USA > Ohio > Portage County > History of Portage County, Ohio > Part 112
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Y., July 2, 1833, daughter of Alonzo and Dianthia (Torrence) Franklin, natives of Massachusetts and New York respectively, and early settlers of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, the former of whom is now deceased: To Mr. and Mrs. Rudd have been born four children: Willis A., Orton N., Emma S. and Ann D.
PHILIP RUSSELL, farmer, P. O. Windham, was born in Madison County, N. Y., October 25, 1811, son of Philip and Nancy (Sanford) Russell, natives of Connecticut and Madison County, N. Y., respectively. They were parents of thirteen children, of whom seven are now living: Nancy, Philip, William, Daniel, Madison, Webster and Delia, latter wife of Ira S. Cutts, of Windham Township, this county. Philip Russell, Sr., a carpenter and joiner by trade, but by occupation a farmer, came to this county in 1815, and located in Nelson Township, but removed to Windham Township in 1822. He died in Windham, July 1, 1879, aged ninety-three years; his widow, October 8, 1882. Our subject early learned the carpenter and joiner trade, though farming has been his principal occupation. He has been twice married, first to Sally E. Jagger, born October 5, 1815, in Windham, who bore him six children: Sarah E., Elmina, Alanson R., Augusta, Abby C. and Daniel J. Mrs. Russell died in April, 1877, and on May 3, 1881, Mr. Russell married Margaret Owen, born in Ontario, Canada, June 20, 1857, daughter of Anson and Antoinette (Bliss) Owen, natives of Portage County, Ohio, and New York, respectively. Mr. Russell is an energetic, enterprising and successful farmer, having his farm under a high state of cultivation. He takes deep interest in all public improvements, and has filled several offices of trust in the township. In pol- itics he has ever been a Republican.
EBENEZER S. SHAW, druggist, Windham, was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, October 6, 1851, son of James and Sarah A. (Seward) Shaw. The former was born in Ashland County, Ohio, in 1808, and after graduating at the Western Reserve College and Allegheny Theological Seminary at Alle- gheny, Penn., was regularly ordained a minister of the Gospel at Chillicothe, Ohio. He removed to Windham in 1859, where he served as pastor of the Congregational Church until a few weeks prior to his demise in April, 1875. James Shaw had been twice married, first to Harriet Metcalf, who bore him one son-James M., a graduate of Western Reserve College, Hudson, Ohio, and Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio. He went to China in 1874, as a mis- sionary, and there died in June, 1876. His widow and one child still reside in China. James Shaw's second wife was Sarah A. Seward, born in New York in 1817, and brought to Summit County, Ohio, when an infant. She is now residing with her only son, Ebenezer S. The subject of this sketch passed the year 1876 attending the Dental College at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1879 he opened a drug store at Windham, in partnership with Dr. Loughead, and the year following graduated at the Dental College, Ann Arbor, Mich. His part- ner having retired he carries on the drug business in connection with den- tistry. He is a member of the Congregational Church and Librarian of the Windham Circulating Library.
NELSON C. SMITH, farmer, P. O. Windham, was born December 1, 1826, in North Becket, Mass., son of Champion and Achsah (Little) Smith, natives of Massachusetts, born in 1803 and 1806, respectively, parents of five children: Nelson C., Elmira, Martha, Mary (deceased) and Leona. They came to this county in 1834, and the original homestead tract consisted of seventy acres, to which they added until it contained 150 acres, and from a state of nature was gradually placed under a high state of cultivation. Champion Smith died June 6, 1881, his wife having preceded him January 2, 1879. The subject of this sketch was married December 10, 1857, to Mary E. Ford, born
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in Trumbull County, Ohio, March 2, 1831, daughter of Augustin and Susan- nah (Krahl) Ford, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively, and early settlers of Trumbull County, Ohio. To this union was born one daugh- ter -- Alice Blanche, born November 8, 1863, and married, January 4, 1883, to Arthur Roper, of Nelson, Ohio, by whom she has one child-Esther Beuno, born January 4, 1884. The principal occupation of our subject has been farming, though for two or three years he peddled jewelry. He offered his services two or three times in his country's defense, but was not accepted on account of the loss of one of his eyes. He has filled the office of Constable three terms. For nearly twenty years he has been actively connected with the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. fraternities. As a rule the Smith family have been Republican in politics.
