USA > Ohio > Portage County > History of Portage County, Ohio > Part 88
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J. W. FOSTER, merchant, Mantua, was born June 26, 1817, in Mantua Township, this county, son of Jonathan and Betsey (Eggleston) Foster, natives of New Hampshire and Massachusetts respectively, and who first came to Suffield Township, this county, subsequently moving to Mantua Township, where they remained until their death. Jonathan Foster was a farmer by occupation, alive to every improvement. He endeavored to raise sheep, but his efforts proved a failure, as the first night three of his six sheep were devoured by wolves. He was a Justice of the Peace for many years, a Repre- sentative of this county in the Legislature, Associate Judge, a man of very decided ability. His children were seven in number, three now living: Mar- tha and Mary, maiden ladies residing on the old home farm, and J. W. Our subject was married in April, 1855, to Aurelia, daughter of Joel and Julia Chapman, latter the first white child born in Mantua Township, this county, a daughter of Elias Harmon. By the union of J. W. Foster and wife were born four children, only one now living-Jessie A. Our subject has been
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engaged in mercantile trade in Mantua for forty-four years, and as Postmas- ter of the village nineteen years. He is one of the substantial business men of this place.
JAMES FROST (deceased) was born in Blandford Township, Hampden Co., Mass., son of John and Eleanor Frost. His educational advantages were limited, as his father died when he was but eleven years old, and he was then put out to work. At the expiration of one year he returned home and took charge of the farm, remaining thus occupied until he was seventeen years of age. In May, 1816, being then twenty-five years old, he came to Ohio, and soon after married Semira, daughter of Samuel Forward, who came to Ohio in 1803, and whose family was the second to settle in Aurora Township, this county. Our subject and wife were the parents of seven children: Charles; Frank; John, a bachelor, a thorough business man, who is proprietor of the Mantua Steam Flouring Mills; Elmer, who was born October 22, 1826 (is now Trustee of the township, and has held other official positions; was married November 8, 1848, to Rhoda, daughter of L. Reed, and they had two children: James B., married to Percis Barker, and Eva A., who died in infancy); Madison and Ben- tou, living in Auburn Township, Geauga Co., Ohio, and Mary, wife of Nelson Blair (have two daughters now residing in Parkman, Ohio).
FRANK FROST, farmer, Mantua Corners, was born March 9, 1821, in this township, son of James and Semira (Forward) Frost, and grandson of Samuel Forward and James Frost, natives of Massachusetts and early pioneers of Ohio, the former settling in Aurora Township, this county, in 1803, and the latter in Mantua in 1816. The father of our subject had six sons (five now living) and one daughter, viz. : Charles, Frank, John, Elmer, Madison, Benton and Mary, wife of Nelson Blair (have two daughters residing in Geauga County, Ohio). Our subject was married November, 1844, to Rhoda C. Bump, who died in 1865. He subsequently married Marcia A., daughter of Lot Mitchell, of Windham County, Conn. Mr. Frost has no children. He is a leading farmer and cheese manufacturer of this county, and has served his township as Assessor and Trustee. Politically he is a Democrat.
JOHN FROST (deceased) was born in Mantua Township, this county, March 21, 1823, son of James and Semira (Forward) Frost, the former' a. native of Massachusetts, and came to Ohio in 1816, the latter born in Con- necticut, came in 1803. They were the second family in Mantua Township, and settled two miles west of the present site of Mantua Station. They reared a family of eight children, of whom five are now living: Frank, John, Mad- ison, Mary and Benton; Elmer and his wife died of pneumonia, former, Feb- ruary 14, latter, February 17, 1885, and their funeral obsequies were both held on same day. Our subject was a farmer and miller by occupation, and head of the firm of John Frost & Co., of the Centennial Mills, an establishment employing the new process roller system and possessing a capacity of turning out seventy-five barrels of flour per day. The Centennial is the leading mill in the vicinity. John Frost died of pneumonia February 22, 1885, aged sixty- one years. He was a citizen of capital, enterprise and public spirit.
