USA > Ohio > Portage County > History of Portage County, Ohio > Part 82
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Woodard. His paternal grandfather was Gen. Joshua Woodard, a soldier of the war of 1812, and an early settler of this county. His maternal grandfather was Rudd 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 Wurtem- berg, Germany, October 2, 1857, son of Philip and Christiana (Gugle) Wurs- ter, 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 Gebring, 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) Bied- erman, 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.
FREEDOM TOWNSHIP.
JOSHUA ATWOOD, retired, P. O. Freedom, was born February 29, 1812, in Pittsfield, Vt., son of Joshua and Thankful (Stone) Atwood, the former a native of Massachusetts, the latter of Vermont. Our subject, whose portrait appears in this work, was educated in the country schools, and was a farmer until seventeen years old, when he began to learn the blacksmith's trade with a Mr. Egleston in Pittsfield, Vt., with whom he continued for three years and then worked for himself a few months in Rutland, same State, and at Pitts- ford one year, after which he engaged with Mr. Egleston one year, and then for a time worked for himself. He came to Ohio in 1836 and opened a blacksmith shop at Freedom, this county. In 1844 he added a carriage manufacturing department, and soon employed as many as eight men, and supplied the demand within a large radius. He was very successful, and in 1875 he retired from active labors to enjoy the fruits of many years' hard and persistent toil. Mr. Atwood was married in 1838 to Aurelia Birge, who died in 1874, leaving no children. He and she were among the first members of the Congregational Church at Freedom. Our subject has served the township honorably as Treasurer and Trustee. He is a pleasant gentleman; in politics a representa- tive Republican. His brothers-in-law, Lasell and Simeon Birge, came to
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Freedom Township, this county, the former in 1832, bought 400 acres of land and erected many of the buildings in Freedom Center. Simeon Birge, who was a physician, moved away in 1838, while Lasell remained until 1846 or 1847. The father of our subject was in the war of 1812, and participated in 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 Town- ship, 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 Berk- shire County, Mass., in 1800, and in 1835 moved to Freedom Township, this county, and in 1837 to Whiteside County, Ill., where they died, aged seventy- seven and ninety years respectively. Our subject came to this county in 1837, settling in Freedom Township, where he now resides. He has cleared many acres of land and has followed general agriculture. He was married June 22, 1837, to Sarah Leete, a native of West Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., Mass., born August 6, 1816, and daughter of Nathaniel and Dimmis (Wickhane) Leete, natives of Connecticut, and who were married in 1800, and lived and died in Berkshire County, Mass. To our subject and wife were born four sons: Charles A., attorney in Des Moines, Iowa; Plimmon H., civil engineer, New York City; Marquis W., and John F., a farmer in Freedom Township, this county, all married. Our subject has served in some of the township offices. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. In pol- itics he is a strong Republican.
LISBON FINCH, farmer, P. O. Freedom Station, was born in Otis, Berk- shire 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 Free- dom 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 six- ty-two years. Here he and his wife died. Our subject, who has always made his home in this county, owns several hundred acres of land here. (His sister Celestia's marriage in November, 1826, with Lester Hall, was the first wedding in the township.) He was married April 8, 1846, to Eunice Scovill, born in Licking County, Ohio, July 4, 1821, daughter of David and Clarissa Scovill, natives respectively of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, and early settlers in Johnstown, Licking Co., Ohio, coming June 17, 1817. They were the parents of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Finch have had five children born to them: Cordelia, Howard J., Lydia R., David S. and Lyman J., all living except Lyman. Our subject is a Republican.
