Thomas Roe

      Barnett Roe, one of the most progressive farmers of Greenfield township, is a descendant of Thomas Roe, the pioneer of the family in America.

      Thomas Roe, a native of Northamptonshire, England left his country in 1822, and with his wife and seven children came to the United States, locating near Flemming, Cayuga county, N.Y.  He had eight children born to him in England, of whom one, died there.  The seven who accompanied their parents to America were Charles, married to Corinna Carver of Flemming, Cayuga Co., N.Y., who bore him one daughter, Selina (Mrs. George W. Atherton), of Peru township, Huron county (Charles Roe died in Peru township in 1891); Anna, who married Samuel Weeks, and died qt Pioneer, Williams county, Ohio; Mark, now residing a Granville, Ohio; Joseph, a sketch of whom appears in the biography of A.G. Roe, of Peru township; Barnett, a short record of whom follows; Mary Ann, who married Hiram Barnum, and died in Fairfield township, and William, who was a farmer of Fairfield township, where he died.  While residing in New York State, two more sons were born: Thomas, now a resident of Oregon, and Rueben, of Toledo, Ohio.  About 1834 Thomas Roe and his son, Charles, came to Huron county and purchased a tract of land in Peru township. The father remained here, while the son went back to Cayuga county, N.Y., for the remainder of the family, with whom he returned and introduced to their new home.  Here the father and mother both died.  They were members of the Baptist Church, and were much esteemed citizens of the community.

      Barnett Roe, son of Thomas, was born in 1810 in England, and, accompanying his parents to America, resided with them in New York State, later moving with them to Huron county, Ohio.  His school days were passed in Cayuga county, New York, where he also began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed with such a measure of success that he was enabled from time to time to invest in small tracts of land, in Greenfield township, increasing his number of acres annually. While still a young man he married Harriet Brightman, of Peru township, who was born in 1814, and the children of this marriage are Elizabeth, Mrs. C. H. Strong; Anna, Mrs. James White of Cleveland; Barnett, subject of this sketch; Maria and Mary, twins, of whom Maria is married to Theodore Niver, of Norwich (Mary died at the age of five years), and James K., who was a miner in Colorado, where he met his death in his thirty second year.  Immediately after the marriage Mr. and Mrs. Roe made the homestead their residence, where he engaged in agriculture and carpentry.  In 1856 he erected what is known as the Phoenix mills in Greenfield township, and operated same for twelve or thirteen years with marked success.  After that long term in the milling business his health failed, compelling him to retire from active life.  He resided on the farm now occupied by his son, Barnett, until his death, which was the result of paralysis.  His wife died January 27, 1851, and both are interred in the Stuben cemetery.  He was a strong advocate of the principals of the Republican party, held various offices in the township, and also served as county commissioner. He was one of the most progressive citizens who ever lived in Greenfield township. His farm, mill and stone quarries were parts of his plan for the development of the township, so that the death of such a man was a serious loss, not only to his family, but also to the entire community.

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Source: Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Huron and Lorain, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, illustrated.   Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1894
pg. 210.

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