Otto Stoddard
Orlo Stoddard, farmer, P.O. Rosedale, was born March 6, 1825, in Mansfield, Vt. In 1829, with his parents, Cyrus and Aurilla Stoddard, he came to Champaign County, Ohio, and settled in Rush Township, where his parents remained until their decease, his father in March, 1844, and his mother in June, 1873. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are now living — Orlo, Asro A. B., George W. and Clara. Our subject has from his youth up devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, having received the rudiments of an English education in a district school. In January, 1859, he was united by marriage to Miss Eliza J. Curl, born September 16, 1838, an estimable young lady and daughter of William E. and Elizabeth Curl. To them have been born twelve children, viz.: Rosa, born August 26, 1856; Josie, born December 17, 1858; Cyrus, born May 29, 1863; Clara, born May 18, 1864; Edwin, born December 28, 1868; Pearl, born January 10, 1870; Nellie, born July 7, 1876; Altie, born April 24, 1879; Douglass, born August 16, 1861, died June, 1863; Sherman, born march 14, 1866, died March 13, 1876; Walter, born January 1, 1868; died March 15, 1876; and Samuel, born January 4, 1870, died March 17, 1876. After their marriage, they resided in Champaign County until the fall of 1868, when they came to Madison County and settled in Pike Township, where they now reside. Mr. Stoddard has been quite successful in a financial sense, and is the owner of 130 acres of land. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard, as well as their four deceased children, are all laid to rest in Woodstock Cemtery, Champaign County. Our subject had two brothers who participated in the late war of the rebellion. One fought under the Union and the other under the Confederate flag. Asro A. B., who was living in one of the Southern States at the breaking out of the war, enlisted in a Mississippi regiment and participated in several prominent battles. At Fort Donelson, he was taken prisoner and sent to Columbus, Ohio, where he was held three months and from there was sent to Johnson's Island, where he remained but a short time, when an exchange of prisoners took place, which secured for him his release. He again enlisted in the Confederate army, and was again taken prisoner at the fall of Vicksburg. Receiving his freedom a second time, again he re-enlisted and served until the close of the war. At the siege of Atlanta, he received a wound in his head, which, for a time, was thought would prove fatal. At the close of the war, he surrendered as a first lieutenant in and with Gen. Johnston's army. George W. Stoddard enlisted as a Corporal in the Union army among the first after the call made by the Government for volunteers, in Champaign County. He continued in the service until the close of the war, having participated in the battles of Shiloh, Chickamauga, the first battle at Bull Run and numerous others of minor importance. At the close of the war, he received, as a Captain, an honorable discharge.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]