Death of James E. Scofield

After a long illness James E. Scofield died at his home in Florida last Sabbath morning. Mr. S. bad been confined to the house for a long time, suffering from complicated diseases, and death no doubt was a welcome visitor. He was one of the oldest settlers of the county, having removed here in the year 1833, when this country was simply less than a 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 a worthy and respected citizen, an indulgent parent and a kind husband. Mr. Scofield 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 Napoleon years ago. His funeral took place on Tuesday, under the direction of the Odd Fallow order. It was largely attended, as the deceased had a wide acquaintance, and was recognized as one of the most prominent characters of his neighborhood. At the time of his death he was aged 68 years, 8 months and 6 days. The following biographical sketch of the deceased is taken from the history of Henry county:

"In the latter part of the year 1833, a number of pioneers and their families ascended the Maumee River in rudely constructed boats. Among these was the family of Jared Scofield. a former resident of Delaware county, N. Y., who settled on lands in that part of Henry county that was Known as Flat Rock township. Here he had a tract of forest land, ninety acres in extent that required attention of himself and sons for some months before it was fit for tilage.

After a residence at this place of only three years Jared Scofield died. His first wife died two years before this, but he had remarried. In the family were nine children, of whom James Edwin Scofield, the subject of this sketch, was the third. He was born near Unadilla, Delaware county, N. Y., on the 13th day of May, 1821, therefore at the time of his father?s settlement in this county he was but twelve years old. He lived at home until his father died, after which a guardian was appointed for him, and he was put to work on farms, at which he continued faithfully 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 1846 when he was elected surveyor of Henry county. In this office he served two terms of three years each. During these years Mr. Scofield, with his earnings, started a general merchandise business at Florida, in Flat Rock township.

Mr. Scofield, on the 16th day of September, 1849, took to himself a wife in the person of 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. Scofield was appointed postmaster at Florida, and continued in office until 1856, at which time he was officially decapitated for not supporting Mr. Buchanan as a 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 a post office station was established at that place, in 1865. Mr. Scofield 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 farmers of Flat Rock. In the affairs of the township and county he has always taken an active interest and has frequently been chosen by his townsmen to fill some of the important offices in their gift; in 1846 he was elected county surveyor, as the nominee of the Democracy, and affiliated with that party until 1765 [sic], when he supported John C. Fremont, but since that campaign he has been an active, 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 a Republican majority 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 director, and at the present time is school director, township trustee and justice of the peace. These several and political holdings in a Democratic township attest the honesty, integrity and faithfulness in the discharge of duty, of James E. Scofield, and place him in the enviable position of possessing the confidence of his fellowmen."