Ohio Biographies



Pilliod Family


James M. Pilliod, the head of the family, who came to the United States, was born in France in 1787. He was one of two brothers, and was early educated for the priesthood, but as he was about to enter upon his duties as a priest, he learned that his brother had been drafted into the army of Napoleon. Believing it to be his duty to take the place of his brother, who was the only support of his widowed mother, he determined to sacrifice his own personal ambition and pleasure, and serve his country in his brother’s stead. The clergy tried to persuade him against this, and offered to furnish a substitute to fill his brother’s place. He replied to them: “I love Napoleon, I love France, and I will go myself.” He accordingly entered the army as a quartermaster of a dragoon regiment, in which capacity he served for seven long years. He was frequently offered promotions in other regiments, but he declined, preferring to remain with his own regiment and boys. He was with his beloved commander in his defeat at Waterloo. He was wounded seven times in battle, once severely in the neck, and once in the abdomen, so that his bowels protruded, but with all this he lived to get home again, after giving seven years of his life to his country. He was discharged in 1814. After returning home he followed teaching school for several years. He was crippled in one arm, so that he could not perform manual labor. In 1815 he married Mary Bony, a daughter of the mayor of his town. After several years he applied to the government for a pension for wounds received in the army, but on account of his love for Napoleon and his former government, Louis Philippe would not grant it. After several years of effort in trying to get his rights as a citizen of France, and failing, he became disgusted with the government, and determined to leave his native land andcome to the United States. Accordingly, in 1827 he, with his wife and six children, set sail for the “land of equal rights.” They landed in New York, and immediately came on to Stark County, Ohio, where they remained until 1836, when they removed to this county, and located in McLean Township. They lived there until 1858, when they came to Newport. Mr. Pilliod was one of the large landholders of the county, owning at one time over 4000 acres of land in Shelby, Darke, and Mercer counties. They had born to them three children after they came to the United States, making in all nine, all of whom became men and women. The seven first-born were sons, the last two daughters.

After fifty-two years of married life, this aged couple, together with their seven sons and two daughters, had a reunion in the city of Toledo, where they were represented by four generations. Father Pilliod departed this life April 1, 1877. His wife died April 26, 1873.

Eugene Pilliod, Esq., was the sixth son of the above. He was born in France in 1826, and was therefore but a few months old when brought to this country. He was reared on the farm, but gave much of his time in earlier life to mechanical pursuits. He built and sold the first threshing machine built in the county. This was about 1844 or 1845. In 1841 be, together with his brother Frank, erected the first store and warehouse in Newport, and commenced the buying and shipping of grain and country produce. They also had the first store for the sale of general merchandise. In 1848 he started the first steam engine attached to a sawmill in the county. To this in 1857 he attached a grist mill. In 1858 he married Elizabeth Schwartz. By this union they have had eleven children, five of whom are living, viz., Francis, James M., Anna, John G., and Clara F. Esquire Pilliod has spent much of his life as a contractor and builder, but the past few years he has lived a retired life. He filled the office of justice of the peace for his township for a number of years.

Victor Pilliod, the eldest son of James M. Pilliod,was born in France in 1816. He received a liberal education in the town of Canton, Ohio. When a young man he entered a. dry goods store, and clerked for some length of time. Here he formed the acquaintance and married Mary F. Marshall in 1837. His first business for himself was as a dry goods merchant in the town of Minster, which he followed a short time, then engaged in the boot and shoe trade, also in the grocery trade, in the town of Berlin. Next we find him a farmer in Darke County. From there in 1848 he returned to Newport and carried on the shoe business until 1852. At this time he lost his wife, leaving him with eight children. In 1855 he married Josephine King. At this time he was living on a farm near Newport. In 1861 his second wife died. In 1862 he moved to the State of Indiana, but returned to Shelby County in 1867. In 1812 he married the widow of John Gigandot, deceased.

Francis Pilliod, a son of Victor Pilliod, was born in Darke County in 1841. He lived with his parents until 1861, when he entered the army in the 40th 0. V. I., and served a little over three years. He was engaged in forty-two battles and skirmishes, and was twice wounded. After the war he engaged in the carpenter and contracting business, which, together with merchandising, he has devoted his time to the present. In 1872 he married Mary F. Mougey. By this union they have three children, Charles E., Albert E., Esther A. He is at the present time selling goods in Newport, and is treasurer of the township.

 

From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883

 


A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z





Navigation