Joshua Atwood
Joshua Atwood, retired, P. O. Freedom, was born February 29, 1812, in Pittsfield, Vt., son of Joshua and Thankful (Stone) Atwood, the former a native of Massachusetts, the latter of Vermont. Our subject, whose portrait appears in this work, was educated in the country schools, and was a farmer until seventeen years old, when he began to learn the blacksmith's trade with a Mr. Egleston in Pittsfield, Vt. , with whom he continued for three years and then worked for himself a few months in Rutland, same State, and at Pittsford one year, after which he engaged with Mr. Egleston one year, and then for a time worked for himself. He came to Ohio in 1836 and opened a blacksmith shop at Freedom, this county. In 1844 he added a carriage manufacturing department, and soon employed as many as eight men, and supplied the demand within a large radius. He was very successful, and in 1875 he retired from active labors to enjoy the fruits of many years' hard and persistent toil. Mr. Atwood was married in 1838 to Aurelia Birge, who died in 1874, leaving no children. He and she were among the first members of the Congregational Church at Freedom. Our subject has served the township honorably as Treasurer and Trustee. He is a pleasant gentleman; in politics a representative Republican. His brothers-in-law, Lasell and Simeon Birge, came to Freedom Township, this county, the former in 1832, bought 400 acres of land and erected many of the buildings in Freedom Center. Simeon Birge, who was a physician, moved away in 1838, while Lasell remained until 1846 or 1847. The father of our subject was in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of Plattsburg.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885