The Oviatt Families of Summit County, Ohio

EDWARD OVIATT, Akron. Edward Oviatt, son of Marvin and Mary (Foot) Oviatt; was born on May 19, 1822, at Hudson, Summit Co., Ohio. He spent a part of his time on a farm during his 3'outh, and attended school at the Richfield Academy at Granville, and Western Reserve College, during a portion of his minority. In May, 1842, he came to Akron, entering the Hon. D. K. Cartter, now the President Judge of the District of Columbia, for purpose of studying law, where he remained four 3-ears, and until Cartter removed to Massillon. In September, 1844, he was admitted at Medina as a practitioner at the bar in the State Courts, and, in November, 1856, at Cleveland, as a practitioner in the courts of the United States. He practiced law alone until July, 1865, when he formed a partnership with Hon. S. W. McClure, which lasted until May, 1870, the latter having been elected as one of the Judges of the Coui't of Common Pleas. He continued the practice alone till September, 1876, when he formed a partnership with George G. Allen, who had, a short time before that, been admitted to the bar, and with whom he still continues, under the firm name of Oviatt & Allen. He was one of the members of the Briard of Education of the city' for several 3'ears; was City Attorney from 1854 to 1862, and Prosecuting Attorney for this county from 1865 to 1869 inclusive, having been almost unanimously nominated b3' the Republican party' early' in September, 1864, and, on the day' of his return from the 100 days' service, leaving Akron as a member of Co. A, 54th Battalion 0. N. G., but, on arriving in camp at Cleveland, in the organization of the 164th Regiment 0. V. I., Col. John C. Lee commanding, he was appointed and served as Color Bearer of the regiment until his return home, the regiment having been located on Arlington Heights, Va., during the entire summer. He started in life without capital, and, for whatever of success in business he may' have acquired, it was gained by industry- and economy'. On Sept. 8, 1847, he married Anna M. Wadsworth, daughter of Frederick Wadsworth, who bore him one daughter — Emma, now the wife of Calvin Edgerton, a lawyer residing in San Francisco, Cal. His wife died Aug. 9, 1854. Dec. 5, 1855, he mai'ded Frances A. Lansing, of Saratoga Co., N. Y., who bore him two children — Olivia F., wife of George G. Allen, and Edward Ailing, the three above named being his only children. An ardent Republican, but not ambitious for office or political preferment, he has devoted his time and energies to his profession, seeking a reputation for fidelity' and trustworthiness in business, rather than political honors. He adopted the rule early in life to owe no man anything pecuniarily, and if a debt was contracted in the purchase of real estate or otherwise, he lost no time or opportunity in meeting the obligation, and to this principle he gives the credit for much of his success in business.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SCHUYLER R. OVIATT, P. 0. Richfield; is a son of Marvin and Mary (Foote) Oviatt, who were both natives of Connecticut. Marvin was born in Goshen Oct. 1, 1797, and his wife in Norfolk Feb. 2, 1795. They were united in marriage in 1818. The father of Marvin, Capt. Heman Oviatt, was born in Goshen, Conn., Sept. 20, 1775; he was married Jan. 10, 1796, to Miss Eunice Newton, she was born Nov. 15, 1777. Capt. Heman Oviatt was one of the pioneers of Summit County, coming with David Hudson, to Hudson Township, in 1800, returning in the fall of the year to Connecticut, and returning in the spring of 1801, with his family. He located in Hudson Township where he resided for a number of years, taking a prominent position in all acts of public importance and improvements. He endowed Hudson College, while a resident there, with a fund of $12,000. His first wife, Eunice, was a woman universally beloved, and possessed much influence over the Indians. She died Sept. 17, 1813, leaving three children — Marvin, Orson and Harriet. Heman married for a second wife Sophia E. Kilbourne, by whom he had two children— Heman, now a resident of Cleveland, and Elizabeth, living in Richfield Township; she lived about twenty years, and after her death he married the Widow Curtis, of Akron, who survived him several years. In 1839, Heman removed to Richfield Township, were he resided up to his death, which occurred Dec. 5, 1854. A more extended narrative of his business enterprises, and connection with the township and county', will appear in another portion of this work. Marvin was married in Hudson in 1818, and engaged in farming for a short period in that township, and then connected himself with his brother Orson, in Richfield. In 1825, he went to Cleveland, and was engaged in the mercantile trade there for a few years, and then went South, and was in the produce business upon the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers; after a few years he returned to Richfield, and again went upon a farm. At the breaking-out of the gold excitement in California, in 1850, he started for the Pacific Coast, and after remaining there three years, started to return home, but fell from the steamer, upon which he had taken passage upon the San Juan River, and was drowned, August 1853. His body' was never recovered nor any of his effects. His wife died in Richfield, May 31, 1876. Their children now living are as follows: Schu3'ler R., Tracy' M., a Presbyterian Minister now living in Callfornia; Edward, a prominent law_yer of Akron; Celia, now the wife of Baxter H. Wood, of Medina; Virgil L., a graduate of the Western Reserve College (deceased); Carlos, died in Corry, Peun., having a wife and son; Schuyler R., was boi'u in Hudson Township in 1819. His education is academical, graduating at the Richfield Academy at the age of 20. He is by occupation a civil engineer, and has also devoted considerable attention to horticultural pursuits. At various times he has served the township and county in offices of public trust, prominent among which we mention, as County Surveyor, and also County Treasurer from 1871 to 1875. In township affairs he has always taken a leading interest; is now serving as Notary Public. In 1880, he prepared and delivered a historical address, in Richfield, at the pioneer meeting of that year, and also furnishes many of the facts and incidents which appear in the township history. He was united in marriage in June, 1842, to Miss Charlotte A. Weld, a daughter of James Weld, Esq., who was before his death one of Richfield's most prominent business men. Thev have two children — James S., a graduate of Western Reserve College, and at present living in Cleveland, serving as Assistant City Civil Engineer, and Miss Lotta, at home.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

