Hugh Mosher was the fifer portrayed in Archibald Willard's "Spirit of '76," one of America's most famous patriotic paintings. He was born on January 29, 1819 in Perry, Lake County, then part of Geauga County, Ohio. During the Civil War, he served as Fifer Major in the 43rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After the conflict, he was considered the finest fifer in the state and performed at veterans' reunions and other celebrations. Popular and noted for his generosity, he died on August 15, 1896 and is buried in Brighton, Lorain County, Ohio.