mr. Woodard was prominently identified in this county. He served as Sheriff of the county two terms, and during his residence in Kent was twice Mayor. Our subject was reared in Franklin Township, this county, and educated in the common and high schools. He was married April 4, 1878, to Elizabeth, daughter of R. P. and Jane Morgan, of Kent, by whom he has two children: Mary J. and George. In politics Mr. Woodard is a Democrat.

FREDERICK WURSTER, bottling works, Kent, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, October 2, 1857, son of Philip and Christiana (Gugle) Wurster, and was reared and educated in his native land. He came to America when fourteen years of age, and worked in Philadelphia in a brewery for nine months; from there he went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he was employed in the same business for one year, and then returned to Philadelphia. In 1880 he went to Wilmington, Del., and embarked in the brewery business for himself, continuing in the same there one year. In 1883 he located in Kent, Franklin Township, and purchased the bottling works of Louis Gehring, where he has done a successful business up to the present time. Mr. Wurster was married October 13, 1878, to Louisa, daughter of Herman and Mary (Horning) Biederman, of Wilmington, Del., by whom he has two children: Sophia and Ida. Mr. Wurster is a member of the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Democrat.

JOSHUA ATWOOD, retired, P. O. Freedom, was born February 29, 1812, in Pittsfield, Vt., son of Joshua a^d 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 departmeQt, 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 Bii-ge, 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 Tru^stee. He is a pleasant gentleman; in politics a representative Republican. His brothers-in-law, Lasell and Simeon Birge, came to

Freedom Township, this county, the former in 1832, bought 400 acres of land and erected many of the buildings in Freedom Center. SimeOTi 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 the battle of Plattsburg.

HENRY IRVING BROWN, farmer, P. O. 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 parents 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. O. 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, 111., where they died, aged seventyseven and ninety years respectively. Our subject came to this county in 1837, settling in Freedom Township, where he now resides. He has cleared many aci'es 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 oflfices. He and his wife ai-e members of the Congregational Church. In politics he is a strong Republican.

LISBON FINCH, farmer, P. O. 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," andi 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 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 Irena (Willcutt) James, natives of same county, and where they were married; in 1817 they moved to Ghariestown Township, this county, and settled upon land formerly purchased by their forefathei's. 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, ivhere 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 Hartlord County, Conn., May 29, 1814. In 1825 they came to Freedom Township, tihis 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 BOW 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 ®f 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 pur- ©hased land in Freedom Township, in 1850, and in 1858 became owner of the Siomestead farm; he has now 210 acres. Jle was married July 5, 1857, to Amy ISL 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. They 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, Avho 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 with their parents, who were among the lir^t 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 ofl&ces. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church.

A. C. LARKCOM, farmer, P. O. 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, 1826, to Miss Sarah Perry, born June 27, 1803, who bore him the following childi-en: 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 oflfices 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 O. 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 wellimproved 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. O. 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, where they were married and lived, dying at the respective ages of eighty-six and fifty-three years. Our subject Hioved 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. O. 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 TownshijD, 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

(Bishop) Hollenbeck, who accorapanied 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. O. 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, whei'e they remained until 1834, when they came to this county, cleai'ed 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, tliis 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.