George B. Conant
Geroge B. Conant, of Windham, was born October 12, 1825, in Windham Township, this county. His father, Asa M. Conant, was born March 16, 1800, in Becket, Berkshire Co., Mass., and his mother, Eunice H. (Bierce) Conant, was born January 22, 1801, in Connecticut, daughter of Philo Bierce, and who came to Windham Township, this county, when young. The father came to Windham Township in 1811, with his parents, Thatcher and Elizabeth (Manley) Conant, whose children were Susannah, Thatcher F., Edna, Mehitabel, Asa M., Chloe, Rebecca, George E., Lydia M. and Angelina G. Our subject's parents were married September 25, 1824, by Rev. Joseph Treat, and their children were nine in number: G. B., Philo B., Thatcher G., Nelson B., Amanda N., Frederick, Lucy, Henry and Edward. The father died February 22, 1846, and the mother May 7, 1878. Both were long connected with the Congregational Church. The subject of this sketch, George B. Conant, was educated in the district schools and academy of Windham. He began teaching at the age of eighteen years in Stark County, Ohio, and for some six or seven years thereafter a large part of the time was thus spent. He taught in Parkman, Ohio, and in different schools of his native township, and gained an honorable reputation as a teacher. The year 1851 Mr. Conant spent teaching near Perryville, Ky., the place more recently made celebrated as a battle-field. During the intervals of teaching he spent his time in selling carriages for N. D. Clark & Co. , of Ravenna. Thus by his energy he made a very successful year in that State. In 1847 he was married to Maria E. Birchard, who was born September 2, 1827, daughter of Nathan A. and Betsey E. (Alford) Birchard, originally of Becket, Mass. To this union seven children were born, three of whom lived to adult years: Lucy, married to Henry N. Donaldson, at present Train Master, Mahoning Division, New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad, and residince at Girard, Ohio; Hattie C, married September 27, 1883, to Dr. Charles H. Dixon, of St. Louis, Mo. (she died March 12, 1885, and was laid to rest in Windham the Sabbath following); Gertie M., the youngest, is at present a student at Oberlin. In 1856 Mr. Conant bought a farm in the west part of Windham, where he remained until 1864. Here he evinced his characteristic ability to farm in an attractive manner. In 1864 he sold this farm and moved to Mineral Ridge, Ohio, where he remained until the spring of 1866, when he left that place and spent the summer traveling on business in the West. In October of the same year he bought the old homestead of the Rev. Joseph Treat, the first pastor of the Congregational Church of Windham. Subseqiiently he has added to this farm until he has now over 100 acres all in good condition. Mr. Conant has repaired and enlarged the outbuildings, and built in 1882 an attractive and commodious farm-house, thus making a residence, situated as it is a little north of the center of the township, that ranks among the most desirable in the vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Conant are active members of the Congregational Church and Sabbath-school, and to all projects to promote the welfare of society lend helping hands. In politics he has been steadfastly Republican, and for its interests has been an ardent worker. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace for two terms, as well as other official positions from time to time. Having by his own energy placed himself in his present desirable surroundings, it is but just to say that he is entitled to much credit and to be ranked among the most substantial men of the community.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885