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biography
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Francis Broughton. - This worthy citizen of
Beaver township, Crawford county, is the owner of Maple Grove farm, one of the most valuable and best improved homesteads in
this section. Everything about the place shows the watchful care and attention bestowed by the proprietor, who is thoroughly
practical and progressive as an agriculturist. He is a veteran of the Civil war and has always been noted for his good
citizenship and patriotism. It is a remarkable fact that there were six sons of his father’s household, himself and five of
his brothers, who enlisted for service in the ranks of the Union army during the Civil war, and two of them paid for their
devotion to their country and flag with their young lives.
Michael Broughton, the father of these heroes, was a native of Vermont, and continued to reside in that state until he
arrived at maturity. He then went to New York state and settled in the neighborhood of Silver Lake. Later he came to Crawford
county as one of Conneaut township’s early pioneers: then, in 1850, moved to Beaver township and spent the remainder of his
life there, his death occurring when he was in his seventy-second year. He was a stonemason by trade, at which he worked in
connection with farming. In his early manhood he was the manager and owner of a hotel for some time. A strong Republican, he
was deeply concerned in his party’s success, but never aspired to public office. Religiously. he was identified with the
Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, whose maiden name was Sallie Gillan, lived to be eighty-five years of age. Her family
originally resided in Canada, but during the war of 1812 they removed to New York state, preferring to live under the
American flag. Michael and Sallie Broughton were the parents of ten children.
Francis Broughton was born August 12, 1844. in Conneaut township, this county, and was reared to farm management from his
earliest boyhood. He continued to assist his father on the old homestead until the war broke out, when, in spite of his
youth, he enlisted in the Second Pennsylvania Cavalry and served for three years. or until the close of the great conflict.
Eli, his eldest brother, enlisted in the Sixth Wisconsin Infantry and at the end of eight months’ service was obliged to be
discharged on account of having been poisoned by drinking water from a spring near the camp. In 1862 he again volunteered,
this time in the Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, with our subject. A year later, however, he was again honorably discharged,
owing to physical disability. His death occurred in 1898. Truman, the next brother, enlisted in the Third Minnesota Regiment
and for three years was in active service on the frontiers of the west. Henry was for ten months a member of the Twenty-ninth
Ohio Regiment of Volunteers, at the expiration of which period he was discharged, owing to the state of his health. When he
had recovered in a measure, he re-enlisted, this time in the Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, was captured at St. Mary’s church
and died in a rebel prison at Florence, South Carolina. Pulaski, a member of the Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteers, faithfully
stood at the post of duty for three years and Addison, another brother, enlisted and had proceeded as far as Pittsburg with
his regiment, on the way to the front, when he contracted the measles and died.
When the affairs of the nation were beginning to adjust themselves peaceably, Francis Broughton, returning home, purchased
the old homestead of the other heirs and has since carried on the place, which comprises one hundred acres. He has made many
improvements and is numbered among the leading farmers of this district. For several years he has been a school director and
for some eight years he officiated in the capacity of township supervisor. He has been quite active in the support of the
principles and nominees of the Republican party, but has never sought official distinction. He belongs to the state police
and is a member of Major Patten Post, G. A. R., of Springboro, Crawford county. He and his wife are valued members of the
Christian church, he having been a deacon in the same for several years.
in 1867 Mr. Broughton married Miss Agnes Miller, who was born in Scotland, and
their two children are Sadie, who is at home, and Jessie, who is the wife of Wayne Whitford, of this county.
Our county and its people: a historical and memorial
record of Crawford County, Pennsylvania by Samuel P. Bates, 1899, pages 703-705.
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