EDWIN M. FROST, farmer, P. O. Mantua Station, was born August 22, 1832, in Mantua Township, this county; son of Marvin and Mary Ann (Demaw) Frost, former of whom, a native of Blandford, Mass., came to Mantua Town- ship, this county, in 1818, settling on Lot 33, now occupied by Nelson Brann; latter a French-Canadian. They had four children, three now living: J. K., who was a resident of Hudson, Ohio, where he died in 1882 (leaving a widow and two children: Hallie and George); Lorenzo L. and Edwin M. In 1864 the parents of our subject removed to Hudson, where they passed the remainder
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of their days with their son J. K. Frost. In 1854 Edwin M. was married to Agnes A., daughter of Garrett C. Vanwagnen, who came to Ohio from New York State and was the parent of a family of fifteen children, of whom Mrs. Frost is twelfth. To Mr. and Mrs. Frost have been born three children: R. F., a physician in Ashtabula County, Ohio; Lou Y. and Arthur E. at home. In politics our subject is a Democrat.
DEMAS HARMON (deceased) was born January 11, 1805, in Suffield, Conn., son of Cephas and Deborah Harmon. He was married to Rachel Gil- lett, April 21, 1830, by whom he had five children: Maria R., wife of C. B. White (had six children: Elbridge G., Arthur H., Charles C., Fred H., Mary E. and Marcia M .; three are still living: Charles C., Fred H. and Mary E.); Eloisa C., wife of E. M. Kent (have five children: Anna A., Demas E., Zenas A., Eleanor E. and Arthur A); Mary A., wife of F. Canfield, of Austin, Ill. (had two children: Louisa and Hattie B .; Hattie B. is still living); Horace A., married Tryphena Reed (have two children: Vernie I. and Demas), and Silas D., a bachelor. In 1833, accompanied by his wife, he came to Chardon, Geauga Co., Ohio, where he remained until the spring of 1834, when he moved to Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio, and bought 215 acres of land. He died May 19, 1842. His widow, in October of the same year, married King Nooney, a brother of Capt. Nooney of the war of 1812, and by him had one daughter- Sarah R .- now the wife of G. O. Reed. Mr. Nooney died October 9, 1848. His widow still resides on the farm located by her first husband many years ago. Her son, Silas D., who lives with her, has charge of the farm, dairy, etc., and is one of the leading farmers of the town.
SAMUEL HARMON, farmer, P. O. Mantua, son of Alexander and Mary (Hanchett) Harmon, was born in Suffield, Conn., July 30, 1808, came to Ohio in 1834 and settled in the northern part of Mantua Township. In 1835 our subject married Jane Deming, daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Smith) Deming, and born in Sandisfield, Mass., November 1, 1815. By this union eight children were born, seven now living: Esther A. (Mrs. H. L. Moore, in Kansas), Orcelia J. (Mrs. H. H. Converse), Martha A. (Mrs. G. W. Stitt), Car- rie L. (Mrs. H. J. Sanford), Rhoda J. (Mrs. M. H. Case, in Illinois), Samuel (who married Sylvia, daughter of Charles Streator, of Shalersville, this county), and Fred H., residing with his brother Samuel at the old home. January, 1875, Mr. Harmon buried his wife, and March, 1878, he married Mrs. Wood; they live near the old homestead. Our subject has held several offices of trust in the township, and is a quiet, unassuming, well-to-do farmer.
HORACE D. HINCKLEY, farmer, P. O. Mantua Station, was born August 29, 1817, the second white child born in Auburn, Geauga Co., Ohio, son of Charles and Nancy (Turner) Hinckley, the former born in 1793, in Con- necticut, and the latter in 1791, in Massachusetts, but afterward removed to New York State, settling near Albany. They were married during the fall of 1816, at Walworth, Wayne Co., N. Y., and the following winter moved to Geauga County, Ohio, making the journey on sleds drawn by oxen, and, en route, the party narrowly escaped death. While passing a clearing two trees fell, crushing one of the sleds and delaying the venturesome toilers in the unfre- quented pathways two days. They arrived at their destination in safety, how- ever, and lived for many years, Mr. Hinckley dying in 1842, and his widow during the year 1866. They reared a family of seven children, three sons now living: James B., Gilbert and Horace D. Our subject was married October 21, 1846, to Sylvia, daughter of Moses and Celia Bradley, natives of Vermont and Russell, Mass., respectively, and who had four children, three now living: Martha (Mrs. Burnett), Lydia (Mrs. Zabriskie), both residing in Geauga
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County, and Mrs. Hinckley. Our subject has resided in this county since 1865, and is one of the oldest members of Masonic Lodge, No. 553.