JUSTIN E. SNOW, farmer, P. O. Windham, was born May 10, 1828, in Windham Township, this county. His father, Erastus Snow, was born in Connecticut in 1782, and came to Windham Township, this county, in 1813. He was a prominent farmer, strictly honest in all his dealings, a consistent member of the Congregational Church. Erastus Snow was first married to Anna Alford, who died May 23, 1828, and by her had four children, two attaining majority: Anna L. and Justin E. For his second wife he married Polly Hawley, who bore him five children: Frank, Sarah, Lucretia, Francis and an infant. Erastus Snow died February 23, 1850; his widow January 1, 1870. Our subject, who was reared on a farm, received a common school edu- cation, and early in life learned shoe-making, which occupation he followed for twenty-five years, part of the time in Pennsylvania. He married, May 22, 1850, Eunice L. Rockwell, of Pennsylvania, who died February 16, 1855, leaving to his care one daughter-Elda, wife of Washington Beach, of Mis- souri (have three children: Nora, Cora and Millie). Mr. Snow was married the second time September 27, 1857, to Fanny H. Watson, of Pennsylvania, born May 22, 1833, at Appledore, County of Kent, England, daughter of George and Sarah (Fullagur) Watson, and by this union was born November 13, 1863, one child-Linda L. Mr. Snow served in Company I, One Hun- dred and Seventy-first Ohio National Guards, during the late war of the Rebel- lion. He returned to this county in 1876, and has since devoted himself to farming. He is a member of Garrettsville Lodge F. & A. M., Portage Lodge I. O. O. F., and Ravenna Encampment. In politics he is a stanch Republican.
HENRY B. WALDEN, farmer, P. O. Windham, was born May 8, 1832, in Windham Township, this county, on the place that has always been his home. His father, Joshua Walden, who came to Ohio in 1818, locating in Windham Township, this county, where he spent the remainder of his days, was mar- ried to Esther Wilmot, born in Connecticut in 1798 (she was the widow of Harry Blair, by whom she had one son-Orrin H. Blair-who attained his majority, now deceased). To our subject's parents were born two children: Caroline (deceased wife of Seth Strickland) and Henry B. Joshua Walden was a prominent farmer, and by industry and economy amassed a large prop- erty. He died October 4, 1865. His widow is still living. Our subject in early life was employed like farmer boys of the present day, and farming has been his principal occupation. He was married December 24, 1864, to Lovisa H. Higley, born August 15, 1841, daughter of M. P. Higley, and by this union are four children: Frank H., Luna E., Della A. and Carrie M. Dur- ing the war of the Rebellion Mr. Walden enlisted in Company I, One Hun- dred and Seventy-first Ohio National Guards. He has served in several offices of honor and trust in his township. He is a member of Earl Milliken Post, G. A. R. In politics a Republican.
