Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-01-23
Death of James e. scofieId.


After a long illness James E. Scofeld died
at his home in Florida last Sabbath morning.
Mr.. S. had been confined to the house for
long timeI suffering from complicated dis
eases, and death no doubt vas a welcome Wis
itor. He was one of the oldest settlers of the
county, having removed here in the year 1893,
when this country was simply less than vast
wilderness. He of all others probably knew
more of the early history of Henry county
than any one now living, and in his death has
passed to the other shore worthy AMI re-
spected citizen, an indulgent parent and a
kind husband. Mr.. Scofeld was one of the
Oldest Odd Fellows in the county, having
been one of the charter members of Florida
Lodge, which lodge was removed to Napole-
on years ago. His funeral took place on
Tuesday, under The direction of the Odd Eel
10 order. 1t was largely attended, as the
deceased had a wide acquaintance, and was
recognized as one of the most prominent
characte of his neighborhood. At the time
of his death he was aged 6S years, 8 months
and days.
The following biographical sketch of the
deceased is taken from the history of Henry
county
SIN the latter part of the year 1888, num-
Der of pioneers and their families assembled
the Maumee River in rudely constructed
boats. Among these was the family of Jared
Scofeld, former resident of Delaware coun-
ty, N. Y, who settled on lands in that part of
Henry county that was known as Flat Rock
Lo koI <Nf
land, ninety acres in extent. that required at
teution of himself and sons for some months
before it was fit for tilage.
After residence at this place of only three
years Jared Scofeld died. His first wife died
two years before this, but he had remarked.
In the family we're nine children; of whom
James Edwin Scofeld, the subject of this
sketch, was the third. He was born near
Unadilla, Delaware county, N. Y, on the 18th
day of May, 1921, therefore at the time of his
father settlement in this county he was
but twelve years old. He lived at home un-
til his father lied, after which a guardian
was appointed for him, and he was put to
work on farms, at which he continued faith
fully until about nineteen years of age, when
he went to Lancaster, Fairfield county, and
took up his residence with an uncle, where
he remained one summer attending school.
He then returned to this county and resumed
general work on the farm and the canal,
which was then in course of construction, and
so continued until the fall of 1916 when he
was elected surveyor of Henry county. In
this Office he served two terms of three years
each. During these years Mr.. Scofeld, with
his earnings, started general merchandise
business at Florida, in Flat Rock township.
Mr.. Scofeld, on the 18th day of September,
Catharine Elizabeth Loesch, daughter of
George A. Loesch, of Flat Rock township.
Of this marriage seven children have been
born, six of whom are still living. In 1850
Mr.. Scofeld was appointed postmaster at
Florida, and continued in office until 1856, at
which time he was officially decapitated for
not supporting Mr.. Buchanan as presidential
candidate; he was, however, reappointed in
1861 and held the position until 1864, when he
resigned and moved to Okolona, where he
again entered in trade, and when postofice
station was established at that place, in 1865,
Mr.. Scofeld was made postmaster, and so
held until 1869, at which time he ceased the
mercantile business; resigned the Office and
returned to his farm; he, however, continued
to hold his commission as postmaster until
1872, as his resignation was not accepted
prior to that time. From that to the present
time Mr.. Scofield has been numbered among
the thrifty, persevering and successful farm
ers of Flat Rock. In the affairs of the town.
ship and county he has always taken an ac-
tive interest, and has frequently been chosen
by his townsmen to fill some of the import
ant offices in their gift; in 1876 he was elected
county surveyor, as the nominee of the De-
mocracy, and affiliated with that party until
1765, when he supported John 9. Fremont,
but since that campaign he has been an &C.
tive, earnest Republican.
Since about 1852 Mr.. Scofield has held some
Office within the twp. of Flat Rock, and rarely
has been defeated, although at no time in all
these years has there been Republican ma
jority therein; first he was elected township
clerk and justice of the peace, and held the
last named Office for three terms; he has been
township treasurer one term; assessor for two
or three terms; road supervisor, school di-
rector, and at the present time is school di-
rector, township trustee and justice of the
peace. These several and long continued
political holdings in Democratic township
attest the honesty, integrity and faithful
ness in the discharge of duty, of James E.
Scofeld, and place him in the enviable po-
sition of possessing the confidence of his fell
lowmen."