PHINEAS U. JENNINGS (deceased) was born May 4, 1796, in Craftsbury, Vt., son of Benjamin and Serena (Bigelow) Jennings, former born August 29, 1752, died April 14, 1836; latter born March 16, 1765, died April 16, 1835. They were married November 13, 1786, and were the parents of eight children: Betsey, born October 16, 1787; Anna, born January 8, 1791; Lucretia, born October 13, 1793; Phineas U., born May 4, 1796; Talmon, born July 4, 1798; Lucy M., born December 21, 1801; Elial, born July 15, 1804; Benjamin, born May 1, 1807. Our subject, wlien eight years old, was bound out to Daniel Freeman, a farmer and hotel-keeper, and with him remained until he reached his majority. He then started on life's career with one suit of clothes. When with Freeman he cut a cord of wood, hauled it seven miles, and with the means obtained by the sale of the wood he purchased a "Scholar's Arithmetic," dated 1814, which is well preserved by his daughter, Mrs. Alvord. In 1821 he came to Ohio, driv- ing a team for Benjamin Dow, whose wife was a sister to Judge Foster. The journey was made with a sled, and while crossing a lake the ice broke, and Mr. Jennings' cabinet got wet and with it his family Bible, the only gift of his father, which is also held in good preservation by his daughter, Mrs. Alvord. It was published in 1789. His first purchase of land was in 1821 in Mantua Township, this county, the tract being sixty-four acres of wild for- est, and clearing it, he made it his home for life, adding thereto, from time to time, until he became the possessor of 300 acres besides considerable other property, all acquired, not by fortunate speculation, but by honest and patient industry. With a limited education he was a close observer, and with a strong and vigorous intellect he rapidly formed an accurate judgment of men and things, and in active life was one of the substantial and reliable citizens of the township. Being stricken with blindness in his old age, he bore the afflic- tion with cheerfulness, patiently awaiting for his eyes to be opened in the "home over there," where his aged companion had preceded him about two years. He was certain of good treatment by his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Alvord, and hence chose them to care for him to the close of his life, which ended June 26, 1882. June 16, 1822, he was married to Cleona Wil- mot, born April 23, 1806, in Cheshire, New Haven Co., Conn., and in 1814 she came to Ohio with her widowed mother, sister and brother, Ella Wilmot. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jennings were born Serena, July 12, 1823; Cor- delia, born May 28, 1828, died March 9, 1832; Roena C., born September 5, 1830; Cordelia E., born July 25, 1832, died December 7, 1835. Mrs. Jennings died March 26, 18SO. They united with the Disciples Church in 1838, and died in full faith. Their property was divided equally between their two daughters. Through a kindly regard for the memory of the deceased and a desire to perpetuate his name, Mr. and Mrs. Alvord have contributed to this work a portrait of Phineas U. Jennings. Elsewhere in this volume will be found a brief biography of Mr. Alvord, who has always been closely identified with Portage County.
EDGAR M. KENT, farmer, P. O. Mantua, was born November 22, 1828, in Aurora Township, this county, son of Amasa and Eleanor (Johnson) Kent, natives of Tolland, Conn., who came to Mantua Township, this county, at an early period and here passed the remainder of their days. Amasa Kent died Jan- uary 4, 1881, his wife having preceded him May 1, 1870. Our subject, their only child, was married June 17, 1852, to Eloisa C., daughter of Demas and Rachel Harmon, who were the parents of five children, Mrs. Kent being the
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second. Demas Harmon died in 1842, and his widow subsequently married King Noney, and is now a resident of Mantua. Mr. and Mrs. Kent have five children: Annie A., wife of Albert A. Giles (have one child-Georgiana); Demas E .; Zenas A., married to Emma E. Plumb; Eleanor E .; Arthur H. Mr. Kent, who lives on his father's old farm, is one of the leading farmers of Mantua Township, a member of the Disciples Church; he is a Republican in politics.
HORACE LADD, SR. (deceased), was born in Vernon, Conn., October 18, 1789, and came to Ohio in 1811, settling in Mantua Township, this county. Four years later, in 1815, he married Eunice R., daughter of Samuel Moore, a native of Connecticut, and who moved to this State in 1806, locating on Lot 20, in the eastern part of Mantua, but dying on Lot 27, where Horace Ladd, Jr., now resides. To Mr. and Mrs. Ladd were born seven children, five now living: Calista R. (Mrs. H. Hart); Eunice (Mrs. C. Wood); Horace, Jr .; Perley (Mrs. A. W. Seymour) and Rodolphus, who married Harriet C. Chapin. Horace Ladd, Jr., was married, January 9, 1853, to Abigail C., daughter of Lorenzo and Maria Chapin, and widow of Mr. Griffen, by whom she had one child-Frank P. Griffen, married to Mary J. Jones; and to Mr. and Mrs. Ladd have been born six children, five now living: Willie H., George C., Hattie E., Henry K. and Eva J. George C. married Charlotte A. Jones, of Indiana (have two children: Jesse and an infant) and resides in Malcolm, Neb. Horace Ladd, Jr., has served twelve years as Justice of the Peace, also for many years as Township Clerk and Trustee. He is a Republican in poli- tics. His grandfather and five brothers served in the Revolutionary war and his father in the war of 1812.
