My Genealogy Hound

GORDEN CLOYD, farmer; P. O. German. The subject of this memoir is a native of this county, born in German Township in 1822; he is the son of the pioneer James Cloyd, who was perhaps the first permanent settler in the township. He was born in Virginia in 1780; when but a mere lad he emigrated to Ohio, at the breaking out of the war of 1812, and he gave his services in the defense of his country; he was stationed a portion of the time at Fort Greenville. He was at this latter place when the children of William Wilson were murdered within sight of the block-house, and was one who assisted in their burial. At the close of the war, he remained in the county, and married Miss Elizabeth Norftsinger, the daughter of Andrew Norftsinger, one of the first settlers in the county, who came to the county previous to the war of 1812, and erected a block-house in Neave Township, and remained there during the war. He was a “man of the chase,” and delighted in hunting. James Cloyd was a member of the first grand jury that ever met in the county; after his marriage, he first settled on the prairie southeast of the present town of Palestine; from there he located on land now owned by David Wilcox; he remained here about sixteen years, in which time he prepared much of the farm for agricultural uses, which was all in the woods when he entered it; he then disposed of this farm with the intention of emigrating to Illinois, but after visiting this latter place he returned satisfied to spend the remnant of his days in German Township; he then entered a quarter section just west of Palestine, on which he erected a house and passed the remainder of his life. He died May 26, 1872, at the ripe old age of 81 years 10 months and 11 days; thus passed away a pioneer and a soldier, lamented by all who knew him; he had a sympathetic heart and a charitable spirit, and many a needy neighbor was made glad by his charities. His wife survived him only a few years, her death occurring June 17, 1875, at the age of 76 years 3 months and 6 days. They were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, four of whom are still living. Our subject’s early life was devoted to such labor as the frontiersman was accustomed to do; he availed himself of what educational opportunities then offered, often going a distance of two miles through swamp and thickets to school. At the age of 20, he went to Preble County and engaged as a laborer on a farm; he remained here five years, and then located on the place where he now resides. He was married in 1846 to Miss Julia A. Woodmansee, a native of Butler County; her father was an early settler and prominent citizen of the township, having frequently had the offices of Trustee and Justice of the Peace conferred upon him, Mr. and Mrs. Cloyd are the parents of four children—Edward, Elmira, Flora B. and Sampson. They are members of the M. E. Church, and are leading exemplary lives.