My Genealogy Hound

JUDSON REDMOND. This name is familiar among the industrial interests of Clark County, as belonging to one of its most skilled mechanics and a man who occupies a high position both in social and business circles. He has been the architect of his own fortune, making his way in the world from a modest beginning and has proven a fine example of the results of patient industry, a wise economy and good management. His native place was Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and the date of his birth August 16, 1824. His father, Peter Redmond, was a native of Ireland and emigrated at an early age to America with his paternal grandfather, who was also of Irish birth and ancestry. The family settled first in Western New York, but later removed to Cattaraugus County, where Grandfather Redmond spent the remainder of his life. He was well-to-do in his own country but came to the United States on account of political and religious tyranny.

Peter Redmond was a lad of twelve years when he came to America with his parents, and lived in Western New York until after his marriage. He then purchased a tract of timber land in Cattaraugus County, where he put up a log house in which he and his young wife began the journey of life together. Under that lowly roof the subject of this sketch was born. The father followed the trade of a miller until about 1834, when he disposed of his possessions in Cattaraugus County and removed to Penfield, Wyoming County. A few years later he changed his residence to Livingston County, purchasing a home in Gibsonville, where he spent the closing years of his life.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sarah Curtis. She was born in Hatfield, Conn., and was the daughter of Abijah Curtis, also a native of New England and a farmer by occupation. Grandfather Curtis also emigrated to New York and spent his last years in Western New York. Mrs. Redmond after the death of her husband removed to Ohio and died in Logan County. She was the mother of nine children, seven of whom lived to mature years, namely: James G., Judson, our subject, Jeremiah, Mary, Hattie, Harry A., and Frank. Charles died young, and Eliza at the age of nine years.

Mr. Redmond, our subject, remained a member of the parental household until a youth of nineteen years, then commenced learning the trades of a millwright and carpenter, serving an apprenticeship of two years at Pike, Allegany County, N. Y. Afterward he went to Toledo, Ohio, where he was employed in a flour mill a few months, and later he worked at his trade in Maumee City five years. He next embarked in milling at Russelvania, Logan County, but was there only one year. He remained in Logan County, however, for a time afterward and operated the Carr Mills two years. Afterward he was in the Milliner Mill one year. He next removed to Champaign County and was employed as foreman during the building of the White Cedar Mill. When the building was completed he rented it and operated it two years.

Changing his occupation now, Mr. Redmond located on a farm which he had purchased near Bellefontaine, Ohio, but after prosecuting agriculture two years, he traded the farm for the Carr Mill on Stony Creek, Logan County. Two years later he sold the mill and, in 1866, coming to Springfield purchased the property known as the Rogers & McCormick Mill, which was located five miles cast of Springfield on Beaver Creek and comprised a brick building, 45x55 feet in dimensions and four and one-half stories high. It was equipped with the old-fashioned burr system with which Mr. Redmond operated until 1887. He then remodeled the mill and put in a complete roller system and this mill now operates successfully with a capacity of fifty barrels of flour every twenty-four hours.

In October, 1843, Mr. Redmond was joined in wedlock with Miss Harriet Hinman at the bride’s home in Ontario County, N. Y. Mrs. Redmond was born January 16, 1829, in Ontario County, N. Y., and is the daughter of Justus and Ruth (Buell) Hinman, who were natives of Connecticut and spent their last years in Michigan and New York respectively. Of this union there have been born six children, viz.: Edgar, Orelia, Clara, Inez and Harry G. Francis, the eldest born, died aged ten months. The family residence, a commodious brick structure, is pleasantly located on a rise of ground near the mill property and forms a very comfortable and attractive home, whose inmates enjoy a sufficiency of the good things of life together with the society of hosts of friends. Our subject and his estimable wife are members in good standing of Sinking Creek Baptist Church, in which Mr. Redmond officiates as Deacon. For many years he voted the Republican ticket, but is now an ardent Prohibitionist.