PORTAGE COUNTY OHIO ****************************************************************************** File contributed to the Ohio Biographies Project by: Betty Ralph bralph@HiWAAY.net ****************************************************************************** Copyright © 1999 by Betty Ralph. This copy contributed for use in the OH Biographies Project. bralph@hiwaay.net from "History of Portage County, Ohio" published by Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885 JOSEPH C. BRAINERD, retired farmer, P.O. Randolph, was born in Martinsburg, Lewis Co., N.Y. September 25, 1819; son of Joseph and Nancy (Post) Brainerd, natives of Connecticut, former of whom died in New York; latter came to this county. The widow married to Deacon Jotham Mitchell. She died in this county, he in New York. Our subject was married October 25, 1840, to Lovinna Merriman, born December 29, 1820, died December 30, 1843. After her decease Mr. Brainerd married, July 23, 1844, Elizabeth Clark, born June 2, 1822, in Geauga County, Ohio, daughter of Billings and Caroline Clark (deceased). Our subject engaged in saddle and harness making, afterward in stock-dealing and farming. During the war he and his brother dealt in horses for the Government, since when he has retired. Mr. and Mrs. Brainerd are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He served as Deputy Sheriff of the county for several terms, also as Township Clerk, and held a Notary's commission for about eighteen years. He is the father of two children: Frances L., born October 4, 1841, wife of Capt. S.S. Blackford, of Washington, D.C., and Henry C., born June 28, 1845, now a practicing physician in Cleveland, Ohio. Our subject has a beautiful home in Randolph Township, this county.