Henry F. Caris
Henry F. Caris, brick manufacturer, Ravenna, was born April 22, 1832, in Ravenna Township, this county, and is descended from a long line of pioneers of this county. His great-grandfather, Frederick Caris, came here from Maryland in very early times. He had two sons: John, who was a Lieutenant in the war of 1812, and Frederick, who a Captain of militia in the same war. The latter had a large family, of whom John Caris, second, was the eldest son. He married Elizabeth, daughter of the well-known pioneer, Henry Sapp, and of their seven children three are now living: Albert and Mary in Washington Territory, and Henry F. Our subject was brought up on his father's farm and received his education in the schools of the home district. At twenty years of age he began learning the trade of brick-maker. He established a yard of his own in 1853 and he now owns the only brick-yard in Ravenna, where he makes from half a million to a million bricks per annum. Mr. Caris married, June 14, 1860, Miss Julia, daughter of Sidney S. and Julia Allen, of Ravenna, born at Republic, Seneca Co., Ohio, in 1836, and who came to this place at eight years of age with her parents. Mr. Allen was a mill-wright, and he and his wife resided here until their death. Of the five children born to our subject and wife two are now living: Edward C. and Anna A. Mr. and Mrs. Caris are members of the Universalist Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885