LIGHTY-Conrad - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Conrad Lighty, farmer and mechanic, Newtown, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, December 12, 1814. His father, Jacob, was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother, Elizabeth (Hewitt), in North Carolina. He was the oldest son of these parents. In November, 1825, they arrived in Richland township, and opened a farm one mile south and two miles west of Newtown. Mr. Lighty's father was a cooper by trade, and he worked at the same business until after he had become of age, when he engaged in carpentering, threshing, milling, and farming. The mills, which he ran about eight years after he was married, were situated on the east fork of Coal creek. He was married July 14, 1836, to Mary Kellogg, who bore him nine children, of whom we mention the following: Jacob, born October 2, 1837 (dead); John E., October 19, 1839; Elizabeth, September, 1841; Nancy, August, 1844 (died in infancy); Daniel, 1846 (died in infancy). His wife died January 23, 1853. He married again, August 2, 1854, the widow of John Akin, formerly Mary Ann Stephens. By her he had four children: Addie Jane, born December 28, 1856, wife of Joseph Whole, of Vermilion county, Illinois; James Carroll, January 19, 1860; Emma Laura, March 13, 1862, and Charles, January 15, 1865, (died in infancy). His wife died of inflammatory rheumatism August 12, 1876. His third marriage was with the widow of Columbus Chamberlain, her maiden name being Mary Jane Marlatt, February 20, 1877. Mr. Lighty has led an active and busy life. He was one of the first settlers, and being a great observer, and having a retentive memory, added to a lively relish for reminiscences of the olden time, makes him one of the most entertaining and enjoyable men that it has been our fortune to meet. At every old settler's reunion he may be seen with his little wheel that once was so common for spinning flax, illustrating to the young people its novel, amazing, and almost incredible use. In numerous ways besides does Conrad Lighty refresh the dimming recollections of the past among those of his own age, and interest and gratify the later generation. For thirty seasons, beginning with 1850, Mr. Lighty has followed threshing grain, and during the greater part of the same period has run a corn-sheller. For many years he was in the business of selling farm implements and machinery, and it was through his exertions and example that grain-drills were introduced into the community. He is a member of the United Brethren church, and his wife of the Christian church. He has been a democrat ever since he was able to lisp the shibboleth of that party. The office of township trustee was three times conferred upon him. His father served his country six months in the war of 1812. He was a lieutenant under Capt. Samuel Brier, and did duty on the frontier at Forts Brier, Amanda, and Greenville, without falling into any actions. He hauled the lumber for the first buildings that were erected in Attica. He died December 5, 1839, and his widow drew a pension, and a land-warrant for 160 acres.