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ISAAC N. WILCOX, farmer, P. O. Windham, was born near Cuyahoga Falls, Summit County, Ohio, December 24, 1833. His father, Capt. Isaac Wilcox, was born in Berlin, Conn., May 17, 1779; married first December 26, 1800, to Lucy North, who bore him ten children. In 1809 he came with an ox-team to Stowe, Summit Co., Ohio; served in the war of 1812, and eventually became one of the most influential men of that township, by industry and economy accumulating quite a large property. He was married on the second occasion April 23, 1822, to Mary Randall, of Washington, Columbiana Co., Ohio, and a native of Baltimore, Md., where she was born October 18, 1792, and by whom he had six children. our subject being the fifth. Capt. Wilcox was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and died September 15, 1847; his widow surviving him until March 1, 1883, when she died at the advanced age of ninety years. Our subject was raised on the farm, and received a common school and academic education. At the age of nineteen years he entered upon his career in life as a teacher, and con- tinued in that profession, more or less, for fifteen years; some of his labors in that capacity being in the Windham Academy, and in the graded schools of Akron, Ohio. For two years he was one of the County School Examiners, and at various times has taken an active part, as instructor and lecturer, in the County Teachers' Institute. He was married May 26, 1857, to Miss Melissa S. Scott, born in Freedom Township, Ohio, February 24, 1836, daughter of Elijah Scott, late of Rootstown. They have three children: Ida M., born July 17, 1858; Scott S., born June 14, 1864; Wesley W., born August 31, 1881. About 1858 Mr. Wilcox came to Windham, this county, and has owned a farm most of the time since, upon which he and family have resided, and although he has never given his entire attention to agricultural pursuits, the manage- ment of his farm has been under his direct superintendence. He at one time owned an interest in a coal mine in Coshocton County, and for some time was the Secretary of the company, but owing to an accident at that time, he dis- posed of his interest in that enterprise, and resigned his position. In answer to the first call for troops in April, 1861, he offered his services and enlisted in Company F, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served three months as Second Lieutenant. He afterward, in company with Capt. Prior, of Ravenna, raised a cavalry company which was attached to the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and served as First Lieutenant until near the close of the war, when he received a Captain's commission. He is now Quarter-Master of Earl-Milli- ken Post, No. 333, G. A. R., of Windham. Since 1872 he has been a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, of which he is Committee- man and one of the leaders in this township. He has, at different times, been correspondent for Eastern papers, and several of the weekly periodicals of Portage County.
THE WOODWORTH FAMILY OF WINDHAM. There is a tradition in this family that some time near the close of the seventeenth century, in En- gland, a gentleman named Wood married a lady named Worth, but instead of adopting his name, they blended both names, thus originating the name " Woodworth." Two sons by this union came to America, one settling in Brooklyn, N. Y., the other in New Lebanon, Conn. The grandsons of the latter were young men at the outbreak of the Revolutionary struggle, in which some of them served; others took part in the war of 1812. Joseph Wood- worth participated in the noted New Jersey retreat, and in the battles of Monmouth, Princeton and Trenton, wintering at Valley Forge. He was with Wayne at Stony Point, and served under Gates in the campaign preceding the surrender of Burgoyne. He was also present at other of the stirring scenes
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of that war. Some portion of his service was in the regiment of Col. Tilden, late of Hiram, this county. After the war he moved to Schoharie County, N. Y., and about 1816 to Madison County in the same State. He was blessed with a very large family of children, of whom fifteen lived to adult years, and to raise families. Late in life he removed with some of his sons to Catta- raugus County, N. Y., where he died in 1842 in his eighty-fifth year. Two of his sons, William and Thomas J., became residents of Windham. William and family are noticed in an accompanying sketch.
