James D. Haymaker
James D. Haymaker, farmer, P. O. Earlville, was born September 2, 1809, a short distance from the spot where Brady made his famous leap across the Cuyahoga River, in Franklin Township, this county, son of Frederick and Rachel (Davis) Haymaker. His father, who was a native of Allegheny County, Penn., came from that State to Ohio in 1806, and located at Franklin Mills February 18, that year, in that part of Kent now known as the Upper Village. He was thrice married. His first wife was Eleanor Robinson, by whom he had seven children, all now deceased. His second wife was Rachel Davis, who died in this county, by whom he had one child—James D., the subject of this sketch. By his third wife, Polly Swan, he had twelve children, of whom six are now living, none residing in this county. Mr. Haymaker was a resident of Franklin off and on up to 1836, when he removed to Trumbull County, Ohio, where he died in 1852. His remains and those of his third wife are interred in Warren, Ohio. He was Private Secretaiy to Aaron Burr, while on the expedition for which he was tried for treason in 1807. Jacob Haymaker, the father of Frederick and grandfather of our subject, settled at Franklin Mills (now Kent) in 1805, and built the first grist mill ever operated in the township; it was on the site now occupied by "Kent's Mill." He was a carpenter and millwright by trade; he died at Kent, as did also his wife. Our subject received only a limited education, and never saw a schoolhouse until ten years of age. In his youth he became thoroughly acquainted in his father's factory with the woolen manufacturing business. This factory was located at Franklin Mills (now Kent). At the age of twenty-one he engaged for two years in the manufacture of wooden pails in the same town; the next two years he had charge of a hotel at Fairport, on Lake Erie; then returning to Franklin he engaged in farming, to which occupation he has ever since devoted his time. November 29, 1835, he was married to Mary R. Olin, who was born February 22, 1820, in Genesee County, N. Y., and a daughter of Arvin Olin, who came to Ohio in 1834 and settled in Franklin, where he passed the remainder of his life. By this union were born the following children: Franklin, born December 16, 1836, and died April 30, 1851; Oscar F., born May 21, 1838; Rachel D., born May 18, 1840; Ann Maria, born May 17, 1842; Arvin O., born April 5, 1844; Mary R., born April 15, 1846, died July 27, 1866; James A., born June 21, 1848; Clara L., born August 30, 1850; Almira E., born January 27, 1854; Martha A., born May 20, 1856; Cora E., born May 5, 1858, died February 2, 1859; William J., born February 2, 1860, and Abbie M., born November 27, 1863. J, D. Haymaker has always been an ardent Republican and during the darkest days of the civil war was firm in his support of the administration in aid of the Union cause, contributing liberally of his means, and invariably exerting his influence to the end that the Union should be preserved. One of his sons, James A., enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-third Regiment, Company I, and served in the Union Army during the civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Haymaker are admirable types of the pioneers who first settled in Portage County, and possess in a large degree those traits which have become traditionary among us as ascribed to the pioneers, the sterling qualities, good, strong, well balanced minds, athletic and healthy physique, unimpeachable integrity and a desire to do unto others as they would be done by—qualities, too, which they have transmitted to their large family of children, in an eminent degree. During their long lives they have cheerfully given to the needy and in support of the religious and educational interests of the community. They are now living in the midst of their friends, possessed of an ample competence to make their coming years comfortable, and in the enjoyment of that content which comes from reflecting on a life well and worthily spent. Mr. Haymaker has served his township in various official capacities. He was Trustee for several years, Justice of the Peace for several terms and a School Director many times.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885