Walter Otis DeFORD

1874 - 1928  (53 years)

• Name	Walter Otis DeFORD
  Birth	8 Dec 1874	Carroll County, OH
  Gender	Male
  Death	5 Nov 1928	Canton, Stark County, OH
  Notes	(1) History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio, Vol. II, Chicago, IL and New York, NY: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1921, pp. 506-508: WALTER O. DEFORD. A prominent, prosperous and highly esteemed citizen of Carrollton, Carroll County, Ohio, Walter O. DeFord was for many years intimately associated with the promotion of the financial and material prosperity of his home city, and having accomplished a satisfactory work is now living retired from active pursuits, devoting his time and energies to his personal affairs. A native of Carroll County, he was born December 8, 1874, in Augusta Township, of Huguenot ancestry, being a lineal descendant of one Jean DeFord, the immigrant, the line of descent being thus traced: Jean, John, John, William, John W., and Walter O. . . . Walter O. DeFord was brought up on the home farm and acquired his rudimentary education in the rural schools of his native township, later completing his early studies at the State Normal School in Ada. He was subsequently telegraph operator at Malvern on the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad for awhile and afterward accepted a position in the office of his brother, judge of probate, at Carrollton, where he also became one of the original members of the Carrollton Band, of which very few are now living. In 1900 Mr. DeFord was made assistant cashier of the First National Bank, which on June 1, 1906, was merged into the Cummings Trust Company. In 1911 he formed partnership with Dr. Miller of the R. E. Miller Motor Car Company, and they had the first agency for the Ford and Dodge cars. In September, 1916, the partnership was dissolved and Mr. DeFord retired. Accepting the position of assistant secretary of that organization he held it until June 1, 1916, when he retired from active business. Mr. DeFord has acquired property of much value, owning the old John M. Thompson residence, and with his brother having title to the parental homestead and to 640 acres of land in Butler County, Kansas. He invariably supports the principles of the republican party by voice and vote, but has never been an aspirant for official honors. He is a Knight Templar Mason and belongs to the Shrine. He is not affiliated with any religious organization, but his wife and children attend the Lutheran Church. On October 14, 1903, Walter O. DeFord was united in marriage with Clara L. Byder, of Carrollton, Ohio, a daughter of John G. and Margaret (Buck) Byder, neither of whom are now living, Mrs. Byder's death having occurred in October, 1901, and Mr. Byder's, April 25, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. DeFord have two children, Ethel P., born December 6, 1904; and Deane C., born June 4, 1906. (2) Ohio Deaths, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007 [database online], Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010: Name: Walter O Deford Death Date: 5 Nov 1928 County of Death: Stark
  Person ID	I25828	Frost, Gilchrist and Related Families
  Last Modified	14 Apr 2024

  
  

  Father	John W. DeFORD,   b. 29 May 1840, Carroll County, OH d. 26 Apr 1916, Carroll County, OH (Age 75 years)
  Mother	Elvira CROXTON,   b. 18 Jan 1838, Carroll County, OH d. 16 Mar 1920, Carroll County, OH (Age 82 years)
  Family ID	F11277	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Clara L. BYDER,   b. Oct 1881, Carroll County, OH
  Marriage	14 Oct 1903	Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH
  Family ID	F11280	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	14 Apr 2024