THOMAS J. WOODWORTH (deceased), a younger brother of William, was born at Rensselaerville, Schoharie Co., N. Y., June 9, 1808. His parents removed to Madison County, N. Y., when he was about eight years old. When about nine he was afflicted with what was known as the putrid epidemic, and of a large number of cases in that region, he was the only one who survived. But from its effects he never recovered, his hearing being permanently affected and in other respects he suffered. Growing up amid the rugged activities of pioneer life, he was thrown upon his own resources, and was thus trained to habits of persevering industry and self-reliance. Having secured such intel- lectual training as was afforded by the district school, he entered Oneida Con- ference Seminary, Cazenovia, N. Y., where he spent some time in study. His name appears on the records of that institution for 1829. He was dissuaded from entering the legal profession, which he had contemplated doing, on account of his imperfect hearing. Some three years were then spent in the employ of Col. Hezekiah Sage, of Sullivan, a part of the time as foreman on his extensive farm. One fall he sowed 300 bushels of seed wheat by hand. With the means thus obtained in the employ of Col. Sage he made the first payment in the purchase of a farm in Fenner in the same county. In 1833 he was united in marriage with Sarah S. Wager, daughter of Philip Wager, Esq., of Sullivan. Her father was in early life a pioneer preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church He joined the itinerancy in 1790. In 1792 he was one of the eight ministers who formed the first New England Conference as organ- ized by Bishop Asbury, with Jesse Lee as Presiding Elder. He was the first min- ister of this conference sent into the States of Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. He located about 1800. He was brother of Rev. David Wager, of Columbia County, N. Y., and of Henry Wager, father of Hon. David Wager, law partner of Horatio Seymour, and grandfather of Gen. Henry Wager Hal- leck. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Woodworth removed to his Fenner farm. Twenty-six years were passed here in the enjoyment of the respect of the community, shown by the many positions of honor and trust he held in township and county; among them Commissioner of Deeds and Magistrate for several years. One incident of his life exemplifies his indomitable energy and perseverance very forcibly. When he had nearly paid for his farm and began to feel in somewhat easy circumstances, he undersigned a friend and relative to a large amount, and by so doing lost heavily and was plunged into debt so deeply that his friends despaired of his saving his farm. But he at once sold off everything except the bare necessaries for farming purposes, and with an industry that knew no flagging, set to work to pay off the debt, a task which took more than ten of the best years of his life to accomplish. In 1859 he sold his farm and removed to Cazenovia in the same county, and from there to Windham, this county, in 1860. His deafness increasing, he led a more retired life in Windham than in former years. Home was the most attractive place to him and to make it enjoyable he gave his best energies. He was a keen observer of men and things, and all his actions and words evinced a sound judgment which was held in high esteem by all who knew
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him. From the days of his majority he was a Democrat in politics, voting for Buchanan, but supporting Lincoln in 1860, and ever after the Republican party with zeal. During the Rebellion he was a member of the War Com- mittee of Windham, and did what lay in his power to support the Union cause. Mr. Woodworth was of an inquiring, active cast of mind, was a great reader during the intervals from more active duties, always seeking informa- tion. His knowledge of the political history of our country was extensive. He delighted in discussion, and his sword of argument was edged with a satire and wit which rendered it keen and cutting. Though firm and decided in his convictions, he extended to others in the sphere of thought the suffrage he secured to himself. In early life he became a Methodist, he while here holding a certificate of membership from the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Cazenovia, N. Y. Thorough honesty was his admiration, and for hypocrisy he entertained the highest contempt. To be more than he seemed rather than less was his highest aim. These traits were exemplified in his character. In business he was successful in spite of his misfortunes, and he accumulated a handsome competency, far in advance of those whose dishonesty robbed him of years of toil. To be a good farmer, according to his ideal, was his highest happiness as an occupation. On coming to Windham he bought Lot 33, then known as the Willis Strickland farm. It was ever after his residence. He made his home in Fenner an attractive place, and his Windham home will long bear the impress of his energy and love of order. He died suddenly of paralysis, January 30, 1884.