L. H. OVIATT, county commissioner of Summit County, residing at Hudson and awning farming and cattle interests near Hudson, has his official residence in the Court House at Akron. He was born in Portage Township, Summit County, Ohio, in 1860, and is a son of Salmon F. Oviatt.

The grandfather of Mr. Oviatt was Benjamin Oviatt, who, with his brother, Herman Oviatt, came to Ohio from Connecticut, and settled near Hudson, Summit County, in 1802, when this whole country was a wilderness. Benjamn Oviatt resided there until 1847, w'hen he removed to Twinsburg Township, where he lived until his death. Salmon Oviatt, father of L. H., resided at Hudson, where he was born in 1827, until his father moved to Twinsburg Township, and he still re.sides on the same farm, having reached the age of eighty years. He has long been a prominent citizen of that section,

L. H. Oviatt was reared and educated at Twinsburg and subsequently became an extensive farmer and cattle raiser. Ever since attaining manhood he had been active in politics, and has served in all the important township offices, having been a member of the School Board. a.assessor and trustee. In the fall of 1901, Mr. Oviatt was first elected county commissioner, and assumed the duties of the office in the fall of 1902. His reelection took place in the fall of 1904. Mr. Oviatt has been chairman of the building commission for the erection of the Court House, and is also a member of the Sunmiit County Agi'cultural Socity.

Mr. Oviatt was married in September, 1881, to Nina E. Slocum, who is a daughter of John Slocum, who was born in New York and became later a resident of Akron. Mr. and Mrs. Oviatt have two children: Ida, who is the wife of Silas E. Sawyer, who is engaged in a grocery business.s at Falls Junction, Ohio, and Fayette L., residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Oviatt are members of the Congregational Church at Twinsburg. Mr. Oviatt is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

S. E. OVIATT, manufacturer; Hudson; was born in Richland Township, this county, Aug. 2, 1832. He is the son of Russell and Julia (Curtis) Oviatt. Russell was the son of Salmon Oviatt, who was one of three brothers (viz., Salmon, Heman and Nathaniel) who emigrated from Connecticut, and were among the first pioneers of this county. Russell Oviatt was a well-to-do farmer; hence the first efforts of his son (S. E.) were also in that direction. Mr. S. E. Oviatt had charge of the farm when quite young, as his father sustained injuries from which he never recovered, caused by jumping from a buggy. Of their five children, three lived to maturity, viz., Mariam, S. E., and Russelline; Chloe and Adrian died in childhood. Mr. Oviatt received a good common-school education. He attended the Richfield Academy two terms, but his assistance being required at home, he was not afforded the opportunity of further advancement. He evidently conducted his agricultural pursuits with a thoroughness seldom attained by young men, as diplomas in his possession attest, which he received after entering in competition with quite a number of townships in Summit and adjoining counties, for the best acre of wheat, beans, oats and corn, in 1853; also, a diploma for the best three-year-old horse at the same time. Having a taste for mechanics, and being naturally an inventive genius, he has produced several valuable patents, viz.: " The Oviatt grain thresher "; also, the farm wagon known as the " Common-sense Wagon," said to be more convenient and more durable than the ordinary ones; and a sled, known as the " Independent runner," Oviatt patent; this latter improvement has experienced a large demand. He moved into the village of Richfield, purchased and built a residence worth about $3,000, on part of what was his grandfather's old homestead, reserving 7 acres, which he retains. He endeavored to build up manufacturing industries at Riclifield, and for a time was actively engaged with the Richfield Agricultural Works, which were operated by a "stock" company. He established a spoke factory, which he conducted for two years, when he closed out. He moved to Akron in 1874, where he engaged in the agricultural implement trade for about three years, at the same time contemplating an establishment for the manufacture of his special patents. He made an eflSort to organize a stock company in January, 1878, at Hudson, and, so for as the organization was concerned, his efforts were successful. It was on the cooperative plan, and the members were mechanics without means, but were men to whom Mr. Oviatt was willing to give an opportunity to progress with the enterprise; four of the members became dissatisfied, and those remaining purchased the stock of the outgoing members. Although the business, for some time past, has not been in a thriving condition, the prospects of the institution at present are encouraging. It is known as the " Oviatt Manufticturing Co." Mr. Oviatt was married, Feb. 14, 1856, to Fannie E. Watkins, of Plainfield, Will Co., Ill. She was born in Wyoming, N. Y., May 24, 1836; her parents, with their family, moved from New York to Illinois when she was small. Mr. and Mrs. Oviatt are parents of five children, viz., Julia A., Russell L., Edward P., Fannie E. and Maud.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

