1. Joshua Stow was an American lawyer, judge, and pioneer.
18 Facts About Joshua Stow
1. 2.
Joshua Stow was the founder of Stow, Ohio, served in the Connecticut House of Representatives, and was a judge of Middlesex County, Connecticut.
3.
Joshua Stow was a financial holder in the Ohio Land Company which conducted the land survey of 1796 of which Moses Cleaveland was the Superintendent.
4.
When Joshua Stow saw the forested future township, he said it was "one of the prettiest and most romantic spots in the Western Reserve".
5.
Joshua Stow purchased the whole five-mile square of Stow Township as an investment, for $14,154.
6.
Joshua Stow made 13 trips here, the old stories say.
7.
Some of Joshua Stow's relatives did settle here, and a few of their descendants still live in Joshua Stow.
8.
Back in Middletown, Joshua Stow entered public office, serving in the Connecticut House of Representatives during the 1805 spring and fall sessions.
9.
Joshua Stow served as tax collector, and, from 1823 through 1826, was judge of the Middlesex County Court.
10.
Joshua Stow favored Thomas Jefferson in the presidential race of 1800, and thus became an enemy of the local Federalists, who wanted the social order to remain as it was: dominated by the Congregational Church.
11.
Joshua Stow wrote Article Seven of the state constitution, making it a matter of personal choice as to which church a person could join.
12.
When he was branded an "infidel" by a newspaper editor, Joshua Stow filed a libel suit against the paper.
13.
Joshua Stow did win his suit, but continued to be criticized for such things as bringing ministers of other denominations to preach at Middlefield's Congregational Church.
14.
Joshua Stow was an active and dedicated member of the Universalist Church of Middletown, Connecticut.
15.
Joshua Stow died October 10,1842, aged 80, and was buried in the then new "Center Cemetery" in Middlefield.
16.
Joshua Stow's ancestor, John Stow, was born in Kent County, England, and emigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634 aboard the Elizabeth.
17.
Joshua Stow's ancestors included the first minister in Middlefield, Connecticut, a Congregationalist.
18.
Joshua Stow married Ruth Coe in 1786; they had at least three children.