RODOLPHUS LADD, farmer, P. O. Mantua, was born July 27, 1830, in Mantua Township, Portage Co., Ohio, son of Horace Ladd (a soldier in the war of 1812) and Eunice K. (Moore) Ladd, former of whom came to this county in 1811; the latter, a daughter of Samuel Moore, came to this county in 1806. They settled in Mantua Township, and were the parents of follow- ing children: Calista (Mrs. Hart), Eunice S. (Mrs. Wood), Lucy (deceased), Perley (Mrs. A. W. Seymour), Rodolphus and Horace, Jr. Our subject was married January 25, 1854, to Harriet E., daughter of Lorenzo and Maria (Kent) Chapin, parents of seven children, four of whom survive: Henry A., Abigail, Charles E. and Harriet E. (Mr. and Mrs. Chapin settled in Mantua Township, this county, in 1814, owned the farm where our subject now resides, and died here, the former March 14, 1875, and the latter six years later.) Mr. and Mrs. Rodolphus Ladd have had three children: Emma (Mrs. Bliss) in Ells- worth, Kan., Frank C. at home, and Charlie G., who died at the age of ten years. Our subject has served his township as Treasurer for two years, and School Director many years.
JESSE LING was born March 3, 1842, in New York State, son of Edward E. and Betsey Ling, who were the parents of Mary A., Edward, James, Jane, Walter, Jesse and Robert. He was married October 15, 1866, to Roena C., daughter of Phineas U. and Cleona (Wilmot) Jennings (who were married June 16, 1822), former born May 4, 1796, in Craftsbury, Vt., son of Benjamin Jen- nings, who was born August 29, 1752, and Serena (Bigelow) Jennings, who was born March 16, 1765; latter born April 23, 1806, in New Haven County, Conn. Phineas U. Jennings came to Ohio in 1821 and purchased sixty-four acres of land in Mantua Township, paying $8 per acre, and this he made his life home, adding to it from time to time till he became the owner of 300 acres besides much other property. He was a rugged pioneer living in a rude cabin on his farm until 1833, when he erected a frame house in which he resided all
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his days. He made four trips to the East, sometimes by sleigh and sometimes by wagon, and also by rail; his last trip was made in 1870. His wife was a sister of E. Wilmot, who, accompanied by his mother and her family, came to Ohio in 1814 and settled in Mantua Township. They were parents of the fol- lowing children: Serena, born July 12, 1823; Cordelia, born May 28, 1828, died March 9, 1832; Roena C., born September 5, 1830, and Cordelia E., born July 25, 1832, died December 7, 1835. Phineas U. Jennings died June 26, 1882; his wife, March 26, 1880. Jesse Ling was at one time a mariner, and for three years served in the United States Navy. He and his wife have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter named Sadie J. Ling. They occupy a large tract of land in the southern part of this township, a portion of which is Mrs. Ling's share of her father's estate.
HEZEKIAH MAY (deceased) was born April 3, 1782, in Pomfret, Wind- ham Co., Conn., son of Ithimer May. He was married February 10, 1812, to Artemesia White, who bore him four children: Jude S., Olivia S., Delos W., and Norman (deceased in 1850). Jude S. was born in 1815, in Otsego County, N. Y., and married, September 3, 1845, Zelia, daughter of A. Patterson, by whom he had two children: Hezekiah and Florence, the former married to Bessie Luce, September 25, 1877, and has one child-Zelia. Olivia S., the second child. is married to E. Mitchell, and resides in Nebraska. Delos W. was born in New York State, May 15, 1822, and has been twice married; his first wife, Miranda Mitchell, was a native of Connecticut, and died February 3, 1853, leaving two children: Adelbert D., married to Lillian Bidlake, and Norman L., married to Cornelia Lester. On August 21, 1853, Delos W. married his second spouse, Elizabeth A., daughter of George W. King, also of New York State, and by her has two daughters: Emma M. (Mrs. A. Carlton) and Cora D. Our subject accompanied his family to Ohio in 1829 and settled in Mantua Township, where he had purchased a tract of 100 acres from the Shel- don heirs, the deed being drawn up by Judge Harmon. This property was in an unbroken wilderness and contained but a small improvement, a building reared by Mr. Olney for milling purposes. He cleared this land, however, erected the second mill in the township and accumulated a productive estate. He died in 1854. Delos May has been a successful miller for many years and is universally esteemed for his probity and enterprise. He has served his township in various official positions, such as Trustee and School Director.
