Editor's note: The Hudson Library and Historical Society is commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812 with a series of profiles of Hudson men who served in the war, written by Hudson Library and Historical Society Archivist Gwendolyn Mayer.

If ever there were a family lost in the midst of Hudson history it would be the Lindley family. This Hudson family sent three men to war in August of 1812: Jesse, Ichabod and Abiah. All three were enlisted in the Hudson Battalion of the Ohio Militia commanded by Amos Lusk during the War of 1812.

Only small pieces of information are known about Jesse, Ichabod and Abiah. It is thought Ichabod (born around 1780) was the father to Abiah and Jesse, yet this is not substantiated. There seem to be the little information that has survived on the Lindleys.

All of the Lindleys were early settlers of Hudson, most arriving before 1810. In fact, Jesse Lindley (born 1764) accompanied Hudson's founder David Hudson during his first journey to Hudson in 1799.

Jesse was hired as help during the arduous journey from Connecticut to the new lands in the Western Reserve, but thought he could try to shirk some of his duties. When David Hudson's traveling party reached Lake Erie, it was determined the group would traverse the lake at night when the winds offered less resistance.

Jesse protested he was hired as a "day laborer" and, therefore, did not need to row at night. In return, David Hudson cleverly offered Jesse an opportunity to fell trees in the height of the heat of the day while the rest of the party enjoyed a nap. Soon after, Jesse apologized and agreed to do his share of the night work.

It is believed that Abiah Lindley was about 17 years old when he enlisted in Amos Lusk's battalion. Strangely enough, it was Abiah's nap in the right place at the right time was his claim to fame.

It happened that he was tired and climbed into the top branches of a tree to get some shut-eye. While dozing, he heard voices below and recognized British officers making plans for a campaign. After the British departed, he hurried to tell his commanding officer the news, information that proved to be instrumental in defeating the British in a battle in western Ohio a few days later.

As early settlers of Hudson and notable members of this thriving community, several other members of the Lindley family stand out.

Eliada Lindley (1774-1813) did not serve in the war, but was an early member of the Congregational Church and owned a significant amount of real estate in the area. He married Isabel Hannah Lusk (1774-1855), daughter of Amos Lusk.

Jacob Lindley (1740-1810) was a veteran of the Revolutionary War and later settler in Hudson. The Lindleys were strong advocates of horticulture and have often been credited with introducing the pear tree to northeast Ohio.

If ever there were a family overlooked in our community histories, the Lindleys fit the profile. The same can be said of wars.

Often the War of 1812 is described as "the overlooked conflict" or the forgotten war.

On Saturday, June 2, in honor of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, the Hudson Library and Historical Society will host a commemorative event to remember and honor veterans like the Lindleys to ensure that they will never be forgotten or overlooked.