WILLIAM GARDNER, farmer, P. O. Freedom, was born in Berkshire County, Mass., October 1, 1805, son of Henry and Abigail (Stedman) Gardner, natives of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, respectively, and who died in Berkshire County. Our subject came to this county in 1829, and purchased
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land in Freedom Township, where he followed brick-making for a number of years. He was married in Freedom Township in 1836, to Marietta Matteson, of Hiram Township, this county, and a native of Bennington County, Vt., born in 1818, daughter of. Robert and Lois (Vaughn) Matteson, who moved from Vermont to this county in 1833, and resided a few years in Hiram Town- ship; thence they went to Illinois, and later to Kansas, where they died. To our subject and wife were born five children: Henry, Robert, Marion, Christo- pher 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 Charlestown Township, this county, and settled upon land formerly purchased by their forefathers. Of their family three survive: Joel W., John R. and Catherine W. Peebles. Our subject remained upon and operated the home farm until about 1855, and then came to Freedom Township, this county, where he now resides. He was twice married, first on May 30, 1838, to Elsie Prentice, also of Charlestown Township, this county, a native of Connecticut, daughter of Elisha and Betsey (Frisby) Prentice, who settled in this county about 1823 and here died. To our subject and wife were born three children: Albert P., Laura A. and Rosa C. The mother died September 5, 1847, aged thirty-six years, and our subject then married, May 1, 1854, Prudence D. Col- ton, of Freedom Township, this county, born in Hartford County, Conn., Jan- gary 11, 1824, daughter of Jeremiah and Lucy (Lusk) Colton, natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut, respectively, and who were married in Hart- ford County, Conn., May 29, 1814. In 1825 they came to Freedom Township, this county, where they died, Mr. Colton in 1867, his widow in 1868, aged seventy-five and seventy-seven years respectively. Their family of five are all now deceased except the wife of our subject. By this union were born four children: Mary E., Willis C., Lucy J. and Flora I. Mrs. James is a member of the Congregational Church. In politics he is a Republican.
JOHN KILBOURN, farmer, P. O. Freedom, was born August 13, 1828, in Hartford County, Conn., son of Hiram and Mary (Crocker) Kilbourn, natives of Connecticut, and of English descent. They were married in Hartford County, Conn., November 24, 1824, and in 1828 came to Freedom Township. this county, where they purchased land, built a log-cabin and saw-mill, cut roads, cleared farms, etc., and reared a family of which two are now living: John and Frank. The father died September 3, 1866, the mother November 13, 1879, aged sixty-eight and eighty-one years, respectively. Our subject pur- chased land in Freedom Township, in 1850, and in 1858 became owner of the homestead farm; he has now 210 acres. He was married July 5, 1857, to Amy M. 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 Feb- ruary 22, 1882, to Mrs. Sarah A. Davis, of Freedom Township, this county, widow of Martin Davis, who died in 1874, father of three children: Cora, Emma (deceased) and Eugene. Our subject is a Republican in politics.
GILES W. KNEELAND, farmer, P. O. Freedom, was born in Shalers- ville Township, this county, October 15, 1817, son of George W. and Sally (Carlton) Kneeland, who settled here in a very early day, and where they were married in 1815. They were both natives of Connecticut, whence they moved
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with their parents, who were among the first settlers in the county. Our sub- ject is the only survivor of a family of four children, whose parents died in 1835 and 1878, respectively, faithful members of the early pioneer church. He came in 1828 into Freedom Township, where he now resides, and where he was married December 6, 1838, to Amy A. Barber, born in Berkshire County, Mass., May 24, 1818, daughter of Myron and Amy (Spaulding) Barber, natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts respectively, and who came to Freedom Township, this county, in 1824; they died, aged sixty-seven and forty-three respectively. Of their family of four only one-Amy A .- survives. Our subject and wife are parents of five children, all now living: Keziah S., Elbert R., Charles J., Myron A. and Elva M. Mr. Kneeland has served in some of the township offices. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church.
A. C. LARKCOM, farmer, P. 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 children: Mary, married to Enoch Lewis; Cherilla, married to Ambrose Hall; Lyman M., born February 5, 1831, attended country schools, and was married November, 1863, to Miss Rosalia Derthick; and Perry, deceased March 11, 1868. Our subject has remained since 1826 on his present farm, which he reclaimed from the wilderness. He was appointed at various times to the offices of Township Clerk, Constable, Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. He can honorably boast of being second cousin to Noah Webster, the great lexicographer; his wife was second cousin to the immortal Commodore 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 well- improved land and some bank stock at Garrettsville, this county. At the age of seventeen years he began the manufacture of burial caskets, and during his life he has made and sold over 3,000 caskets.
