The Floro Family of Ottawa County

John Floro was born October 7, 1810 in Hamilton County, Ohio. His parents were David S. Floro (Florow-Florough), born in 1786 or 1787, probably in Maryland, and Anna Larned, born 1787 in Kentucky to Ezekeil Larned and Desire Hall.  

When John was three the family moved to Clark County.

In 1828 Joseph Hall (Anna's half brother) and John came to Ottawa County (then part of Sandusky County) looking for new locations for their families.  In 1832 they returned to Clark County.

David, a cripple, and Anna sold their land, loaded their children and belongings into two covered wagons and came to Ottawa County.  They bought land in Harris township, but after a couple of years sold out and moved to Carrol and Erie Townships.

John (eldest) married Lydia Deer, daughter of Lyman and Melinda (Russell) Deer, early settlers from New York; Joseph("Sally" Greenwood); David Jr.(Clarissa Manore); Jesse(Elmira Alden) Union Army 1861-1865 - went to Oklahoma and participated in opening the "Cherokee Strip"; Daniel (Mary Velliquette - Polena Serk) Union Army - died 1863; Letha Ann (Nathan Fields - Nelson Monroe) Great Grandmother of Dr. Haron Fields whose resseach made most of this information availible; Abigail (J. Sanderson); Nancy (John Walden); Drusilla (Abraham Stultz).

Children of John and Lydia (Deer) Floro - Anna (Daniel St. Clair) ; David H. (Mary Melinda (Perry); Ezekeil (Octavilla Guss), Graytown Hotel Operator; Issac M. (Mary Finken),J.P. and storekeeper; Jacob (Julia Finken), daughter Luella Grobe living at LaCarne; Ester Ann (Francis Bovia - Henry Finken); John E. (Mary Ann Ballard).

After Lydia's death (1864) John married Elizabeth Williams, daughter of Nehemiah and Hester (Pickering) Williams, also early settlers.  They had a daughter, Frances (Frank H. Kininger from Sandusky county who worked for the Toledo Blade for many years). Frank was the son of  Joseph and Margaret (McLaughlin) Kininger.

When David H. married Mary Melinda (Perry), she had two children - James Winfield and Mary Ann from a previous marriage to James (B. Ballard) Floro.  David's children were - Ephriham Jacob (Louisa Arndt), farmer-game warden, son Lawrence still living on land of original Grant; George (Mattie Haines); William Cyrus (Ella Ann Williams); Lydia (George Williams - Jack Perry); Emery (Mary Smith), son Richard living in Port Clinton.

During the early 1900's an annual "John Floro Family" Reunion was held.  The afternoon entertainment was a "Clay-Pigeon Shoot".  Each of John's five sons was an excellent marksman, and competition was lively, so each owned and used his own gun.

The Sons of John Floro

From left to right (bottm row) Issac, David H., Ezekeil

(top row)Jacob and John E.

David H. was a farmer and a fisherman. Mary Melinda was the daughter of Timothy and Annis (Deer) Perry.  

William Cyrus was a farmer, mason and storekeeper. Ella Ann was the daughter of Samuel and Lydia Ann (McNutt) Williams.  Their children were - Beatrice (Arthur Ohm) - Wilton, Leola, Alvin; Edward (Fay Ohm - Bonnie Fachman) - Ella May, June, Carolyn, Gladys; Vernice (Floyd McIver) - Thelma; Kenneth (Marcelle Strein - Elzabeth Conlan) - Karen Joy, Kay Ann, Michelle;  Kenny went to Brady, Texas as a flying instructor, fell in love with the area, bought a ranch and is buried on it. He flew for Pan-American for thirty-one years.

(from the book "The History of Ottawa County and it's families" published by the Ottawa County Chapter of the OGS

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FLORO Family Death Certificates