James Meredith

As printed in 1880

JAMES MEREDITH, was born Aug. 12, 1811, in Licking Co., Ohio; his school advantages were limited to those of the log-cabin school house; during his early life his time was occupied at home, assisting in clearing and other duties pertaining to the frontier settler’s home. He took to himself a wife Nov.

13, 1833; she was Rachel, the daughter of Henry and Mary (Thomas) George, who were natives of Wales, and found a home in Pennsylvania when young. After marriage they emigrated to Ohio, he on foot and she on horse-back, bringing a feather bed the whole distance. They had nine children; the mother died in 1829. Mrs. Meredith was born May

14, 1814, in Chester Tp. After marriage, Mr.

and Mrs. Meredith settled on their present farm, containing now about 124 acres, passing through the hardships that only those of pioneer days comprehend. Mr. Meredith cast his first vote for Jackson, with a view to supporting Jacksonian principles, still belongs to the Democratic party. He has been Township Trustee, and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. Three children have been born to them: William, Aug. 13,

1834; Henry G., June 1, 1837, and Mary, March 13, 1843. Henry G. was married March 7, 1867, to Minerva Ralston, who was born in June, 1849; they had five children, as follows: Addie, born May 30, 1868; Bryant,

'12 mother died Jan. 29, 1878. H. G. Meredith enlisted in Co. G., 20 O. Y. I., and re-enlisted in Co. C., 15 O. V. I.; he passed through many campaigns and hard-fought battles; was taken prisoner at Stone River, and confined in Castle Lightning and Libby Prison; in the latter place he was wounded by a piece of timber falling on him and breaking both hips while asleep, rendering him unable to move for two months; his term of service lasted for four years and thirteen days. Mrs. Jennett Layton, a sister of Mrs. James Meredith, makes her home with the latter. She was married in 1835 to Thomas Maxwell, and had seven children; he died Sept, 3,1852; she was again married to Joseph Layton; he died in 1857; by him she had one child.

As printed in History of Morrow County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio ... a history of Morrow County ... biographical sketches, portraits of some of the early settlers and prominent men, (1880). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.