William DeFord
William DeFord | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the Carroll County district | |
| In office 1864–1868 | |
| Preceded by | Leonard Harsh |
| Succeeded by | James M. Kain |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 28, 1807 Monroe, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | (aged 91) near East Rochester, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic Republican |
| Spouse |
Mary Williams
(m. 1838; died 1875) |
| Relatives | John Hopwood (grandfather) |
| Education | Madison College |
| Occupation |
|
William DeFord (April 28, 1807 – February 24, 1898) was an American politician who served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing Carroll County from 1864 to 1868.
Early life
[edit]William DeFord was born on April 28, 1807, in Monroe, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, to Nancy (née Hopwood) and John DeFord. His father was a farmer and owned a hotel in Monroe (previously named Hopwood). His maternal grandfather John Hopwood was the town namesake and was a Baptist who founded churches throughout Fayette County. DeFord studied in common schools and attended Madison College in Pennsylvania for a few months.[1][2] In 1822, he visited some friends in Wooster, Ohio.[2] As a young man, he helped construct the National Road near Laurel Hill.[2] He also met General Marquis de Lafayette during his return to the United States.[2][3]
Career
[edit]In 1835, DeFord moved to a farm in Washington Township, Carroll County, Ohio.[1][2]
Prior to the Civil War, DeFord was a Democrat.[2] In 1840, DeFord was a presidential elector for the Democratic ticket.[1] After the start of the war, he became a Republican.[2][3] He served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing Carroll County from 1864 to 1868.[4] He also served as justice of the peace.[2]
DeFord worked as a farmer for over 57 years.[2]
Personal life
[edit]DeFord married Mary Williams, daughter of George Williams, of New Jersey in April 1838. They had two sons, Nathan and John. She died in 1875.[2] DeFord was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church.[2]
DeFord died on February 24, 1898, at his son's home near East Rochester, Ohio.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "William DeFord". The Daily Ohio Statesman. April 6, 1866. p. 1. Retrieved October 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k John Danner, ed. (1904). Old Landmarks of Canton and Stark County, Ohio. pp. 1125–1127. Retrieved October 5, 2023 – via Archive.org.
- ^ a b c "He Greeted Lafayette". Zanesville Times Recorder. February 26, 1898. p. 4. Retrieved October 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Taylor, W. A. (1892). Ohio Statesmen and Hundred Year Book. The Westbote Co., State Printers. pp. 370–372. Retrieved October 5, 2023 – via Archive.org.