HON. E. S. WOODWORTH, son of Thomas J. Woodworth, was born in Fenner, N. Y., August 24, 1841. His boyhood years were spent on the farm and in the district schools of the neighborhood. In 1858 he entered Oneida Conference Seminary, and completed a three years' course in 1860. In the winter of 1858-59 he taught his first term of school in Lenox, N. Y., and so well did he succeed that the next winter he was employed to take charge of one of the principal school in Cazenovia, the village of his home, his parents having moved to this place in 1859. In July, 1860, after leaving school, he came to Windham, Ohio, his parents having made their home there in May
previous. He at once began labor on their farm. In the winter of 1860-61 he taught in Ravenna, and for many succeeding winters in different schools of Windham. In 1862 he spent some time in school at Hiram, thinking to enter the Junior Class of Michigan University in 1863, but the events of the war and other circumstances changed that plan, as well as his ideal for life-work -the study of law. In 1864 he was a member of Company I, One Hundred and Seventy-first Regiment Ohio National Guards, and in the battle of Kel- lar's Bridge, Ky., he was severely wounded by a ball shattering his right leg below the knee. On the morning of this battle he volunteered at the request of Gen. Hobson to gain what knowledge was possible of the situation of the Rebel force under John Morgan at Cynthiana, some two miles away, who earlier in the day had an engagement with a small detachment of our men under Col. Garis. He was to advise Col. Garis to fall back to Kellar's Bridge if practicable. However, it was found that our force there had already been forced to surrender, and Woodworth, who succeeded in getting within the enemy's picket line and almost in the town, was happy to get out much faster then he went in, after a close range encounter with a calvary-man who followed him and after exchanging several shots got the benefit of a ball from Woodworth's revolver. On reporting to Gen. Hobson he received his thanks as well as much credit by all who knew the circumstances of the exploit. Being much exhausted on his return to his company the officers advised him
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not to go into the fight that was commencing, but he insisted on going, and was wounded as stated. With the wounded from this battle he was taken to Covington, Ky., where he remained nearly four months before he was able to be removed home. He refused to have his leg amputated when advised to do so by the post surgeons, and so saved his limb. In 1871 he married Belle C., daughter of William Rudd, late of Sullivan, Ashland Co., Ohio, who, while a member of the Forty -second Ohio (Garfield's regiment), received a wound at Champion Hills, from which he died. The William Rudd family at present reside at McMinnville, Tenn. The children of this union are Nellie E., born October 20, 1873; Glenn R., born January 29, 1877, and Clyde W., born November 26, 1880, but who died March 19, 1885. He was an attractive child who won all hearts. Mr. Woodworth is in politics an ardent Republican, and enjoys the remembrance that his first vote was cast for Garfield on his first election to Congress, and his first Presidential vote was for Lincoln on his second election. He has held many positions of trust, among them Justice of the Peace some eight years, which position he resigned on his election to the Legislature in 1881. In that body he was esteemed for his strict and assid- uous attention to the duties of his position, and for a new member was more highly honored than is usual by being placed in important positions on com- mittees. In the County Convention of 1883 he lacked only seven votes of a
re-nomination. Like many others of the Sixty-fifth Ohio General Assembly he suffered because of his vote favoring the "Scott Law" and kindred tem- perance legislation. However, his friends believe he has nothing to regret, for even in defeat is sometimes high honor. He has been an active worker polit- ically for several years, and in the campaign of 1884 served his party as mem- ber of the Republican County Central and Executive Committees. Mr. Wood- worth lives in the enjoyment of an attractive farm-home, made so by the joint labor of his father and himself, he having added to his paternal acres. He is at present Senior Vice-Commander of Earl-Milliken Post, No. 333, G. A. R., and is a member of Silver Creek Lodge, F. & A. M. He is a member of the Congregational Church of Windham, in the Sabbath-school of which he is an active worker. Wherever known he enjoys the confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact, and in all the relations of life he sustains such a character as to stand high in the esteem and honor of the people of Portage County.
SAMUEL YALE, farmer, P. O. Windham, was born September 15, 1844, in Windham Township, this county, son of Edmund and Nancy (Russell) Yale, the former born in 1806 in Mahoning County, Ohio, and the latter in 1809 in Hamilton County, N. Y. They had a family of five children: Edwin, Celia, Sanford S. (died in the army during the late war of the Rebellion), Samuel and an infant (deceased). Edmund Yale was a good farmer, a thorough busi- ness man and an influential citizen. He died in 1878, and his loss was not only felt in his family but by the whole community. His widow still survives. Our subject was reared on a farm, his educational advantages being limited to the common schools of his township. He was married September 5, 1867, to Miss Savilla S. Shibley, born in Windham Township, this county, March 30, 1848, and by her he has three children: Edmond, Alta C. and Edith A. Mr. Yale has made farming the principal occupation of his life, having no special- ty but growing the usual crops and handling stock. He is a consistent mem- ber of the Congregational Church, energetic and enterprising. Mr. Yale is one of the substantial men of this township.
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