JOHN P. PARKER, farmer, P. O. Ravenna, was born in Bethel, Windsor Co., Vt., January 24. 1813; son of Nathan and Bethiah (Peak) Parker, for- mer 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 moved to and settled in Freedom Township, this county, in 1839, and here cleared a farm and established a home. He was married March 9, 1845, to Almira Martin, of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, born in Vermont August 24, 1821, daughter of Reuben and Thankful (Bolton) Martin, natives respectively of Vermont and Connecticut, married at Rochester, Vt. They moved to Cuy- ahoga County, Ohio, in 1834, thence to Lorain County, and in 1853 to Deti- ance, where they died, the father aged eighty-three, the mother eighty-one y ears. 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 Susque- hanna County, Penn., September 28, 1818; son of Joel and Diana (Capron) Sturdevant, who moved to what is now Summit County, Ohio, in 1820, and there remained about fourteen years, thence came to Freedom Township, this county, in 1834, where they lived and died. Our subject was married, March 3, 1842, to Amanda Hollenbeck, of Shalersville Township, this county, born at Hudson, Summit Co., Ohio, March 14, 1821, daughter of Gad and Phœbe
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(Bishop) Hollenbeck, who accompanied their parents to Summit County at a very early day, and where they were married. Subsequently they removed to Charlestown Township, thence to Shalersville and finally to Geauga County, Ohio, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Sturdevant are the parents of nine chil- dren, 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) Sturde- vant, natives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively, and of English descent. They were married in Susquehanna County, Penn., in 1817, and there lived a few years, then moved to Summit County, Ohio, where they remained until 1834, when they came to this county, cleared up land and fol- lowed 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 Town- ship, this county, born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., February 3, 1831, daughter of Eli and Mary (Nelson) Tuttle, natives of Massachusetts and of English descent. They married in Berkshire County, Mass., in 1830, moved to New York State, and in 1833 came to this county and settled in Shalersville Township. They were parents of seven children, all now living. They died at the ages of sixty-eight and sixty-four years, respectively. Mr. Sturdevant has served in some of the township offices. In politics he is a Republican.
DR. JAMES WEBB (deceased) was born February 26, 1799, and died in Freedom, Portage Co., Ohio, November 9, 1852, in his fifty-fourth year. His early life was spent in Corfu, Genesee Co., N. Y. At the age of twelve and until he was fifteen he was a great sufferer from a white swelling. Perhaps no course of events at any time transpired that had more to do with shaping the current of his life than this long illness. Being incapacitated for manual labor, his mind naturally was attracted to books and the realm of thought, the out- come of which was the study of medicine. At this early period, too, he com- menced that life of prayer and trust and patience, which ever after adorned a most exemplary Christian character, whose light was always pure and steady, and to be trusted. In early manhood he commenced the study of his chosen profession, graduating at Batavia, N. Y., Medical College, in 1823. He began the practice of medicine at Holley, Orleans Co., N. Y., and it was here he formed the acquaintance of Miss Eliza Landfear, with whom he was united in marriage, November 27, 1827. Four sons and six daughters were born to this union, of whom five were natives of Holley. Here Dr. Webb spent thirteen or more of the best years of his life in building up a successful and honorable practice. Here too he united with the Masonic fraternity, of which he was an honored member, and at the time of his death was a member of Garrettsville Lodge, No. 246, F. & A. M. In 1840 he exchanged his village property for a home and thirty acres of land in Freedom, Portage Co., Ohio, to which he removed with his family in May of that year. One special object in the removal was that he might secure land where his boys might find employment and still be under home restraints. Here, as in Holley, he built up a good practice, the needs of the community commanding his services as a physician and surgeon. Here he labored faithfully until he was attacked by that terrible disease (cancer on the face) which after many months of intense suffering ter- minated his days, while he heard the call of the Great Physician to "come up higher." In his life Dr. Webb was ever known as a Christian physician, and
Oliver Sawyer
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was beloved and honored as such. He was a member of the Congregational Church at Freedom. His beloved wife, two sons, Warren and Mervin, and daughter, Sarah, have already followed him "over the river." Rollin S. Webb, Charles B. Webb, Mrs. Dr. Tidball, Mrs. W. S. Wight, Mrs. Warren Peirce, and Miss Mary Webb, are all residents of this county and the village of Gar- retsville. Mrs. Cornelia Reilley, the eldest, is a resident of Bay City, Mich. As a father Dr. Webb was one of the wisest and best, and to his children the memory of such a father is of priceless worth.
GARRETTSVILLE TOWNSHIP.
