Col. M. A. Birchard
Col. M. A. Birchard, farmer, P. O. Windham, was born January 31, 1808, in Becket, Berkshire Co., Mass., son of Nathan and Marcy (Ashley) Birchard, the former born September 30, 1769, in Becket, Mass., and the latter born July 22, 1766, in Westfield, Mass. They came to Windham Township in 1812, and settled on the farm now owned by Aaron Castor, where they died, the father September 8, 1839, and the mother June 1, 1835. They were original members of the first Presbyterian Church organized in Windham. They had a family of ten children, of whom our subject is the only one now living. M. A. Birchard attended the log-cabin schools of Windham a few months during the winters of his early boyhood days. He began for himself when twenty-one years old, and with an ax, which he purchased for $3, he soon felled the trees on parts of his present farm, where he has always lived since reaching majority. In 1834 he was married to Mary E. Cantield, daughter of Amasa and Nancy (Randall) Canfield, and by her had one son—Edward L. (deceased in 1878, five years subsequent to the demise of his mother). Mr. Birchard was married, a second time, to Lois A. Richards, daughter of Mills and Aurelia (Humphrey) Richards, natives of Connecticut and who settled in Medina County, Ohio, as early as 1828. By this union were born Emily E. and Mary A. In an early day Mr. Birchard was Colonel of a militia company. In 1851 he was elected County Commissioner, and served three years. He has been Township Trustee and has held other minor offices. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Jackson, and has clung closely to the Democratic party since. Col. Birchard is well known and respected by all. The late Judge Mathew Birchard, of Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, was an elder brother of our subject.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885