Union County, Ohio Biographies Project - R. L. Partridge
R. L. PARTRIDGE
R. L. Partridge was a bridge builder from
Marysville. R. L. Partridge, is the only living of four children
born to his parents, Cyrus and Lucina (Carpenter) Partridge
(1883). The former was a native of Vermont, and the latter of
Washington County N. Y. They migrated to the West at an early
day, and were among the pioneers of Franklin County, Ohio, where he
died in 1836. The widow and mother subsequently became a resident
of Marysville, Ohio, where she lived to the close of her life in 1860.
The subject of this sketch sprang from the Empire State, and was born
in Wilmington, Essex Co., N. Y., in 1828. He came to this city in
1836, where he was reared and educated under the core of, and learned
wagon and carriage making with, Rowland Lee, a half-brother. He
subsequently became engaged in the carpenter trade, which he followed
until 1866, when he began contracting and bridge building. Mr.
Partridge has erected nine tenths of the bridges in Union County, and
at this time, 1882, employs from five to fifteen men. He was a
member of the first military organization in the county, and during the
Mexican War and late rebellion took an active part in raising men and
money for the cause. He has served in the City Council, was
Township Clerk and Trustee some years, and has always recognized and
assisted in all public improvements. He was married in the fall
of 1846 to Miss Maria Wolford, who was born in what was known as the
Campbell place, Marysville, in 1825. Her parents, Adam and Catherine
Wolford, settled upon sixty five acres of land west and south of the
new court house, in 1820, which at that time was a dense woods.
Their cabin was erected in the rear of the present residence of Mr.
Mulford, which became a hallowed spot for church gatherings and pioneer
meetings. Palatial residences and public edifices of modern
design occupy the soil of this worthy pilgrim, while his spirit and
that of his devoted companion have long since pioneered their
settlement to that better land. The only landmark remaining at
this time to recall the incidents and cherish memories of these
associations is the old well over which was suspended , the old oaken
bucket, the iron bound bucket, the moss covered bucket, that hung in
the well." Adam Wolford was a carpenter by trade, and erected
many of the first houses in Marysville. He was engaged in the
construction of the old court house, and was a citizen esteemed by all
who knew him. Mrs. Partridge and William Wilford of this county are the
only living
representatives of his children. Mr. and Mrs Partridge are the
parents of six living children, as follows: Asenath, A. Jennette (wife
of H. C. Vosburg), Frances L. (wife of S. L. Sager), Flora L.,
Catherine O. and Lillian. Mrs. Partridge is the oldest native
born citizen now residing in Marysville. David E. Wolford, a brother of
Mrs. Partridge, was born and raised in Marysville. He enlisted
three times in the Union service during the late rebellion, and while
in the service contracted a disease of the lungs, from which he died
three weeks after leaving the army, in 1866, aged twenty-five years.