The Rawson Family

David A. Rawson in Commemorative Biographical Record, Ohio

The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.

DAVID A. RAWSON, one of those noble old pioneers who has been ' spared by the ravages of time, was

born October 12, 1819, in Grafton, Lorain Co., Ohio.

The father of our subject, Grindall Raw- son, was born in West Southliriduje, Mass., in 1792, a son of Samuel Grindall Raw- son, who was by trade a wagon-maker, and from Massachusetts moved to Genesee county, N. Y., whence after about one year he came (in 1816) to Ohio, landing first at Cleveland, then a collection of huts. From there he walked to Liver- pool, Medina county, thence to Grafton township, Lorain county, at that time a primeval wilderness, where yet roamed the Indian and many a savage wild animal.

His father had traded land in Connecticut for a tract in Grafton township, and his sons Grindall and Jonathan selected 160 acres each near where the villase of Graf- ton now stands, after which Grindall re- turned to Genesee county, N. T., and for some time made his home with one Han- ford Boughton.

In 1817 Grindall Rawson once more came to Ohio, and permanently located on his 160 acres, bravely setting to work to clear the land, erecting at first a rude log cabin. Here he married Maria Ashley, a native of Massachusetts, and daughter of David Ashley, who came as a pioneer to Grafton township, settling near the Center. To this union were born children as fol- lows: David A., the subject of sketch; Angelo D., a farmer of Eaton township; a son that died when two months old ; Henry, a farmer, who died in San Diego, Cal., where he had gone in search of health; Rachel, Mrs. Satnuel Wilson, of AYindsor, Ashtabula Co., Ohio; Adaliue, of Pres- cott, Wis.; Phebe, Mrs. Cassana Lovejoy, of Cleveland, and Theodore, who died when a young man. Mr. Rawson followed his trade in connection with farming-, and was one of the leadincr men of his time.

When he first came to Grafton township, in order to get his milling done he had to go to the Tuscarawas river, a nine-days' trip through the woods, and oxen were the only beasts of burden. He cleared all his land, which at the time of his death amounted to over 300 acres, and he was looked upon as a hard-working, thrifty man. He died May 21, 1876, his wife about two years afterward, and both lie buried in Center cemetery. Politically he was originally an Old-line Whig, later a Republican.

David A. Rawson, whose name opens this sketch, was educated at the subscrip- tion schools of the period, one Samuel Curtis being his first teacher, and his at- tendance was limited to a few months in the winter season. In January, 1845, he was married to Miss Amanda M. Jadwin,

a native of the State of Massachusetts, daughter of Rensselaer Jadwin, who came to Lorain county, Ohio, in pioneer times. After inarriajre our suhject and his young wife located on eighty-four acres of land which he paid for out of his savings, the amount being four hundred and eighty dollars. Here he has since continued to live, and has seen his property converted from a howling wilderness into a smiling, fertile farm. To him and his wife were born four children, to wit: J. Henry, who died when four years old; J. A., a leading farmer of Grafton; Eva, Mrs. George Cragin, of Grafton; and William T., who died at the age of sixteen years. The mother of these departed this life in May, 1876, a consistent member of the M. E. Church. In his political preferences Mr. Kawson is a stanch Republican, formerly an Old-line Whig, and while not a mem- ber of church, he is a Universalist in senti- ment. He has always been a hard worker, has managed well, and he is one of the successful farmers in Grafton township.

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record, Ohio. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.