Marcus F. Spelman
Marcus F. Spelman, farmer, P. O. Rootstown, was born in Granville, Mass., May 31, 1809; son of Festus and Hannah (Dickason) Spelman, who settled in this county October, 1816, and remained through life. Festus Spelman died October 8, 1818, and his widow subsequently married Dr. Belding, and died in 1826, after which Dr. Belding married the Widow Umphrie (both are now deceased). Our subject was married October 6, 1831, to Mary A. Reed, born in Rootstown Township, this county, October 2, 1811, daughter of Abraham and Siley Reed, natives of Connecticut, who immigrated to this township in 1804, where they remained until their death. Mrs. Reed died June 27, 1834, and Mr. Reed then married Drusilla Underwood, who died February 14, 1846, when he married Mrs. Fidelia Goss, who survived him. Mr. and Mrs. Spelman have had six children, three of whom are now living: Comfort A. C., Asa M. and Henry L. The deceased are Henry, Joel R. and Olive A. Our subject first settled in Rootstown Township, this county, in 1819, but subsequently moved to Edinburg Township, where he remained till 1854, when he returned to Rootstown, and here he and his family now reside. His life work has been teaching, traveling as agent and farming, and by industry and frugality himself and wife have secured a competence for old age. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, in which he has officiated since 1860 as Deacon, also serving for many years as Sabbath-school Superintendent in Edinburg and Rootstown, and holding various civil offices.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885