JOHN ADAMS, clothier, Garrettsville, was born in Germany, February 26, 1841, son of John and Gretchen (Tobic) Adams, who were the parents of three children: Henry (deceased), John and Harmon (deceased). John Adams, Sr., a brick-maker by trade, died September 6, 1867. His widow survived him until November 12, 1883. Our subject received a common school education in his native country, served three years' apprenticeship to the tailor's trade, and fol- lowed that occupation until he came to America. He was married in Germany, October 6, 1864, to Miss Mary Bucky, who was born May 12, 1845, and by her he had four children: Mary, Gustave, Salena and Ludve, latter of whom died on the ocean on their way to America. Mr. Adams on coming to this country first located at Nelson Center, this county, where he remained a few months, then removed to Garrettsville and engaged in business, and bas since con- ducted a gents' furnishing store, and from a small beginning his trade has gradually increased until he now has the satisfaction of managing a large and rapidly growing business. He has traveled quite extensively, visiting twenty- one of the States and Territories here, and making a trip to the scenes of his boyhood days, Germany, where he has a large circle of relatives living. He has been an active member of the Portage Lodge, No. 456, I. O. O. F., for over thirteen years; is also connected with the Y. M. T. C. He is a consistent member of the Baptist Church.
JAMES ASHALD, furniture dealer and undertaker, Garrettsville, is a son of Abel and Elizabeth (Wright) Ashald, natives of England, who cameto Amer- ica in 1830, and settled at Stockbridge, Mass. They were parents of seven children, of whom James is the eldest. Our subject was born in Buckingham - shire, England, October 21, 1827. He received a limited education, and in early life commenced to learn his trade. He was married, March 19, 1851, to Miss Maria Doty, born in Green River, Columbia Co., N. Y., January 11, 1832, by whom he has two sons: Albert H., station agent of the Union Pacific Rail- road at Brainard, Neb., and William W., train dispatcher for the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railway at Galion. Ohio. In 1852 Mr. Ashald went to Troy, N. Y., where he remained about four years, and then removed to Gar- rettsville, Ohio, and engaged with Manly & Beach, whom he bought out two years later. In 1860 the firm became Ashald & Demorest, and remained thus four years (they also had a large branch establishment in Youngstown, Ohio). In 1864 Mr. Ashald retired and formed a partnership with his brother, with whom he remained in business about two years, at the end of which time he engaged with E. A. Upham, as salesman. At the death of the latter; the busi- ness eventually came into the hands of Mr. Ashald, who has since continued
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in the same building. He is one of the oldest undertakers in the county, hav- ing followed it since 1860. He has held nearly every office in Garrettsville and the township: Mayor, Justice of the Peace, member of the School Board, School Director, etc., etc. He has been a member of the Congregational Church since 1856, and one of the Trustees nearly all that time. During the same year he became a member of Garrettsville Lodge, No. 246, F. & A. M. In politics he was formerly a Whig, but now a Republican.
SOLON J. BUTTLES, Postmaster, Garrettsville, was born at Farmington, Trumbull Co., Ohio, April 14, 1835; son of Friend and Electa (Payne) Buttles, natives of Connecticut, who came to Trumbull County, Ohio, in an early day. They were the parents of five children: Susan (deceased), Sherlock (deceased), Laura (deceased) Zeniah (wife of Homer Chapman, of Rootstown) and Solon J. Friend Buttles, a shoe-maker by trade, received his first commission as Postmaster of Trumbull County, Ohio, which he held for several years. He died January 12, 1858, aged sixty-seven, his wife having preceded him in January, 1856. Our subject received a high school education, and early in life commenced to learn the trade of manufacturing boots and shoes, and eventually embarked in that industry, which he followed until 1861, when, owing to ill health, he retired from business for a period of about five years. He then removed to Garrettsville and re-entered the manufacturing business, which he followed about eight years, since when he has carried on the retail trade only. He was married, April 14, 1856, to Miss Mary Davidson, born at Farmington, January 22, 1838, daughter of William A. and Margaret (Flem- ing) Davidson, natives of western Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Trum- bull County, Ohio, both now deceased. To this union were born three children: Willie F. (died at the age of thirteen months), Luetta D. (died in her fifteenth year), Elma, born March 16, 1866 (she is her father's assistant in the post- office). Mr. Buttles has been successful in business, and the courteous and obliging manner with which he has attended to the wants of his customers is his chief characteristic in the position he now sustains to the public as Post- master, which office he has held to the satisfaction of all since February, 1882, at which date he received his appointment. Although always an attendant at church, he never became identified with any denomination until three years since, when he joined the Congregational Church. He is also an active mem- ber of the order of I. O. O. F., No. 456. Our subject cast his first vote for J. C. Fremont, and has since been identified with the Republican party.
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