PORTAGE COUNTY OHIO
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File contributed to the Ohio Biographies Project by:
Betty Ralph
bralph@HiWAAY.net
December 1, 1999
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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

JOHN S. BRIGHAM, contractor and builder, Ravenna, was born June 9, 1821, in
St. Albans, Vt.  His father, Pierpont Brigham, a native of Massachusetts,
came to Vermont where he married Louisa Conger, who died September 30, 1832;
he moved to Buffalo, N.Y., and died of cholera September 21, 1852.  Our
subject while residing in Buffalo married, September 5, 1844, Miss Frances
H. Barker, of Ravenna, Ohio, a native of Palmyra, N.Y., born March 24, 1828,
coming to this place at two years of age with her parents, James F. and
Henrietta Barker.  Her grandfather, Ira Shelby, was one of the early
pioneers of Ravenna Township, this county, and his descendants today remain
the leading and most influential people of Portage County, Ohio.  To Mr. and
Mrs. Brigham have been born four children:  Henry; Henrietta, wife of Mr.
Beckley; Charles J. and Willis J.  After residing one year in Buffalo Mr.
and Mrs. Brigham settled in Ravenna, this county, where Mr. Brigham has
followed his business as builder and contractor.  He erected most of the
public buildings and the leading private residences which give Ravenna so
much renown for its beauty.  Mrs. Brigham is one of the leading members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Mr. Brigham is a life-long Republican; he
has taken a deep interest in the public affairs of the city.