In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1908) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens (1908), History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881)
GEORGE W. HART. Col. John C. Hart,
I the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Cornwall, Litchfield Co., Conn., April
I 17, 1798. He was a son of Rufus Hart, who was born in Goshen, Conn., in 1771, and Esther Cotter to whom he was married in 1795. In 1802, Rufus Hart and family moved from Connecticut to Genesee Co., N. Y., when he again moved to Ohio. In the war of 1812, Mr. Hart served in the capacity of Lieutenant in a company commanded by Capt. Mallison. He was an active participant in the battles of Chippewa, Lundy's Lane and at the burning of Buffalo. When between 14 and 15 years of age, John C. Hart enlisted in a cavalry company commanded by Capt. Stone, and was with his father at Newark, Ft. George and other contested points. On their evacuation of Ft. George, they suffered incredible hardships, their tents and clothing being such as were brought from their homes. Here young Hart learned a lesson of enduring hardships that he retained through after life. After the close of the war, he and his father returned to Genesee Co., where they remained but a short time, and in May, 1815, they- removed to Ohio, locating at Middlebury, now the Sixth Ward of Akron. There were then but three or four log cabins in what is now that city, and the surrounding country was an almost unbroken forest. When 21 years of age, John C. left home for the South in search of employment. He traveled on foot to Steubenville, where he got on board a lumber raft and floated down the Ohio River until the raft lodged on an island, he then made his way on foot to Cincinnati. From this point he went to St. Louis, where he engaged to work in a mill for a man living near the city. After about two months at this business, he left and went to a small town called Milton, where he engaged in the manufacture of brick, but was soon after taken ill with fever and ague, and the following June returned home. He then purchased 50 acres of land just south of Middlebury on which he soon erected a house and barn. Feb. 24, 1831, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Margaret A. Sterling, and to this union were born George W., John S., Charles S., Hiram J., Elizabeth and Fanny A.
All of these are living except Hiram and Elizabeth. Hiram served his country faithfully in the war of secession, and died from diseases contracted while in the service. The father, John C, was naturally of a military turn of mind, which only required opportunity for development. When advanced in life, he raised a regiment of cavalry of which he was elected Colonel. Mr. Hart died Aug. 20, 1880. Of his children that are yet living, John S. married Zilpha Tinker, of Peoria, Ill., but that lady has since died. Chas. S. married Mrs. Molly Ferney, and lives in Middlebury. Fanny is the wife of Clinton Ruggles, and resides in Aliron. George W. was born in Middlebury, July 12, 1832, and in youth received the advantages of the common schools of his native village. He was married Aug. 18, 1853, to Miss AnnaH. Beardsley, daughter of Talmon and Temperance (Spicer) Beardsley. Talmon Beardsley was born in Delhi, Delaware Co., N. Y., Dec. 15, 1799. He removed with his fathers family to Licking Co., Ohio, in 1810, and from there came to Middleburyin 1818. He has since purchased and sold a farm in Springfield Township, and also a farm in Coventry Township, at the latter place living about thirty years. In 1831, he married Temperance Spicer, daughter of May. Miner Spicer, who was one of Middlebury's earliest pioneers. To this union were born seven children, of whom the living ones are Mills H., Avery S., Anna H., Hattie D. and Louisa J. Mills married Prudence Spicer, and is a resident of Ogden Junction, Utah. Avery married Amanda Hart, and lives in xlkron. Hattie is the wife of dates Babcock, and they are residents of Akron. Louisa married George Stover, and lives in Stark Co., Ohio. The two deceased are Emily A. and Avery T. The children of George W. Hart, the subject of this sketch, and his wife, are Freddie, born July 1, 1855, died Sept. 26, 1855; Lizzie, born April 22, 1857, died April 29, 1862; Emily F., born Jan. 13, 1859; Georgie Anna, born Dec. 1, 1861, died Dec. 28, 1873; Clarissie A., born July 25, 1865, and Maggie, born May- 5, 1871, died Aug. 16, 1871. Mrs. Hart was born in Middlebury, July 18, 1832. The death of Georgie Anna was accidental, caused by the kick of a horse. She was driving a team of horses for her father while he was loading the sled with corn. In some way she slipped from the load, and fell beneath one of the horses feet.
The animal became frightened and commenced to kick, one foot striking her face disfiguring it frightfully, one of the works penetrating the skull. She was sensible when taken up and continued so until the next Sunday, when life became extinct, and the spirit of Georgie Hart forsook its clay- tenement and returned to God who gave it. She was a bright, winsome child, the pride of her friends and play'mates. Of an active and cheerful disposition, she was always willing and ready to assist in whatever was required of her. Her faith was firmly fixed in God. After the accident, she asked her mother if she thought she would die; she was told that they did not know, but were fearful she would. She answered that she was willing, and seemed not to fear death to the last. Her untimely fate was a sad blow to her parents, and the deplorable accident cast a gloom over the entire community. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have been singularly unfortunate. Of a family of six children, only- two are now living. Ever since their marriage, they have lived on their place in Stow Township. The farm consists of 150 acres of well-improved land. Mr. Hart is a stanch Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Jpiscopal Church. There is no family better known, or more highly esteemed than that of George W. Hart.
