H. D. Hutson
H. D. Hutson, farmer, P. O. Deerfield, was born in Paris Township, this county, August 4, 1827, son of Lazarus and Minerva (Laughlin) Hutson. the former born on the banks of the Juniata River, Pennsylvania, the latter a native of Deerfield Township, this county, and a daughter of James Laughlin, who erected the tirst grist-mill on the Mahoning River, and died in Deerfield Township in 1852, aged eighty years. The children born to this union now living are Hiram, Homer, Henry and H. D. In 1852 our subject began his career in life as a pilot on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers between Pittsburgh and New Orleans. At the breakins out of the Rebellion he entered the service as pilot of the Mississippi squadron, assigned to the brig "Restless" subsequently was put in charge of the repair boat "Swallow," and was so engaged at No. 10, Fort Pillow, Memphis and Vicksburg, where he was taken sick and confined in hospital for three months, during which time his vessel was destroyed by the Rebels. On his recovery he took his position on the "W. H. Brown" dispatch boat, and had charge as pilot of the "Benton" on her memorable trip on the Yazoo River, and participated in the battle at Fort Donelson. His service terminated with the close of the war. He subsequently purchased a share in a steamer which he commanded seven years successfully, and disposed of it in 1875, then came to this countv, settling on his present farm of 150 acres. He is the founder of and interested in the Hutson Coal Company. Mr. Hutson was married, in 1862, to Miss Charlotte C Vaughn a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, by whom he has had one child—Charles W. H.—who died in 1876. Our subject has served the township as Trustee He is a member of the Disciples Church.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885