Short Biography of James M. Dillow

JAMES M. DILLOW, a retired farmer of Brecksville township, was born October 3, 1822, in Brecksville, Cuyahoga county, Ohio. His father, Andrew Dillow, was born in Washington, Pennsylvanis, November 10, 1790, was reared a farmer and was married there, March 29, 1810, to Elizabeth Farrar, who was born December 29, 1787. His parents were killed by Indians, and he was taken by an old lady of the neighborhood to bring up, who took kind care of him. When yet a boy he came to Brecksville township, looked over the country, and returned to Pennsylvania, where he was married, and about 1830 moved here with his wife and two children, namely: Mary, who married Henry Stebbins and died here in Ohio; and George W., a farmer, who was married twice, first to Uceba Russel and afterward to Pearliette M. Fenn, and died in Brecksville. Mr. Andrew Dillow located at Center and was employed in the old Wyatt gristmill for forty years, resigning when his health failed. About a year after his arrival here he purchased a tract of land, all wods, a mile east of Center, located upon it and made it his home for the remainder of his life. His children were: Jand, who married Miranda Peck and died in Brecksville; Peter, a farmer, who married Eliza Rinear and afterward Arminda Norville; James, whose name heads this sketch; Elizabeth, who married Francis Stebbins and died in this town; Catharine, who became the wife of Ira Fitzwater and died here; and Orlando, who died young. Mr. Dillow died November 16, 1877, and his wife April 9, 1865: both were buried in East cemetery. Mr. Dillow was a Whig and Republican, and his wife a member of the Presbyterian Church. As to his physical frame he was large and stout, and during his life did an immense amount of hard work.

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, Mr. James M. Dillow, was reared upon a farm and obtained his modicum of education in the way characteristic of the wild period of pioneer times in Ohio. His father once willed the old farm to him if he would remain upon it; but this was both unsatisfactory to the other children and distasteful to him, and he surrendered the will and struck out in life for himself unaided. He had given all his earnings to his parents and assisted them in every way.

April 22, 1847, he married Sarah J. Clifford, who was born April 20, 1830, in Northfield, Summit county, Ohio, a daughter of William and Eunice (Cranmer) Clifford; her father was from Beaver county, Pennsylvanis. After his marriage Mr. Dillow lived a year with his father, then bought a from from Theodore Breck, when he had not a dollar to pay for it! Mr. Breck was kind enough to lend him $75, and gave has as long a time as he wished to return it and pay for the land. One horse, hitched to a mud boat, was able to haul all his earthly possessions! but with a determination to succeed he set to work and paid the above debts before they were due! Soon afterward he purchased ninety acres adjoining. He has been a farmer all his life. In later years he removed to the south of Center, to seek a more healthful location and afterward he moved to Center. In December, 1892, he moved to his present place, where he is enjoying a retired life. He has owned several farms, and still has 140 acres of land. His amiable wife, who has been of great assistance to him through all their struggles, is a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Dillow has been a man of exemplary habits, never having used tobacco or intoxicating liquor. Politically he was a Republican before the war, and since then a Democrat. He has been Constable four years, Judge of Election, etc. He has worked very harad all his life, and has never "worn out the seat of his pants."

His children are: Andrew C., who died at the age of five years; Ella J., who is living at home; Julia E., who also died when five years old; George, who died young; Eddy J., who died when ten years of age; Clark J., a farmer of this township, who married Isabella Wallace, of Northfield, Summit county, Ohio; Myrton U., who died when two years old; and Frank H., who married MayKing, of Cleveland, and settled in that city.

Source: "Memorial Record of the County of Cuyahoga and City of Cleveland, Ohio" ⁴⁴¹⁹