Jump to content

William DeFord

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William DeFord
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the Carroll County district
In office
1864–1868
Preceded byLeonard Harsh
Succeeded byJames M. Kain
Personal details
Born(1807-04-28)April 28, 1807
Monroe, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died (aged 91)
near East Rochester, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Republican
Spouse
Mary Williams
(m. 1838; died 1875)
RelativesJohn Hopwood (grandfather)
EducationMadison College
Occupation
  • Politician
  • farmer

William DeFord (April 28, 1807 – February 24, 1898) was an American politician who served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing Carroll County from 1864 to 1868.

Early life

[edit]

William DeFord was born on April 28, 1807, in Monroe, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, to Nancy (née Hopwood) and John DeFord. His father was a farmer and owned a hotel in Monroe (previously named Hopwood). His maternal grandfather John Hopwood was the town namesake and was a Baptist who founded churches throughout Fayette County. DeFord studied in common schools and attended Madison College in Pennsylvania for a few months.[1][2] In 1822, he visited some friends in Wooster, Ohio.[2] As a young man, he helped construct the National Road near Laurel Hill.[2] He also met General Marquis de Lafayette during his return to the United States.[2][3]

Career

[edit]

In 1835, DeFord moved to a farm in Washington Township, Carroll County, Ohio.[1][2]

Prior to the Civil War, DeFord was a Democrat.[2] In 1840, DeFord was a presidential elector for the Democratic ticket.[1] After the start of the war, he became a Republican.[2][3] He served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing Carroll County from 1864 to 1868.[4] He also served as justice of the peace.[2]

DeFord worked as a farmer for over 57 years.[2]

Personal life

[edit]

DeFord married Mary Williams, daughter of George Williams, of New Jersey in April 1838. They had two sons, Nathan and John. She died in 1875.[2] DeFord was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church.[2]

DeFord died on February 24, 1898, at his son's home near East Rochester, Ohio.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "William DeFord". The Daily Ohio Statesman. April 6, 1866. p. 1. Retrieved October 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k John Danner, ed. (1904). Old Landmarks of Canton and Stark County, Ohio. pp. 1125–1127. Retrieved October 5, 2023 – via Archive.org.Open access icon
  3. ^ a b c "He Greeted Lafayette". Zanesville Times Recorder. February 26, 1898. p. 4. Retrieved October 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  4. ^ Taylor, W. A. (1892). Ohio Statesmen and Hundred Year Book. The Westbote Co., State Printers. pp. 370–372. Retrieved October 5, 2023 – via Archive.org.Open access icon