CHAUNCEY MESSENGER, farmer, P. O. Mantua, was born December 9, 1821, in Mantua Township, this county; son of William and Ruth (Miller) Messenger, natives of Connecticut and pioneers of Ohio, whither they came in 1815, and to this county one year later, settling on the farm where Mr. Kilby now (1885) resides. They were the parents of twelve children: Will- iam A. (deceased), married to Elizabeth Skinner (deceased), afterward to Betsey Douglas; Jerome, now residing in Coldwater, Mich., married to Maranda Thomas (deceased); Clemon, married to Pletus Skinner; Zerina (Mrs. H. Coe) now a widow; Voyla, married to Mrs. Eliza Willcutt Jud- son, a widow (deceased); Cebra (deceased); Milton (deceased); Rectina (Mrs. Rufus Edwards), a widow; Chauncey; Franklin, married to Caroline Goddard; Affa (Mrs. R. E. McIntosh), and Henry, married to Harriet Fuller. Our subject was twice married, first occasion September 23, 1857, to Susan Phelps, who died May 29, 1859, leaving one child-Mary S. He next mar- ried, March 11, 1860, Clarissa Walker, daughter of Josiah and Eunice (Wis- well) Walker, by whom he has had five children: Chauncy L., Susan A. (deceased), Jenny E., Grant and John W. Mr. Messenger is one of the most substantial men of this township, and has served as Trustee, School Director, etc., etc.
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FRANKLIN MESSENGER, farmer, P. O. Mantua, was born October 13, 1824, in Mantua Township, this county; son of William and Ruth (Miller) Messenger, natives of Granby, Hartford Co., Conn., who removed to Ohio in 1814, settling in Mantua Township, this county, where they reared a family of twelve children: Alvira (deceased); Jerome, residing at Coldwater, Mich .; Clement, in Geauga County, Ohio; Zernia (Mrs. Coe), a widow; Viola, in Mantua; Sebradid; Milton (deceased); Rectina (Mrs. Edwards), residing in Oberlin, Ohio; Chauncey, in Mantua; Franklin; Affa (Mrs. McIntosh), in Mantua; Henry, in Mantua. William Messenger, who was a farmer by occu- pation, died November 18, 1853, aged seventy-three years and his widow August 13, 1875, at the advanced age of ninety-one. Our subject was mar- ried, October 5, 1847, to Caroline Goddard, daughter of Dryden and Maria (Merriman) Goddard, the former of whom died in 1871, aged sixty-eight, and the latter in 1872, aged sixty-six. Mr. and Mrs. Messenger have had nine children: Ellen (Mrs. Rogers), George (deceased), Alvirus (deceased), Har- riet (Mrs. Cox), Flora, Mila A. (Mrs. Dines), Martha (Mrs. Russell), Frank and Alice.
SAMUEL NOBLE, manufacturer of cheese, P. O. Mantua Station, is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, where he was born July 27, 1854; son of William and Elizabeth (Meggs) Noble, natives of Ireland, who came to Ohio in 1844, settling in Trumbull County. Here they reared and educated their family of nine children and fitted them for the various duties of life. Our subject was one of twin brothers, and after completing his studies, acquired the art with which he has so long been identified. He now owns and operates a cheese factory, located in the southern part of Mantua Township, which is well organized, fully equipped and supplied with every facility for the busi- ness in which our subject has scored a very pronounced success. The factory is operated eight months in the year and has a capacity of turning out 520 cheeses per month, most of which is shipped to Boston, Mass. Our subject was married, March 9, 1882, to Miss Emma, daughter of Capt. Bissell.