DARIUS L. OVIATT, farmer; P. 0. West Richfield; is a son of Nathaniel and Hannah (Deming) Oviatt, natives of Litchfield Co., Conn., and pioneers of Summit Co., locating in Richfield Township in 1812, and residents of the township for the remainder of their lives. His mother died in April, 1831; by a subsequent marriage his father had six children, only one of whom is now living — Ruth Freeman, a resident of Michigan; two sons, John and Charles, died while in the service. His father's death occurred in March, 1863. Our subject was born in Richfield Township Jan. 22, 1825; he remained upon his father's farm until about 19 years of age, and then went to Hinckley, Medina Co., where he resided about fifteen years, marrying while there, in August, 1849, Miss Emma Crissy; she died in May, 1861; three children were the result of this marriage: Moseman C., now a resident of Michigan; Linus W., living in Richfield Township; and Trueman D., now living in Cuyahoga Co. In September, 1861, he was married to his second wife, Miss Phoebe J. Tuthill; they have four children: Emma J., Charlie C, Hattie E. and Alma I. In October, 1861, Mr. Oviatt returned to Richfield Township and located upon the old homestead, where he has resided up to the present time; he has 126 acres of improved land, conveniently located, about one mile north of West Richfield. He has always taken an interest in educational and township matters, and is a respected and enterprising citizen.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LORAN LUMAN OVIATT, formerly one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Northfield Township, who was largely interested in the cattle business for many years and was identified with many schemes of public imjiroveineiU in his immediate community, was born in the southwest corner of Twinsliurg township. Summit County, Ohio, February 19, 1844. His parents were Luman and Lucinda (Cregg) Oviatt. He was reared on his father's farm, and early became interested in the cattle business, which was his father's principal occupation. He attended the district schools, but gained rather through practical experience the knowledge which made him one of the best-informed men of his sec- ' tion. He carried on general farming on his farm of 238 acres, eighty-four acres of which had been originally purchased by his father, and the balance was added by himself, cultivating about sixty-five acres, he used all his produce for feed, except his wheat. Urom the beginning of his business career he dealt largely in cattle, and he probably was one of the best judges of cattle in the county. For one year he owned a meat market at Cuyahoga Falls, butchering his own cattle and supplying the Macedonia market with dressed meat. This business he sold to Roethig Brothers. Buying cattle took him all over the country, and wherever he did business he made friends. He was honest in business and a man of.strong family affection — without, it is said, an enemy in the world. For two years he was township trustee, and for twenty-one years was a member of the School Board, spending a considerable part of that time in supervising the erection of school buildings. His death, which took place June 6, 1907, removed from the community one of its most useful members.

Loran L. Oviatt was married, first, March 17, 1864, to Lura, daughter of Elisha Templeton. She died March 18, 1878, leaving two children — Edward Lunian, now a resident of New York; and Frank Loran, who resides on his farm adjoining the homestead farm at Little Fork. Mr. Oviatt was married, second, to Elva Adell Eggleston, who is a daughter of Milton Eggleston. Three children were born of this marriage, namely: Yinna P., Hazel L., and Lynn E., all of whom are residing with their mother.

Captain Joseph Eggleston. the grandfather of Mrs. Oviatt, was born July 6, 1779. In 1807 he care from Massachusetts and settled at Aurora, Portage County, Ohio, where he was a pioneer, erecting his log cabin among the first in the place. Tie married Parlia Leonard, and by her reared six children. She was born in Mas.sachusetts and died in 1842. He married for his second wife, Anna Mack, a daughter of Colonel Mack. Of this latter union there were no children. Milton Eggleston, father of Mrs. Oviatt, wa-< horn.Tune 29, 1814, and died November 9, 1898. He engaged in farming and cattle-raising, and became a man of considerable substance. He married Eraeranca Loveland, who was born at Aurora, Portage County, Ohio, and who died August 17, 18(30. The two children born to Milton Eggleston and wife were: I'races, now deceased, who married C-iustavus G. Cass, W'ho is also deceased; and Elva A. (Mrs. Oviatt), who was born at Aurora, January 22, 1855. The members of Mrs. Oviatt's family were all Congregationalists, and during her residence at Aurora, she was identified with that church. She takes an active interest in promoting various charitable projects.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.