William DeFord (April 28, 1807 – February 24, 1898) was an American politician who served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing Carroll County from 1864 to 1868.

Early life

William DeFord was born on April 28, 1807, in Monroe, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, to Nancy (née Hopwood) and John DeFord. His father was a farmer and owned a hotel in Monroe (previously named Hopwood). His maternal grandfather

John Hopwood John Hopwood (1745 – June 2, 1802) was an American civil servant during the American Revolutionary War and founded the town of Hopwood, Pennsylvania (originally named "Woodstock") in western Pennsylvania. John Hopwood was born in Virginia and ...

was the town namesake and was a Baptist who founded churches throughout Fayette County. DeFord studied in common schools and attended Madison College in Pennsylvania for a few months. In 1822, he visited some friends in

Wooster, Ohio Wooster ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Wayne County. Located in northeastern Ohio, the city lies approximately south-southwest of Cleveland, southwest of Akron and west of Canton. The population was 27,232 at t ...

. As a young man, he helped construct the National Road near Laurel Hill. He also met General Marquis de Lafayette during his return to the United States.

Career

In 1835, DeFord moved to a farm in

Washington Township, Carroll County, Ohio Washington Township is one of the fourteen civil township, townships of Carroll County, Ohio, Carroll County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, the population was 1,116. Geography Located in the east central p ...

. Prior to the Civil War, DeFord was a

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

. In 1840, DeFord was a presidential elector for the Democratic ticket. After the start of the war, he became a Republican. He served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing Carroll County from 1864 to 1868. He also served as justice of the peace. DeFord worked as a farmer for over 57 years.

Personal life

DeFord married Mary Williams, daughter of George Williams, of New Jersey in April 1838. They had two sons, Nathan and John. She died in 1875. DeFord was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. DeFord died on February 24, 1898, at his son's home near

East Rochester, Ohio East Rochester is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in southern West Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, United States. The population was 224 as of the 2020 census. It lies along U.S. Route 30, and has a post office ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:DeFord, William 1807 births 1898 deaths People from Fayette County, Pennsylvania People from Carroll County, Ohio Ohio Democrats Farmers from Ohio American justices of the peace Republican Party members of the Ohio House of Representatives 19th-century American farmers 19th-century American legislators