CARROL FAMILY

James Carrol was born in 1832 in Richland County, Ohio. After his marriage to Martha Leisy in 1858 they came to Wood County and in 1875 they settled in Henry County near Malinta. They built a log house and resided in this vicinity where they reared 10 children. James Carrol served his country in the great Civil War; 2 sons served in the Spanish-American War of 1897. His grandsons served in WWI and great grandsons in WW2 and the Korean conflict. James died in 1904 and Martha in 1905.

Their eldest son Henry, born in 1858, married Emma Bickford, born in 1866 the daughter of H. W. and Elmina (Osier) Bickford, also pioneers of Henry County. H. W. was also a Civil War veteran. They too lived in a log house and reared a large family near Malinta. I have been told the story of the day of H. W. Bickford's birth in the year of 1827. There were no hospitals, seldom a doctor on hand in those days. The neighbor lady or mid-wife (as they were called) was called early in the morning to come and assist with this birth. A fine baby boy was delivered and a name was discussed. The midwife made the statement "It happened I was home and could come, the other children all slept soundly, you have a right fine boy and Mrs. Bickford is doing well, so call him Happen Wright." So that is how my husband's grandfather came by the name of Happen Wright Bickford. He died on October 13, 1912, at the age of 85 years, 10 months, and Elmina died at a much younger age for the marker at her grave says 48.

The Henry Carrols located in Damascus Township with a family of 7 children, namely Chauncey, Forrest, James, Bickford, Nevada, Ortha, and Effie. Here they farmed with horses, raising cows, hogs, chickens, turkeys, geese, and ducks. A large orchard (now gone) stood back of the house and always a large garden was planted and cared for with the choice apples, potatoes and vegetables stored in the earth pit during the cold winter months. This food along with the many cans of home canned fruits, jellies, some dried fruit and vegetables, home butchered beef and pork, poultry and eggs, corn meal and flour made it unneccessary to go to town when unexpected company arrived. How different it was then compared to our super markets of today. We might say each home was a supermarket.

In the early 1900's bobsleds were very common means of transportation when the heavy snows came. Henry Carrol transported his children and all those on the route to the school house by bobsled. In good weather it was walk. At one time 6 of the Carrol children attended the same one room country school. It was told to me that Henry Carrol was called upon to use the bobsled to carry a deceased person several miles over snowy and icy roads where the usual horse drawn vehicle could not have been used.

Bobsleds and wagons also played a part in supplementing income for many farmers. They carried much produce to the markets in Toledo. These were long tiring days for both men and horses, starting long before daylight and getting home after dark with many chores yet to be done. Henry died in 1932 at the age of 79 yrs. 8 mo. and Emma died in 1933 at the age of 72 yrs. 11 mo.

The farm in Damascus Township is still in the Carrol name, occupied by the widow of the late James Carrol, son of Henry and Emma. He was born in 1897 and died in 1963. He married Hope Jones a native of McClure and they reared 6 children: Roger (deceased), Irma Koppenhofer of Napoleon, James (the 4th generation carrying the same name) of Lucasville, Elmer of Perrysburg, Vernon of R.R. Weston, Vivian Dominique of R.R. Napoleon. There are 13 grandchildren in this family. Of the Henry Carrol family only two are livng, Ortha Morgan of Oak Hill, Ohio, and Bickford Carrol of Long Beach, Calif.

Submitted by Mrs. James (Hope) Carrol