Biographies - Elmira Township

Charles L. Gerard, son of Nicholas and Frances (Lignon) Gerard, both natives of France, was born in Lewis county, N. Y., January 24, 1831.

The grandfather's family came to the United States in 1829, and settled in Lewis county, N. Y. In 1854 they removed to Calumet county, Wis., and there grandfather was engaged in farming until his death in 1862, aged 110 years. In 1856 he walked three miles to cast his vote for Buchanan. In religion he belonged to the Catholic church, with his wife and eight children. One of his sons—Nicholas, father of Charles L., was married in France, settled in Lewis county, N. Y., in 1826, resided some time at Albany and Cleveland, dying in the last named city in 1844. His widow remarried and resides in Kansas. Like his father, he was the parent of eight children. Two died in infancy. Eugene and Joseph are among the dead. John resides in Minnesota, Charles L. in Elmira, Frank in Wisconsin, and George in Elmira. He served under Napoleon at Waterloo.

Charles L. Gerard passed his early years in Ohio. Moving from Cuyahoga to Huron county, Ohio, at the age of fifteen years, and to Fond du Lac, Wis., two years later, where he learned the carpenter's trade.

On August 23, 1855, he married Miss Henrietta M., daughter of William and Hannah (Blood) Leason. Her father was born in Lincoln county, Maine, October 9, 1803, and her mother in Merrimac county, N. H., August 20, 1804. They settled in Stark county in 1844, moved to Wisconsin in 1857 and after a few years returned to Stark. Mrs. William Leason died in 1880.

To Mr. Gerard and wife nine children were born— Hannah E., of Osceola; Mary M., deceased; Martha F., of Elmira; Caroline A., Sylvia E., Anna L., Charles N., James L. and Edith M.

In 1857 he and family came to Stark county. In 1804 he purchased a small tract on section thirty-six, Elmira, and now owns 200 acres mostly improved.

In 1861 he became a republican. At one time he was a member of the United Brethren Church, but now supports all Christian churches. He is an Odd Fellow, has served as school director, and since 1860, when he made the overland trip to Pike's Peak, has been steadily engaged in building up the agricultural and social interests of his township.