Lake County Ohio GenWeb

Horace Bacon

This biography is taken from Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio, Embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake; Lewis Publishing Company, 1893.

Transcribed and submitted by Becky Falin, 1996.

Horace Bacon, another one of the prominent and highly respected farmers of Painesville township, Lake county, Ohio, was born in Perry township, this county, March 21, 1849, grandson of one of the earliest pioneers of this county.

David Bacon, his grandfather, a native of Montpelier, Vermont, was taken at the age of three years to Cayuga county, New York, by his father, who was a native of Massachusetts. David was reared on a farm in Cayuga county, and in 1817 with his wife and two children he emigrated to Lake county, Ohio, making the journey with ox team and wagon, and coming from Buffalo along the lake shore. Buying land near the lake, in what is now Perry township, he built a log cabin in the woods and there established his home. There were few settlers here then, the Indians being the most frequent visitors at the Bacon cabin, and the forest around abounded in deers, bears and wolves. Amid these surroundings he went to work to cut away the timber and improve a farm. In 1842, having partially developed his land, he moved to Painesville township and here improved another farm. His life was one of useful activity. He died at the age of seventy-three years, honored and respected by all who knew him. His wife, whose maiden name was Deborah Bruntage, was a native of New York State. She passed away at the age of forty-five. Both were worthy members of the Disciple Church, and, politically, he was a Whig. They reared a large family of children, namely: Adaline, David Nelson, Charles T., Alonson, Orlis J., Austin, Aceneth, William L. and George B. Of this number only two are living - David Nelson and George B.

William L. Bacon, the father of our subject, was born in Perry township, in 1828, and in the primitive schools of the pioneer settlement he received his education. After his marriage he settled in a log cabin on the farm now occupied by his son Horace. This place was then a wilderness of woods and water. Mr. Bacon was a man of fine physique and industrious habits, and as the years rolled by he developed his land into a fine farm. He was not fond of hunting, but it is said of him that he once killed a bear. Politically, he was a Republican, and, like his parents, he was a member of the Disciple Church. He died at the age of sixty-eight years. His widow still survives, a highly respected resident of Painesville. Her maiden name was Miss Ester Race. She was born in New York State and came to this county in her girlhood days. She has had three children, Horace, the subject of this sketch, being the oldest; Minnie, deceased; and T. Ida.

Horace Bacon received his education in the district schools and in the academy at Painesville. He launched out in business for himself in 1871, and for four years ran a feed store in Painesville. Then he went to Wayne county, Michigan, where he had a farm of 217 acres, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his time and attention for ten years. Disposing of his Michigan property in 1884, he came to his present farm, comprising 150 acres of fine land. He also has half interest in another 150 acres, all improved. While he is engaged in general farming, he keeps a dairy of twenty-three cows and also gives special attention to the raising of onions.

Mr. Bacon was married December 23, 1874, to Mary B. Hine, eldest daughter of Homer Hine. They have had two children, William L., who died May 23, 1880, at the age of six, and Homer.

Mr. Bacon is a Republican and at the same time independent in his political views. He and his wife are members of the Disciple Church.