Loran Luman Oviatt

As printed in 1908

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 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.