GEORGE NOLD, miller, Mantua, was born March, 1840, in Fairfield Township, Columbiana Co., Ohio; son of Jacob and Catharine (Ziegler) Nold, natives of Bucks and Lancaster Counties, Penn., and among the earliest settlers in Columbiana County, Ohio. Jacob Nold was a miller, and brought into that county the first set of French buhr stones for milling purposes. He and his wife lived and died in Columbiana County after raising a family of fourteen chil- dren, twelve of whom are still living: Elizabeth (Mrs. Yoder); John, married to Esther Huber; Susan (Mrs. Esterly); Mary (Mrs. Blosser); Abraham, mar- ried to Sarah Sitler; Barbara (Mrs. Detwiler); Jacob, married to Nancy Kindy; Samuel, married to Velina Sitler; David, married to Emaline Moyer; Nancy (Mrs. Stauffer); Catharine (deceased); George, married to Lydia Schwartz; Alevia (deceased); and Sarah (Mrs. Newcomer). George Nold and his partner, John Frost, are now running the leading flouring-mill in Mantua. This mill is provided with all the latest improvements, rollers, etc., with a capacity of turning out seventy-five barrels of flour daily, and is of great advantage to the village.
'COL. C. H. RAY, merchant and Postmaster, Mantua, is a native of Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio, born October 31, 1835, and now owns the farm on which he was born and reared. His grandfather served in the Revolutionary Army, his father in the war of 1812, in a Mantua company, and himself, with five brothers, served in the Union Army in the war of the Rebellion. He attended school at Hiram in the early days of that very excellent and popular school at that place, and at the time Rev. Sutton Hayden was President of the
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institute, and James A. Garfield a student and teacher of classes. Our sub- ject worked on his father's farm in summer and taught a district school in winter. From first to last Mr. Ray was an enemy of the slave power, and when Kansas commenced her struggle for freedom his attention was attracted in that direction, and in 1856, while yet a boy, with an older brother, he drove a team of horses attached to a covered wagon from Wisconsin to Kansas, a distance of nearly 1,000 miles, camping out and sleeping in the wagon nights during the whole journey, a trip he enjoyed very much. He remained in Kansas for two years clerking in a store for an elder brother and working in a mill. Here he voted against the Pro-slavery Constitution and its propositions, and for a Free State Constitution for Kansas. While here he was honored with an introduction to John Brown of Harper's Ferry fame, who frequently called at his brother's house during those troublesome times, and whom he has ever regarded as a man of very high character, and a man of pure principles, a prophet born before his day, and in 1883 wrote a lengthy article for the National Tribune, Washington, D. C., on John Brown's work in Kansas, that was well received by the public and read with much interest. He returned to Ohio in the spring of 1859, worked on the farm at home and taught a winter term of school in his home district where he had learned his A B C's. He enlisted in the army in the early part of the summer of 1862, being the fifth one of a family of six boys to join the Union Army. On the fourth day of July, 1863, Mr. Ray was elected Captain of a Mantua company of Ohio militia and com- missioned as such by His Excellency, David Tod, Ohio's great war Governor, and on the 22d day of September of the same year he was elected and com- missioned Colonel of the First Regiment Ohio Militia in Portage County. At the close of the civil war he engaged in the milling business for a few years, and in 1867 engaged in mercantile business, which pursuit, together with farming, he is now in, having carried on the mercantile business in Mantua and in the same building for more than eighteen years. He is now and has been Postmaster at Mantua for the past eighteen years, having received his appointment under Andrew Johnson's administration. Col. Ray was married, on the 22d day of June, 1868, to Miss Martha A. Cochran, daughter of the Hon. Leverett Cochran, who represented Portage County in the Ohio Legisla- ture in 1854 and 1855. Our subject has always taken an active part in poli- tics, being a stanch and uncompromising Republican, and upon Gen. J. A. Garfield receiving the nomination for President in 1880, he at once took the stump for his old teacher and neighbor and labored hard for the Republican cause in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and was rewarded for his labor by seeing his old friend seated in the Presidential chair. Born to labor and inured to toil, Col. Ray has led an active and industrious life, and by strict economy and close attention to business has accumulated a handsome competency, but has at no time allowed his business to occupy his whole time and attention, but has traveled quite extensively in this country, and seconded by a good wife, tries to enjoy life by getting the most out of it as it comes along. During the summer of 1884 Col. and Mrs. Ray crossed the continent, traveling quite extensively in the great West, and visited the Pacific Coast and the wonderful " Yellowstone National Park." He wrote up the country and their tour for a home paper, and on their return the Colonel took the lecture platform, where he has delivered his, lecture entitled " The National Park." Col. Ray is one of the charter members of Mantua Lodge, No. 533, F. & A. M., also a charter member of Richardson Council, No. 63, R. & S. M., Cryptic Masonry, Ravenna, Ohio, and a charter member of Bentley Post, No. 294, G. A. R., of Mantua.
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