As printed in History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
GEORGE W. HART, who, for twenty years was a highly respected resident of Cuyahoga Falls, and formerly a successful agriculturist of Stow Township, was born at Middleburg, Summit County, Ohio, July 12, 1832. and died at Cnvahoga Falls, December ir>. 1900. He wa=! a son of Colonel John C. and Margaret (Steriing) Hart.
The Hart family originated in England and came to Connecticut among the early colonists. Rufus Hart, the grandfather of George W., was born at Goshen, Connecticut, in 1771, and in 1795 he married Esther Cotter. In 1802 he moved to Genasee County, New York, and in May, 1815, to Middlebury, Ohio, which is now the Sixth Ward of Akron, which city was then represented by less than a half dozen log cabins, the whole surroimding country being then covered by a heavy forest growth. As an officer in the War of 1812, he participated in the battles of Chippewa and Limdy's I-ane, and the burning of Buffalo.
Colonel John C. Hart, father of George W., was born at Cornwall, Litchfield County, Connecticut, April 17, 1798, and was only fourteen years of age when he joined Captain Stone's company of cavalry. He was in his father's regiment at various points and Ijravely faced hardships with the veterans at the evacuation of Fort George. He continued in the service until the close of the war, and then accompanied his father to New York and subsequently to Ohio. When he was twenty-one years old he left the paternal roof and started out to seek the proverbial fortune, incidentally to find employment. He was of robust constitution, and the mere fact of being obliged to walk a hundred miles or so probably did not discourage him to any great degree. When he reached Steul>enville he boarded a lumber raft and floated a distance down the river; from that point he walked to Cincinnati, and from there made his way to St. Louis. For about two months he worked in a mill in that city and later engaged in the manufacture of brick at a small place where malarial conditions prevailed to such an extent that he was taken ill with chills and fever, and his adventure,* abroad were brought to a close. Pie managed to return home, and when he regained his health purchased a farm of fifty acres ju.<t south of Middlebury, and there pa.sed the re.it of his active life, dying Au,gust 20, 1880. He always remained interested in military affairs and late in life he raised a regiment of cavalry of which he was elected colonel.
On February 23, 1831, John C. Hart was married to Mrs. Margaret A. Sterling, and they became the parents of the following children: George W., John S., Charles S., Hiram, Elizabeth and Fannie A. The last mentioned married Clinton Ruckel. Hiram died from disease contracted in the Civil War.
The late George W. Hart was reared and educated in his native township and attended the local schools, in the meanwhile a-sisting on the home farm. After his marriage he settled on a farm of 160 acres situated in Stow Township, where he resided until he retired to Cuyalioga Falls in 1880. He made his main interest dairying and sheep growing. He was a man of sterling character, strong in the advocacy of what he believed to be right, but just in his dealings with all men. For many years he was a vestryman of St. John's Episcopal Church at Cuyahoga Falls. In his political life he was a stanch supporter of the Republican party and was a man particularly well fitted for public office, but his ambitions were not in that direction. He served as township commLssioner and always, took an interest in the public schools. He was connected with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Star Lodge, No. 187, at Cuyahoga Falls.
On August 18, 1853, George W. Hart was married to Anna H. Beardsley, who was born in Middlebury (Akron) July 18, 1832, and is a daughter of Talman and Temperance (Spicer) Beardsley. To this marriage six children were born, the two who reached maturity being: Emma F. and Clarissa. The latter married R. D. Morgan, and resides at Cleveland. Mrs. Hart and her daughters are members of the Episcopal Church.
Talman Beardsley, father of Mrs. Hart, was born December 23, 1799, in Delhi, Delaware County, New York, and accompanied his father's family to Tjicking County, Ohio, in 1810, and to Middlebury in 1818, where he worked for a short time in a foundry, and then bought a farm which is the present site of the Leggett school. He disposed of that property and boTight another in Coventry
Township on which he lived for thirty years. He became a leading citizen in this part of Summit County, was a prominent Republican, and served many years as a justice of the peace and also as township clerk. His parents were Daniel and Hannah (Bailey) Beardsley.
In 1831, Talman Beardsley married Temperance Spicer, who was a daughter of Major Minor and Cynthia (Allen) Spicer. Major Spicer was a native of Connecticut and a soldier in the War of the Revolution. He was a very early pioneer in Summit County, where he acquired large tracts of land. He donated the land on which Buchtel College now stands, it formerly having been his private burying ground. He was twice married, Mrs. Beardsley being a child of his first union.
The children of Talman Beardsley and wife were: Anna H. (Mrs. Hart); Emily, Mills and Avery, all of whom are deceased; and Avery, second, residing at Adrian, Michigan. The family were reared in the Universalist faith. Talman Beardsley died July 18, 1891, surviving his wife by but three months, her death having taken place March 22, earlier in the same year. Mrs. Hart was reared at Akron and was one of the first students of the Akron High School when it was under the direction of M. D. Leggett.
As printed in Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Clinton Ruckel (b. 1840) John C. Hart (b. 1798) Talmon Beardsley
The printed record stops around 1908. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.