The Augusta Cemetery Family Trees

Edwin S. DeFord, distinguished as a business man and financier and holding marked prestige in the domain of citizenship, has made his presence fit in the world of affairs, and stand distinctively in the front ranks of the county's successfulself-made men. His ancestral history as outlined in the preceding paragraphs throws light upon the sterling character of his antecedents, but it is a careful study of the man himself that will account for his gradual rise from a comparativelyunknown station to the commanding position which he now occupies. Edwin S. DeFord is a native of Carroll county, Ohio, born on the family homestead in Augusta township, February 19, 1862. His home life was all that could have been desired and itis not at all strange that he early formulated plans and purposes as to his future course of action. At the proper age he entered the public schools of his native county and the training thus received formed the basis of more thorough study inthe high school at Warren. Later he became a student of the Ohio Normal University at Ada, from which he was graduated in 1882, and subsequently he took a course in Mr. Union College, an institution attended by many of Ohio's noted public andsuccessful business men. In 1886, soon after finishing his education, Mr. DeFord engaged in the milling business at East Rochester, New York

k, and spent ten successful years in that industry, at the expiration of which time, in partnership with his father and a Mr. Couch, he assisted in establishing what was formerly the DeFord & Couch Banking company; now the First National Bank ofMinerva. As originally organized the bank lasted until 1898, when the name was changed to that of the Farmers and Merchants Banking Company; in 1900 the name by which it is at present known was adopted, the subject being elected cashier, aposition he still holds.

Mr. DeFord's long connection with one of the leading monetary institutions of Stark county affords the best proof of his ability and judgment as a sound practical financier and he has discharged his functions in a manner well calculated to inspirepublic confidence in the stability and integrity of the bank, his official record being without a flaw and his private character far above the suspicion of any but the most worthy and honorable motives.

Mr. DeFord is one of Stark county's leading Democrats and his interest in behalf of the party has done much to strengthen its cause in this part of the state. In 1901, he was nominated for county treasurer, but, owing to the overwhelmingRepublican majority, suffered defeat, though running ahead of the majority of candidates on his ticket. He has been quite active in municipal affairs, having served several terms in the common council of Minerva and at this time is filling theoffice of township treasurer. Fraternally he is a member of Tubal Lodge No. 551, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Minerva Lodge, Knights of Pythias, in addition to which organizations he is also identified with Tent No. 122, Knights of theMaccabees. He has risen high in the Masonic brotherhood, being a thirty-second-degree Mason, belonging to the chapter at Alliance and Commandery No. 38, Knights Templar, at Canton, the Mystic Shrine and Lake Erie Consistory at Cleveland, Ohio, inall of which he has been honored with important official positions. His religious belief is embodied in the creed of the Methodist Episcopal; church, being an active and consistent member of the congregation which meets for worship in the town ofMinerva.

The domestic chapter in the life of Mr. DeFord bears the date of 1884, on the 17th of January of which ear he was happily married to Miss Mary A. Cunningham, of Paris township, daughter of Richard Cunningham, one of the county's prominent andinfluential agriculturists. Two children brightened the home of Mr. and Mrs. DeFord, namely: Mark Duncan and Gertrude Marie.